Happy Birthday Dear Captain!

Again a lovely morning with bright sunshine. The wind was blowing from the west about 7-8 m per sek.. The swell was quite heavy.

At 9.30 am two lectures were given. One by Friederike with the topic “One year aboard MV FRAM” and the other one by Klaus with the topic “Huge cod and enormous monkfish – Fish n` cips”.

At noon we could see the old lighthouse and a part of the white beaches of Borkum. We sailed along the south side of Borkum towards the Borkum Reede. The swell was much lower when we entered the strait between the Dutch Island Schiermonnikoog and Borkum . The Polar Cirkle Boats were lowered down, filled up with our guests and sailed quite a long distance to the old Marine Military Harbor. Everyone reached the island with dry feeds. Busses brought the guests around the island. Others were driven to the town center .

Borkum is the westernmost and, at 36 sq km, the largest of the seven East-Frisian Islands in the southern North Sea. Due to the Gulf Stream, there is a temperate maritime climate, which means that it is not very hot in summer and not very cold in winter. The island is partially car-free. The only town on the island is also called Borkum. Borkum is serviced by ferries from Emden and Eemshaven.

A double track narrow gauge railway still exists in Borkum. Many of our passengers got a special steam train ride between the town and back to the harbor. Everyone was happy for the stay on Borkum. It had been a wonderful trip to this unique island.

On our way out with the FRAM, our tour guide Benno gave interesting comments about the coastal

landscape over PA system.

At 9 pm we had the Farewell-Cocktail in the Observation Lounge were our Captain Arild Hårvik said goodbye to all passengers. After that, the famous MS FRAM Crew Show took place on deck 7.

A wonderful cruise with lots of interesting locations to discover ends tomorrow. Good night folks .

Zeebrugge

The sea was a little bit rough in the morning after the superb day on the Channel Islands yesterday. In the morning, Anja the expeditionleader gave information`s about the day in Zeebrugge and the island of Borkum in the Framheim hall. Also a lecture was given by Carolina with the topic: “Bruges and van Eyck”. At 3 pm the MS FRAM reached the city of Zeebrugge. Zeebrugge is the outer port of Bruges in West Flanders province. It is connected with Harwich, England, by a rail ferry. Zeebrugge was developed approx. 1900 to replace the silted-up port of Bruges. It is Belgium`s most important fishing port and the wholesale fish market located there is one of the largest in Europe. Hurtigruten offered a shuttle bus to the tiny seaside resort Blankenberge. The other guests participate in two excursions: Romantic Bruges & Canals, Bruges & Belgian Chocolate Demonstration and Outskirts of Bruges.

It took about 30 minutes by coach to reach the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. The historic city centre is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. The city`s population is 117,000. Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, such as Amsterdam, it is referred to as “The Venice of the North”. The walk through the city was wonderful but the highlight was a canal tour along the serene waterways of this romantic historical city.

Do not forget, Belgium is also famous for beer, chocolate, waffles and French fries.

All guests enjoyed the stay in Zeebrugge and surroundings very much. We set sail again at 8 pm.

Later on our host Günther Meyer had an interview with the ship`s Captain Arild Hårvik, the Hotel Manager Bjørn Erik Julset and the Expeditionleader Anja Erdmann in the Observation Lounge.

Guernsey and Sark

During the night the MS FRAM was drifting nearby the Channel Island of Guernsey. The island is a British Crown Dependency in the English Channel off the cost of Normandy. The name of the Channel Island is of Viking origin. The second element of Guernsey `ey` is Old Norse for the Island, the first element is uncertain, traditionally meaning “green”, but perhaps rather representing a Viking personal name, possibly Grani`s. Today Guernsey lives off Financial services, such as banking, fund management, and insurance. Tourism, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, especially freesias, have been declining. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular offshore centre for Private equity funds.

At 8 am we started with the transfer from the ship to town. It was still windy but all passengers were brought safely to a floating bridge in the harbor of St. Peter Port, the main city of the island. To excursions were offered. One was a bus round tour mainly on the southern part of the island and the other one was a walking tour in the city of St. Peter Port and to the Castle Cornet. Both excursions took place in really good weather conditions.

In the afternoon just before 2 pm the MV FRAM reached the nearby tiny island of Sark. The island has a population of about 600. The economy depends primarily on tourism. Sark consists of two main parts, Greater Sark and Little Sark to the south. Again we had to use our fantastic Polar Cirkle Boats. The landing side is a tiny natural harbor with high cliffs to all sides. Tractor-busses drove the passengers up to the village. Many guests went aboard a horse drawn carriage for a tour of the island. There are no cars on the island, only superb scenery. Some guests enjoyed an independent cycle tour to see Sark`s parish church, the beautiful garden of Seigneurie and the spectacular coastal scenery with numerous bays .

It was a particulary nice visit on Guernsey and Sark.

stormy weather

Today we reached the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, around 5 km off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by the strait called the Solent. The island is well known for its sailing based at the town of Cowes , for its natural beauty and its resorts, which have been holiday destinations since Victorian times. The island has a rich history, including archaeological sites. These range from prehistoric fossil beds which include dinosaur remains, to dwellings and arte facts of the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman period. In 871 the King of Wessex, Alfred the Great defeated the Vikings after they had “ ravaged the Isle of Wight”.

The weather forecast was bad for our visit on the Isle. Strong wind and rain.

In the morning Anja informed about the Isle of Wight, Guernsey and Sark plus landing with the ships owned Polar Cirkle Boats. Friederike had a lecture about seabirds.

At 12 pm the FRAM reached the town of Cowes which is situated in the northern part of the island. Cowes is a gateway town for the Island of Wight with a population of about 9.500 inhabitants.

The MV FRAM anchored in the Strait. The wind was blowing more than 20 m per second from west . One Polar Cirkle boat was lowered just for to see how it will behave in this stormy weather. The forecast was increasing wind in the afternoon. A decision was taken not to land on Isle of Wight. Safety first.

The anchor was pulled up and we set sail towards the east cost of Isle of Weight, where interesting rock groups could be seen. Friederike informed the passenger over the PA system about this geological phenomenon. At 3 pm Klaus gave a lecture about ships in distress. “Change the perspective“ was the title of a lecture given by our photographer Barbara.

In the evening our guest lecturer Captain Langbein was interviewed about ships and seafaring in the Observation Lounge.

under the TOWER BRIDGE

Yesterday evening the MV FRAM was announced to pass the narrow TOWER BRIDGE in the city of London at 4.45 am. A lot of guests were early up this morning to watch that exciting moment from the observation deck or from the front part of the ship. The weather was excellent this morning. No wind, warm temperatures. The sun was just before horizon. You could hear the voices of the blackbirds from both sides of the Thames River. A mile before we reached the TOWER BRIDGE, the MV FRAM turned around and a tow boat towed our ship backwards toward the bridge. The TOWER BRIDGE slowly opened its wings and we could pass this historical monument.The MV FRAM went alongside the old battleship HMS Belfast.Early in the morning at 7 o clock all passengers easily entered a sightseeing boat which brought them to the other side of the river, where excursions started. Four excursions were offered: Panoramic London, Highlights of London, Pub lunch & Covent Garden, Royal Windsor, River Thames & Westminster Abbey.

At 4 pm all guests were back on board. One and a half hour later many guests were standing on the back, waving with a glass of champagne or soft drink in their hands while we set sail and passed the TOWER BRIDGE and further on Greenwich on our way back to the North Sea.

Later on, the fanny MV FRAM fashion show with the fantastic models of the crew and expedition team took place in the observation lounge.

A day on sea

What a very nice day with bright sunshine, mild temperatures and calm sea.

Today is a sea day with lots of activities. At 9 am our bridge tours for passengers started. At 11 am Carolina had a lecture on “Treasures of the National Gallery London” in the Polhøgda lecture hall. At the same time a lecture with Klaus started in the Framheim lecture hall. The topic was “London – the town of the Romans, Vikings and the Hanseatics.

In the afternoon the Countess Leontine of Schmettow gave a lecture with the topic “Insight into the Britis

h Royal Family. All lectures were repeated during the day.

At 9.30 pm the host Günter Meyer invited for a small talk round about ”Everyday life on an expedition ship” together with the Hurtigruten Hamburg Gerneral Managers Kasper Berens and Stephan Handwerker .

Welcome to our 9th Hurtigruten Event Cruise

The 9th Hurtigruten Event Cruise started today in Hamburg. All guests met in the afternoon on board the three mast bark RICKMER RICKMERS, which is permanently moored as a museum ship in Hamburg near the ship Cap San Diego. Delicious finger food and cocktails were served. The general manager of the head department of Hurtigruten Hamburg welcomed all passengers. Later on the Executive Director of the trust for Windjammer in Hamburg gave an interesting explanation about the RICKMER RICKMERS.

At 5 pm all guests walked to the nearby waiting sightseeing ship MS Hamburg. After a round trip in the harbor, the MS Hamburg went alongside our expedition ship the MV FRAM, so that our passengers could easily enter their new home they have chosen for the upcoming week.

After dinner the lifeboat rescue exercise took place on the outer decks. Later on the Captain and the Expeditionleader presented their team in the observation lounge. It has been a very long day for most of our guests. Good night. See you tomorrow morning.



The last day

Our last day aboard we spent at sea. The weather was pleasant, the sea was calm and we were able to relax and get ready for our disembarkation in Hamburg. In the morning passenger had the opportunity to visit the bridge. Captain Arild Hårvik took his time to explain the ship’s modern technique.

Our onboard lecturer had a last possibility to share their knowledge with us. The day passed with interesting information, chats and talks amongst passengers and crew alike. As often on cruises, addresses were exchanged amongst newly made friends. Photos were passed around and discussed.

The highlight in the afternoon was the Farewell Cocktail hosted by our Captain followed by another delicious Dinner prepared by the Galley crew.

Most guests spent the evening with a last cocktail in the lounge. Around 10:00 pm we entered the Kiel Canal. As the lock is fully illuminated at night time we were able to observe the locking of the ship very well.

Our onboard photographer presented her best pictures of the cruise, and reviewing the cruise visually many of us plan to return to MV FRAM. We all at Hurtigruten are looking forward to welcoming returning guests back on board. Good night – see you soon again….

Happy Birthday Norway!!!!

It is the 17^th of May, a very special day for our Norwegians aboard. They really like their National Day and they celebrate it with a great enthusiasm.  At 8am we had the first ceremony – flying the flags! After this the master of the vessel gave a speech over the PA system for all people aboard, in Norwegian, English and German.  Soon after breakfast we had the important, wonderful and very special Parade over the ship. Nearly everybody participated. Crew, staff and passengers followed the captain with Norwegian flags, whistles and rattles. Many created their own banners, to greet Norway in their personal way. It was an unforgettable experience for all of us to join our Norwegian friends on their National Day Party. Thanks for inviting us!!!

 

After lunch we started with our excursions in Visby, which we reached around 2pm.Visby is an outstanding example of a former hanseatic town. We offered a tour over the Island (Gotland) and a more or less walking tour through the city with their old town wall, dated back to the 13^th century, the narrow alleys, the church and all the ruins out of the historical time. With a common merganter, all the flowering trees and springtime flowers, even the naturalist found their special places of interest.  One highlight of the countryside tour was the imposing burial place “Gannarve Skeppssättning”, a stone-setting from the Bronze Age (about 600 BC).

After a nice BBQ we met in the Panorama Lounge to listen and watch the very well-known MV FRAM crew show.  That was a great end for a wonderful and impressive day.

And a last time -  for this year: Happy birthday Norway!!!

Dancing in the rain!

Our port of call today “Tallinn” the UNESCO World Heritage Site was once a member of the Hanseatic League and is 2011 one of the Cultural Capitals of Europe. After many days of sun we had our first rainy day.

The liquid sunshine did not bother us and we left for Lahemaa National Park. These unique landscapes, nostalgic seaside villages and attractive old manor houses offered a great overview of rural Estonia. One of the highlights is the Palmse Manor dating back to the 18^th century. The Lahemaa National Park covers an impressive area of approx. 280 square miles. Partly a wetland the park offers an opportunity to have a walk in the bog. The wooden Viru bog hiking trail gave us the opportunity to walk through the typical vegetations cover of the park. It was a bit early in the season the flower buds will blossom most likely in approximately 2 weeks. After a delicious local lunch we returned to Tallinn where we visited some of the highlights before returning to MV FRAM.

Our city discovery tours, gave us a choice of walking, bussing or cycling. During the tours we explored the Old Town with its medieval walls, the Upper Town with its watch-towers, graceful spires and winding, cobbled streets. Passing the Russian Orthodox Church and the Gothic Dome Cathedral we walked down a street called “Long Leg” to learn more about the Lower Town. The Great Guild House and the Gothic Town hall were some of the interesting architectural features on the tour. Some of us enjoyed a typical folk dancing show.

In the afternoon we left Tallinn for Gotland. The evening entertainment included live music played by our onboard musician Ralf where we had a chance to dance along. The Galley team presented art in ice; an amazing show where we could watch how the chefs carved sculptures, figurines and decorative items from ice, vegetables and fruits.