Our Arctic Cruise on Huntigruten's Kong Harald to Honningsvag, Norway with Emily May 2016

I was so looking forward to this cruise.........This cruise has been described as "World's Most Beautiful Sea Voyage," and features highlights including the Lofoten Islands etc etc.

We paid SGD504 each for a standard inside cabin w/o window for 2 nights with breakfasts.
Really!......... let me tell you; its only a very small price to pay for all those breath taking, out of the world front-row seat view of god's wonders. My little Nikon and Iphone could not even capture a tenth of those magnificent scenery and experiences we had during this voyage.

                  

             

               Emily relaxing in the lounge  

Day 1

We boarded Kong Harald at about 2 pm, we were very quickly allocated our very small cabin for 2. We spend the day in-between exploring the ship and sitting out side the open air deck with a beer in our hand or coffee made from our room. When its too windy for us to bear, we moved indoor to one of those 3 lounges.

        

Believe me, its really almost impossible to describe in words the serene and calmness of just lay-back in a panorama lounge recliner or in those deck-chairs just out side our cabin; gazing and absorbing in god's creation as wondering mist clings to the Fjords stony coast line as tiny matchbox village houses and churches cling to the steep green slopes of the snow caped mountains as life literally drifts by silently reflected in the mesmerizing clear blue water.

     

        This is the deck, just right outside our cabin

The average age of all the passengers on board this ship were about 55 years old. There are a lot senior people here from all over the world. We met couples from UK, Australia, US and Europe too and we are the only 2 Asia looking person.

Sailing on board this cruise was timeless, course we are out-of-contact from the outside world, no WiFi connection unless you pay for it, which we are not interested. There was no nightfall, its almost 24 hours daylight, the sun only start setting at about 11pm it will reach the horizon by midnight, then it will rise again immediately by 1am was almost full daylight.

In summer, the ship will sometimes venture down the famous Trollfjord at night, which is known for its narrow entry and steep sides. If so, the crew often dress up and recant a mythical tale about the fjord, and later serve up “Troll soup” at midnight.

The only time we kept track with; was breakfast, to have a proper-hearty meal in the dinning room to last us till when we are hungry, then we will dig into our own provisions of Campbell cup soup with french loaf or cup noodles

Day 2: Ground tour to

Tromso - the capital of the Arctic

  

After breakfast, we gathered at the lobby awaiting to disembark for our day tour in Tromso. 

Tromsø is located 350 km north of the Arctic Circle and is the largest city in Northern Norway. A bus took us around this small enchanting hilly city.First stop to the Polaria aquarium, where we acknowledge the reality of Global Warming!! and its danger not only to the wild life but humans too!! 

Please help and do your part, no matter how small your act. It does make a Different

In this modern city in the Arctic, nature and culture go hand in hand. Tromsø has many activities on offer, from an aquarium and several quality museums to the world’s northernmost botanical garden. This city is also a popular place to observe the majestic phenomenon of the northern light from September to March

From 20 May to 20 July the midnight sun makes it possible to do as the locals and participate in various activities around the clock.

Our next stop the famous Arctic Cathedral, this landmark church was build in 1960 constructed from concrete & aluminum with a striking glass facade. The interior was smaller than I had expected but the stained glasses are beautiful.

      The view from the church was breathtaking overlooking the city and the Tromso Bridge. During summer, the church will held Midnight Sun Concert. No chance to see the concert cause we are departing by mid afternoon later today, heard was magical.

Tonight was our last night on board this cruise, I promised myself to stay up for the Midnight Sun.

Boy! am I rewarded, I got to witness the most magical phenomenal in my life so far. See for yourself below. This was taken just passed midnight.

                               


After experiencing the Midnight Sun and taking tons of photos, I retired back to my cabin. My sister, Emily, fast asleep, missing the phenomenal first-hand. The video I took could not do any justice to the "right snap onto your face" phenomenal surrounding you.

Day 3 Honningsvay
Today, we will be arriving to Honningsvag, where we will disembark continuing our journey up to North Cape. After-which we will be staying in Honningsvag for the next 4 days. 
We had a very hearty breakfast, went back to our cabin to pack and prepare for disembarking the Kong Harald. Its was really a very memorable and magical cruise, yes of course! I will take this cruise again and will bring along my hubby!!. The crews are very friendly and helpful plus the foods are in abundance.

Kudos to the crew of Huntigruten Kong Harald

Look out for my next blog at the top of the world: Nordkapp