Five-Years Ago (01-February-2013) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2013 Chasing the Northern Lights. Day 4: Hurtigruten MS Nordkapp Norwegian Coastal Voyage Northbound (Florø to Kristandsund).

In addition to transporting passengers, the Hurtigruten ships 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 were able to spend a bit of time for a walkabout in Ålesund. It was snowing so I didn’t have a chance to climb Mount Aksla for a view of the harbor like I did in 2007. We did hear the drone in the sky that the German TV crew was using follow us as we walked through the city. I was surprised that they would fly it with limited visibility.





Cargo stop in Molde. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera. (David J Mathre)
Cargo stop in Molde. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera. (David J Mathre)

Individual images in the slide shows can be viewed here.

Eleven-Years Ago (01-February-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Winter Vacation. Day 12: Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald Norwegian Coastal Voyage Southbound (Bodø to Rørvik).

On the fourth day of the southbound Hurtigruten voyage the ship made six stops: Bodø (02:30-04:15); Ørnes (07:00-07:15); Nesna (11:00-11:15); Sandnessjøen (12:30-13:00); Brønnøysund (15:45-17:00); and Rørvik (20:30-21:30). None of the daytime stops were long enough to get off the ship. For half of the day we were still above the Arctic circle.

Winter dawn colors north of the arctic circle from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 70 mm, f/4.5, 1/80 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter dawn colors north of the arctic circle from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 70 mm, f/4.5, 1/80 sec). (David J Mathre)
Arctic Circle marker from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/4.5, 1/30 sec). (David J Mathre)
Arctic Circle marker from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/4.5, 1/30 sec). (David J Mathre)