Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 10: Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage Traveling South.
On the second day of the southbound Hurtigruten voyage, the ship stopped in eight ports: Mehamn (01:00-01:15); Kjøllefjord (03:15-03:30); Honningsvåg (06:00-06:15); Havøsund (08:15-08:30); Hammerfest (11:15-12:45); Øksfjord (15:30-15:45); Skjervøy (19:00-19:45); and Tromsø (23:45-01:30).
Happy Birthday Dad — From Norway.
Two days earlier the family got together to have a birthday celebration for my father before the majority of the group disembarked the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald in Kirkenes.
Gone to See Norway 2013. Chasing the Northern Lights. Day 1: New Jersey to Copenhagen.
The more I travel, the more I try to travel light. Going to Norway to photograph northern lights in the middle of the winter makes this difficult. I needed to include cold weather clothing and I the right photo gear. To save some weight, I decided to use my Lowe internal frame mountain backpack (saving 4.5 lbs/2 kg vs. the rolling suitcase). This allowed me to include a winter parka, long underwear, and a heavy Norwegian sweater. The backpack went into a heavy nylon bag that would go as checked luggage for the flight to Norway. In all, just under 50 lbs (way too heavy).
For camera gear, I debated not taking a DSLR and only going with a mirrorless Nikon 1 V2 camera and Leica X2 camera. In the end, I did take a Nikon D800 with a 24 mm f/1.4G lens and a 16 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens. I wanted to make sure that I had a camera and lenses that would work for low light work and has an internal interval timer. Nikon removed the interval timer when they upgraded the Nikon 1 V1 to V2 model. Just before leaving I purchased an Olympus FCON-T01 fisheye converter. This adapter has the same 40.5 mm thread used by the Nikon 1 series lenses. When attached to the Nikon 1 10mm f/2.8 lens, the field of view in the camera is increased from 27 mm to 20 mm (on a 35 mm sensor camera). After including a laptop computer, 1.5 TB USB storage drive, batteries, power supplies, and cables my ThinkTank backpack weighed just under 30 lbs. Since I planned to take this bag with me on the plane, the travel tripod and walking stick went in the checked luggage bag.
Not knowing what the weather would be like in New Jersey while gone, I turned the water off and drained the pipes. Over the last 3 years, power to the house has been out 21 days due to hurricanes and snow storms and I didn’t want to risk frozen pipes. Also, last week the hose to my washing machine burst. Luckily, I was home when this happened and didn’t suffer flooding.
I had a car service (Ground Link) drive me to the airport. The driver arrived 30 minutes early and got me to the airport in just over 1 hour. I was not able to print the boarding pass at home due to the SAS representative needing to confirm I had a valid passport. Interesting note – while going through Homeland Security they needed to pat down my beard??? Total time from home to the departure gate was 90 minutes.
Once on board, I had a window seat near the rear of the aircraft. The seat next to me was empty and there was plenty of room for my camera bag. Early in the flight I was a bit concerned that only Business and Economy Plus would get a meal on the flight. We just needed to wait our turn and did get served a hot meal. Drinks with the meal were included. During the rest of the flight coffee and tea are free in the Economy section of the plane. Families with children were treated well on the flight. I had a Garmin GPS with me and was able to track the progress of the flight (map below). For most of the eastbound flight we had a strong tail wind.
Leaving Newark. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera and 10 mm f/2.8 lens with Olympus FCON-T01 adapter (ISO 160, 7.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/50 sec). (David J. Mathre)GPS Track: Newark to Copenhagen (3890 miles) (David J Mathre)
Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 9: Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage Traveling North Then South.
On the sixth and final day of the northbound Hurtigruten voyage, the MS Kong Harald stopped in four ports: Båtsfjord (00:30-01:00); Vardø (04:00-04:15); Vadsø (07:30-08:00); and Kirkenes (09:45-12:45). After spending 3 hours in Kirkenes, the ship turned around and began the southbound voyage stopping at three ports: Vardø (16:00-17:00); Båtsfjord (20:00-20:30); and Berlevåg (22:15-22:30). All but three from our group disembarked at Kirkenes to return to Florida.
Norway Winter Dawn on the M/S Kong Harald Approaching Kirkenes. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 70 mm, f/2.8, 1/2500 sec). (David J Mathre)Gone to See Norway Mathre Family Tour 2007 (David J. Mathre)Gone to See Norway Mathre Family Tour 2007 (David J. Mathre)Gone to See Norway Mathre Family Tour 2007 (David J. Mathre)
Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 8: Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage Traveling North.
On the fifth day of the northbound Hurtigruten voyage, the ship stops in seven ports: Øksfjord (02:00-02:15); Hammerfest (05:15-06:45); Havøsund (09:30-09:45); Honningsvåg (11:45-15:15); Kjøllefjord (17:30-17:45); Mehamn (19:30-20:00); and Berlevåg (22:30-22:45).
Gone to See Norway Mathre Family Tour 2007 (David J. Mathre)(David J. Mathre)Gone to See Norway Mathre Family Tour 2007 (David J. Mathre)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). (David J. Mathre)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)
As I mentioned at the beginning of this series of posts, I am getting ready to revisit Norway. At the time of the 2007 trip I only had a DSLR for about 6 months. There were many things about it I didn’t know – I was very early in the learning curve. By reviewing and analyzing the old images, I learn from my mistakes. When I look at the images that I took during that trip I cringe knowing that I could have done a better job – composition, exposure, focus, etc. I typically include camera settings with the description to help when I analyze the images. Since then cameras have improved significantly. Likewise, the software used to process the images has improved. The new software lets me fix or improve the older images, and in some cases I have reprocessed the images. One of my goals for this upcoming trip is to take fewer, but better images. Comments and criticisms about these images are welcomed.
Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 7: Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage Traveling North.
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.
After a Long Winter, the Sun is About to Rise. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 28 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec) (David J. Mathre)Lars on the MS Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/20 sec). (David J Mathre)Mary Cleaning her camera on the MS Kong Harald. 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)Freighter Loading and Gisund Bridge (Gisundbrua) in Finnsnes Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/4.5, 1/40 sec) (David J Mathre)The Cargo Ship NARDJARL Listing While Unloading Containers in Finnsnes Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/4.5, 1/25 sec) (David J Mathre)Winter View of Finnsnes Norway from the MS Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 35 mm f/2 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/2, 1/60 sec) (David J Mathre)Winter View of the Finnsnes Lighthouse. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)Dogs Being Prepared for a Dog Sled Ride Outside Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 50 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 1000, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/8 sec). (David J Mathre)Dog Sledding Outside Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 50 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/6 sec). (David J Mathre)Christopher warming up after the Dog Sled Ride Outside of 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)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)Mary after the Dog Sled Ride in Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)Kai and Christopher warming up after the Dog Sled Ride Outside of 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)Mary after the Dog Sled Ride in Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)CANIS Stretching Before Taking us on Dog Sled Ride in Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)Brave Staying Warm. He was Not Included in the Dog Sled Ride. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)Dan After the Dog Sled Ride in Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)King Neptune at the Crossing the Arctic 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)King Neptune and the Ship Captain Performing a Baptism at the Crossing the Arctic 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)
As I mentioned at the beginning of this series of posts, I am getting ready to revisit Norway. At the time of the 2007 trip I only had a DSLR for about 6 months. There were many things about it I didn’t know – I was very early in the learning curve. By reviewing and analyzing the old images, I learn from my mistakes. When I look at the images that I took during that trip I cringe knowing that I could have done a better job – composition, exposure, focus, etc. I typically include camera settings with the description to help when I analyze the images. Since then cameras have improved significantly. Likewise, the software used to process the images has improved. The new software lets me fix or improve the older images, and in some cases I have reprocessed the images. One of my goals for this upcoming trip is to take fewer, but better images. Comments and criticisms about these images are welcomed.
