The North Cape sits on a high plateau overlooking the Arctic Ocean. It's most famous landmark is the steel globe structure which stands outside the North Cape hall.
Monday, June 23, 2014
North Cape, Norway
The bus ride to the North Cape took about 45 minutes from Honnisvag. Other than an occasional sighting of reindeer, the drive up was mostly barren landscape.
The North Cape sits on a high plateau overlooking the Arctic Ocean. It's most famous landmark is the steel globe structure which stands outside the North Cape hall.
The North Cape sits on a high plateau overlooking the Arctic Ocean. It's most famous landmark is the steel globe structure which stands outside the North Cape hall.
Honningsvag, Norway
Due to very strong winds, the Ruby Princess did not leave the port of Trondheim at 5 pm as originally scheduled. The winds finally subsided around 11 pm that evening and the ship was finally able to set a course for Honningsvag, the most northerly stop on the cruise.
The Ruby Princess made it into Honningsvag at 10 am, after a full day at sea. The main attraction of Honningsvag is the North Cape, a spot many believe to be the most northern part of Europe. There were only a few scheduled buses going to North Cape and because of the delayed arrival, the only option was the 2 pm departure. Luckily misterpiggy managed to secure seats on the bus.
With a few hours to kill before the trip to North Cape, an exploration of the small fishing town was in order. This was probably the coldest day of the trip. Temperatures hovered around 5C and there was some light rain.
One cannot visit Norway without taking a picture with a giant troll. This one is in front of the tourist office.
Pictures from the North Cape here: http://piggyinnorway.blogspot.ca/2014/06/north-cape-norway.html
Next port of call: Tromso, Norway.
The Ruby Princess made it into Honningsvag at 10 am, after a full day at sea. The main attraction of Honningsvag is the North Cape, a spot many believe to be the most northern part of Europe. There were only a few scheduled buses going to North Cape and because of the delayed arrival, the only option was the 2 pm departure. Luckily misterpiggy managed to secure seats on the bus.
With a few hours to kill before the trip to North Cape, an exploration of the small fishing town was in order. This was probably the coldest day of the trip. Temperatures hovered around 5C and there was some light rain.
misterpiggy decided to climb up the hill that overlooks Honningsvag.
At the top of the hill, he found a statue commemorating the Norwegian director, Knut Erik Jensen.
One cannot visit Norway without taking a picture with a giant troll. This one is in front of the tourist office.
Next port of call: Tromso, Norway.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Trondheim, Norway
As the Ruby Princess pulled into port at Trondheim, it was cold and rainy. Nidaros cathedral looked to be within easy walking distance. Trondheim is Norway's third largest city and is considered the gateway to the north.
It turned out to be a leisurely fifteen minute walk from the pier into the center of town square or Torget.
Gamle Bybro is the name of the old town bridge, just on the other side of Nidaros cathedral.
There is a small hill leading up to the old fortress called Kristensten Festning. To help the locals get their bikes up the hill, the town created a one of a kind bicycle lift.
There were two very pretty girls taking turns to demonstrate how to use it. Essentially there is a cable that is embedded in the pavement and it pulls a footrest to the top of the hill. A bike rider would put one foot on the footrest and activate the lift. The footrest propels the bike rider in a standing position up the hill.
What's funny is that misterpiggy observed actual local townspeople simply riding their bikes up the hill. They do't use the bike lift, so it's really just a tourist attraction on the way to the white fortress.
On the walk back to the pier, misterpiggy discovered the rock and roll museum called Rockheim whose architecture bears a striking similarity to the Ontario College of Art and Design building.
It turned out to be a leisurely fifteen minute walk from the pier into the center of town square or Torget.
From there, it was another five minutes walk to the gothic style cathedral.
On either side of the river are old warehouse buildings similar to those seen earlier in Bergen.
There were two very pretty girls taking turns to demonstrate how to use it. Essentially there is a cable that is embedded in the pavement and it pulls a footrest to the top of the hill. A bike rider would put one foot on the footrest and activate the lift. The footrest propels the bike rider in a standing position up the hill.
Here's a video of the bike lift.
What's funny is that misterpiggy observed actual local townspeople simply riding their bikes up the hill. They do't use the bike lift, so it's really just a tourist attraction on the way to the white fortress.
On the walk back to the pier, misterpiggy discovered the rock and roll museum called Rockheim whose architecture bears a striking similarity to the Ontario College of Art and Design building.
Next port of call: Hellesylt, Norway.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Geiranger Bus Tour - Part Two
Following the visit up to Mount Dalsnibba, the tour bus stopped at the Djupvasshytta Hotel perched on the edge of Djupvatn Lake. Complimentary coffee and pastries were served.
Finally, the tour ended with a visit to the lookout point called Flydalsjuvet. It is supposed to be one of the most popular photo stops in Norway because of a large rock precipice one can stand on.
Geiranger Bus Tour - Part One
The tour bus left Geiranger town about half past one in the afternoon and took the yellow route up to Mt. Dalsnibba.
Although misterpiggy had booked this excursion with Princess, he subsequently found out that the bus tour could be done independently. The cost and information is on the Geiranger website:
http://www.geirangerfjord.no/bus-tour-to-mt-dalsnibba
After leaving Geiranger town the bus drove to the Fjordcentre, where they introduced a nice video about the Norwegian Fjords. There was some free time afterwards to take some pictures.
Back on the bus, it continued to travel up the narrow winding road and the weather conditions changed to drizzly and overcast conditions.
Within half an hour, the rain changed to sleet and by the time the bus reached the summit of Mt. Dalsnibba, the low lying clouds obstructed any views of Geiranger fjord. Yes, that's a giant crack in the bus windshield.
And here are the less than spectacular views from the top. There was total whiteout and the only thing anyone could see were the little rock structures left behind by previous tourists.
Please click here to see the second part of the Geiranger bus trip (coming soon).
Although misterpiggy had booked this excursion with Princess, he subsequently found out that the bus tour could be done independently. The cost and information is on the Geiranger website:
http://www.geirangerfjord.no/bus-tour-to-mt-dalsnibba
After leaving Geiranger town the bus drove to the Fjordcentre, where they introduced a nice video about the Norwegian Fjords. There was some free time afterwards to take some pictures.
Find the piggy.
Within half an hour, the rain changed to sleet and by the time the bus reached the summit of Mt. Dalsnibba, the low lying clouds obstructed any views of Geiranger fjord. Yes, that's a giant crack in the bus windshield.
And here are the less than spectacular views from the top. There was total whiteout and the only thing anyone could see were the little rock structures left behind by previous tourists.
After re-examining the previously posted picture, it is now clear that the giant puff ball at the top of the picture is Mt. Dalsnibba. Sigh.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)