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| Photo © Lisa Anderson |
To help celebrate Norway’s National Day, we assembled on deck seven at the stern of Fram at 08:00. Else Kristine Tessem, the Hotel Manager and Line Overgaard, the Expedition Leader were looking splendid in their national costumes. The ship’s officers were in uniform and the Expedition Team looked spiffy in their new Helly Hansen uniforms. The Captain gave a speech recognizing the 200th birthday of Norway which was followed by Norway’s national anthem.
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| Ring of Brodgar Photo © A. Wenzel |
As we approached the docks in Kirkwall we paraded around the outside decks of Fram. It was a beautiful morning and a great start to our day!
There were two different motor coach tours available. Two motor coaches headed off to visit the historic sites of Skara Brae, Skaill House & the Ring of Brodgar while a third coach had a tour of the Italian Chapel and the Highland Park distillery.
Sheep dotted the lush green pastures throughout the island. The piping calls of Curlews and the effervescent songs of Skylarks filled the air.
The tours were back at the ship for lunch time which left the afternoon free to explore Kirkwall.
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| Ring of Brodgar Photo © A. Wenzel |
There was a festive parade starting dockside at noon and a concert at St. Magnus cathedral at 13:00.
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| Skara Brae Photo © A. Wenzel |
Fram cast off her lines at 18:00.
In the evening it was possible to avail yourself of a pair of excellent rubber boots as the Expedition Team set up a rubber boot shop on deck three.
At 22:00 there was an opportunity to broaden your education and appreciation of whisky. Bernie organized a whisky tasting of three different single malts in the Observation Lounge.
Cheers to Orkney!
