NORWAY MY WAY 1ST DAY ON SHIP

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I usually never meet a stranger...not usually. 
But last night I had such an uneasy feeling, when I boarded the Hurtigruten Ship.


It looked so big; and there were so many people, who were laughing and talking and having so much fun!! I felt so old and so alone and was wishing for my loved ones in Memphis...The possibility hit me that the 6 day cruise  would seem like forever!

                                                       
The get acquainted and welcome buffet was served throughout the lobby             Most of the passengers filled their plates with cold food and walked around eating and visiting. Some went out on deck.  I didn't want a bite. I wished for Eve and Asta.


Then I heard the now familiar young voice. "Miss Annie, Miss Annie, over here!!"
Smiling I waved and pointed upward, indicating I was going to my suite. I took the elevator up (dudn't that beat all?) and found it. The room was perfect. The Grand Suite is grand,
indeed. Here it is. I just love it. It had a seating area, tv, stereo,
internet access, private balcony, tea and coffee making facility
in my room, and an invitation to visit the bridge. Wow. I was
perking up.
  I took a shower & dressed
for bed. 


Then as the ship left Bergen at 10:30 pm, I
stood on my private balcony as we began to move.








    


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  When it was morning, I remembered today is 9/11.   I was up and wide awake at 4 am. I was happy the grand suite came with its own coffee maker. I made some coffee and ate sweet rolls & cheese I had picked up from the buffet table last evening at the party.


  I knew we would stop at Flora at 4:15 am for thirty minutes. There are 8, 448 people living here. Not only is it charming, it has a fishing industry, shipyards, and supply for the oil and gas industry in the North Sea.





Of course all through the night stops were made while we were asleep. Hurtigruten does a great service to the small towns. This ship isn't just a fun boat; it takes supplies,  mail and people who are not on the cruise but getting transportation to places that are somewhat isolated.


I went back to bed for a short nap.  Then I awoke for another stop from 7:00 to 7:30 at Maloy. Another 30 stop at
Torvik from 10:15 to 10:45. I could see that some of our passengers had left the ship for a quick stroll around the wharf.




Maloy                                                   Torvik


        

I went downstairs for breakfast.  The food was good. Bacon, eggs, cheese, fruit and rolls.  I ate at one of the lounge tables with a few friendly strangers. Then I went back upstairs to watch TV.  haha I knew we would have three hours in Alesund at noon. I wanted to see all I could there.             
 


  



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  Most people didn't actually walk all three hours. It was raining, and we walked under umbrellas. Then we took a bus to the lookout point at the top of this picture. We lingered awhile.Some came back to the ship for the famous cold lunch. I am not a herring fan, but I had plenty to eat.


I was surprised that Henry wasn't out walking...He said that he had needed to use the computer room while it wasn't crowded. 


I was friendly with some of the train people I had met. Not important that we don't speak the same language. Smiles, oohs, ahs, are easily understood.


At 5:30 we stopped at Molde for an hour.
      


A few Americans passed the word we would have a little 9/11 memorial service at one end of the lounge before dinner. When time came there were Norwegians there too. Their Oslo and the Labor Camp bombing  in July was very much on their minds. They wanted to join us. Nobody preached. Different ones said sentence prayers. Many simply spoke a sentence about peace. This lasted about a half hour. Then we sang God Bless America and the Norwegians sang their national anthem. We also sang LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH. It was a very emotional time for us all.
When it was over, many of us hugged each other.


 Then it was time for our first
seated dinner. We had assigned seats which would be the same
the entire cruise. Henry got us seats at the same table.

Yesterday I was so sad; but today I am okay, more than okay.
I'll tell you more as I know more. Love, annie


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