Last day of 2011

Pinga and I did a really nice backcountry skiing tour to the top of Grønlibruna where this image is taken. Happy New Year!

Uzzi

Annelill and I were in Narvik today riding Uzzi - a super nice Dutch riding horse.

Pinga in Fall colours

When the fall arrives the ban on unleashed dogs disappears and Pinga thrives.

Grandmother

Only a few years ago she hiked to the top of Steiroheia and at the age of 80, which is some 8 years ago, we went together on an expedition to Svalbard. She still rides her bike daily! Hope I've got the genes.

Litj Klotinden

Today I hiked to the summit of "Litj Klotinden". The official name of the mountain is Jennskardtinden (654 m.asl.). The view from the top is super!

Ramp in Myre

Usually you see skateboard ramps in concrete jungles. In Myre, Øksnes you find it in the most beautiful setting.

Dronningruta

Dronningruta (The Queen's Route) is a hike made famous by Queen Sonja of Norway. Most of the route is along mountain ridges with views to the ocean both east and west. If you have a few hours to spare and some extra energy - this hike is worth every calory.

I had great company by my uncles Bjørn and Einar.

Instøya

Another extraordinary evening in Vesterålen. Did a hike at Instøya close to Alsvåg in Øksnes.

Hiking in Vesterålen

Did a very nice hike together with my fabulous Grandma Hilda and Aunt Astri. In the background is the spiky peak of Klotinden.

Scene from Nyksund

This old sailor is standing in the window looking at Nyksund harbour. He probably wonders what is going on...

Rainshower over Skogsøya

In Vesterålen weather changes all the time and the prevailing westerlies bring in refreshing showers ever so often.

Gisløya in Øksnes

Hiked through Grunnfjorden Nature Reserve and reached the sailing light at Gisløya. This is another pearl of Vesterålen. After a short wait the sun came down below the clouds on the horizon and gave me a magnificently lit landscape.

Stave

Stave close to Bleik (see previous post) - there are even fewer inhabitants and is situated on the more exposed side of Andøya, towards west. However; paradise-like conditions occur ever so often.

Bleik in Vesterålen

At 69°16′13″N 15°57′26″Ø the small village Bleik is situated on the sheltered side of Andøya in Vesterålen, Northern Norway. The 500 inhabitants can enjoy this paradise at all times of the year - in different light and in various conditions. The beaches here are magnificent and the bird island off shore is full of puffins and other seabirds. The great White Tailed Eagle is numerous here.

The images are all a variation of Bleiksøya - the Bleik Island.

Beerenberg

Beerenberg is one of the highest mountains in Norway (2277 m.asl). Around the crater there are 11 peaks above 2000 m.asl if you work with a primary factor of 10 meters. It is the northernmost active volcano on Earth and it had its last eruption in 1980. It is possible to ascend the mountain quite easily - the logistics is the challenge as it's situated on the island of Jan Mayen, one of the most isolated on the globe. Jan Mayen was nominated to become as a World Heritage site as part of the North Atlantic Ridge.

Jan Mayen

I'm probably going to get to Jan Mayen only twice in life. Today were the first. On the second I hope I brought my skis, have plenty of time and gets a weather window to ascend the wonderful Beerenberg. Today is as well a day of national grief in Norway after the terrible terrorist attacs in Oslo on Friday. This entry is dedicated everyone suffering losses.

En Route Jan Mayen

I'm aboard MS Fram from Hurtigruten - departed from Iceland yesterday and scheduled to reach one of the most isolated islands on Earth; Jan Mayen tomorrow afternoon.

Harpa - inside the new Icelandic Opera

The new Opera in Reykjavik is a splendid creation of glass. Inside - light is spilling in all facets. This new building is worthy of Gardar Hólm - the world famous (imaginary) opeara star of Halldór Laxness.

Beluga Boats

On a recent visit in Fleur de Lyshamna in Van Keulenfjorden in Spitsbergen we visited the site of what once was a Beluga fishery adventure. These fisheries were ecologically insustainable and luckily it ended before the population of this magnificent High Arctic whale were were depleted. Today you can experience Beluga in the fjords of Spitsbergen. They come swimming in groups along the shores. If you're lucky they twist their head (unique feature for the species) and takes a look at you.

Polar Bear with cubs

This is probably the image I've taken that has been used more than any other. I met this single-mother family at Wilhelmøya, East Spitsbergen in 2006.

Frigg

Frigg Jørgensen is the General Secretary of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO). Last week I had the pleasure of working with her on an expedition in Svalbard. Frigg is striving for sustainability in expedition cruise tourism to the Arctic - she makes herself heard by ears far into the hallways of public administration and she's a terrific advocate for Arctic Tourism performed in a sensible manner.

Polar Bear Watch

I did an expedition in Svalbard last week - this image is of Tore, one of our excellent Polar Bear-watches.

The Arctic Awakening

I am taking part in the development of the new Spring Concept of Hurtigruten. We have deceided to call it The Arctic Awakening as the core ideas is life; in the oceans, in the air, and in the coastal communities. They are all thriving as energy returns with the sun after a long and darkish winter.


Cod Tounge cutting on deck in Kjøllefjord.


The Church in Nesseby, Varanger, Finnmark, Norway.


Lecture on deck about life in the ocean.


Meeting northbound Hurtigrute off the northernmost tip of the Lyngen Peninsula; Lyngstuva. Here we meet MS Midnatsol.


Serving super-fresh Arctic Lyngen Shrimps, in Lyngen - delivered to the ship by the fishing boat.