Day 7 – The crossing of the Arctic Circle

Brrr ... it's cold this morning when the alarm clock sounds at 5.15 am. We feel since yesterday that it is getting colder, mainly caused by the icy northern wind. Even yesterday in Trondheim the temperatures were pleasant but once the wind started to blow, you could use a sweater. That wind that blows up to 6 Beaufort, also ensures that  since we left Trondheim, I have taken motion sickness medicine as if it was candy. For our trip to Honningsvag, we have to bridge some 700 nautical miles and that at a reasonable speed. This speed, combined with the northwesterly wind creates a swell of 4 meters. Not for me who clearly has no sea legs. We should therefore be careful when we walk on the decks or on our balcony. Eddy dares to brave the cold and wind to watch from the balcony  the reason why we are  up so early: the crossing of the Arctic Circle. I watch from the window, camera in hand. At 5.27 am, we reach 66°33'46"N, the imaginary line is crossed, we are officially in the far north, in the land of the midnight sun, in the Arctic Circle region.

Let's take another nap. By 8:30 am we get up and take breakfast. As always on days at sea it is very busy in the restaurants. We quickly find a place, eat breakfast because at 10am our location guide Ian gives a presentation about the Vikings. The Vikings appear to be slightly more complicated than the rapists that we see in them. They were also traders, explorers, colonizers (from Canada to Russia and certain parts of Europe). They were honored for their seamanship, feared for their skills as warriors. But they are especially legendary for their sins.

At 11 am there is be a Holland America Line tradition on the program. In honor of the crossing of the Arctic Circle, the brave under the passenger take a polar bear swim in the outdoor pool at the Sea View. Unbelievable that more than 20 persons dare this adventure. I'm freezing just  looking. Alhtough it seems to me that the water in the pool is warmer than the outside temperature. Luckily HAL is  offering a cup of traditional Dutch pea soup to keep us warm. This pool is one of the three pools on board. Each pool is also equipped with Jacuzzis. At each pool there are loungers with towels.

There is plenty to do on board today. Gamblers can enjoy themselves in the casino where they also play regular poker tournaments. There are shops, a spa, bars, etc.

At 11.30am I run to the digital workshop for an introduction to Windows 10.

Then it's time for lunch.

After lunch, I find myself back on the second deck to learn to make movies with Windows.

Later in the  afternoon we take it easy as the sea feels wild to me. We sail some 50 km off the coast of Norway. Now, we should not fear icebergs. The flow here is influenced by the Gulf Stream which brings relatively warm water from the Gulf of Mexico  to the Norwegian coast. The water is not really cold and there are therefore no icebergs. The last time that happened was in the 1880s.

Tonight is gala evening and we can spruce ourselves up. Fortunately, times have passed that  the men had to be in tuxedos and women in long dresses. A shirt and tie are sufficient for the gentlemen and a nice dress or pants for the ladies is also ok.

Tonight we dine not in the à la carte restaurant, but in the Pinnacle Grill, a specialty restaurant. There are more of these restaurants on board: Italian, Asian, French. Besides the usual eating corners, there is also the Dive-In where burgers are served and the already tested NY Deli and Pizza.

But tonight we eat at the Pinnacle Grill to celebrate our anniversary tomorrow. To dine at the specialty restaurants, you must  pay normally extra, but Pia has given us a deal that this meal is  included J. We start with an aperitif in the Billboard on Board. Then we go to the restaurant where we eat an exquisite menu. We both choose the lobster bisque followed by Alaskan king crab leggs for me and a great piece of filet mignon for Eddy. For dessert, I take the baked Alaska to stay in the Alaska theme, Eddy takes the chocolate volcano. The food is a feast. We return to our room. Because of the not setting of the sun, each time reference disappears. It is already much later than you think. You feel tired, but do not think about sleeping, because it's still light. Fortunately, we have blackout curtains so that it is properly dark in the stateroom to sleep. We're going to give it a try. Because tomorrow is the day ... the highlight of it was the highest point?