Prisoner of Hopes

Category: Perspectives

  • Into the Arctic: Travel Goals Norway

    Into the Arctic: Travel Goals Norway

    I wake up quite early and realize it has been snowing throughout the night. Steady sleet pounds the windows and I smile. Just as dawn breaks, I emerge onto the upper deck. Today we cross the artic circle and venture far beyond. We entered the boat in Bergen and will not disembark completely until Tromso.…

  • Watching the World Go By: Travel Goals Norway

    Watching the World Go By: Travel Goals Norway

    I love to be at sea. Early in the morning, I am often the only one on deck. As morning breaks over the water, at first only shadows appear. Slowly the landscape takes shape amid an orange glow. The waves are shadowy and alive. The air smells clean and the wind is brisk. It is…

  • Trondheim Pilgrimage to Nidaros: Travel Goals

    Trondheim Pilgrimage to Nidaros: Travel Goals

    We dock in the cold, cold rain. Coming down the gangway, the wind blows water into our faces. My husband struggles into his rain suit while I wrestle with my umbrella. We try to follow directions to exit the docks into the town. In the blowing rain, it is unclear which way to go, so…

  • Alesund is Closed: Travel Goals Norway

    Alesund is Closed: Travel Goals Norway

    The Hrtigruten ship, Midnatsol pulled into the port of Alesund, Norway in early morning for an 8 hour stop. We disembark onto a rainy dock and navigate toward the city center. To get out of the cold rain, we walk to the Alesund museum. After walking up the steep hill in the wind and rain….…

  • The Arctic Awaits: Travel Goals Norway

    The Arctic Awaits: Travel Goals Norway

    Today we leave Bergen aboard the Hurtigruten Coastal Express. This ferry system has traversed the length of Norway since 1893 and is our home for the next four nights. Norway has the second longest coastline in the world (after Chile where we sailed last Spring). Hurtigruten means ‘the fast route’ because it runs 24 hours…

  • No Particular Place To Go: Travel Goals Norway

    No Particular Place To Go: Travel Goals Norway

    I like days where I wake up in a new place with absolutely no expectations and nowhere to be. There is freedom in letting the day unfold without hurry or pressure. So after a leisurely cup of coffee, we walk down the mountain to Sandvika, a small fishing community that used to be the site…

  • Museum Hopping: Travel Goals Norway

    Museum Hopping: Travel Goals Norway

    The day has not started well. After walking across town, the museum we want to visit isn’t open (even though it should have been). But, there is a lovely chocolate cafe next door. My husband enjoys a large cup of hot chocolate as we regroup. I have a surprise brown cheese cheesecake that makes the…

  • Norwegian Surprises and the Kindness of Strangers: Travel Goals Norway

    Norwegian Surprises and the Kindness of Strangers: Travel Goals Norway

    A great rule of travel is to expect the unexpected. This usually means to be prepared for things to go wrong. Some days, however, are unexpectedly full of delightful surprises. Today is one of those days. After sleeping much later than I intended, we take our time getting ready. A walk across town, gave me…

  • Medieval Halls and Military History: Travel Goals Norway

    Medieval Halls and Military History: Travel Goals Norway

    The flowers are blooming in Bergen even if it is only barely above freezing. The sun is shining and things look bright as we start the trek down the steep hill towards the town. Walking the switchbacks, we have a great view of the harbor. The birds sing and the boats roll in from the…

  • Oslo With Nothing to Do: Travel Goals Norway

    Oslo With Nothing to Do: Travel Goals Norway