|
The
Queen of
Coastal
Steamers:
The
most beautiful sea journey in the world
|
Many
tourists form all over the world has discovered the Coastal Steamers
from Bergen to Kirkenes. |
On
board the coastal steamer:
Gunnar
Christensen
The
Norwegian coastal steamer from Bergen to Krikenes is essential to
the people living on the northern coastline. And it has been for
generations. Every day all the year through there is always steamers
heading north or south covering the distance of 2500 sea miles in all
kinds of weather.
The
population on the northern coastline regard the coastal steamer as
the most reliable way of transport in the hard winter season.
Many
tourists form all over the world enter these ships. Many of them
order their tickets two years in advance. It's one of the most
popular sea journeys in the world and the most beautiful one.
Experienced
sailors are needed on these journeys because the coastline is
demanding. The coastal steamer is part of the coastline, the
population and the coast. You get close to the coast, the people and
the fjords on these trips. And the beautiful nature comes closer to
you during this week on board.
The
tourist ships are strangers on this coastline. You never get close
to the coastline in them. The coastal steamer on the other hand is
the main transport to half a million people living on the coastline
in the northernmost counties Finnmark and Nor-Norge. You meet local
people small society and small places. Most of all you see a lot of
beautiful nature on the coast every day from Bergen to the North Cape
and Kirkenes. You can also take guided trips ashore reaching the
steamer in the next harbour.
In
a fine way the coastal steamer manages to take care of both the
tourists and the local people on board.
North
of Bodø the steamer is normally over booked during the
tourist season: Beside the North Cape you get guided trips by bus in
Tromsø around the town an up on top of the local mountain
overlooking the town. A two days trip from Kirkenes to Karasjok and
back to the ship at Hammerfest. You get from Harstad to Sortland by
bus. In Trondheim you get a bus trip to the famous Ringve Music
Museum and a lot more.
The
coastal steamer goes into the narrow Troll Fjord. You see the big
mountains totally cowered by sea-birds called Sværholdtklubben.
You see the famous mountain Torghatten. And you get guiding onboard
and on shore by professional people in summer season. Many of the
guides are students for then university and they often speak English,
French and German.
And
most important to many tourists: You see the midnight sun.
Crossing
the Polar Circle a surprise is waiting for you.
What
kind of surprise?
I'm
not going to tell you: You wait and see for yourself.
|
