ROCKING AWAY TO STAVANGER -NORWAY-MY WAY

So the cruise part of  NORWAY-MY-WAY was coming to an end this morning. When the ship reaches Kirkenes, it  will stay there two hours and then make a return trip to Bergen. 
I won't be on it. Instead I will fly to Stavanger.


 I went downstairs to the dining room and had my last breakfast on Hurtigruten. Bacon, eggs, waffles, juice. I waved and smiled at many people I had become friendly with but did not say I was not returning to Bergen with them.




8:00 am.  I went back to my room that I had enjoyed so much. It had been my home for seven days. Made coffee for the last time and stood out on the balcony.It was 50 degrees and raining.  At first I hated this ship, but now I will miss it. From my balcony I saw Vadso.

v    Just have to say it again. I love the pretty painted houses in Norway
 My backpack was ready. Henry  always said  I looked like an eccentric American with my backpack and thrift store clothes. Little did he know my trip to Norway was financed by monopoly money. Just two more hours and Rachel will inherit my "paid for suite" & I will leave this ship forever.
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Twenty of us would not be returning to Bergen by sea. As we left, people were lined up to board the ship which would be leaving in only two hours. Life goes on.
v


                           KIRKENES
  Kirkenes is at the top of Norway, on the border with Russia. Aside from ship repair, tourism is the main industry here. Visitors come to see unique wildlife in the surrounding tundra and taiga




7,000 of the inhabitants are Norwegian and a minority are Sami.  It was in the NORWEGIAN-RUSSIAN area until 1826,when it became Norwegian. It endured  a horrible time during WWII. Only l7 houses were left. KIRKENES seaport
vv The only church there. Kirkenes means Land of the Church. Most of my fellow passengers went over to the Russian border. Here is the marker. I wouldn't have time.cv


My monopoly money has served me well. My ticket was bought on line charged to (you guessed it!) MONOPOLY CHARGE CARD!! Everything was set to fly to Stavanger and visit Eve and Asta and their nephew. I am inching closer to home.










The airport looked so small; yet many fly out from here every day. The 1,600 mile trip would take only 4 hrs. Once in flight I looked down at the Hurtigruten which was already at sea.
 vOnly four hours later I looked down and saw  Stavanger.  It was a gorgeous day, cool and sunny. 
 I would see Eve and Asta very soon and meet Nicklas and his fiancee.  I was feeling good, very good.
As I know more, I will tell YOU MORE!! 
Love, annie of memphis, inching toward home.
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