The 2015 Goldring Travel Culinary and Cultural Cruise on the Seabourn Quest took a
marked turn away from the standard travel activities when we reached
Honningsvag, Norway as we approached the most northern tip of Europe well above
the Arctic Circle. This is where I was
able to experience the new Ventures by Seabourn program that was launched with
our sailing on the Seabourn Quest.
Puffins Seabourn Quest Ventures by Seabourn – Off the coast of Nordkapp, Norway |
The Ventures by Seabourn program provides its guests with the opportunity to do things as simple and relaxing as a casual zodiac ride to kayaking to exhilarating hikes while accompanied by members of the Seabourn Expedition team.
Our (ad)venture was to birdwatch for puffins, gannet, kittywakes,
white-tailed sea eagles and more from one of Seabourn’s zodiacs with one of the
five members of the Seabourn Expedition team and then an open water journey,
ending with a hike up to Nordkapp, The Top of the World.
Seabourn Quest and a Ventures by Seabourn zodiac |
Our (ad)Venture started out with a special 5:30 a.m. room
service breakfast (typical of Seabourn it was the full menu with our table properly
set!) and then meeting our 27 other guests (ranging in ages from early 40’s to
at least late 70’s) and the four naturalists (one for each zodiac) in The Club
for check-in, fitting us with inflatable (and very comfortable) life vests and
a quick safety briefing. Then it was off
to the zodiacs!
The ship stopped briefly on its way to Honningsvag so
that the zodiacs could be offloaded and then we could board. Once the eight of us were onboard our
naturalist, Luciano (“Luqui”) Bernacchi, and a crewmember (to later drive the
empty zodiac back to the ship) made sure everyone knew how stable the Seabourn
zodiac was and how to sit comfortably. (Later in the cruise I was able to observe the
zodiacs used by Le Ponant’s Le Boreal and Seabourn’s are of far higher quality,
size and comfort).
Nesting Gannets |
We then headed off to an island filled with birds both on
land and flying all about us. In fact,
at one point it looked like a cloud of puffins was approaching.
Puffins fishing |
Cormorants |
Black Guillemot |
White-tailed Sea Eagle |
It was then an 8.5 mile run in the zodiacs to the base of
Nordkapp. While underway we looked for
some additional wildlife, but it was more of a boat ride than a wildlife viewing
period. It was refreshing and a great
way to get some perspective as to the size of the massive granite shorelines we
have been viewing for days. (Note that we actually passed the absolute further point north…which is two longitudinal minutes north of our destination, Nordkapp. So only our group technically reached the Top of the World.)
We eventually arrived at the beautiful protected, but very
rocky, shoreline, passing a herd of reindeer that were absolutely
beautiful.
Our landing was not only met with the natural beauty, but low
tide. That meant we had to navigate across
large, slippery but beautiful black rocks to get to terra firma. While it was a bit of a challenge, and Diane
was insistent on being “first and fastest”, most of the guests quite
successfully took it “slow and steady”…with the naturalists assisting as
needed.
Ventures by Seabourn landing below Nordkapp, Norway |
Once on the lush green land it was time to start the hike up
to Nordkapp. It was pretty steep and
very narrow; pretty much being nothing more than a reindeer path. The wildflowers were exceptional, the
trickling streams like music and the views spectacular; especially being up and
out in front of the group.
As we approached the summit the hike got steeper and my
heart got pumping harder and my legs got a bit tired and then, true story, one
gentleman from my zodiac that was seasick while birdwatching, etc. pushed past
us and was the first to the top.
Imagine: I felt sorry for him and
then he took away my “win”. (I was,
however, grateful that Diane did not leave me and suffered the defeat along
my side.)
This (ad)Venture by Seabourn was exhilarating, fun and left everyone with a feeling of accomplishment…and awe |
Once to the top of the hike it was about a quarter mile to
the visitor’s center. Of course, I
forgot to bring any money (focused on the birdwatching and hike), so no
celebratory champagne. I was, honestly,
amazed that only one of the guests decided the hike would be too much for
them. All the others made it to the
summit. They took an hour to an hour and
a half longer than we did, but there actually was no rush and the feeling of
accomplishment will last far longer.
While at the visitor’s center no less than 10 buses of 50
people each arrived from the Caribbean Princess making my decision to enjoy both
our small group (ad)Venture and cruising with Seabourn very, very, suite (er’
umm, “sweet”). We saw the real natural
beauty of the area, challenged ourselves, enjoyed the seas…and, let’s face it
10 people in a zodiac beats 50 people on a bus any day.
Honningsvag, Norway |
Our (very uncrowded) Seabourn bus eventually arrived and
took us to Honningsvag, Norway through some pretty countryside on a windy road
(a/k/a a great short nap was taken) we strolled through the small town that
earlier in the day was reportedly overwhelmed by the 3,000+ Princess
passengers. We enjoyed our walk, tucking
into a small art gallery and some shops.
But there were two things that caught my eye: One was a nondescript concrete block
building by the more commercial part of the pier and the other was an ice bar.
The former was filled with everything you can do with a
reindeer pelt with three Norwegian women in full costume dress making hats and
such. Diane attempted to negotiate with
one of the women, who spoke no English
(or at least that was her position) and, while kind, was tough as nails as a
negotiator. I liked her. And, to be honest, that is where the reindeer
pelt was obtained. (The sausage was
purchased in Flam, Norway.)
The Arctic Ice Bar was about as touristic a money-maker as
possible. At the back of a well-stocked
and pricey souvenir shop was an “ice bar” and sometimes you have to take a deep
breath and do the tourist thing. For
about $20 you walk in and they place a silvery poncho over you…and your jacket…and
give you two non-alcoholic drinks (a/k/a sugar water of different flavors
poured into ice shot glasses). While
Norway severely restricts alcohol purchases this is ridiculous. Anyway, while you are in the room lined in
ice there are ice bars, ice tables with seating (on reindeer skins), an igloo
you can crawl inside and a dog sled you can pose in.
Fifteen minutes is more than enough time for
this novelty.
After a bit of a wander it was time to head back to the
Seabourn Quest for a glorious two days at sea…and enjoying yet another midnight sun…
The Midnight after sailing away from Hanningsvag, Norway |