Silver Seas Arctic Adventure

 MAY 31 2025, SATURDAY  HIKE THE MYTHICAL MOUNTAIN OF TORGHATTEN Bronnoysund,  Norway Today, as you can see, they said this was hike.  Bare with  me it was …… stairs… tons of them all different levels and some smooth and some rough, what is it about this cruise.  And to add to variety some of these were iron steps which you could see though, in my book steps from hell.  But I did them all and I survived, yah me.  As you can see they call it a well maintained path, they were stairs!  Very little path. After a sightseeing drive through the small town of Brønnøysund, cross the gracefully arched Brønnøysund Bridge to reach the island of Torget, once home to a powerful Viking chieftain. From the trailhead, begin your hike on a well-maintained path with sweeping views of the sea and a chain of surrounding islands. As you ascend, you reach Torghatten's most iconic feature - a massive hole piercing straight through the mountain. Carved by the sea ove...

 MAY 30 2025, FRIDAY  Island of Runde Heroy - Norway  Zodiac Cruise with Silversea Expedition team An early start, our group headed out at 7:30am.  As you can see we had a cloudy and windy day for our Zodiac trip, but the water was calmer so I was happier.  We bundled up and headed off, fully waterproofed just in case.   Our guide today was one of the bird experts and it came in to be a god send.   Over one of the cliffs I saw a bird soaring in the wind and asked what it was, the guide then went into a big explanation of the white tailed eagle, and how lucky we were to see one.  We then moved to a different cove and we looked up and now there were 3 eagles soaring, which confused the guide, just then 2 started an epic air battle very much like Top Gun with talons flying and attack moves.  This went on for a very long time with the guide doing the play by play explaining that a juvenile eagle was trying to enter the area of an adult breeding p...

🎂🎂 MAY 29 2025, THURSDAY Ålesund - Norway  Today we have a late start so resting in the cabin this morning. Here is a video of the ship movement.   Hike to Mount Aksla Duration: 2.00 hr(s)  Join our Expedition Team and explore this charming Art Nouveau City, built on several islands stretching out into the ocean. As you hike to the top of Mount Aksla, standing at 189 meters above sea level, you will be rewarded with the breath-taking views of this charming and picturesque coastal town. Revel in the 360-degree view of stunning scenery surrounded by the shimmering waters of the Atlantic Ocean and rugged mountains in the distance. So this sounds great until they tell you it is 418 Steps/stairs.  But we did it and I was not the last one up.  It was a great day.  Stopped for a beer in a pub and were greeted to the town by a very drunk man.  A perfect way to spend your birthday. IMPORTANT NEWS. Today was a national holiday in Norway so most shops were clos...

 MAY 28 2025, WEDNESDAY  Mousa - United Kingdom  INCLUDED ACTIVITIES Hiking with Silversea Expedition team I go for a hike, 3.5 km.  Bob goes kayaking 4 km I had a lovely hike, with lots to see and the weather also put on a show.  I had sun, a bit of wind, gale force winds and then for the last 15 minutes pelting rain.  I saw birds of all kinds (mom would be mad since I don’t know the names), seals, sheep.  Our guide let us wander along the path at our own speed so that was great for me.         It was quite windy this morning as Bob was not sure he would get out but he did.  He will now report on his trip….. I got to wear a dry suit so I stayed dry. We zodiac’d to a different island bay where it was sheltered out of the wind. We then transferred from the zodiac into our 2 person kayaks and off we went. We also experienced sun, light rain, blowing rain, blue sky, a typical day in Scotland. At one point 2 seals checked us out. L...

 MAY 27 2025, TUESDAY  Foula, Shetland Islands, Scotland - United Kingdom this got changed due to weather So now we have a sea day to relax and learn about what is coming up.  This morning we meet the excursion team and hear about the next few days.  Then a zodiac briefing to learn how to get in and out of these “wonderful” modes of transport.   We got our boots and waterproofs and walking sticks yesterday and they all fit so don't have to go to the equipment exchange.  Also I am very excited that I got a jacket that fits so don’t have to go for jacket exchange.   I am sure there is a glass of something to keep me occupied. Then Bob is going to the kayak briefing as he wants to do this, I will not be doing this as we heard you have to get on these from the zodiacs so a strong no from me. 4:30 is trivia so that is booked, crazy group of New Yorkers but they have travelled the world so know a bunch of answers.   What a day.  Attended the mornin...

 Due to weather our first day is still in Edinburgh.  There were 4 options of things to do today and we chose to go to Stirling castle.  We have done this before but really liked it so going back. We found out that the boat is almost full only 7 empty cabins so there are other crazy folk wanting to do the north.  Only a few people who we are not sure why they came on this trip, otherwise everyone looks like they will keep Bob and I on our toes.  We have met a few people already and most have already gone to Antarctica so they have all told us they will help with choosing the best option of us.  This will not be until 2027, but plan ahead. During the welcome lecture yesterday they stressed that we will be doing wet landings, actually steeping into the ocean to get on and off the zodiac, the leader mentioned not everyone had said they had boots so warned without boots you will not be allowed to go to land.  Hopefully people heard this and will get the bo...

So the morning started as it does, with breakfast at the hotel, hard boiled eggs for the one of us who is special.   Then went off  to a church service to make sure all would go well.  After which we went for our last walk in Edinburgh so of course it started to rain  yes there were also stairs. Here are some flower pic, note the bee. We then boarded the bus, checking that our luggage was all accounted for …this is important.   Not a far trip to the ship, lunch on board. Headed to the bar for  a glass of bubbly,  ran into a guide from our last trip.   Then went to our cabin. Got here, met our lovely room attendant Carol but something was missing…. One of our suitcases.   Met our even lovelier butler but still missing a case. About 2 hours late it arrived , no idea where it had been or what excitement it had seen.  One of us was stressed about this as the case held our toothbrushes and many of my outfits. Due to weather we have been delay...

 Today Bob chose the plans.  So… Breakfast, walk to Holyroodhouse then Calton Hill.  Great choices with …. Let’s say it together ….. hills and stairs.  I swear Scots love a good climb, it might have something to do with the kilts but it is a very strong theme. Holyrood is the Royal residence when the King stays in Edinburgh and we added in the King’s Gallery which are pics of the royal family over the years.  It was very interesting.               We then headed to Calton Hills as the wind picked up and the clouds moved in, not really cold but still gave a feeling of what Scotland is supposed to feel like, without the damp.           We then dropped into the National gallery for a quick injection of culture.  Then a quick walk around Marks and Sparks, but sadly no good finds.  Then Bob got a street sausage to make the trip complete. Back to the hotel for a quick clean up, then down t...

 After a great nights sleep, we headed down to breakfast and then headed off to our tour of the castle.  Spoiler alert there were lots of stairs.  Sorry no pics of the stairs. We had a tour included and he was great, lots of info about ancient Scottish history and you know how I love that.  In fact one lady and I got in trouble as we were chatting and not listening, but we took it as a badge of honour. The weather again was lovely and we did get to see and hear the 1 o’clock gun, sorry I was so shocked by the bang my pic is kind of blurry.   After the castle we walked over to Dean Village and walked the Leith walk beside the river, a nice break from the city, although right in the city.    Then by some strange coincidence after more sets of walking up more hills we ended up in a pub for a late lunch.  It was so good we went back for dinner after Happy hour at the hotel.  We met a couple that will be on our cruise so that was nice.  A gre...

After flying over night  we planned to make a connection to Edinburgh where a car will take us to the hotel.  Staying at The Kimpton Charlotte Square.   Surprise to those who know me very well I am not planning the days here, I know what I would like to see so just going to wander.  This trip is all about just letting go and try new things so thought we should start with that in mind. When you decide not to plan the gods plan for you.  Our flight from TO was delayed about 1 hour, we will not name names but one of our party was very nervous that we would not make our connection to Edinburgh, it was going to be tight without a delay but now… We landed in London and had 1 hour to make our connection (get off plane, go through customs, go through security and find new gate). With lots of Canadian “excuse me and thank you’s” we made it to our flight as it was boarding.  We arrived in Edinburgh and headed to the luggage carousel, Bob watched many bags go around b...

 May-25-2025 / June-12-2025 Edinburgh (Leith), United Kingdom / Longyearbyen, Norway This will be a very different trip for us as it is almost all "wild" country and not cities and towns.  We have the plan to sit, watch and enjoy.  Bob wants to kayak but I will be adventurous and do the zodiacs and hikes.   And yes eat and drink to my hearts desire.   We have been warned it won’t get dark until the wee hours of the morning so northern lights probably are not to be seen on this trip. Bags are packed.  Lists are checked.  All checked in online.  Now we wait for the car to pick us up.  Hope we did not forget something really important.  🤪🛳️🥂 We are doing 3 extra days in Edinburgh so will get our big city life out of the way fast.  May 25 Edinburgh (Leith), United Kingdom 8:30 PM  May 26 Day at sea  May 27 Papa Stour, Shetland Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom 5:30 AM 9:30 AM       ...