Norway and the Tall Ships

Since visiting the North Cape, I've gone on quite a few tours in Norway, and have enjoyed the incredible scenery. We're up here all week again this voyage, and will be back again for a few ports next cruise as well. I want to take a moment now to acknowledge that Norway is going through a very tough time right now as a result of last Friday's attacks. All the newspapers at every port around Norway are covered with the news, still, and many of the cathedrals are collecting flowers as a remembrance to the dead. What I find perhaps most tragic is how many of those killed were just kids, with such promising lives ahead of them. When I see their pictures on the news it is heartbreaking. Norway is a country of only 5 million people, and everyone feels directly affected by the tragedy. My tour guide today in Stavanger has a close friend who lost someone. I try to be sensitive to the situation since we are in Norway at the same time as all this is going on. A few events in our ports have been canceled in honor of a period of mourning. Even now I am listening to a a band member take a break from performing in the town square to take a moment for some comforting words to the Norwegian people regarding the events. They are now playing "Be Thou My Vision.", what a touching moment this is. I feel lucky to be here.

Today, though, spirits are high again in Stavanger as the Tall Ships Races 2011 are in port here this week. The harbor is stunningly full of these beautiful ships, new and old. Walking down the waterfront is like moving back in time. I love the feeling. I visited one historic ship today called the SS Svanhild, and decided that I have no more right to complain about my cabin or living quarters on the QE. This is the second time I have been in a port with a Race of this type, the first time was in Bermuda with NCL's Majesty. It is wonderful to have happened upon it again. I saw a ship I consider an old friend - the Christian Radich, which is a Norwegian tall ship. I first was in a port with her in the Azores, on a transatlantic crossing years ago. I saw her symbol painted on a wall in Madeira, and island in the atlantic belonging to Portugal. I was delighted to see her here today and take yet another photo.

North Cape!

Yesterday I made it out to the North Cape! I didn't get a chance last time I was here, so I was very glad that it worked out this time. The cape is about a half hour drive from Honningsvag, and the terrain is really stark and dramatic. There are no trees, only tundra. We saw quite a few reindeer! In fact, we even had to stop the bus twice to let a few cross the road in front of us. The North Cape is known as the northernmost point in Europe - 71 degrees 10'21'' North to be exact. As it turns out, there is another point that is a thousand meters further north, and technically since its an island, the northernmost mainland point is something else altogether, but there you go. It is marked with monuments and visited by thousands of tourists every year. There are shops, museums, exhibitions, and a film to see. I did it all in the short 90 minutes we had there, including sending home a postcard from this unique location (on its way to you, Mom!).

A few days ago I mentioned a guest entertainer with the unusual name of Kuba Kawnik. It turns out his show was actually really interesting. He is a young man from Poland whose emphasis is on vibraphone, though he is billed as a multi-instrumentalist. The other two instruments he chose to showcase in the show a few days ago were also pretty unique - the Kalimba and the Theremin. Now, you may be thinking you've never heard of these before in your life, but I but you have heard the sounds before. The Kalimba is of African origin, also known as a "thumb piano" - you have probably seen a simple version in any tropical souvenir shop, or if you grew up in my house, in Tyler's box of percussion toys. If I mimed playing one, these days one might think I was miming texting on my phone. Anyway, Kuba plays a professional one in the show. As for the Theremin, remember the beach boys song "Good Vibrations"? The noises that sound like a tuned radio frequency? That's the Theremin. It was invented by and named after a Russian physicist. The Theremin is played entirely without being touched, as it has two perpendicular antennae that sense the proximity of the player's hands. Simply, vertical position controls volume and horizontal controls pitch. It is really interesting to watch it being played, as the artist literally picks the notes out of thin air. Amazing....I was fascinated. Every once in a while you get to play a show that is great fun and interesting like this one. Thanks, Kuba! For those interested you can watch his demo here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rG0BigO3bU and get an idea of what I'm talking about.

Last night we played the show "Sing", and one of the singers (Simon) changed bits of the script that are usually always the same to throw the others for a loop and give us all a good laugh. We also are developing those little traditions that come of playing the same shows over and over again, like making eye contact with a certain person at a certain moment of the show, making a face, or imitating some choreography with the singers. It is starting to feel like it is settling in for all of us (the singers are new as well). I went to see the production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, which involves the 5 actors, and two of the singers (who also act, obviously) from the production company. It was really enjoyable. Maybe next time I see it I'll catch more of the lines...my but Shakespeare is wordy. :-)

Here is my first batch of photos from this contract:

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