On Top of the World!

Greetings from Connie, pinch hitting for Ken. They called today, actually Tuesday, from the ship, using Ingrid's cell phone and a Verizon phone card. They haven't been able to get any internet access, and have had trouble making calls. I'll try to pass on what they told me - I'm sure they'll fill in the details later. They're having a great time, great weather, and many neat experiences. At North Cape, the normal temperature is 50, but they had 70! North Cape is at 71 deg. latitude, the northernmost point in Europe. It's daylight all the time - the sun took a little dip, then came right back up. They went up to the Russian border, but couldn't go across - it requires a visa and lots of money. The Russians are very strict about it - if you put one foot across the border, you would be fined $1,000.

They're the only Americans on board the ship - have been meeting lots of interesting people. They've eaten whale and ox meat and lamb, and will be having reindeer meat. The captain held a "baptism" ceremony when they crossed the Arctic Circle - KM&R were "baptised" with ice cubes and water down their backs, and they received an official "baptism" certificate. They're on their way back down the coast now. When they were talking to me, the ship was getting out into the open ocean and rougher seas. Did you get the web address I emailed, linking to a map of Norway and the realtime position of their boat? Here it is again: http://services.hurtigruten.com:8080/hurtigruten/index.jsp?lang=en

Their ship is the MS Lyngen. When they get back to Tromso, they'll attend a midnight concert. On their itinerary, they said they were taking a Samstund bus tour at Harstad. Actually, the tour is to Stamsund, a fishing village. No wonder I couldn't find it on the map!

That's all I can remember - they should be able to do their own posting when they get to Trondheim.

Over and out,
Connie