Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 9: Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage Traveling North.
The extended family was on a winter vacation in Norway, traveling north on the Hurtigruten ship M/S Kong Harald. This was day 6 of the voyage traveling north along the Norwegian coast. The stops on this day were in Øksfjord (02:15), Hammerfest (05:15-06:45), Havøysund (09:45) Honningsvåg (11:45-15:15), Kjøllefjord (17:45), Mehamn (20:00), and Verlevåg. During the stop in Honningsvåg we took a bus to North Cape (Nordkapp) traveling through the North Cape Tunnel. Later that night, the Captain announced that Auroras (Northern Lights) were visible.
Moon at Dawn Over Havøysund Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 85 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/180 sec). Modified using Nik Color Efex. (David J. Mathre)Green and Red Northern Lights with the Big Dipper from the deck of the MS Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 400, 12 mm, f/4, 13 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Topaz Define, and NIK Color Efex Pro. (David J Mathre)
Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Winter Vacation. Day 7: Northbound Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald Norwegian Coastal Voyage (Stokmarkenes to Skjervøy).
On the fourth day of the northbound Hurtigruten voyage, the ship stops in seven ports: Stokmarkenes (00:45-01:00); Sortland (02:30-03:00); Risøyhamm (04:15-04:30); Harstad (06:45-08:00); Finnsnes (11:15-11:45); Tromsø (14:30-18:30); and Skjervøy (22:30-22:45). As we move farther north, the amount of time that the sun is up keeps decreasing. It was almost 11 AM when I took the first image in this post. By the time we arrived Tromsø later in the afternoon it was already dark. In Tromsø several from our group went dog sledding. After the ride we had coffee in a Sami tent (lavvu). At the end of the day back on the ship I got to play King Neptune for the “Crossing the Arctic Circle” ceremony. The Captain of the Ship and King Neptune baptized those that had crossed the Arctic circle for the first time with ice water. For those that cross the equator for the first time the ceremony requires that they get their head shaved and kiss a fish.
Coffee Warming By a Wood Fire after the Dog Sled Trip Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/60 sec).. (David J Mathre)King Neptune and the Ship Captain Performing a Baptism at the Crossing the Artic Circle Ceremony. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/6.3, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 6: Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage Traveling North.
On the third full day of the northbound Hurtigruten voyage, the ship stopped in seven ports: Brønnøysund (00:30-01:00); Sandnessjøen (03:45-04:15); Nesna (05:25-05:30); Ørnes (09:00-09:30); Bodø (12:30-15:00); Stamsund (19:00-19:30); and Svolvær (21:00-22:00). We were in Bodø long enough to visit the Norwegian Aviation Museum. Later in the evening, we stopped in Svolvær and went to the world-famous Magic Ice bar. We entered what looked like a warehouse and were provided with warm coats. Inside the building are ice sculptures reflecting the life of the region and fishermen. Before leaving we were provided a drink in a shot glass made of ice.
Ørnes Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 28 mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Unmanned Lighthouse between Ørnes and Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Unmanned Lighthouse between Ørnes and Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Færøy – a Fish Carrier between Ørnes and Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Mountains, Snow, and Glaciers between Ørnes and Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Belltower in Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 360 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Picasso Frykt For Bombing. Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/30 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/45 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/100 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/80 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/50 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/60 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Røst Ferry Unloading in Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/125 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/10 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/8 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/10 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/6 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/5 sec).. (David J. Mathre)Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/90 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 5: Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage Traveling North.
On the second full day of the northbound Hurtigruten voyage, the ship only stops in two ports: Trondheim (06:00-12:00) and Rørvik (20:30-21:15). Having six hours in Trondheim allowed us to spend some time to see the city. Our first stop was at Nidaros Cathedral. The exterior of the cathedral is a target rich environment for religious statues and gargoyles. But it was cold outside. I would love to go back with a perspective control lens to record all sides of the exterior of the cathedral. After leaving Trondheim, we stopped at Rørvik. The ship only stopped for 45 minutes, so we only had a short time to visit the Rørvik Coastal Museum.
Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/80 sec) (David J. Mathre)Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec) (David J Mathre)Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/40 sec) (David J Mathre)Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec) (David J Mathre)Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec) (David J Mathre)Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 250 mm, f/5.6, 1/30 sec) (David J Mathre)Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/160 sec) (David J Mathre)Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 250 mm, f/5.6, 1/45 sec) (David J Mathre)Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/160 sec) (David J Mathre)Troll in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 52 mm, f/3, 1/40 sec) (David J Mathre)Rørvik Coastal Museum at Night. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/30 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 4: Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage Traveling North.
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). There are many lighthouses and automated navigation lights along the Norwegian coast. We spent the early afternoon walking around Ålesund. It was a bright clear day so several of us climbed the 418 steps to get to the top of the town mountain Aksla, including going to the restaurant Fjellstua. 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 including the MS Kong Harald. We got a bit confused as to where the ship was docked, but did ultimately get back before the ship 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)
