HARSTAD, NORWAY

Background Info:

        Harstad is the 3^rd largest town in northern Norway and is located on the island of Hinnoya, which is the Norway’s largest coastal island.  If you look at an atlas you will find that the western coast of Norway is made up of many, many islands.  The population here is just over 23,600. 

        The north Norway oil industry is centered in Harstad.  Offshore oil is located off northern Norway in the Barents Sea.  Besides the oil industry, shipyards, fishing and trading are also important to the economy.  It is also among the most productive agricultural regions in the north part of Norway with big, juicy strawberries grown nearby.  It is too far north for grain crops but hay is grown for animals.

        Once again from mid May to mid July there is no darkness.  It is still 155 miles above the Arctic Circle.  The average high temp is 60F during July and August.  During the winter months the average low temp is mid to upper 20’s, again, due to the gulf stream flowing up the west coast of Norway.

Our Day in Harstad:

        Once again we were blessed with a perfect day weather-wise.  The skies are sunny and blue with a temperature of 69F.  I hope our luck with the great weather continues.  We enjoyed our sailing in the fjord this morning while partaking of our room service delivered breakfast.  The view of some houses and small farms along the banks was idyllic.  Our docking location was right next to the downtown area and reminded me of our European river cruise when the boats would dock downtown in most towns.  Our tour for today was "Trondenes Church and City Center" that boarded the awaiting buses at 10:30, not long after our arrival.  It was a short 3 mile bus ride to our first stop, the Trondenes Church.  It was built in the 13th century in Roman style architecture and is thought to be the most northerly stone church in Norway.  The stone walls of the church are 5 feet thick.  As are most churches in Norway, it is Lutheran.  The original church was later determined to be too small so this stone church was built around the old one and over doubled in size.  For years people were buried under the church floors but later the skeletons were moved into the cemetery that surrounds the church.  The church bells were moved to a structure a short distance away as they were afraid that over the years the clanging may crack the church walls.  Not far down a path from the church was a memorial honoring the Russian POW's who were held by the Germans in WWII.  Many of these POW's died while being forced by the Germans to build a structure to house the massive "Adolph Gun".  It was one of the largest WWII guns that could fire a shell weighing over one ton, 35 miles.  It was designed to be a coast defense gun for use against war ships but was never fired at any.  Our guide said the gun is still operable.  I would have rather seen it than the church!  

        Now back on the bus we headed out on a scenic drive.  We passed some farms that raised hay for the animals.  It is too far north for grain crops to be grown.  We made a couple stops for photos then drove through the downtown area on our way back to the ship.  By now it was 1:30 so we grabbed some lunch before heading into downtown on foot.  I left before the girls and was returning to the ship after taking some photos, when I met them just going shopping.  I have been working on this blog and they just returned without finding anything too buy.  Goody!  By the way, gasoline prices for cars over here is $9.70 per gallon.

Hey, wine is very expensive too!  Everything is!!!

        Tonight we are having dinner in the ship's French restaurant, "Signatures".  Rebecca and I do not care for French food or the menu here but thought Jane and Charlotte should experience it at least once.  The show tonight features, Eric Weaver, the lead male singer with the Jean Ann Ryan production company on board.  Rebecca got me to dance some last night in the Voyager Lounge after her delicious Prime 7 birthday dinner.  Tomorrow is another day at sea!

                                    Arctic Ocean yesterday was smooth and glassy, like a pond.

                         Our position (yellow arrow in red circle) for today, Harstad, Norway.

                                        Views in fjord as we were sailing in this morning.

                                             Approaching Harstad--Note color of water.

                                            Downtown is right by where we are docked.

                                                Crew getting gangway set up

                                                           Our tour for today

                                         On way to our first stop, the Trondenes Church

                      Side view of Trondenes Church, a 13th century medieval church made of stone.

                                                         Front entrance of the church

                                                          A Luthern church

 Walls of the church are 5 feet thick stone.  Moved bell tower to this building as thought wall may crack with rings of the bells over time.

   Memorial to the Russian POW's held here by the Germans during WWII and forced to build place for massive German  "Adolf Gun".  Many of the POW's died.

                                                             Car ferry boat

                                                                Jane

                                                         Golf course

                                     Closer view of newer church.  Took one from ship earlier.

                                           Photo stop for view overlooking city and our ship.

                                                  My photo taking trip into downtown area

                                                           Girls going shopping