Thursday 13th January

A quick blog tonight as I am on the MS Nordlys and the internet is very slow.

Last night I boarded the Hurtigruten called MS Nordlys and we began our cruise northbound. It was a smooth journey and after dinner more movenet was felt but I was distracted by the northern lgiths. Not as spectaular as previous viewings however jsut as amazing. As was the towering snow capped mountains.

I slpet very well with the rocking of the ship.

After breadkfast today we docked and headed onto land for a 45min bus trip to the North Cape. Part way up we were joined by a snow plough who cleared the way for us for the remainder of the trip.

It was stunning! Snowing, cold (-18) but stunning what we could see.

There are lights outside, so I'll be back to add more later.

Chiao

So yes, the North Cape was great, if a little too snowy. On the way back down we followed the snow plough again, in darkness at 2:15pm. Back on board the Hurtigruten at 3:15pm we began heading south to Kirkenes. Unforntunately the sea began to rock us a little more, so my sea-bands were put on. I waited to use the internet and just stared out the window at blackness and the occasional light. I was getting very tired and headed to my cabin to rug up so as to attend the Kingcrab presentation outside on deck 7.

Although, once back in my cabin I bacame rather seasick and spent the next ten minutes with my head hanging over the toilet ;( Afterwards I felt much better and headed up to deck 7.

I saw the Rock church as we passed that. It was lit up with lights and was very pretty in the darkness. Unfortunately I couldn't get my camera to take a good photo. Never mind. Shortly after passing this, a local fisherman came aboard with several king crabs. He told us all about them and we got to taste the crab roe fresh from the underbelly of the female Kingcrabs. They are becoming a pest here in Norway as they eat absolutely everything.

I had my photo taken holding a Kingcrab by one of the lovely staff and chatted with them about the crabs. It was nice being outside in the shelter.

I got a password for the internet and began writing the above before I was distracted by the lights. I headed out and watch the aurora and only one other person was out there with me. It was spectacular. I took some photos but mostly I just enjoyed watching them dance across the sky. It was very cold so I was only outside for 15mins.

At 7pm I went to the dining hall, but I was feeling queazy again. I spoke with the head waitress and she suggested to eat some salty crackers, drink some coke/pepsi and go to bed. To take a travel sickness tablet if I had one (I did, thanks to Sue who'd given me a few when we were on the bus up to the north cape). So that is what I did, had a little pepsi and took a travel sickness tablet. Both of which I had to work hard at keeping them down whilst sitting on the bathroom floor with my eyes closed singing in my head, rock a bye baby :)

Oh the things we do!! Once I felt more settled and less nausus I climbed into bed and fell asleep. It was 7:30pm. I was awoken about 10pm-ish with an announcement of stunning northern lights outside, but I was too sleepy and the big rocking of the boat didn't entice me out. I went back to sleep, only waking a few times, through until 6:30am!!!

Unfortunately I missed tasting the king crab and buffet dinner that was available. But I just couldn't do it.

Tomorrow I leave the Hurtigruten (basically translates to big boat), in Kirkenes. Thank goodness.