today I went for a trip on the famous Hurtigruten coastal express in Norway. We had booked a port to port voyage from Stokmarkness to Svolvaer. The journey would take us through the Raftsundet and the Trollfjord, some of the most beautiful spots on the voyage.
The ship was set to leave for Svolvaer at 3.15 pm local time. We arrived at Stokmarkness a few hours early, giving us enough time to visit the Hurtigrutens Hus, a museum dedicated to the famous coastal express ships.
Outside the museum is the old coastal express ship Finmarken, which is open to visit. It's realy strange to walk around in this old ship, which is now completely empty. It smels of old and everything is empty (certainly scarry if there aren't any other people visiting).
It gives you an idea of what it's like to be stuck on a sinking ship (only the water is missing).
After our lunch we saw the Nordlys arriving at the Hurtigruten terminal and we were able to board the ship with our car.
Hurtigruten ships use a side door located on the port side of the ship and then use elevators to move cars and cargo to the level of the car/cargo deck.
Nordlys arriving in Stokmarkness.
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The side door.
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The car deck.
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After we had parked the car and checked in at the reception on deck three we had enough time to find ourselves a comfy deck chair and enjoy the sunshine before departure.
Leaving Stokmarkness.
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The view over the bows after leaving Stokmarkness.
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A view of the shore just outside Stokmarkness.
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The ship left just in time and it was amazing to see how it manouvered through all the narrow passageways and made all those sharp turns.
The Raftsundet, a narrow passage between two islands in the Lofoten, is realy very, very, very pretty:
Entering the Raftsundet
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A view of the bridge over the entrance of the Raftsundet.
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Sailing deeper into the Raftsundet.------------------------------------------------------
The highlight of the journey was the trip in the Trollfjord. This fjord is only 3 km long and 100 m wide at the entrance but it is magnificent. The cliffs rise almost 1000m and nearly vertical along the side and you feel realy small on the ship.
The ship then turned 180° at the end of the fjord and carried on to Svolvaer.
The ship then turned 180° at the end of the fjord and carried on to Svolvaer.
You wouldn't say it, but between these two cliffs is the entrance to the Trollfjord.
After a 90° turn, the ship headed in the Trollfjord.
Even this quite large Hurtigruten ship seems small and lost in this.
The ship then turned 180° on the spot and headed out again.After the Trollfjord, the ship headed towards the Raftsundet again and carried on towards Svolvaer.
Proceeding further through the Raftsundet.
Proceeding further through the Raftsundet.
After we were back in the Raftsundet, I decided to walk around the ship a bit.
The ship has 7 decks in total. Passenger facilities are located on decks 4 and 7, decks 2, 3, 5 and 6 are cabin decks.
The ship was very quiet and there was very few vibration on most places, except for the area under the funnel where there was more noise and vibration on all decks then in other area's.
The ship was very tidy and clean, inside and out, and the crew were very friendly. Large windows offered views throughout the ship. The nicest place was the panorama lounge on deck 7, just above the bridge which offered stunning views.
A deckplan of the vessel.
The ship has 7 decks in total. Passenger facilities are located on decks 4 and 7, decks 2, 3, 5 and 6 are cabin decks.
The ship was very quiet and there was very few vibration on most places, except for the area under the funnel where there was more noise and vibration on all decks then in other area's.
The ship was very tidy and clean, inside and out, and the crew were very friendly. Large windows offered views throughout the ship. The nicest place was the panorama lounge on deck 7, just above the bridge which offered stunning views.
A deckplan of the vessel.
The Sirilund bar on deck 4.
The arcade which walks along the starboard side of deck 4.
The arcade which walks along the starboard side of deck 4.
A view of the panorama lounge on deck 7.
The builders plate on deck 5 under the bridge.
The builders plate on deck 5 under the bridge.
Soon we were out of the Raftsundet and Svolvaer came in sight:
A view of the port side of the ship, just outside Svolvaer.
Entering Svolvaer harbour.
Docking in Svolvaer.
A view of the port side of the ship, just outside Svolvaer.
Entering Svolvaer harbour.
Docking in Svolvaer.I would certainly recommend anyone going to the Lofoten Islands to take this trip, it's one of the prettiest parts of the whole route, takes only 3 hours and 15 minutes and even in the not very nice weather I've had on my trip, the views are superb!
Regards
Cedric
Regards
Cedric
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