MS Trollfjord Kirkness Trondheim

Saturday, February 11, 2017
Kirkenes, North Norway, Norway
Day 6
Kirkeness
Arrived about 9am light cloud patches of blue but -12C
There was about 10c of snow and ice on the landing and we had to walk about
80m to get our bus . We took it slow.
Our first stop was the Russian border about a 15m drive, we had done this
two years ago so it was interesting to do it with about a me
 The next stop was the Snow Hotel. Built every year in December and pulled
(pushed into the river) in April.There are about 16 rooms made of snow, the bed is a central block of ice covered by a rug (reindeer skin?). We went into a couple some were set go two
others could accommodate five. To sleep you were given Norwegian army sleeping bag rated to -30C(?) and a balaclava and socks
There was a Ice Bar room with counter made of ice with carved ice dogs.
Everything was dark so I do not know how the photos will turn out
The selling point of the hotel is
"No matter what the outside temperature is the inside is -4C".
Actually the dining room and loos are in a building which is warmer and well
lit.
 
http://www.kirkenessnowhotel.com/

Back to the ship for a 12:30 departure.
 
We have a card school going, we have discovered the rules for five handed
500 - the winning bidder calls for a card and the person holding the card teams
up .
This is great fun and changes the dynamic of the game.
 
We also tried to play a Norwegian version of Scrabble. Very frustrating
because:The board was in Norwegian - no problem since the colours were the
same
Three different letters O with the dash, A with the accent and AE - these
had the English equivalents
The more serious annoyance was that the letter distribution was
different,like not enough vowels I think the numbering was different, I got a C
and was worth 10 points
We did not play for long.
 
Tonight Owen shouted the 8:00pm sitting to an A La Carte dinner, we did pay
for the wine though.
 
Day 7
Woke up to the ship rocking a bit. First roughish weather we have had.
Leith missed breakfast and stayed in bed.
 
Arrived Hammerfest late strong breeze but +4D. Leith went for a short
walk.
Afternoon thick cloud rain and wind with about 2-3 metre swell
At least we sitting down playing cards.

Still rocking a bit at 7:00pm but should be in protected waters in an hour
or two
Tonight was the midnight concert at arctic Church in Tromso . We had been
before two years ago and enjoyed despite having to stay up. The ship was 20 mins
late so I thought they might cut the concert short but no the ship left 20
minutes late. We had a cellist, piano player and an excellent baritone. They
played Norwegian and Sammi folk music, all well staying up for. Since we were
in Tromso a few days ago the snow on the path up to the church had been washed
away so the walk was not as difficult as I expected.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_Cathedral
 
Day 8
Missed breakfast again. Overcast some rain strong wind. This afternoon we
have an hour at Hurtigrutan museum at Stokmarknes before the 500 school at
3:15pm. I stayed on the boat while Leith went to the Museum. Two years ago we
only had to show our room key to gain admittance but this time we needed to pay
about ten dollars. Times change I guess.

After the card game Leith and I decided to try the outdoor Jacuzzi, by this
time it was dark a brisk wind and about +4C. We were by ourselves which nice
however getting out was a bit cold .
Luckily we had some ships bathrobes to take up and wrap around
ourselves.

Day 9
Leisurely morning talking with our travel companions cards at 3pm
Tomorrow we arrive into Trondheim early, we need to vacate cabins by 8:00am

Comments

Oliver and Carolyn Raymond
2017-02-15

I'm glad we are going in the summer!!

2025-02-11

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