Category Archives: Photography

Jewel of the Seas — Arriving Tromsø, Norway


Tromsø, Norway

Two days after leaving Molde, on Friday, 24 June 2022, Jewel of the Seas arrived into the port of Tromsø in Northern Norway. As much as we enjoyed all our stops in Norway, Tromsø was one of our favorites. Indeed, we loved the entire Norway trip so much that visited again earlier this year (subject of a future series). Even from the ship you cannot help but notice that there are some real gems here, as well as the unexpected.

Ski Jumps for the Three Bears?

There’s even a very impressive building about half a mile/800 meters away that I later found out was the Northern Norwegian Science Center and Northern Lights Planetarium:

Science Centre of Northern Norway

The photo above was taken aboard Jewel of the Seas, and is time stamped at 10:41 a.m. So, it must have only taken Ursula and me about fifty minutes to walk from the ship into the main section of town, as the photo below is stamped 11:34. This is the dock area just south of the impressive Tromsø Bridge:

Tromsø

I could spend hours just walking around this area and photographing. Which I in fact did. Here is an intriguing blend of new and old:

Tromsø

And here’s a view of buildings running along the west side of this small boat harbor:

Sjøgata Street, Tromsø

Above I mentioned the Tromsø Bridge. Here is that impressive 3,399-foot/1,036-meter cantilever bridge, which connects Tromsø to the Tromsdalen neighborhood across the Tromsøysundet strait:

Tromsø Bridge

Now let’s just swing the camera around and enjoy the area:

Tromsø Rooftops
Tromsø Polarmuseet (Polar Museum)
Made of Sticks?
Tromsø Waterfront

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Jewel of the Seas — Walking Molde, Norway


ABC Driving School on Romsdalsgata

A small park separates Strandgata and Romsdalsgata as you approach Molde Cathedral. If you look north from Strandgata you’ll see the charming building pictured above. Today that apparently old structure houses a driving school. But turning your attention to the left and the building you just passed you’ll see some fun architectural details:

Molde Kommune Health Clinic for Adolescents and Students

And, yes, that little park I mentioned is worth a few minutes of your time:

Park and Fountain at Strandgata and Romsdalsgata
Park and Fountain at Strandgata and Romsdalsgata

Let’s take a closer look at that copper dome at the driving school:

Copper Dome from 1923

From here you’re only minutes from the impressive belltower of the Molde Cathedral:

Molde Cathedral Belltower

I love church belltowers. Even modern ones such as this. Take a gander at the spiral staircase leading to the bells:

Molde Cathedral Belltower

Of course, it wouldn’t be a belltower without bells. And the ones here look quite impressive:

Molde Cathedral Belltower

By now Strandgata has become Storgata as we continue west. We’re approaching the Molde Rådhus (City Council) building:

Molde Rådhus (City Council)

And it is in the area of the municipal council building that you’ll find a sculpture:

Molde Rådhus sculpture

That’s not the only sculpture near here, however. Right across the street, in the lower market place near the fjord, is this piece entitled Jazzgutten:

Jazzgutten by sculptor Nina Due

Head south through the lower market place on Torget and hook a right along the fjord. If you do, you’ll soon come across charming little waterfront shopping/dining/residential district:

Molde waterfront district

On this week’s Fun Photo Friday I’ll present some Molde favorites, then next week it’s on to Tromsø, Norway. Until then I’ll leave you with one last photograph:

Ferry with a Mountain Backdrop

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Jewel of the Seas — Into Norway; Molde


Moldefjorden (Moldefjord), Molde, Norway

Two days after leaving behind Amsterdam on our third and final back-to-back cruise aboard Royal Caribbean‘s Jewel of the Seas, we arrived into the town of Molde in Norway. The date was 22 June 2022, and it was a coolish and overcast Wednesday. Molde sits on the Romsdal Peninsula (Romsdalshalvøya) and looks out upon the Moldefjord (Moldefjorden). And, yes, the surrounding snow-topped mountains are spectacular:

Mountains over Molde

If you enjoy the majesty of nature alongside the quaintness of a small town, Molde may be for you. Let’s start a view of the mountains and fjord:

Moldefjord

And then there is the town and the surrounding inhabited areas:

Molde, Norway
View across the fjord
Molde ferry terminal (right); Molde downtown

These photos were taken from aboard Jewel, so we haven’t even started the walk ashore yet. And from the Jewel you’ll even see Mølleråsen Hoppsenter (Mølleråsen Ski Jump Center) in the distance:

Mølleråsen Hoppsenter (Mølleråsen Ski Jump Center)

Closer in, looking west toward downtown, you’ll see Molde Cathedral (Molde Domkirke):

Molde Domkirke (Molde Cathedral)

I’ll take you on a foot tour of Molde on Wednesday. The rest of today’s article will show you the walk from the Jewel into the downtown area. Along the way, at the Oshaug Metall bronze casting plant is this unique bit of sculpture:

Oshaug Metall bronze sculpture of a ship’s screw

About a third of a mile/545 meters beyond is Molde’s ferry terminal:

Molde Ferry Terminal

Let’s face it — ferry terminals always make for a great shot or two:

Ferry coming into port

Entering the edge of the downtown district puts you on an approach toward Molde Cathedral:

Molde Cathedral belltower behind a green office building

The street we’re taking is Strandgata, and to the left is this little view:

Cascading water headed toward the fjord

We’ll continue through downtown Molde on Wednesday.

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