The Coast of Norway
Very early this morning the MS Endeavour crossed the Arctic Circle and entered the polar or Arctic region. While some were on the bridge to witness the GPS (global positioning system) screen’s latitude numbers pass 66º 30' most of us waited for the celebration held on deck at 1030. A toast was made to the land of the midnight sun and champagne was poured.
Following an early lunch we went ashore by Zodiac to visit KJERRINØY, the old merchant’s center. In the late 1700’s merchants came to this part of coastal Norway to trade. They bought fish in the nearby Lofoten Islands, dried or salted it and sold it in Bergen and then returned with their boats loaded with foodstuffs, fishing gear and other equipment which they sold in their local store. They prospered as prices for fish continued to rise through the 1800’s. Today the site serves to give visitors a glimpse of life in this small coastal community 150 and more years ago. Dressed in period style, weavers, bakers, and boat builders demonstrate their trades. The boat shop proudly displayed a nearly completed rowing boat that had been built in traditional fashion. The lapstrake (or clinker) style of boat construction remains unchanged from Viking days. Two beautiful examples of the boat shop’s efforts floated at their mooring and more than a few of us photographed their elegant lines and finely finished details.
Very early this morning the MS Endeavour crossed the Arctic Circle and entered the polar or Arctic region. While some were on the bridge to witness the GPS (global positioning system) screen’s latitude numbers pass 66º 30' most of us waited for the celebration held on deck at 1030. A toast was made to the land of the midnight sun and champagne was poured.
Following an early lunch we went ashore by Zodiac to visit KJERRINØY, the old merchant’s center. In the late 1700’s merchants came to this part of coastal Norway to trade. They bought fish in the nearby Lofoten Islands, dried or salted it and sold it in Bergen and then returned with their boats loaded with foodstuffs, fishing gear and other equipment which they sold in their local store. They prospered as prices for fish continued to rise through the 1800’s. Today the site serves to give visitors a glimpse of life in this small coastal community 150 and more years ago. Dressed in period style, weavers, bakers, and boat builders demonstrate their trades. The boat shop proudly displayed a nearly completed rowing boat that had been built in traditional fashion. The lapstrake (or clinker) style of boat construction remains unchanged from Viking days. Two beautiful examples of the boat shop’s efforts floated at their mooring and more than a few of us photographed their elegant lines and finely finished details.
