Ok, when we travel we tend to run into some sort of weather-related issue.
At Heathrow we were waiting to board our plane. The Business Class folks were asked to board but then there was a long wait & no one else was called. Then, the Business Class passengers all walked off of the plane.
We were only told that there was some sort of mechanical issue with the plane & that our flight would be delayed.
A few hours later (did we mention that Heathrow does not seem to have air conditioning) we were able to board the plane. The pilot made an announcement to explain the reason for the delay saying that the plane had been hit by lightning as it came into Heathrow during the previous flight.
Go figure!
July 12, 2008
July 10, 2008
Stavanger
Welcome to the Petroleum Captial of Norway!
Stavanger was the most "modern" of the cities we visited due to the discovery of oil in the 1960's. It is not old enough of a city to have burned down several times, but the locals are hoping this will be their year. Otherwise, the city was quite Ballard-like with the exception of older people who cannot see over a steering wheel driving real slowly. Oh... wait... All those people were on our ship.
Anyway, Stavanger also used to be the "Sardine Capital of the World." Yes, we truly do only visit the best places...
Oh, and it was designated as the "European Capital of Culture" for 2008. We knew we were in a special place when we saw the 7-Eleven right next to the McDonald's in the center of town where the fake Gucci sunglasses were being sold.
Ah... and this high honor is shared with Liverpool.
Stavanger was the most "modern" of the cities we visited due to the discovery of oil in the 1960's. It is not old enough of a city to have burned down several times, but the locals are hoping this will be their year. Otherwise, the city was quite Ballard-like with the exception of older people who cannot see over a steering wheel driving real slowly. Oh... wait... All those people were on our ship.
Anyway, Stavanger also used to be the "Sardine Capital of the World." Yes, we truly do only visit the best places...
Oh, and it was designated as the "European Capital of Culture" for 2008. We knew we were in a special place when we saw the 7-Eleven right next to the McDonald's in the center of town where the fake Gucci sunglasses were being sold.
Ah... and this high honor is shared with Liverpool.
Bergen
Bergen is the town you think of when you imagine a picturesque Norwegian village.
After a short excursion up a funicular to an amazing view point, we bummed around town and walked through the open air market.
A quick note about the weather... Bergen is known and celebrated for its constant rainfall (Seattle could be an honorary, sister city). We have really lucked out with how nice it has been. Thanks to whoever arranged that for us.
After a short excursion up a funicular to an amazing view point, we bummed around town and walked through the open air market.
A quick note about the weather... Bergen is known and celebrated for its constant rainfall (Seattle could be an honorary, sister city). We have really lucked out with how nice it has been. Thanks to whoever arranged that for us.
Hellesylt & Geiranger
We dare you to try to pronounce either town names correctly!
Both towns are tiny & are located deep inside a Fjord. When we arrived in Hellesylt the captain gave an announcement saying that the town folks were always worried about the cliff faces falling off into the fjord causing a tsunami which would then destroy the town. Right after that he said, "So, if you want to go ashore & into town..."
Both towns had huge waterfalls literally flowing through the center of them.
Geiranger was one of our favorite ports during this cruise.
Both towns are tiny & are located deep inside a Fjord. When we arrived in Hellesylt the captain gave an announcement saying that the town folks were always worried about the cliff faces falling off into the fjord causing a tsunami which would then destroy the town. Right after that he said, "So, if you want to go ashore & into town..."
Both towns had huge waterfalls literally flowing through the center of them.
Geiranger was one of our favorite ports during this cruise.
July 8, 2008
Bikers Beware!
In Trondheim, the pigeons have gotten very nasty indeed. They swoop down on unsuspecting bicyclists and force them down to the ground. They then descend in a feeding frenzy like nothing you have ever seen. Beware!
Trondhiem, Norway
Trondhiem, like every other city we have visited in Norway has burned down to the ground several times. Eventually, it gets rebuilt with largely non-flammable materials like stone and marble. However, some areas that managed to escape the more recent fires are still made of timber (for now).
Trondhiem, unlike every other city we have visited, was closed. It was a Sunday and pretty much nothing was open. Thank heaven for 7-11 (yes, they are here) and a few small souvenir shops attached to Nidaros Cathedral. Otherwise, we would have been walking around a very empty town.
Trondhiem, unlike every other city we have visited, was closed. It was a Sunday and pretty much nothing was open. Thank heaven for 7-11 (yes, they are here) and a few small souvenir shops attached to Nidaros Cathedral. Otherwise, we would have been walking around a very empty town.
Honningsvag, North Cape & Gjesvaer
Honningsvag was the furthest north our cruise ship went. Actually, we were able to go to the most northern point in Europe (North Cape).
Well, it doesn't get dark here. It's cold. Not much grows here except for free range reindeer & cod. They catch, fillet and dry the cod here. It dries to a consistency of hard stone (has to be soaked to become edible again) and call it Klippfisk. They dedicate museum after museum to the Klippfisk industry. We're not kidding...
Actually, one of the largest colonies of puffins nests here. We were fortunate enough to visit them & about a million other birds.
Did we mention that cod is a big thing here?
Well, it doesn't get dark here. It's cold. Not much grows here except for free range reindeer & cod. They catch, fillet and dry the cod here. It dries to a consistency of hard stone (has to be soaked to become edible again) and call it Klippfisk. They dedicate museum after museum to the Klippfisk industry. We're not kidding...
Actually, one of the largest colonies of puffins nests here. We were fortunate enough to visit them & about a million other birds.
Did we mention that cod is a big thing here?
July 6, 2008
Making New Friends
Okay… The Chicken made a friend. We were walking around in London on the day before the cruise started and stumbled across a gift shop for The Queen’s Museum. Inside, The Chicken met Bendy. The Chicken learned that some of Her Majesties guards are “beefeaters” and they immediately became close, personal friends.
July 3, 2008
Crossing the Arctic Circle & Svartisen Glacier
Around 5am this morning we crossed the Arctic Circle. It's difficult to tell when it is night & day because it is light almost all of the time. Sunrise is around 3am & sunset is around Midnight.
Once North of the Arctic Circle we cruised through some fjords & visited the Svartisen Glacier (2nd largest in Norway). This glacier is not as spectacular as the ones in Alaska or Chile, but was still awesome to see.
Once North of the Arctic Circle we cruised through some fjords & visited the Svartisen Glacier (2nd largest in Norway). This glacier is not as spectacular as the ones in Alaska or Chile, but was still awesome to see.
Kristiansund, Norway
Kristiansund, Norway was our next stop. The weather was fantastic (low 70's). It's difficult to believe that we are getting close to the Arctic Circle!
The town is quite small & was bombed heavily during WWII. (we think that most of the towns we will visit will be this way, too). The Germans occupied this area during the war. There are still some remains of bunkers, lookout towers, etc. from that time.
Cod fishing is big here.
We spent most of the day touring the countryside. Much of the vegetation is similar to what we have in Washington, especially the weeds.
The town is quite small & was bombed heavily during WWII. (we think that most of the towns we will visit will be this way, too). The Germans occupied this area during the war. There are still some remains of bunkers, lookout towers, etc. from that time.
Cod fishing is big here.
We spent most of the day touring the countryside. Much of the vegetation is similar to what we have in Washington, especially the weeds.
Alesund, Norway - City of Herring & Cod
Alesund was our first stop in Norway. This town burned down in the early 1900's so much of it is relatively new (ok, new for Europe). Fishing for herring & cod is huge here.
Southampton & EuroCup 2008 Fever
Ok, Southampton is not exactly in the running for the "most scenic" town in the UK but it's where we boarded our ship from.
Besides a couple of families with small children in tow, we are much younger than most of the passengers. Visualize lots of gray hair, walkers, canes & wheelchairs. We're thinking that this is the European version of our Alaska cruises which tend to cater to an older crowd.
Once we were onboard the EuroCup final game (soccer) was on in every public room on the ship. Everyone gathered around & watched Spain win. Afterwards, there was one Spanish TV channel that either played game highlights, team interviews or fan celebrations for the next 36 hours or so (straight). Over 1 million people came to Madrid to see the team arrive & congratulate them. The Chicken watched it all!
Besides a couple of families with small children in tow, we are much younger than most of the passengers. Visualize lots of gray hair, walkers, canes & wheelchairs. We're thinking that this is the European version of our Alaska cruises which tend to cater to an older crowd.
Once we were onboard the EuroCup final game (soccer) was on in every public room on the ship. Everyone gathered around & watched Spain win. Afterwards, there was one Spanish TV channel that either played game highlights, team interviews or fan celebrations for the next 36 hours or so (straight). Over 1 million people came to Madrid to see the team arrive & congratulate them. The Chicken watched it all!
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