Hurtigruten - David Mathre Photography

Eleven-Years Ago (24-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Winter Family Vacation. Day 4: Northbound Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald Norwegian Coastal Voyage (Florø to Kristandsund).

In addition to transporting passengers, the Hurtigruten ships are working ships that carry freight, mail, automobiles, and fresh food between several ports along the Norwegian coast. Many of these stops occur during the night, and only last for short (15 minutes to 1 hour) periods of time. The schedule for the first full day of the northbound voyage stops at the following ports: Florø (04:30-04:45); Maløy (06:45-07:30); Torvik (10:20-10:45); Ålesund (12:00-15:00); Molde (17:30-18:30); Kristandsund (22:00-23:00). We spent the early afternoon walking around Ålesund including going to the restaurant Fjellstua situated on top of the town mountain Aksla. Although the restaurant was closed, it has the best view in Ålesund. I was able to take several images which were then combined into a wide panoramas of the town. We got a bit confused as to where the ship was docked, but did ultimately get back before it departed.

Ålesund Winter Panorama. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 400, 24 mm, f/11, 1/500 sec). Composite of 3 images combined with Kolor AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre) — Ålesund Winter Panorama from Mount Aksla. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 400, 24 mm, f/11, 1/500 sec). Composite of 3 images combined with Kolor AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)

Eleven-Years Ago (23-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Winter Vacation. Day 3: Bergen then Embarkation on the Northbound Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald Norwegian Coastal Voyage.

The sky was clear and there was new snow on the ground when we woke in Bergen. The locals said that it had been raining for the last 50 days. I think many took the day off to enjoy the sun and snow. The Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald would not be departing until later that night, so we had the day to visit Bergen. As part of our travel package, we had a one day Bergen Card for transportation and various attractions. After spending some time outside around the Bergen harbor and Bergen Fish Market, we took the Fløibarnen Funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen. We also visited the art museum to see some of Edvard Munch’s paintings. Finally, as it started to get dark we made our way to the Hurtigruten terminal. I’ve included a fisheye view of my cabin and the stateroom at the front of the ship. As we learned later in the voyage, rooms near the front (or rear) of the ship move the most in heavy seas. Since then I always try to get a cabin near the middle of a ship for any voyage that may experience heavy seas.

Bergan Harbor Panorama. Composite of 3 images taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 800, 24 mm, f/4, 1/15 sec). (David J Mathre)

Eleven-Years Ago (20-January-2007) — Norway.

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Winter Vacation. Day 0: Oslo.

My parents, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, and aunt all arrived in Oslo from Florida, Minnesota, Ohio and New Jersey for a wintertime vacation in Norway. We checked into a hotel in Oslo pretty much jet-lagged. At 02:00, I woke up hearing some loud music. There was a club just across the street. I don’t know what time clubs close in Oslo, but there was a line of folks waiting for a taxi (I don’t think buses run that late). These images were taken from my hotel room window.

For the next couple of weeks I will be posting images (some new, some previously posted) from the trip as we spent time in Oslo, Bergen, and while on the Hurtigruten Coastal voyage along the coast of Norway. We visited many ports and towns between Bergen and Kirkenes aboard the MS Kong Harald.

Line of folks waiting for a taxi outside a club in Oslo. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 1600, 70 mm, f/2.8, 1/20 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro and NIK Define. (David J Mathre) — Line of folks waiting for a taxi outside a club in Oslo. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 1600, 28 mm, f/2.8, 1/20 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro and NIK Define. (David J Mathre)

Three-Years Ago (04-January-2015) — Argentina

Gone to See Antarctica 2014/2015. Hurtigruten Christmas Voyage. Day 19: Beagle Channel on the way to Ushuaia and Debarkation.

Although everyone was celebrating late into the night, I still got up early to check out the clouds at dawn. I knew we were approaching the southern part of Patagonia, and I was not disappointed. Even better, I was the only one out on the upper deck, and didn’t have to worry about the rude passengers from China with their bigger lenses walking in front of me while I was taking pictures. Shortly thereafter, the spotter for the Chinese tour group showed up and got on the walkie-talkie telling folks to come up. By the time they got on deck the colors were gone, but I had my picture.

Final Dawn Clouds, Beagle Channel on the way to Ushuaia from the Upper Deck of the MS Fram. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 23 mm lens (ISO 100, 23 mm, f/4, 1/125 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Nik Define, and Photoshop CC. (David J Mathre)

Three-Years Ago (03-January-2015) — Drake Passage

Gone to See Antarctica 2014/2015. Hurtigruten Christmas Voyage. Day 18: At Sea Crossing the Drake Passage.

This was our last full day on the Hurtigruten MS Fram as we proceeded north toward South America. Food and Final Celebration. A long-range view of Cape Horn, an Albatross in flight, and clouds with colors that reminded me of Patagonia.

Hurtigruten MS Fram Brass Bell. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 23 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 23 mm, f/16, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)