On the 11th day of the trip up the Norwegian coast to Kirkenes and back we had an early morning (6:30 a.m.) three-hour stop in Trondheim. The night before I was determined to get up and have an early morning walk around the city and grab a coffee and cinnamon bun. Sadly I didn't do it. I was exhausted and just could not manage to get out of bed. Of course, I now regret that as who knows if I'll ever get back to Trondheim.
I made it as far as the harbour parking lot and that was it.
Another Hurtigruten ship went past and this guy waved a pirate flag. Funny!!
I never got tired of hearing the ship horns when another Hurtigruten ship passed ours going south!! This is Nidarholm Abbey which was a Benedictine monastery and founded around 1100. Before that, it was a place of execution. Historians have differing opinions on who founded it but it was likely King Knut. It is situated on the island of Munkholmen and while nothing remains of the monastery it has been used as a round church with fortifications, a prison and a German submarine base when Norway was occupied during the Second World War. This is just outside of Trondheim.
Our next stop to disembark was Kristiansund with a population of about 25,000. We had an hour to wander - this would be the last place our feet would hit dry land until we were back in Bergen the next day.
I thought this shelter was kind of cool with part of a boat protruding from the building. As I wandered further it kind of made sense.
There was a small boatyard here.
It was time to say goodbye to Kristiansund.
This steak was a disappointment as it wasn't cooked enough for me. Oh well, I wasn't starving as I'd had a good lunch buffet.
Dessert was good!
Back to the room to finish packing and then it was time to crawl into my bed in Cabin 314 for the last time.
After putting my luggage out and vacating my cabin the next morning the buffet breakfast and lunch whizzed by and I sat in my favourite spot watching the beautiful scenery go by.
I spent hours at one of these tables writing in my journal, reading or just watching the beautiful scenery. I was scrolling through my phone the previous day when I read the sad news that Queen Elizabeth II had passed away. There was a beautiful lounge on the seventh deck but good luck getting one of those. Every once in a while I'd cruise by waiting to pounce if anyone left but no one ever did.
Of course, I stood out on deck as well and the scenery was as lovely as ever.
Yep we were getting near Bergen...
We had good company - the Queen Elizabeth II. That's the first time I've ever seen it in person.
We collected our luggage inside the terminal. Yikes, it was a free-for-all all. Finally I was able to grab mine and I set off for the LRT. It was about a twenty five minute walk so I stopped for a sit-down and iced coffee on the way. I was still very tired. That post covid fatigue is no joke.
Of course, I took pictures along the way as I do love Bergen.
I had to google this sign at the airport which had me puzzled on my arrival and departure. Apparently, there was a competition for an airport sign which was won by an Icelandic artist (couldn't find the name of the artist) and the question mark represents a sense of "curiosity and anticipation of what can be experienced in the region."
There was actually a seating area and garden just outside the terminal building. What a nice change from your normal airport!
This was the path to my hotel.
And here's my hotel!! Walking time? About five minutes. You can't beat that!!
I did a bit of a wander around after I'd checked in and thought these murals in the immediate area were interesting. Then I relaxed in my hotel for the rest of the evening.
That's a wrap on my Coastal journey with Hurtigruten from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Despite having covid for most of the journey I still enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone. It was different than a normal cruise as it stopped to unload goods as well as drop locals on and off as they were traveling up or down the coast. There were no stage shows or casinos on board. There were daily lectures about what we were going to see or interesting talks about Norwegian customs. The sea was your entertainment. Dressing up for dinner was not required. A Hurtigruten ship leaves Bergen every day. The coast is their highway as that is the only way of reaching many communities. It was not cheap so while I would love to go in the winter I doubt that will ever happen. But never say never!! It was a special journey to celebrate my 70th year.
I'm finishing this post exactly one year to the day I boarded the ship. Let's not talk about how far behind I am with my blog posts!! I am so happy I had this experience and the Polarlys will always have a treasured space in my heart.
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