Saturday- June 28- Crossed the Arctic Circle

We got up early this morning and went to the Observatory Lounge to watch us sail into the Inside Passage. The captain came on at about 10:00 to tell us we would be late. He said he "played around too much yesterday when we were in the Geiranger Fjord." At the waterfall we sailed close to the Seven Sisters Waterfall- closer than I have ever been on any cruise ship to anything on land. It was great. You could feel the spray from the waterfall.

So we sailed into the Inside Passage at about 11:30. The scenery was beautiful- high mountain peaks, snow, water than was bright blue, small settlements of folks, and a few boats. We sailed by another Seven Sisters- a seven peaked mountain. We also sailed by an island with the largest Puffin Colony in Norway. They had just arrived for their summer season. 

The lecturer told us this area had been inhabited sine the 1200's. Sure can't imagine living like this. Did see one community that appeared to have electricity but it is a remote and rugged way to live. .

We had fun in the Observatory Lounge- developed a fun community of folks speculating which direction our ship would go at each turn. We were most often wrong in these narrow passages. Good thing navigation is NOT by committee.

At about 1:30 we crossed the Arctic Circle. To the amazement of us all there was a monument of an open globe made from stainless steel on the tiny island and marking the spot. So we are really at the top of the world or on the way. They tell us the internet will not work very well for the next day or two, but I will keep trying.

We sailed by the Black Glacier- which was huge but not black. The view was lovely and many folks came out from the few houses we could see to stare at our ship. Some school children on bikes passed by. 

After we left the Black Glacier we couldn't figure out where we were sailing. Then the horn tooted. The Captain came on the PA and said he hoped it was OK, he took a detour and sailed by the home of his Mother. She was on the balcony and he blew the horn for her. Pretty cool!!!!

The rest of this day will be spent sailing along. 

The Captain said this is the land of the Midnight Sun and for the next 7 days the sun will not drop below the horizon. There is a party tonight at midnight to see the sun. Right now at 9:35 PM the sun is as bright on the balcony as it was any other time in the day.