The Purple Penguin

Christmas eve is the big celebration in Norway, so that’s what we did tonight! But last night, after dinner, we gathered in the bar on deck 7 and decorated a Christmas tree and sang carols in several different languages. Norwegian carols are fun and bouncy, English and German less so. We were getting tired so headed back to the cabin only to get the message that there were ‘not very bright’ northern lights. So I went out, without my coat (brr) to have a look. They weren’t as large or bright as the night before so I thought ‘meh, I’m cold’ and headed back in. So Joe says I’m already getting blase about the lights.

Up a bit earlier today but I didn’t bother with lunch – our excursion was 11:15 to 14:45 so they were doing brunch from 10:15. I got coffee then waited for brunch! We got ready to go, had brunch (more like lunch than brunch), then headed out for the bus to the North Cape. We docked in Honningsvåg so it was about a half hour to the North Cape. Except some people got lost so the buses had to turn around to get them. But we got to North Cape – had a very good guide who gave us information on the way. I walked out to the globe had a look then went inside and spent most of the time inside. Mainly because of the wind which really blows strongly. Joe stayed out and got photos, then about 10 minutes before we were due at the bus we met up inside and headed out to the lookout point. Which was a mad move, as the wind had really picked up. It was strong before, but a real fight to get to the lookout, where we really couldn’t see anything anyway because of the wind! Then back on the bus and more info from the guide on the ride back to the ship.

The ship left Honningsvåg and as we left we got a Norwegian traditional Christmas rice pudding which was really nice. Later in the afternoon we sailed past Finnkirka which in the winter is all lit up in different colours. Quite interesting. While we were looking at Finnkirka a small boat pulled up to our ship and a king crab fisherman boarded with some king crab. Joe and I watched the boat leave – he did a large circle and waved to us as he drove off – then headed up to deck 7 to see the king crabs.

We docked at Kjøllefjord at 17:00 and as it’s Christmas eve and the main celebration for Norwegians we’ve stayed here all evening. We don’t leave until 22:45. There was a service at 18:00, but Joe and I skipped that. We also had a huge Christmas meal – buffet dinner with all the traditional Norwegian Christmas foods. About the only thing we didn’t try was the lutefisk, but there really wasn’t any left when I got up there! We even had some king crab! Then up to the bar on deck 7 for more Christmas karoke and Father Christmas.

Tomorrow is dog sledding! Then we head back south.