Day 8 March 6th Honningsvag and the North Cape

It was snowing for much of last evening and so there was no possibility for seeing the northern lights.  We stayed snug in our lounges and read before going to bed. 




approaching Havoysund

The next morning was brighter 

Blue sky near Havoysund

with the sun occasionally appearing.  The first port of call was the pretty, small fishing village of Havoysund.  It was set in an outstanding setting and was well sheltered from the Atlantic.  We were there for a very short time, loading and unloading, and were 

Havoysund harbour

soon on our way to Honningsvag, 2 hours further along the coast.  We had booked a trip from Honningsvag to the North Cape (the northernmost point of mainland Europe) but were told that 50% of this year's trips had been cancelled due to too much snow, snow avalanches on the road etc.  When we docked the buses complete with chained wheels were ready to go and we eagerly climbed on 

Our essential snowplough

board.  The road initially was covered in snow and was two-way and we made good progress.  After a time it began to snow and looked quite misty but we carried on until we got to the junction 

Honningsvag harbour

where the road to the North Cape headed off.  At this point we went down to single track and we had to pull up behind a snow plough.  We waited until a convoy of cars and buses formed up behind us and then we started off.  The snow plough was throwing tons of snow away from the road and we were able to make reasonable progress.  




one intrepid arctic explorer

We arrived at the North Cape

Another intrepid explorer

coach park and were able to explore around.  We were glad that we were wearing our thermals, good gloves, boots and furry hats.  We felt like Teletubbies in all the gear but it was beneficial.  We went to a monument of the "Children of the World" and to the 

children of the world monument

globe on the top of the cliff for the obligatory photos and then

at the globe

decided to go into the visitor centre which had various displays etc.  We visited the small chapel, and looked at the photographic exhibition of the Arctic Convoys which helped Russia in the 2nd world war.  We then attended the small cinema and watched the very good film of 

another at the globe

life around the North Cape.  We saw and heard about the history, the migration of people, birds and reindeer plus how the seasons change the environment.  

a small fjord

We paid a brief visit to the souvenir shop and then it was time to reboard the coach for the return journey.  Again we followed the trusty snowplough for 

the seasonal hotel

part of the way and made our past fjords, lakes, settlements and a hotel which is seasonally open.  At the end of the journey we felt very blessed that it 

a small occupied island

had taken place and that we could enjoy it so much.  We walked the short distance to the boat and were soon ensconced in 

leaving Honningsvar

the warmth.

It was getting dark as we left the port but it looked very beautiful with the snow and the lights now showing.

Honningsvar fishing boats

We were now passed our northern most point and were now sailing on to Kirkenes which is at the furthest distance from Bergen that we travel.