Honningsvàg, Norway - 11 JUN 2016

Deep into the Arctic Circle, Honningsvàg is the northernmost city in Norway. 

With a population of fewer than 2,500 it became a city in 1996 before legislation was passed that required 5,000 inhabitants to be declared a city.

Located on the southwestern part of the Barents Sea, the ice-free ocean provides rich fisheries. Dee got the above shot of clipfish (klippfisk) drying from the bus window as we were speeding by the dramatic scenery.

Yes, TW found trolls everywhere we went. When we stopped at the North Cap Museum (Nordkappmuseet), we joined in the fun.

Below: 1988 art project utilizing the art of 7 children from different countries, symbolizes co-operation, friendship, hope and happiness across all boundaries.

Children of the Earth

We stopped at a Sami gift shop:

Just as the indigenous people of Alaska are the only ones allowed to hunt seal, the indigenous people of Scandinavia, Sami (Lapanders), are the only ones allowed to own and ranch reindeer.

They also sell their products in town.

Boreas - Erling Saatvedt, 1971

Boreas is the Greek god of North Wind, yet this sculpture reminds me of reindeer antlers.

Bamse (1937-1944)

This beloved St. Bernard became a symbol of Norwegian freedom during World War II. He was adopted as an official crew member of the Royal Norwegian Navy. He performed several acts of heroism including saving a crew member from a knife fight and sounding the alarm for a man overboard that no one had witnessed. He would break up pub brawls and lead his drunken crew mates back to ship. He had a bus pass attached to his collar and would travel on local buses, unaccompanied. When he died of heart failure, he was buried with full military honors. He was the only WWII animal to receive the PDSA Gold Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty.

Back to the ship and on to the next port.

Geiranger, Norway – 07 JUN 2016

The cruise to Geiranger was waterfall heaven. Every time we turned a corner, I said, "And another waterfall." 

Said to have the most spectacular scenery in the world, it is easy to see why the Geirangerfjord is another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

That's our ship in the foreground. Today, we tendered into shore. On cruise ships, lifeboat tenders do double duty, serving as transportation vehicles, but fully equipped to act as lifeboats in a emergency.

The third biggest cruise ship port in Norway, during the four-month tourist season they receive 140 to 180 ships. That's a lot of visitors for this small village of 250 permanent residents. 

Tinky Winky had to wait in line to pose with the troll.

The small main street, had several tourist shops, a couple of restaurants and one grocery store.

I love visiting grocery stores in different countries, to see familiar objects that are different, and different objects that are not familiar.

 I wish they sold these in duty free shops.

I didn't know Uncle Ben makes Jasmin rice.

Some old boat houses were converted into shops.

TW had fun visiting cousins by the dozens.

What's more fun than a barrel full of monkeys?

A basket full of lambs.

From the main street, we traveled up a steep cliff, with 11 hairpin turns, to an overlook known as Eagle's Bend, 2,000 feet above the village.

They have an octagonal church that was constructed in 1842, replacing the original that was built in 1450.

I couldn't get close to the church as we buzzed by it on the bus and I didn't have enough time or energy to walk down the cliff. 

Image: virtualtourist.com

We did stop at the Norwegian Fjord Center...

where TW kept sneaking into exhibits...

while Dee and I went shooting.

As we were leaving, Dee got these shots: