[Worldtrippers home] [2025 Crystal-Viking]
Today’s port was Lofoten (pronounced “LOH-foh-ten”), a chain of islands known for its dramatic mountain peaks, sheltered beaches and undeveloped land. There are five main islands and many other small ones. We docked in Leknes, one of only two towns in the archipelago.
There were two hiking excursions offered today. The “Tjønndalen Scenic Hike,” offered in the morning, was a steep and strenuous four-hour hike up a mountain. The “Lofoten Islands Coastal Hike,” offered in the afternoon, was a level three-hour walk between two beaches. Russell was assigned to escort the second hike. He was lucky, because it rained in the morning before clearing in the afternoon.
(Due to the rainy morning, Gail decided to stay aboard ship all day. She helped some passengers with their genealogy and worked on logistics for our upcoming time off ship in New York.)
There were 36 guests signed up for the coastal hike, but due to the weather, only 15 showed up. It ended up being ideal weather for a hike – clear and cool. The group walked two and a half easy miles from Uttakleiv Beach to Haukland Beach.
Back aboard ship, we joined the “Explorers Society” toast, had dinner with Deb and Jack in Manfredi’s specialty restaurant, and enjoyed the “Coast to Coast” production show. We are now above the Arctic circle in “the land of the midnight sun.” At 10:00 pm we had a gorgeous sun low on the horizon. As a guest exclaimed, “There is no other place like this on earth!”
