June 18th - June 20th We took a three-day "cruise" aboard a Norwegian "Coastal Voyage" ship, the "Finnmarken". These ships depart daily, 365 days a year form Bergen, on the west coast, to Kirkenes, on the northern coast, near the Russian border. Onboard the "Finnmarken" we visited various ports, including Tromso, Honningsvag and Kirkenes...
This is the northern half of the Hurtigruten route. We boarded at Harstad and made stops in Tromso, Honningsvag and finally Kirkenes - where we continued our trip by car. We actually landed in 15 ports along the way... in 3 days.
The Finnmarken landing in Harstad harbor - Hurtigruten has 103 years of service between Bergen and Kirkenes along the west coast of Norway. The route is recognised as one of Europe's biggest attractions and has been internationally acknowledged as the "world's most beautiful sea voyage"
The main lounge on the Finnmarken
The bridge - very hi-tech instrumentation
More of the bridge
The church in Tromso
Crossing the Tromso bridge to visit the "Ice Cathedral" church. The only day in our 3-week, 5000 Km. trip that was quite rainy was when we were in Tromso - we survived it...
the "Ice Cathedral" altar
the "Ice Cathedral" exterior walls of aluminium
The Tromso bridge over the fjord
the "Ice Cathedral"
View of our ship, the Finnmarken, from across the fjord - near the Ice Cathedral
the "Ice Cathedral" - long shot . Note the ski lift on mountain in background
Local Tromso restaurant we ate lunch in O. L. Aune bakery/restaurant
Leaving Tromso
Time to do laundry on board the Finnmarken
Havøysund harbor and bridge
Passing the Nordkapp (North-Cape) Mail Boat near Havøysund
Breakfast on the Finnmarken
Finnmarken pool and saunas and outdoor shower
Entering Honningsvåg harbor
Our ship, the Finnmarken, docked in Honningsvåg
The ship Berlin docked in Honningsvag harbor
Honningsvag harbor
Central square in Honningsvåg
The Honningsvåg church - the only building in town that was left standing after the German bombing/burning in WW2. As a result the Honningsvåg downtown is rather new - as was Hammerfest
The Honningsvåg church was the only building left standing in Honningsvåg after the German occupation in WW2
The girls on the steps of the Honningsvåg church
The Honningsvåg church interior - very old
The Honningsvåg church altar
The Honningsvåg church pulpit
Walking in downtown Honningsvåg
Talking to Les back home in the USA while walking in Honningsvåg
The Honningsvåg statue dedicated to the fishermen
A Puffin in the Honningsvåg Museum - not live
Honningsvåg view from the ship
Panorama of Honningsvåg from the ship
The "Cathedral Rock" formation near Honningsvåg and the North Cape
The "Cathedral Rock" formation near Honningsvåg and the North Cape. Note the size compared to the ship in the background
The "Cathedral Rock" formation a close-up
Dinner on the Finnmarken as we round "North Cape" - the most northly point in Europe (some 1100 miles from the North pole!)
Dinner on the Finnmarken as we round "North Cape"
Looking at the odd cliff formations
Shoreline near North Cape. Note the "North Cape" monument down near the water. This is the actual marker for the most northerly point of land in Europe - 1100 miles from the North Pole. The cliffs are approximately 1000 feet high.
Shoreline near North Cape
Looking at the odd cliff formations - and small ships
Finnmarken humor - but true!
Entering Kjøllefjord harbor
Kjøllefjord church and harbor
Kjøllefjord harbor - note barriers to stop rock slides!
Passing a fishing boat near Kjøllefjord
Jens' car is back in the line to get off the ship
Exiting the Finnmarken in Kirkenes - the continuation of our land trip to Russia, Finland, more of Norway and Sweden
The map of where we are - at the Russian border (in Storskog, Norway)
Near the Russian border - east of Kirkenes. Note directios to Russian towns
Brief history of this area of Norway/Russia - in Russian, English and Finish?
Russian and Norwegian flags - side-by-side
the Russian border gate
the Russian border crossing - there is Russia on the other side.
an open-air giftshop at the Russian border
