More September 11

September 11, 2009, Friday
M/S Polarlys

We have a perfectly wonderful day to visit the northernmost city in the world and I managed to find a T-Shirt that was only $25!!! Most were $40+ and I just couldn’t bring myself to pay that much for a tee!! We also found a beautiful Norwegian sweater and since it is the end of the tourist season, it was less than half price!! Definitely my kind of deal!!

The territory that we are seeing reminds me very much of Antarctica rather than of Alaska. When we were in northern Alaska, there were no trees or vegetation of any kind—just rocks and dirt. Here there is grass and some shrubs, although there are no real trees. The citizenry is civilized and is not primarily Inuit or some northern tribe but is clearly Norwegian. Their cities are small but have paved roads and buses and a variety of stores. As we cruise along, most of what we are seeing is desolate, rocky, hilly islands with few inhabitants. But the hills are green and there are a few spots of snow that has still not melted. I thought there would be waterfalls all over the place but have yet to spot a single one!!

This ship is just plain COLD. I’m sitting in our cabin wrapped in a wool blanket over my long sleeved shirt and sweater!! Most of the passengers are wearing sweaters and many are wearing their coats! When we were in Hammerfest, the locals were wandering around in short sleeved tees and were apparently comfortable as could be which shows you that a comfortable temperature is in the mind of each person!! To these folks, this is summer and so they are warm in 50 degree temperatures but we have just come from 70-80 degree weather and 50 degrees is cold!!

To say that we are bored is an understatement. There is just NOTHING to do and the sightseeing is pretty much zero. I was so sure that this was going to be the highlight of our trip and it is turning into a waste of time…..a COLD waste of time!! It is pretty bad when the whole day long you are counting the minutes until the next meal!! And after dinner tonight I will be counting the minutes until it is time to go to sleep!! Don is spending his time napping, so he will be cruising all night tonight!