Live from the NCL Star July 23-August 15, 2023. Will I survive 23 days without the beverage package?

[YVRteacher]

Tromsø 2

 

Have you ever been somewhere and it felt like exactly the right place for you at that moment?

 

That’s what the Tromsø Botanical Garden was like for me. 

 

Getting to the gardens proved a little problematic. There are roundabouts here and they are busy. I had to cross several streets that intersected at one roundabout. There was not a crosswalk or a pedestrain crossing light at the roundabout. My only strategy was to run for it. I stepped off the sidewalk so many times and pulled my foot back as car after car and bus and bus whizzed by. I had to make a decision: risk not seeing the garden or risk getting squashed in Tromsø. There was no way I was  missing out on the world’s most northerly botanical garden so I went for it. It was like Frogger, but with a Canadian instead of a frog. Fortunately I was a kid in the 80s and I am really great at Frogger.  My hand eye coordination is better than my speed but I went for it.

 

Did I make it through the perilous roundabout? 

 

I did!

 

Twice!

 

Worth it?

Check out these photos. 

 

 

At one point I did have a little incident with an overly zealous lawn sprinkler, but that was my fault.

 

These gardens are rugged, laying amidst winding rock-lined paths.

They are research gardens, are immaculately and lovingly maintained and are stunning. I felt so alive and so energized in that garden.

 

Just when you think things can’t get better in the garden in Norway, a little hut with cake appears like an oasis in the desert.

 

There were many choices. All good choices. I went with a local, homemade slice of bliss.

This isn’t something I would normally choose.  My mom, however, would have ordered this. Actually, she would have made it herself. This one’s for you, mom!

[YVRteacher]

Back on board in Tromsø

 

 

Has anyone taken glass blowing classes or seen glass blowing in action? Doesn’t this sun look like hot glass?

I watched this sunset for a long time. It lingered, slowly, changing the sky to a fiery orange glow. I don’t know how people go to bed before 1:00am in Norway in the summer.  How could you close the curtains and shut out the sunset? I would be getting out of bed every two minutes to take photos. Speaking of curtains, I have asked the cabin steward to keep the curtains open instead of closing them when he does the room. I need the view of Norway like a fish needs water. He smiled and said ok. Then I gave him chocolate.

[Scotswoman]

I am enjoying your posts very much. Our daughter boarded the Star in Tromsø, but unfortunately didn’t have time to register with Cruise Critic beforehand. She keeps us up to date via Whatsapp though. I hope you have a wonderful time on Iceland… and better luck than with Lerwick! Morven

[www3traveler]

Nice to see you posting again.

I hope that your world is better this cruise.

BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG HUG

Love and prayers always

[Hogladyrider]

@YVRteacher...WOW your pictures this port are absolutely STUNNING!

 

Thanks for sharing them with us!

[Sarnia 432]

@YVRteacher do you use an app to create the lovely groups of photos?  I am really enjoying seeing them, such a unique way to showcase them.

[YVRteacher]

August 5

Harstad

 

https://en.visitharstad.com/things-to-do/searchresults?prodtypes=RETA&sr=1&cat=521252

 

Big cruise season in Harstad this year! 10 ships total from June through September. Next year there are 4 scheduled ships in port.

 When I googled the top ten things to do in Harstad, a drop down shopping menu of possibilities appeared.  Within that drop-down menu was an entire category of shopping for cheese.  It was at that moment I knew I would love this town.

 

 

Harstad is located on the sheltered, eastern side of Hinnøya Island overlooking Vågsfjord.  This is important because I got to type an a with a little circle over it.  It was important for the Vikings because they could see who was coming and plan the perfect plunderings.  I didn’t read that in a guide book but it’s what I picture. Harstad was a significant port for the Vikings because this is where trading took place with the Sami. 300km north of the Arctic Circle, Harstad has Midnight Sun and 24 hours of daylight from May 21-July 21.

 

There is a grim history in Harstad: In 1942 Russian prisoners of war were brought to the Trodenes peninsula to build a fortress which would protect the North Sea and the town of Narvik. (NCL Star went to Narvik in June and Cruise Critic friend said it was his favourite port.) One of the “tourist attractions” here is the Adolf Gun and there are shore excursions and tours specifically to see the gun which is the only one of its kind left in the world. The 800 Russian prisoners of war knew they were here to die and their conditions were horrific.  I am not going to see the gun.

 

 

 

There is a path along the sea in Harstad. It is called Stien langs sjøen which means The Path Along the Sea and I would say the name is apt. On June 15, I went out for Japanese food with friends in Vancouver. I came home from dinner and researched Harstad.  I have been waiting to walk this path for 51 days. 

 

There are 200 species of flowers and ferns that grow in Harstad. Greenery is maintained short by sheep and cows.

I like sheep and cows! I also like goats. Today there were goats.

 

 

 

The cruise dock is right in the center of town.  @ I know you live super close to the port in Vancouver, but look at these people! If I could read Norwegian I would be able to read their newspaper.

 

Flowers! Street art! Chocolate! Which way to go? I turned left (street art!)

then bakery, bakery, bakery!

I went into each bakery like a soldier doing reconnaissance, scoping out the goods in the form of Verdens Beste.

 

Then shoe shop dog.

His name is Odin. He is 18 months old and he licked me everywhere his tongue could reach. I tried to a better photo but Odin kept licking my phone.  I sat on the floor with Odin and enjoyed his licks and snuggles so much. The owner asked me if I had a dog at home. I said no, I work really long hours and I travel so often that wouldn’t be kind for a pet.

 

What a perfect use for a phone booth!

 

So, I can see the church from the town. It looks far away.

I know there’s a bakery in my future so I set out on the walk. It takes about 20 minutes from town before The Path Along the Sea begins. 

 

Once on the Path Along the Sea, the Views Along the Sea, the Benches Along the Sea, the Beaches Along the Sea and the Little Red Shacks Along the Sea stud the landscape. This means the Photographs Along the Sea happen. So many photographs.

 

I took photos of the paths (eat your heart out, Robert Frost)

 

The benches, seats for one (look closely!) and the picnic tables.

 

The beach

The shells on the beach 

 

 

(I left this shell grid on the black rocks so if you’re in Harstad in the next couple of days maybe the tide won’t have swallowed it.

 

The red huts with black and white photos on the sides, like a progressive art gallery.

. 

 

Edited August 9, 2023 by YVRteacher

[Hogladyrider]

@YVRteacher...you have a true eye for photos!

[YVRteacher]

we continue the walk along the sea
the plants 

the church as it started to look bigger and bigger the closer I got

I reached Trondenes Museum and historic settlement 

 

and looked at the cafe inside. It wasn’t cake time yet! I saw many people ordering and gleefully eating Verdens Beste.

 

I went a little further to the church and came upon a wedding. Someone is going to have wedding photos with a side of cruise ship passengers, kind of like ordering the eggs without the breakfast potatoes and getting them anyhow.

 

 

I don’t have very many photos of myself on this trip. I really wanted a picture inside this viewing hut.

 

I’m a pretty shy person but sometimes you have to ask for what you need. A family walked by and I asked the teenager if she would go down the path a bit and take some photos. She said yes and took the photos just the way I would have done. I’m so grateful

[YVRteacher]

3 minutes ago, Hogladyrider said:

@YVRteacher...you have a true eye for photos!

Thank you!

[YVRteacher]

20 minutes ago, Sarnia 432 said:

@YVRteacher do you use an app to create the lovely groups of photos?  I am really enjoying seeing them, such a unique way to showcase them.

Yes, I use the MOLDIV app. It’s free! When I notice something repeating I make sure I take 9-12 photos so I can make a 3X3 collage.

[YVRteacher]

As you can tell, I haven’t had internet for a few days. I just had to know that my dad was ok so I bought the (over-priced) package for the remainder of the cruise.

 

I checked my email right away and saw there was a message from dad.

 

It said, “where are the daily reindeer photos? I miss the reindeer photos!”

 

It did not say, “I miss you, Yvonne.”😂

[ceilidh1]

In case you’re homesick, this was the sunset here a couple nights ago (granted it’s because most of BC is on fire, but still beautiful!) Finally got rain today!

[kitkat343]

Oh, I love her wedding gown!  And I bet almost the whole town showed up to her wedding (in addition to all the cruise passengers).  

 

I wish you lots of good food for the remainder of your trip!

[YVRteacher]

Wow! I’ve never seen such a red sky in Vancouver!

[nhtravels]

Thanks for catching us up Yvonne!  You have no idea how many times I've logged on to Cruise Critic to see an update from you.  It's daily required reading for me.  I truly hope some day that you put out your own travel book, complete with pictures.  You have such a way with words!

[schmoopie17]

@YVRteacher You have a future in travel photography. Those pictures are stunning. I particularly like the one with the sky and the tree reflected in the water...and the one with the little red shed by the side of the water. Those could win an award if submitted in a contest.

 

Mrs. Schmoopie has had several of our travel pictures enlarged and put on canvas. Those would be good candidates.

Edited August 9, 2023 by schmoopie17

[YVRteacher]

Now it’s time for the bakery! I had made my choice earlier in the day. 

Doesn’t this all look decadent? I almost went with the pink things, but the heart wants what the heart wants.

You all know what I ordered!

 

In addition to Verdens Beste cake I had lunch: open face cheese on bread

and a vegan bowl. Both scrumptious. So fresh, so flavourful. Prepared with care.

 

Remember the Hard Rock Cafe from Tromsø? A friendly looking man with a twinkle in his eye sat down at the table next to me with his treat. He was wearing a t-shirt from the Hard Rock Cafe in Tromsø! The world’s most northerly Hard Rock Cafe. This made me smile and I mentioned to the man that our tour guide yesterday talked about the most northerly Hard Rock Cafe. Friendly man with a twinkle in his eye said he was from Tromsø! He asked me if I was on the cruise ship and if was traveling alone.  I said yes then I told him I am from Vancouver. His lovely wife joined him at this point with more treats and they spoke in Norwegian. I ate my delicious vegan bowl

and tried to suppress the yummy mmmmms that wanted to escape, it was that good! 

 

Just as I took a bite of the world’s most northerly falafel, the lovely woman at the table next to me asked, “are you Yvonne?” 

 

I asked, “Are you Anita?” It was @TrumpyNorWe hugged and I almost cried I was so happy to meet her! We sat in that cafe and talked for a couple of hours. It costs nothing to say hi to a stranger and with that one friendly greeting I knew I would have friends on this cruise. She and I had connected online via Cruise Critic and to meet her and her husband (who, by the way, has the best eye twinkle and the best shirts!) was pure delight. 

 

How did @TrumpyNorknow it was me? The slice of Verdens Beste was the key!

I feel like I’ve eaten so much cake in Norway and I love Norway so much that maybe I could be an honourary Norwegian.

Today we had sun, wind, clouds, rain, rain with sun, more clouds, and a big dose of new friends. I love Harstad.

[YVRteacher]

Catching up! Here are photos from the Behind the Scenes Tour.

 

We start with bendy people in the theatre

 

 

then move on to laundry. See that turquoise sleeve? That belongs to me!

 

 

 

 

Here is the door that needs to be closed at all times except when it is open.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[YVRteacher]

22 minutes ago, nhtravels said:

Thanks for catching us up Yvonne!  You have no idea how many times I've logged on to Cruise Critic to see an update from you.  It's daily required reading for me.  I truly hope some day that you put out your own travel book, complete with pictures.  You have such a way with words!

Aw, thank you so much. I’m so sorry I couldn’t post for a few days. I missed it too!

 

I feel like I have a non-fiction book of some sort inside me that will get written one day. For years I thought about writing a novel but I don’t have an ending or a middle and a beginning just won’t do! 

[YVRteacher]

On 8/5/2023 at 9:49 PM, www3traveler said:

It is slightly cooler today with bit less smoke where I live.  Has Dad had to put up with smoke from one of the worst wildfire seasons in British Columbia history.

I have a friend who used to be a Captain with Norwegian now a B.C. Ferry Captain, North Island-- says it is really tough up there.

 

BIG BIG BIG BIG HUG

 

When is you next grand adventure??

My next cruise is on the Breakaway for Spring Break.

[Sarnia 432]

41 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

MOLDIV app

Thanks, I will have a look for it.

[YVRteacher]

On 8/5/2023 at 10:27 PM, QuattroRomeo said:

Glad to see cake is still involved!! And that pooch looks like a real sweetie..

He was such a chonky boy! His eyebrows were full of somebody’s picnic.

[nhtravels]

3 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Aw, thank you so much. I’m so sorry I couldn’t post for a few days. I missed it too!

 

I feel like I have a non-fiction book of some sort inside me that will get written one day. For years I thought about writing a novel but I don’t have an ending or a middle and a beginning just won’t do! 

Well I for one will be waiting for any type of book you decide to write!  You inspire me to want to expand my travel plans!  

[YVRteacher]

29 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said:

@YVRteacher You have a future in travel photography. Those pictures are stunning. I particularly like the one with the sky and the tree reflected in the water...and the one with the little red shed by the side of the water. Those could win an award if submitted in a contest.

 

Mrs. Schmoopie has had several of our travel pictures enlarged and put on canvas. Those would be good candidates.

Thank you! My favourite photos are the sand rivulets in Hammerfest.