Havila 1-15 September 2024 12 September

At night, our ship briefly stops at the ports of Stamsund and Bodø. In the morning, we arrive at Ørnes, greeted by a beautiful sunrise, and then we cross the Arctic Circle again, this time in wonderful weather. We then continue to Nesna and Sandnessjøen. As we leave Sandnessjøen, we sail along the Seven Sisters.

The Seven Sisters stretch from north to south on the island of Alsten south of Sandnessjøen.

On the west side, the Coastal Road Fv17 runs along them, where one can only see all the mountain peaks simultaneously in a short section.

A better view of all the mountain peaks is offered to the observer from a ship. Among other things, the Hurtigruten travels daily along the west side of the mountains from Sandnessjøen to Brønnøysund. The east side can be seen from a distance during a ferry crossing from Tjøtta to Forvik. The Seven Sisters gained regional and tourist fame mainly due to the associated legend of Torghatten (see detailed legend there). According to the legend, they were seven virgins who, exhausted from being chased by King Hestmannen, collapsed. At sunrise, they turned to stone.

Next, we continue our journey to Brønnøysund, which lies on a narrow peninsula of the mainland and is surrounded by islands and water. Here, you are in the heart of Norway. The small coastal town, with its 5,000 inhabitants, surrounds the narrow but strategically located harbor, where trade and fishing are carried out. Brønnøysund is a vibrant, beautiful small town with a marina that is attractive to visitors. Take some time to stroll through the streets – a walk along Havnegata is recommended, where you can admire the small boats and observe the bustling activity of the island group. Immerse yourself in city life by visiting one of the pubs or enjoying a delicious meal at one of the restaurants. In the city center lies the Brønnøy Church, a stone church in neo-Gothic style from 1870. Parts of the choir and the entrance walls date back to the Middle Ages. The oldest artifact of the church is a pre-reformation wooden crucifix, hanging above the new side altar. Torghatten, a mountain on the island of Torget, is famous for its distinctive hole in the middle. Stay on deck to see it like the seafarers of olden times (who were the only ones who visited this spot) from the sea.

Away from Brønnøysund, we explore the Vega Archipelago, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The archipelago consists of over 6,000 islands, islets, and skerries and received its world heritage status due to the rare harmony in which the island residents and eider ducks coexist. For over 1,500 years, fishermen and farmers have been involved in the eider duck operation for down production. The eider ducks nest in specially built huts and can be found next to lighthouses, fishing villages, and the breathtaking landscape.