The North Cape is a peninsula on the island of Magerøya in Northern Norway and it is the point where the Norwegian Sea, part of the Atlantic Ocean, meets the Barents Sea, part of the Arctic Ocean. Its 307 metres high, steep cliff is often referred to as the northernmost point of Europe, 1,306 miles from the North Pole.
Above: North Cape.
The North Cape was named by English explorer Richard Chancellor in 1553 when he passed the cape in the search for a Northeast passage. A road was opened to the North Cape in 1956 and today, the North Cape is a major tourist attraction with Nordkapphallen, an extensive commercial tourist centre housing a number of exhibits on the Cape's history.
Above: In front of the North Cape Globe.
The midnight sun can be seen at North Cape from 14 May to the 31st of July. This is where there are 24 hours of daylight; the sun never actually sets! It was a very strange experience taking a midnight stroll around the outside decks of the Ryndam in daylight!
Above: A traditional Sami Camp set up for tourists on their way to North Cape.
The weather during our visit was very windy and wet. So windy in fact, that on the cliff at North Cape I could actually lean into the wind!
Above: Nice day for a picnic beside the frozen lake!
Our ship docked at Honningsvåg for the trip to North Cape. The city claims to be the northernmost one in Norway and even in the world.
Above: Honningsvåg from our ship.
However, thanks to the Gulf Stream, it has a subarctic climate and an ice-free ocean which provides rich fishing. Even at 71°N, many private gardens in Honningsvåg have trees, although rarely more than 3 – 4 metres tall.
Above: Buses line up at Honningsvåg to take passengers to North Cape.
Our next destination is Molde - Norway, an old settlement which emerged as a trading post in the late Middle Ages. The town continued to grow throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming a centre for Norwegian textile and garment industry, as well as the administrative centre for the region, and a major tourist destination.
Above: The town of Molde.The Moldejazz jazz festival is held in Molde every July. Moldejazz is the largest and oldest jazz festival in Europe, and one of the most important. An estimated 40,000 tickets are sold for the more than a hundred events during the festival. Between 80,000 and 100,000 visitors visit the city during the one-week long festival.
Above: A boat docked in the harbour of Molde.
The panoramic view of some 222 partly snow-clad peaks, often called the Molde panorama, is famous, having been one of the attractions drawing tourists to the town in the 19th century.
Above: Kayakers with the Molde panorama in the background.
I will leave you with a shot of almost the entire Molde panorama. It is very impressive in person, and I would recommend you click on the photo for a larger view! Until next time.
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