Hurtigruten Part 2 North of the Arctic Circle

May 16: In the morning, shortly after 7 o'clock, the MS Vesteralen crosses the Arctic Circle. This is celebrated with a ceremony on the aft deck and with the support of the sea god Njörd, the Polar Baptism is performed with a lot of icy cold water.

At noon, we reach Bodo, the capital of the Nordland province. The city doesn't have much to offer as it was completely destroyed during World War II.

We reach the Lofoten Islands in four hours via the Vestfjord. Unfortunately, the sky is quite cloudy, so the beautiful mountain scenery can only be guessed at. After a stop in Stamsund and in Svolvaer, the largest town in the Lofoten, the ship continues north through the Raftsund. This is the 26 km long waterway between the Lofoten and Vesteralen. On the way, we sail into the famous Trollfjord, which is 2 km long and is bordered on the right and left by rocky mountains up to 1000 m high. At the entrance, it is only 200 m wide, at the end, it is 800 m wide, so that our ship can turn around there. It is an impressive natural experience, especially when it is still light at 11:30 p.m.

May 17: The day is completely dedicated to the celebrations of Norwegian National Day, which commemorates the adoption of the Constitution in 1817. Everything is decorated with 🇳🇴 already at breakfast. In Finnsnes, the May 17 Committee awaits us with a brass band and traditional costume for the parade.

In the early afternoon, we arrive in Tromsø. There, too, the celebration is extensive and the main street is full of people with flags and traditional costumes. The view of the Arctic Cathedral and the snow-covered mountains is beautiful. We are lucky with the weather and can enjoy the parade in bright sunshine. A young member of the crew says that in his memory, it has always rained on National Day.

We sail past the Lyngen Alps through calm waters and arrive at Skjerboy shortly after 10 p.m.

Unfortunately, we won't experience the hoped-for midsummer night - at 11:30 p.m., clouds move in front of the sun.

May 18: Around noon, the bus takes us from Honningsvag through a still snowy landscape and past the Sami summer camp with their reindeer herd to the North Cape. With 71 degrees north latitude, it is the northernmost point of Europe.

We are slowly approaching Kirkenes, the destination of our sea voyage - our legs are starting to itch.