Fred's Logbook
 back | next  |
| Date / Time: 2011-07-27 12:24:25 | Voyage from: to | ETA: |
| Fred-Report: We spent the morning at sea, plowing towards Finmark in the far north-eastern part of Norway. Around lunch time we entered the Varanger Fjord, heading for Bøkfjorden, where Kirkenes is located. Kirkenes is the last port the famous Hurtigruten post ships would call on their way from Bergen up the Norwegian coast. The city is home to the Pasvik National Park, where the tripoint-border Finland-Norway-Russia is situated. Not only do the three countries meet here, but also three time-zones converge. I joined the excursion to the Pasvik National Park. Mike Nolan, a member of the ships photo team, took me along.  At our first scenic outlook we had beautiful views of the Pasvik River.   A raging thunder-storm was headed our way complete with blinding bolts of lightning. Soon the wind and rain followed and I was happy to have my life jacket on. We got to the Pasvik National Park as the sky opened up poring cats and dogs on us all. Seeking refuge from the rain I dodged into the park interpretation center only to be accosted by wild animals that were determined to make a lunch of me – luckily Mike was around to save me!    Later on we went to the highest vantage point in the area, and I could see the Russian town of Nickel through the forest. While we were there my good friends Maria and Steve took me for a photo-walk – I even tried to work a camera myself!  Me and Steve  We finished our tour of Pasvik National Park and headed back into Kirkenes just before sailing.  I am so excited – I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep well tonight. Russia is coming up!!!!!!! written by Mike Nolan / Photo Specialist & Esther Bruns / Purser Photos          | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| back | next |