HAMMERFEST AND NORTHERN LIGHTS

As we meander back to Bergen we get to see ports that were docked in at inconvenient times on the Northern sail. Steve and I always tried to get off the ferry for a quick look/see or a longer hike. It was always easy to get off and back on. Trondheim and Tromso were two towns we really liked and explored. The last big town above the Arctic Circle was Hammerfest. Another museum there explained how the Townsfolk survived the war by hiding in underground caves or fleeing to the Mts. Hammerfest claims to be the Northernmost town in the world. They also have a fun club there called the "POLAR BEAR SOCIETY" showing the strength and will power it takes to live in the Arctic...just like the polar bear.  Anyone can join, so we did. They have members all over the world.

That night. Right after dinner, the captain announced that there were "lights" out in the dark black sky. Almost everyone grabbed coats and found a cozy spot to watch the Northern lights dance around the sky for almost an hour. The Captain slowed the ferry down so we wouldn't be buffeted by the cold wind, and cameras and cell phones were in full use. It was our first time to see these lights and we were NOT disappointed. What a spectacle. It is so dark out in the Northern Norwegian sea and it was a perfect viewing. If that wasn't good enough....the universe decided to do a repeat the next evening! It was even better the 2nd night. My camera just could not do it justice, but at some point, one just has to put down the lens and enjoy!