Slow picture day. You are probably relieved. ; )
Come on Phillies, you can do this!!
Tag: #northernlights
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Group picture from our walk. Cool poster. Freiia Selskaps chocolate, drink in every home. (my best translation) Northern Lights day two. Again, good, but not great. Hey, I am not complaining–two days in a row. -
Destination Bodo. The Arctic Circle goes a little north of 66 degrees north and cuts through Nordland in Norway and sets the boundary for the Arctic Empire with the midnight sun and winter darkness. Internationally, the Arctic Circle passes through Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Iceland. As you get north of the Arctic Circle, you will be able to experience the two unique natural phenomena that Northern Norway is so famous for; the Midnight Sun and (hopefully!) the Northern Lights.
Crossing into Arctic Circle. 
Arctic Circle – 7:44(ish) this morning. 
Snowcapped Arctic Circle mountains. 
My certificate. ; ) Bodo, Arctic coastal walk,
Coastal walk today. 
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are a spectacular, colorful display of light commonly seen in the night sky in the northern hemisphere. Northern lights are polar lights or aurora polaris, because they occur near Earth’s magnetic poles.
We saw them! They were visibly good, not great, but good. Everyone was very excited.
Hopefully I am shopping tomorrow!
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Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway but offers small town charm alongside its metropolitan character. Bergen is the Gateway to the fjords of Norway. As a UNESCO World Heritage City and a European City of Culture, the Bergen region has the ideal combination of nature, culture and exciting urban life all year around. Here is where I board my northern lights cruise at 6PM this evening. Oh, by the way, it rains here on average 238/days year.
Leisurely breakfast with Mike yesterday morning. Then flew from Gdansk to Amsterdam; Amsterdam to Bergen. Upgraded again. I may never be able to go back to coach seating.
Dinner, Gdansk to Amsterdam. 
Snack, Amsterdam to Bergen. The beetroot salad was excellent. I spent last evening at the Clarion Hotel Bergen–got in just before midnight. It is in the heart of Bergen–historical dock area called Bryggen, easy walk to Floibanen funicular railway, St. Mary’s Church and the Torgallmenningen square.
View from my room this morning. Those are raindrops on my window. ; ) My morning stroll. Of course, it was drizzling during most of my walk, but at least it was not too cold. Some pictures from my walk.
It rains so often that the hotel rents umbrellas. Cruise ship; and we’re off. Well really not quite, we start moving about 8:30PM Bergen time. But I have checked in, gotten to my cabin, unpacked and had dinner. Buffet style this evening because of boarding.
My room. It’s nice(ish), but there is no way this room accommodates two people! 
for full disclosure, I have had my first few bumps-in-the-road–getting from Bergen airport to hotel (very late last night) and hotel to cruise ship. Hurtigruten lacks a bit in customer service and easy to navigate documentation–and I heard this from a few others during check-in. I have been in Europe for three weeks and I have not had one issue until Hurtigruten/Bergen. And quite frankly, I don’t even know what to expect tomorrow morning. However, during dinner this evening, I did upgrade to the better wine package. : ) Hey, maybe I will finally just sleep in and have a totally relaxing day. But with a lovely stroll around Bergen this morning and if we see the northern lights, all will be forgotten!
And we are off!!
Congratulations to our Eagles. Go Phillies!
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Dream to Travel. Is 2022 fall travel all about the water?
Hi, I’m Nancy. I’m the traveler and photographer behind the Dream to Travel from North Cape May, travel blog! Welcome to my first ever travel blog, really first ever blog! This is a site where I will share the adventures from my travels, as well as travel tips, guides, photos, maybe some videos, and much more. I am a now part-time travel blogger from North Cape May, NJ. But mostly, I’m just a woman with a passion for traveling and now dreams to make a career out of it in retirement post pandemic.
This trip, the first as a blogger, will include a very short stay in Paris; the seaside towns of Sopot, Gdansk, and Gdynia, Poland; the western coast of Norway; back to Sopot; and then the Elbe River from Prague to Berlin. It is all about the water! Fingers crossed that I’ll see the Northern Lights.
Let’ start with packing. Packing for five or six weeks is hard for me–especially packing for weather that will be significantly colder than where I am coming from. Get out the winter coat, vest, hats, gloves, and boots. Four to five bottoms, six to seven tops, making sure everything can be layered in case it’s really cold and snowy in Tromso, Norway. Everything mix and match. Can’t pack the whole closet but need to be ready and have enough. By the way, the luggage needs to fit under the bed on the cruises.
Here are some essential, whatever the season:
- Passport and/or ID card (this also applies to Scandinavian citizens)
- Laptop, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch
- Credit cards
- Binoculars
- Camera and accessories
- European travel voltage converter
- Comfortable everyday shoes
- Sweater
- Sun protection
- Sunglasses
- Wind and waterproof jacket and trousers
- Poncho
- Umbrella
- Dental repair kit–just in case!
The dress code for my trip will be relaxed and casual; I’m not expecting to dress formally at all. For this trip, October and November, it can get quite cold in Norway and along the Baltic Sea. So, I will also need to have:
- Winter boots with good grip
- Thick winter jacket
- Warm hat and gloves
- Wool socks
- Scarf
- Wool sweater
Lastly, did I mention that this all needs to fit in: one carry on, one checked bag, and a laptop case/purse? Phew, I have my work cut out for me.
Ok, I’m now officially a few days behind posting on this trip so, I’m gonna post this and get to the Paris posts later. Friday evening, I arrived in Gdansk–dinner with Mike. It is now Monday and I am trying to catch up!
I promise pictures with posts soon.
Dream to Travel from NCM 