I have crossed the Arctic Circle!

This morning around 7:22am (my time) I crossed the arctic circle at 66º 33 minutes North!!! This point is marked with a globe monument (which I am unable to see with the cloud cover). Although I can not see it... I am still excited to be the 2nd Skyhawk t o traverse this route! Maria Swygert was here earlier this summer!

Todays excursion is to travel to the Svartisen glacier. However, with this mornings weather of rain and cloud cover, I am happy I decided to say on the ship! So I can sit here on the 9th deck observation deck and watch everything float by as I drink my cup of coffee and write.

I thought I would take this opportunity to give you a few facts regarding this country I have been traveling for the past 9 days: (yes it is easily googled.. but I actually found these things out on my trip)

1. Norway has about 4.7 million people living within its boarders

2. Its three largest cities are its capital of Oslo (557,000 ppl), Bergen (247,000 ppl) and Trondheim (165,000 ppl)

3. The area of this country covers a little over 239,000 square miles (385,155 km2) with over 187,000 sq miles of mainland

4. Norway is bordered by Sweden, Finland and Russia

I have enjoyed meeting so many people from all over the world. It is my privilege to share meals with a table of very diverse people. In a nutshell... just at one table you have a person from Austrailia who lives and works in Abu Dabi... you have a Belgium born man traveling with an American partner both of which work for World Bank in Washington DC (she grew up in a school very much like Hammond)... and my favorite are Los Angels based Martin the astronomer and his wife Shirley (who are on their way to India). This couple is so adorable and in their 70's with such a jazz for life and travel.

Beyond my dinner table, I have met Jon! A canadian business man, originally from Norway, lived 15+ years working for the studios in California. I enjoyed a wonderful chat with him on the upper solar deck. Very enlightening and welcomed conversation! He let me know that many Norwegians have not even been on this trip I am taking. He and I agreed that it is some of the most spectacular sights in the world. He also was telling me how young I am and that if I liked it so much I should just be adventurous and stay! I told him I am not too sure how that would go over back home!!!

I think I have also become the subject of a game for 4 little Norwegian kids, who are traveling aboard. These little ones will run around the ship trying to be the first to find me. Then run off and find the others, but by the time they have returned to where they found me... I have moved! At first it was a bit annoying... but I have come to find myself participating more and more! I can only imagine the questions going through their little minds and the stories that they imagine about this strange solo US traveler .....

Let todays adventures unfold!

Cant see a thing

So we are steaming our way north when all of a sudden it seems like we are surrounded by mist and fog... Literally, you can not see further than 50 ft in any direction of the boat. I am both nervous and amazed that they are maneuvering this big tub through all of these rocks!!! So I am going to sit up here on the deck 9 observation deck and watch!

I will also take this opportunity to not feel guilty for being online and try to upload a picture or two!?!?!?!!!!

Jumping Ship

Today I woke up in Trondheim! After a quick breakfast, I decide to jump ship and walk into town. Now of course the ship has set excursions for the city, but (as is everything in Norway) this teacher is on a budget! So given my options to sleep in, take my time at breakfast and just relax on the ship... or hoof it on my own... I am jumping ship!

It is a 20-25 minute walk into the town center and I can not find a single map to take... SO... I take a digital picture of the big map at the reception desk and decide to make a go at it! 20 minutes later I am facing my goal...the Nidaros Cathedral! I will go into detail regarding this cathedral in one of my other presentations. I am limited with what I can send (satellite remember)

Trondheim was founded around 997 by the viking King Olav Trygvasson. First known as Nidaros, Tronheim was Norway's first capital city and now is the third largest city in Norway (about 170.000 people).

I really enjoyed my independent walk around the city... my fears of getting lost and then in turn missing my ship's departure faded away with each step around this friendly town. I have just gotten back on board and the ship is preparing to depart. Today our sail will take us along Kjeungskjaer Fjord which is said to feature the "most beautiful lighthouses of Norway"! I hope the weather clears... no rain but very cloudy! Trust me... I will still be snapping pictures!

I will jump on tonight after dinner and post... seemed to work out well last night!

Molde

Just stopped in the port town of Molde... Departing now and when I wake up I will be in Trondhiem. I have decided to take it on my own and walk into town and check out the cathedral and the center town area. I am sitting here typing and happen to look up at an incredible horizon! I have learned to keep the camera on me at all times... but having just come from dinner... UGH! I wish I had the words that would do justice to what I am witnessing! WOW

Tonight I went to dinner (single... story of my life) with great anticipation of whom I may be seated. I have the late seating so I had time to relax and shower before heading to dinner... Well guess what.. I walk up to a table of seven and sit down! And wait... and wait... and .. well the others at the table never showed. In many ways I was very very uncomfortable... but I sat there looking at the view and reflected on what I have seen in the past 24 hours aboard this ship!

In just 24 hours I have met people from all over Europe, the US, Asia and both central and south America... I have heard more languages spoken than i could ever imagine. (German so far is most prominent) I have noticed a young girl (20's) traveling all on her own, she is very friendly and has been very cordial in our passing... but I am growing ever more curious. I overheard a bit of her story last night... AND if I understand ... she is traveling all over on here own... I want to make her my friend and find out what she is doing! I already admire her courage, her independence and her drive for adventure. She has such a wonderful attitude and outlook (that I have noticed from afar).. I thought of what she must be doing when I sat alone tonight! She doesnt yet know how she has inspired me to look past my discomfort, and instead look out the windows at the wonderful things that are happening around me. My concerns with what everyone around me thought of this silly American sitting alone faded... as I began to focus on the wonderfully delicious meal placed in front of me, the breathtaking view surrounding me, and the newness of independence slowly growing within me! Thank you Norway for breaking me down....

I will leave you with a few more pictures (if the satellite link will upload them)! Gutten Tag (in appreciation of my "soon to be" new German friend)

**well actually not sure pictures will upload tonight.... at the mercy of technology! However, I have over 1000 pictures so far... So I feel confident I can post "a few" at some point.

Good Morning....

What a way to wake up!!

(AND I did wake up to picture the 4am port.. Thank you very much!!! Then went right back to sleep!) Enjoy these few photos of my morning walk around the ship! Satellite uplink is very slow and does not always agree with my connection... So I will report as I can!

I need my sea legs....

Wow.. this boat is ROCKIN'!!!!

It will take me a minute to get my "sea legs"... but my my my ... I am in for such a treat! I am on the ship Midnatsol, a part of the Hurtigruten!

I would be glad to post the history of the Hurti, but LATER! I am honestly too enthralled with the sights!

I took this picture just moments ago! At 11:07pm! I think its perfect.. I am on the Midnatsol (Midnight Sun) and witnessing the incredible "real" midnight sun! My only wish would be for everyone to be here with me!!!

WANT TO TRACK ME?? You can know my exact location 24/7 at:

http://www.hurtigruten.com/en/norway/map/

FOLLOW ME!!

First port to visit: Maloy - one of the biggest fishing ports in Norway. Every year almost 200,000 tons of fish are landed in this port! We arrive at 4:15am! My goal is to wake up and at least take a photo. (Taking bets on my success)

Time in port: 15 minutes!

Bon Voyage....

I am onboard the MS Midnatsol.... Bound for Northern Norway! I do have internet via satellite, which is very much like old school dial up really! I just wanted to check in... Time to explore this big ship! I can not believe I am doing this!!! :)

PS... Kathy Dunne... I took a picture for you! I will post later... I watching a woman "franticly and feverishly" knit like it is nobody's business!! Looks like it might be a sock..... I thought of you!!

Heading to the harbor...

I guess I am about to make my way to the harbor and begin boarding the Midnatsol!!!! We will see if I am still able to get online!

Bon Voyage! Or I guess I should say Ha En Fin Tur (I think)!!!

Day 12!

Today marks the 12th day I have been away from home! With exactly one week left in my travels, I knew it had to happen.... Rain!

But it is bound to happen! I really think that twelve days ago I would have sat here upset at the fact it would be raining on "my adventure"... instead, I really see it as an opportunity to relax! I spent a great deal of time walking all over Bergen yesterday in cool beautiful weather. For that I am very grateful! Now I get to sit and have a long morning. Its nice to not have to check out of the hotel until 2pm!

Todays activities will be guided by the weather... well until 5pm when I jump on board the Midnatsol (Midnight sun) for my 7 day voyage to the north. This sail will take me through 35 cities up the coast of Norway... all the way to the town of Kirkenes, near the Russian border! I am beyond excited for this! I mean... I will be crossing into the Arctic circle! SO pumped!!!

More later... I should start to pack some stuff!

Spontaneous Luck!

One of the highlights of my unplanned walk today occurred when I visited the cathedral of Bergen! This 12th century treasure was spectacular. As in most cases, you can just walk in to most of the cathedrals in Europe. As I approached the doors I noticed that there would be an afternoon organ recital in 15 minutes. I walked in and to my amazement there were 4 other people there... for a brief moment, it crossed my mind to quickly snap my photos and get out before the recital began! Yet something made me sit instead... and honestly, it was my fortune not to "snap and run"

The music was divine! There was no program (that I was aware of), and 2 of the people who were there when I arrived left... but for 40 minutes I sat there transfixed in the beauty that filled the cavernous stone walls! Although I have a several pictures from my stay, they do not do justice to the experience. As I sat listening, I could not help but say "thank you"!

Bergen... through my eyes

After a leisurely breakfast, I grab the camera and just start walking. Instead of writing a narrative on what what I did... I thought I show you the Bergen I saw! Armed with nothing but my camera and a small street map, I set out for a 4 hour walk! No real plan...

just walk!

And walk....

... and walk

.... AND ENJOY!

My lunch today: YUMMY!!

The Fish Market was where I enjoyed my lunch today! A little bit of this, a little bit of that!!!

(Disclaimer: Yes I know its whale, but I am here to experience the culture!)

Grey morning in Bergen..

Grey cloudy skies with a small rain is perfect for me this morning... it will allow me to post some pictures from yesterdays journey from east to west! Traveling by ferry, bus and train!

It is taking an extremely amount of time to upload photos today... as well, I am not too familiar with "blogspot" and only know how to load the 5 photos on a post.... SO, here are 15 of the 155 photos I took from my trek! Even with cloudy skies, the sights were spectacular!!! I was also fortunate to meet a newly married couple from Michigan (my home state) of all places. It was nice to share conversation on the ferry. As well, I befriended a new "little buddy". His name is Jorge. He along with his family were on holiday from Barcelona. He is pictured in the first set of pictures.... He and I became fast friends for the 2.5 hour ferry ride!

Enjoy

Bergen... Check!

I have made it to Bergen! The trip to get here was everything it was explained and MORE! I have soooooo many pictures to upload! First things first, time to freshen up and go grab some seafoods down at the Fish Market!

I still can not believe how much sun there is right now at 10pm... I will write more later when I get back for the night!

våken og uthvilt

Awake and refreshed after an awesome nights rest! My stay in Flam has been the best! It has been a great morning of leisure for me. After a nice breakfast complete with an awesome conversation with Odas (my new Latvian friend who is here on holiday working for the summer while in university)! Upon returning to my room, my wonderful friend Ana at the front desk informs me that she has contacted the company who organizes the activities and they have faxed over confirmation of my excursions.... I have NO MORE WORRIES! Thank you Ana!

I love Norway!

I have been sitting on my stoop drinking morning tea for over an our just watching the beauty of this village. It is so quiet and peaceful. The occasional hiker will walk as infrequently as small boats depart the fjord! This is so cathartic! I have about 3 hours to kill and although I plan to visit the small town museum in a bit, I have decided to do as much writing as I can. Not only on here but in my personal journal. There is an enormous rock overlooking the water with my name on it! The weather is calm and cool, the setting is perfect!

Once I leave here, I will not be in my hotel in Bergen until late tonight (mid afternoon SC time), so here is a brief "nutshell" of my activities:

I began yesterday (07/25) at 10am (4am US)in Oslo to board the train and travel the Bergen Railway (voted one of the world's most beautiful train journeys... and I believe it!) This train ride over Northern Europe's largest mountain plateau was spectacular. I have hundreds of pictures! Reaching its highest point in Finse at 4009 feet!

I arrived in Myrdal to leave the modern train and board a much more authentic mountain passenger rail. Beautiful all wooden interior and picture windows (many of which you can open) reminded me very much of the train I see each year on the freshman trip that take people past the NOC. This train beginning at 2841 feet stretched only 12 miles and down the Flam valley ending in an altitude of 6.5 feet! I mean to tell you this hour long ride took me past some of the most picturesque and magnificent mountain scenery!

This afternoon (o7/26) I will board a ferry here in town and travel the Sognefjord, Norways longest and deepest fjord (4265 feet deep). Wow... so Im going from over 4000 feet up to boating on over 4000 feet deep!! Only in Norway! The ferry from Flam will take me 2 hours where I will reach Gudvangen. Along the way I pass through the narrowest and perhaps most dramatic fjord in Europe (so I am told... I will let you know).

Once I jump off the ferry in Gudvangen, I hop a bus an take the "extreme" Stalheimsklevia road. This road has 13 steep and frightening hairpin bends heading to the town of Voss. I have heard some people have to sit on the floor of the isle because it is SOOOO EXTREME! (Makes me think of Angel!!)

From Voss I quickly jump on a train and head to Bergen! Arriving around 8:30pm (2:30pm US).

The weather is beautiful... cool and a wonderful breeze. Ana tells me that the sun will break through the clouds at 3pm today... just as I am boarding my ferry. YES! Sorry to hear it is miserable and HOT back home! Much love to all...

GREAT evening!

After the past few days, I mean it.. GREAT EVENING!

So Half a world away, it only takes a simple message from someone close to home to make me realize how incredible my journey is each day! Today I got a brief email from Herb Barks (the reason for why I am at Hammond), he has been following my blog and as simply and poignantly as only he can say, he advises me "but when difficulties arise say.. my teacher has arrived"... Well put Herb barks... Well put!

I think, instead of writing you of all the days events ... I will just upload some pictures. However, I feel I must say... right now it is 9:30pm and the sun is just positioned to start casing shadows down on us in the fjord. I am excited as I approach "the midnight sun"! Nearly 24 hours of daylight... I can only imagine!

Enjoy the pictures from my incredible adventures form just today!

(Very few of the over 500 I took today)