R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 33

Fun Photo Friday — Ålesund Favorites 1

Marching Off to Kayak Lessons

Here is today’s first of three Fun Photo Fridays featuring Ålesund favorites:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Jewel of the Seas — Norway; Ålesund — Setting out on Foot

Still getting our Ålesund bearings

As we prepared to step back inside Jewel of the Seas and head down to the gangway, I managed a couple more shots of the town before we headed out on foot. The image you see below was taken only ten minutes before we were out on the streets and headed into town. Over this and the next two weeks I will present the photos from that excursion.

Fun Ålesund roof pics

One of the first places we strolled past was the Ålesund Rådhus (Town Hall) on Keiser Wilhelm...

Jewel of the Seas — Norway; Arriving Ålesund

Ålesund, Norway

Jewel of the Seas left Honningsvåg on 25 June 2022 and headed south. Two days later we settled into the Norwegian port of Ålesund. Whereas Honningsvåg is north of the Arctic Circle, our next destination placed us south of that region. And, as is usually the case, Ursula and I stood out on deck to get our bearings before venturing into town. This visit would be unguided and on foot. That means I’m not gong to have a lot of text over the next three weeks of articles, but I certa...

Fun Photo Friday — More Honningsvåg Favorites

Ursula’s New Troll Friend (outside Arctic Souvenirs)

Today finishes up our look at Honningsvåg and other sights on Norway’s Magerøya Island. I hope you enjoyed the visit!

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Jewel of the Seas — Norway; Sailing Away from Colorful Honningsvåg

Colorful Honningsvåg

Colorful buildings are not the only sights around Honningsvåg. This close to Russia — Murmansk is only 218 miles/351 kilometers to the southeast — makes this entire region a vital radar outpost for NATO, including early warning for the United States and Canada. Not since the Cold War has this need been as evident as it is today, with an indicted war criminal of questionable mental stability repeatedly making nuclear threats as he strives to reconstitute the old boundaries...

Jewel of the Seas — Norway; Honningsvåg Viewed from Jewel of the Seas

Honningsvåg homes

Last Wednesday I took you on a foot tour that wraps around the Honningsvåg waterfront. Today we’re going to view the city from the decks of Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas as she prepares to set sail for Ålesund. The approximate location of Jewel at the time these photos were taken is the black five-point star in the top left corner of this map:

Honningsvåg Map — Star is the location from which today’s photos were taken

Looking southeast from the cruise pier denoted...

Fun Photo Friday — Skarsvågrevva and Honningsvåg Favorites

Avalanche Guards; Honningsvåg, Norway

Today I present the first of two Fun Photo Fridays featuring Honningsvåg favorites:

Honningsvåg Pilot Boat Colorful Homes of Honningsvåg Skarsvågrevva Roadside Memorial Honningsvåg Leuchtfeuer (Beacon)

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Jewel of the Seas — Norway; Honningsvåg Waterfront

Tourist Information for North Cape Commune

Today I’m just going to take you around the Honningsvåg waterfront for some picturesque fishing fleet fotography featuring fish, floats, and friendly fun folks (time stamps included for reference):

Honningsvåg, Norway 1:21:21 p.m. Honningsvåg, Norway 1:23:15 p.m. Honningsvåg, Norway 1:24:16 p.m. Honningsvåg, Norway 1:24:25 p.m. Honningsvåg, Norway 1:26:26 p.m. Honningsvåg, Norway 1:26:34 p.m. Honningsvåg, Norway 1:29:51 p.m.

And, muc...

Jewel of the Seas — Norway; Skarsvågrevva and back to Honningsvåg

Skarsvågrevva Viewpoint

Thoroughly confused yet on this day-long trip from Honningsvåg through North Cape and back via multiple stops along the way? Perhaps the map below will help. After leaving Nordkapphallen (North Cape Visitors Center) we headed back south toward Honningsvåg, where Jewel of the Seas awaited us. Along the way we made a brief stop to take some photographs at Skarsvågrevva, a mere wide spot on the E69 that allows vehicles to pull over.

Map of our North Cape tour route

D...

Fun Photo Friday — Nordkapphallen Favorites

Nordkapp Children of the World monument

And here are today’s Nordkapphallen favorites. Next week we continue on this excursion beginning with a brief stop at the Skarsvågrevva viewpoint, then into Honningsvåg.

Ursula Photobombing Trolls NATO Radar Site and an Airbus AS350 The Cliffs of North Cape Nordkapp Midnight Sun Monument Nordkapp Globe (cleverly framed to avoid the selfiers)

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)