Tag Archives: photography

Jewel of the Seas — Norway; Arriving Ålesund


Ålesund, Norway

Jewel of the Seas left Honningsvåg on 25 June 2022 and headed south. Two days later we settled into the Norwegian port of Ålesund. Whereas Honningsvåg is north of the Arctic Circle, our next destination placed us south of that region. And, as is usually the case, Ursula and I stood out on deck to get our bearings before venturing into town. This visit would be unguided and on foot. That means I’m not gong to have a lot of text over the next three weeks of articles, but I certainly do have a lot of photos to share with you.

Ålesund as seen from Jewel of the Seas

Even before setting out onto land, Ålesund offers a lot to see. As an example, even the Aspøy primary school looks impressive:

Aspøy Skole

Even though the school is not physically located on the island of Aspøy, the island itself is considered part of the Ålesund municipality. A bridge even connect Aspøy to Ålesund, and the island is quite visible from the cruise port:

Western arm of Aspøy Island
Aspøy Island

Back on the other side of the ship you’ll find the harbor:

On Wednesday I’ll take you on a photographic foot tour of our journey into Ålesund. As for today, I’ll end with a photo series highlighting the unique roofline of this charming town:

Ålesund roofline
Ålesund streets
Ålesund roofs — copper and slate tiles

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

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Fun Photo Friday —  More Honningsvåg Favorites


Ursula’s New Troll Friend (outside Arctic Souvenirs)

Today finishes up our look at Honningsvåg and other sights on Norway’s Magerøya Island. I hope you enjoyed the visit!

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Jewel of the Seas — Norway; Sailing Away from Colorful Honningsvåg


Colorful Honningsvåg

Colorful buildings are not the only sights around Honningsvåg. This close to Russia — Murmansk is only 218 miles/351 kilometers to the southeast — makes this entire region a vital radar outpost for NATO, including early warning for the United States and Canada. Not since the Cold War has this need been as evident as it is today, with an indicted war criminal of questionable mental stability repeatedly making nuclear threats as he strives to reconstitute the old boundaries of the former U.S.S.R. Last week I showed you one such radar site near Nordkapphallen, and today I’ll show you the one located directly across the harbor from Honningsvåg:

Radarhode Honningsvåg (Radar Head Honningsvåg

And remember that avalanche protection above Honningsvåg?

Another view of Honningsvåg’s avalanche protection

Well, there was another set of even more impressive avalanche guards as we left the harbor and turned initially southeast. This set of guards protecting the road connecting Honningsvåg with nearby Nordvågen:

Avalanche protection southeast of Honningsvåg

In this wide-angle shot you can clearly make out both sets of avalanche guards:

Avalanche protection far left and far right

Finally, three last images of this beautiful area at the south end of Magerøya Island:

Honningsvåg Homes
Brightly colored Honningsvåg buildings
Saying “Goodbye” to Honningsvåg and Magerøya Island

Fun Photo Friday will finish this look at Honningsvåg, and next week we’ll take a look at Ålesund.

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

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Filed under Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation