LIVE from Jewel May 15, 2024 - 27 nights

[Hoopster95]

A quick stop at Tufjordhorda with many reindeer sightings along the way

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 4 by Hoopster95

[Hoopster95]

Finally, the North Cape, the farthest North point on continental Europe… Norway has islands about 300 miles North so it’s not the absolute most northern point.

 

We got here when it was slight drizzle and relatively clear. After photos etc, we went into the museum to watch the short movie, look a stuff, shop etc… an hour later came

out to driving freezing rain and about 20’ visibility! Got the timing just right 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 4 by Hoopster95

[Hoopster95]

We stopped at a Sameduojit village… the guide, I think, called them “Sami” for short. They actually own all of the reindeer on the island, and no one else can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 4 by Hoopster95

[Hoopster95]

Lastly we stopped at a small fishing village to discuss Norway’s recent king crab industry. They are much larger in Alaska… if any of you have the opportunity in Ketchikan, book The excursion called “Bering Sea - The Aleutian Ballad”.

 

Here in the North, Cod is the #1 industry, and you have to fish a Quota of Cod before you’re allowed to trap for crab.

 

Also on the tour he offered is some cured reindeer meat as a snack… it was gamey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 4 by Hoopster95

[Hoopster95]

We were back at about 1:30….

I, and pretty much everyone else, beelined to the ship Without delay as we were done for the day.

 

I figured after a workout I can get right with some sauna & steam room time, however many others had the same idea! The spa was a busy place this afternoon.

 

We’ve just left and heading out to sea.

Next up….. it’s twangster! 

[twangster]

Okay my turn...

 

The word for today is... wet.

 

A map of of route over the top of the island and back down to the water at Gjesvaer.

 

 

It was almost an hour long ride but it was interesting to see Northern Norway as this area is above the tree line reminding me of the tundra of Canada's far North and Arctic.

[twangster]

Here wer board a vessel along with a group from the Hurtigruten ship that came to port after us.

 

 

We were provided full and proper rain gear that kept us dry and warm.

 

 

The fishing village we left from.

 

 

 

[twangster]

After around 20 minutes we see our first group of Cormorants gathered together on a small island. 

 

 

 

The next rock in the sea introduced us some Razorbills.

 

 

 

 

I'm skipping a lot of photos because I took so many.  In the interest of brevity and being able to get to a bar soon, I am posting just a handful I quickly picked out.  

[twangster]

We were told this is one of the largest bird colonies in Europe.  I believe it.

 

 

There were thousands of Puffins and other birds.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

 

 

Puffins are not elegant fliers.  They can take a long time to get airborne.

 

 

In the cliffs above us I could see thousands of nesting birds.

 

 

[island lady]

4 minutes ago, twangster said:

We were told this is one of the largest bird colonies in Europe.  I believe it.

 

 

There were thousands of Puffins and other birds.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awww...sooo cool!!  Thanks for sharing shots of one of my favorite birds!

[twangster]

The apex predators in the colony are the Eagles.  This area has White Tailed or Sea Eagles.

 

 

Two eagles became three eagles.  

 

 

Eagles doing what eagles do this time of year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

Next up we came along a nesting site for the Northern Gannet.

 

 

 

Gannets like to use pieces of fishing nets in their nests.  The color pieces are stolen from fishing nets.

 

 

 

It was amazing to see mating rituals and breeding pairs reacquainting with mates after being separated for months, then returning to this nesting site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

Eagles on the move high in the sky sent the colony into a frenzy.

 

 

 

 

 

Eagles have their own babies to feed and some of the eggs and small babies in the colony are their prey.  The other birds go into defense mode and take to the skies in the thousands.

 

 

The sky above us became dark with countless birds.

 

 

The little white dots are Puffins and other sea birds on their nests high in the cliffs.

 

 

 

There are thousands.

 

[twangster]

Except the cormorants ignore the eagles and the eagles ignore the cormorants.

 

 

 

[twangster]

All those Puffin nests in the cliffs mean there are Puffins in the water looking for a meal to bring back to the nest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just as there are thousands of nesting birds in the cliffs there are thousands of birds in the water.

 

 

They go on and on as far as the I could see.

 

 

[twangster]

In summary, the rain was a bit of a bummer but it didn't really stop me from thoroughly enjoying this visit to one of Europe's largest bird colonies.

 

Now back to @Hoopster95 for breaking news!

[Hoopster95]

Capt announced earlier that we would pass by Nordkapp at 7:11 “precisely”….

well we passed by 10 minutes ago at 7:01

 

i wish I had Twangster’s lense for this, I did my best with my iPhone 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 4 by Hoopster95

[FionaMG]

What stunning photos of the birds! And, as we said way back near the beginning of the thread, who doesn't love a puffin. They are just so cute even if they can't take off without running along the surface of the water first! 😂😍

[twangster]

8 minutes ago, Hoopster95 said:

Capt announced earlier that we would pass by Nordkapp at 7:11 “precisely”….

well we passed by 10 minutes ago.

 

i wish I had Twangster’s lense for this, I did my best with my iPhone 

 

 

IMG_4076.mov

 

The problem with my photography is that I have a workflow to go through taking the RAW images and color grading them individually.  I'm thirsty and need to find a bar, but here are some quick pics 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

On the mini bus ride from Honningsvåg to the North shore there was a pre-recorded narration.  If was done with a classic Norwegian dry sense of humor.  I enjoyed it and it helped pass the time.  
 

One tree was anchored in place for a movie.  The local dogs line up taking turns. The queue is typically 2 hours.  
 

Something like 2,300 residents and our female  voice of the recording advised against using Tinder.  She tried she said.  No one was on it.  🤣
 

If I recall correctly Honningsvåg has the midnight sun beginning May 12 through July something. 
 

It’s becoming a popular winter Northern Lights tourist destination.   

[alexgtp]

14 hours ago, twangster said:

Any whale sightings? When we visited Honninsvag last year we were greeted by them as we entered the area!.  They hung out with us for the entire 2 days we visited. 

[Hoopster95]

9 hours ago, alexgtp said:

Any whale sightings? When we visited Honninsvag last year we were greeted by them as we entered the area!.  They hung out with us for the entire 2 days we visited. 

Nothing close to the ship as far as I know, however at MJ trivia earlier this evening  the trivia was stopped as everyone gasped and ran to the windows, pointing out in the distance maybe 5-6 different whales coming up for air (blow hole sightings). 

[Hoopster95]

9pm. Lots of natural light and……

BLUE SKY!!!! Just beautiful out there and surprisingly not freezing cold.

 

Fingers and toes crossed for the next few days. “Blue Nose” celebration on pool deck tomorrow 1:30pm crossing the arctic circle southbound… I’m going for it!

(jumping in the pool) 😳🥶

 

p.s. I can’t find An emojie for an “innie”😆

 

 

Edited June 4 by Hoopster95

[bobmacliberty]

19 minutes ago, Hoopster95 said:

p.s. I can’t find An emojie for an “innie”😆