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-   -   "Voyage of the Vikings" cruise - July/August 2018 (https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=235574)

robk1982 Aug 30, 2018 4:03 AM

"Voyage of the Vikings" cruise - July/August 2018
 
I went on Holland America Line's "Voyage of the Vikings" cruise from July 18-August 25, 2018. This was my first ever cruise, and it was a one-in-a-lifetime trip. Over the 38 days, we stopped at about 20 ports in New England, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Ireland, and Scotland.

Here is a map showing all of the ports, and I'll mark our path as I post pictures from each city. It was a round trip, so we visited Iceland, Greenland, and Canada twice, stopping in different ports on the return trip.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1886/...ccb4bf7b_c.jpg2018-08-29 (2) by Rob K, on Flickr




A few disclaimers before I start posting:
1) I used my middle-of-the-road cell phone for all of my pictures. I wish I had something better, but it is what it is.
2) I went with my parents, so you may see them in these pictures. As the third person, I only paid $2000 + $500 in fees. Crazy deal!!
3) Some of these ports were very small villages, but I think it's worthwhile to showcase them.
4) I took a lot of nature pictures, along with urban ones. Hope you don't mind if I mix in some pictures of waterfalls, boiling mud pits, geysers, mountains, and other beautiful things.
5) Every day or two, I'll post a few cities. I'm hoping to have this done in 2-3 weeks, but it's a LOT!

Enjoy!

robk1982 Aug 30, 2018 4:11 AM

We drove from Michigan to Boston (where the cruise started), but stopped in Rochester, NY overnight. We walked around town, then went to the Rochester Red Wings baseball game. This was my first time in Rochester - I've driven past it many times on I-90, but have never had time to stop.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1868/...c24dd85a_c.jpgOriginal by Rob K, on Flickr


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1875/...c0f922fd_c.jpg20180716_172140_Burst01 by Rob K, on Flickr
We parked by the National Museum of Play

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1891/...35c51cc6_c.jpg20180716_172917 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1881/...b9bcbf8b_c.jpg20180716_174359 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1872/...2d0edb20_c.jpg20180716_174732 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1851/...7367acc2_c.jpg20180716_174917 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1893/...bba100ae_c.jpg20180716_180412 (2) by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1884/...4294db5e_c.jpg20180716_180643 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1877/...d5e93c7d_c.jpg20180716_180737 (2) by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1854/...d1a0e0b0_c.jpg20180716_182818 (2) by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/...da982c85_c.jpg20180716_183206 by Rob K, on Flickr

robk1982 Aug 30, 2018 4:18 AM

We continued to Boston the next day, stayed at a hotel in Revere, and went into the city the next morning. We dropped our luggage off at the ship, checked in, and then went walking around town for a couple hours. The boat departed at 10:30 PM.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1851/...312c4aef_c.jpgBoston by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1846/...01f6f3c7_c.jpg20180718_132432 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1886/...f56c9967_c.jpg20180718_132646 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1866/...50a18e96_c.jpg20180718_133337 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1899/...29f7f09c_c.jpg20180718_134857 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1888/...1aedc1ed_c.jpg20180718_135126 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1847/...862729e0_c.jpg20180718_135227 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1846/...5d7b52a0_c.jpg20180718_140108 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1874/...81f1af2b_c.jpg20180718_144119 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1854/...a3954dd7_c.jpg20180718_151614 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1892/...a731ff24_c.jpg20180718_152122 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1889/...796dd345_c.jpg20180718_154344 (2) by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...a5a027a0_c.jpg20180718_155848 (2) by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1881/...91df3285_c.jpg20180718_221402 by Rob K, on Flickr

robk1982 Aug 30, 2018 4:32 AM

Our first port of call was Bar Harbor, ME. We took the buses around Acadia National Park, stopping and walking a couple of the trails. We then walked around the town of Bar Harbor before returning to the ship.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/...42541c2a_c.jpgBar Harbor by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1900/...369bf621_c.jpg20180719_092108 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1890/...c13f13e7_c.jpg20180719_103651_Burst01 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1842/...6c0b212c_c.jpg20180719_124115_Burst01 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1893/...826a1f5a_c.jpg20180719_124718 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1870/...a17f9f96_c.jpg20180719_135735 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1881/...c600a4bd_c.jpg20180719_142230 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1860/...f9c13ea9_c.jpg20180719_142449_Burst01 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1852/...31151ef0_c.jpg20180719_154838 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1858/...221fbc94_c.jpg20180719_154926 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1875/...1c51f353_c.jpg20180719_155007 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1858/...0157ca34_c.jpg20180719_160101 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1845/...a7b5fa26_c.jpg20180719_160111 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1886/...49cd6c37_c.jpg20180719_160233 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1887/...66dd960a_c.jpg20180719_160251_Burst01 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1853/...df97707a_c.jpg20180719_164338 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1889/...fe2fd6dd_c.jpg20180720_235355 by Rob K, on Flickr
Beautiful sunset that night!

robk1982 Aug 30, 2018 4:48 AM

Our next stop was Sydney, Nova Scotia - a city of 31,000 on the eastern end of the province. Once a major mining and steel town, it now relies heavily on the arts and tourism. We were supposed to go on a tour of the Cabot Trail but that got cancelled, so I just walked around town and stopped at some of the historic homes and churches.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1854/...d4e3463d_c.jpgSydney by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1879/...e5a5863c_c.jpg20180721_121309 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1892/...54c383a7_c.jpg20180721_121037 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1858/...d598e25d_c.jpg20180721_090008 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1865/...f4bbdd91_c.jpg20180721_091630 by Rob K, on Flickr
St. Patrick's church

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1866/...7d7d7265_c.jpg20180721_092219 by Rob K, on Flickr
The Jost House, the oldest house in Sydney

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1846/...26593f98_c.jpg20180721_095706 by Rob K, on Flickr
St. George's Anglican Church

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1858/...28c90e84_c.jpg20180721_100243 by Rob K, on Flickr


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1891/...4a58d6b4_c.jpg20180721_102747_Burst01 by Rob K, on Flickr
The old Bank of Montreal is now home to the historical society

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/...22687f61_c.jpg20180721_103537_Burst01 by Rob K, on Flickr
Performing Arts Center

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1895/...45cea7b7_c.jpg20180721_110334 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1899/...2f844f33_c.jpg20180721_110445 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1874/...3e736bd7_c.jpg20180721_110752 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/...6fd5eb8e_c.jpg20180721_111310_Burst01 by Rob K, on Flickr

robk1982 Aug 30, 2018 6:35 PM

The next port was Corner Brook, Newfoundland and where it started to feel like we were visiting places where the average person doesn't visit. This city has a population of 20,000 and the big industry is paper. There was a great set of hiking trails south of the city.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1879/...48aaef88_c.jpgCorner Brook by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1848/...ca8dba04_c.jpg20180722_103409 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1887/...149b8392_c.jpg20180722_103432 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1852/...bcfdff42_c.jpg20180722_105734 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1874/...9483eb34_c.jpg20180722_110510 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1880/...0608673f_c.jpg20180722_111353 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1895/...1cefa725_c.jpg20180722_115316 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1877/...74028615_c.jpg20180722_125425 by Rob K, on Flickr
The trail took us a couple kilometers south of town, so we had to walk along the Trans Canada Highway for a bit.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1866/...955bbe2f_c.jpg20180722_134415 by Rob K, on Flickr
The town was extremely clean, and all the houses had new windows and white trim.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...e5132aa3_c.jpg20180722_134507 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1868/...dd9d141a_c.jpg20180722_134654 by Rob K, on Flickr
Most houses had new siding as well.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1882/...a5641fb3_c.jpg20180722_135233 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1896/...1f521dcd_c.jpg20180722_135430 by Rob K, on Flickr
Even the Tim Horton's!

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1898/...f8f3ea07_c.jpg20180722_135542 by Rob K, on Flickr
Nice cozy downtown.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1891/...f3f653ef_c.jpg20180722_135617 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1894/...c46f7787_c.jpg20180722_145123 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1884/...7b0c60a9_c.jpg20180722_145411 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1877/...cf7fc303_c.jpg20180722_145858 by Rob K, on Flickr
View from the top of City Hall.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1886/...b8a6ff35_c.jpg20180722_145935 by Rob K, on Flickr
You can see the logs for the paper plant on the far right of the picture.

DetroitSky Aug 31, 2018 12:51 AM

Great tours so far! Sounds like a truly amazing trip. Looking forward to the rest!

xzmattzx Aug 31, 2018 4:00 AM

Looking forward to all the other ports of call!

robk1982 Aug 31, 2018 10:23 PM

Thanks! I'll post the next 3 ports tonight (which is really just 1). Then the real urban excitement begins with Reykjavik, Alesund, Rotterdam, and Dublin.

mousquet Aug 31, 2018 11:19 PM

Certainly a great and fine trip, but they could have added Normandy, France to the extensive thing to be fully comprehensive, if they had had any honest sense of history.

You know, like William the Conqueror's homeland. Trust me, it has a lot to offer, like the smelliest and tastiest camembert cheese and the finest recipes of filet of sole on Earth.
Smooth crème fraîche and tasty spices, ha! You wouldn't regret trying their stuff.

But it was a subject of France's king, which may still be disburbing to many.

robk1982 Aug 31, 2018 11:32 PM

They do change the itinerary slightly each year, so maybe they do stop in Normandy on occasion. Many people on the ship had done this cruise multiple times because the ports change - one lady had done it 8 times! I think next year stops in Bergen, Cork, and Belfast instead of some of the ones we stopped at.

robk1982 Sep 1, 2018 1:43 AM

The weather took a turn for the worse as we headed towards our next port - Red Bay, Labrador. This was a tender port, and there was too much fog to attempt to bring people ashore. We anchored off-shore for a while, so we were able to take a few pictures. Having a population of less than 200 people, Red Bay was the smallest port on the entire trip. It was once a major center for Basque whaling, and the main attractions in town are the whaling museum and Saddle Island, where the whale carcasses were brought to be processed.

I admit I was a little disappointed, mainly because I wanted to be able to say I had been to Labrador.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1851/...a2d9b336_c.jpgRed Bay by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1859/...48186d8d_c.jpg20180723_105018 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1899/...8a8e3b9f_c.jpg20180723_105014 by Rob K, on Flickr

robk1982 Sep 1, 2018 1:58 AM

The weather got much worse after we left Red Bay, and the fact that we now had 2 full sea days (instead of 1.5) to get to our next port didn't help since it merely prolonged the misery. Fortunately, I don't get sea sick.

I also think this is when the norovirus outbreak started, and we got constant reminders to wash our hands. After a few days, they eventually went into a "Code Black" and shut down all self-service at the buffet and started doing deep cleanings of the ship. It took about 2 weeks, but they eventually stopped seeing new cases.

Our next port of call was supposed to be Paamiut, Greenland. However, due to high waves we were unable to do the tender operations here either. We did anchor for a bit outside of the port, but were unable to really see the city.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1843/...1a83f3b6_c.jpgPaamiut by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1878/...e0708cb7_c.jpgPaamiut by Rob K, on Flickr
You can barely see some buildings in town. It was cold, too!

If you google Paamiut, there is a very cool church in town. Otherwise, it looks very similar to our next port, Qaqortok.

xzmattzx Sep 1, 2018 2:44 AM

I think I flew over Paamiut back in June. I got a picture of a glacier north of the town.

robk1982 Sep 1, 2018 2:11 PM

The weather improved dramatically and we were able to make it to our next port, Qaqortok. Qaqortok had 3000 residents, and is the 5th largest town in Greenland.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1897/...7760619f_b.jpgQaqortok by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1888/...e7bd56d5_b.jpg20180726_140109 by Rob K, on Flickr
The tourist information center, and Hotel Qaqortok in the background

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1851/...2df19ab9_b.jpg20180726_082119 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1846/...bba0cbff_b.jpg20180726_082205 by Rob K, on Flickr
This is the oldest fountain in Greenland

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1862/...2b3fa87e_b.jpg20180726_082248 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1876/...750b7608_b.jpg20180726_082559 by Rob K, on Flickr
Church of Our Savior, built in 1832

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1873/...1d6911f1_b.jpg20180726_082801 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1847/...d32c71a7_b.jpg20180726_083629 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1897/...70a37fab_b.jpg20180726_084639 by Rob K, on Flickr

robk1982 Sep 1, 2018 3:42 PM

Qaqortok continued...

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...c21e6a51_b.jpg20180726_085912 by Rob K, on Flickr
This is the "back side" of the town, which has a large lake.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1870/...20b1a958_b.jpg20180726_105553 by Rob K, on Flickr
It was about a 10km walk around the lake

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/...68f37d92_b.jpg20180726_112610 by Rob K, on Flickr
Looking back at the town

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/...f257f662_b.jpg20180726_114648 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1872/...43c4bf2f_b.jpg20180726_115621 by Rob K, on Flickr
Coming back into town, there was a bit of "industrial" area. There was a quarry, but no factories.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1882/...52593ee4_b.jpg20180726_115644 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1849/...8075445a_b.jpg20180726_120414 by Rob K, on Flickr
Typical Greenlandic homes

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1854/...99ee5f32_b.jpg20180726_120520 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1845/...9462dbe0_b.jpg20180726_120807 by Rob K, on Flickr
The University's new building

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1846/...f02c0afc_b.jpg20180726_135308 by Rob K, on Flickr
The oldest building in Qaqortok, built in 1797. It now houses the Qaqortok Museum.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1851/...f8481b70_b.jpg20180726_132626 by Rob K, on Flickr
Built in 1804, this used to the Blacksmith's shop. It also houses part of the Museum.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1868/...c70f0f50_b.jpg20180726_140555 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1852/...e43f4ea2_b.jpg20180726_140712 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1843/...c236fe90_b.jpg20180726_141330 by Rob K, on Flickr
There is an open air art exhibit, called "Stone & Man", which consists of over 40 carvings in the rocks all over town.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1860/...ee0d4bc1_b.jpg20180726_141043 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1896/...846eed9d_b.jpg20180726_143502 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1860/...bdb6b0d4_b.jpg20180726_143736 by Rob K, on Flickr

robk1982 Sep 1, 2018 3:44 PM

Not trying to pad my post count or anything, but from now on I'll try to limit the number of pictures per "post" so you won't have to scroll through so many on each thread page.

edit: I think the last photo thread that I started was in 2009! I'm out of practice.

robk1982 Sep 1, 2018 10:11 PM

The next day brought us some "scenic cruising" through the Prince Christian Sound in southern Greenland.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1872/...27cde711_b.jpgPrince Christian Sound by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1858/...469071a0_b.jpg20180727_064329 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1887/...caca3729_b.jpg20180727_073309 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1865/...c7006a1d_b.jpg20180727_074155 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1842/...0dd966d7_b.jpg20180727_081041 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1843/...3da1bf4d_b.jpg20180727_083034 by Rob K, on Flickr
We yielded to this Danish military ship

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1890/...ea819c75_b.jpg20180727_083513 by Rob K, on Flickr
About halfway through the sound is the very small village of Aappilattoq.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1892/...9c6a156d_b.jpg20180727_105221 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1896/...b16176bf_b.jpg20180727_111017 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1843/...5ddf93db_b.jpg20180727_120207 by Rob K, on Flickr

robk1982 Sep 1, 2018 10:32 PM

After leaving Greenland we had a day at sea before arriving in Reykjavik. We were here overnight, so on the first day my parents and I did the normal tourist thing and went on a Golden Circle Tour. Craters, waterfalls, geysers, the earth being torn apart....yeah, it's all here.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1874/...ed665eea_b.jpgReykjavik by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1865/...33e6469a_b.jpg20180729_102716 by Rob K, on Flickr
Kerio Crater

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/...18f4d6e9_b.jpg20180729_101209 by Rob K, on Flickr
Can you tell we are tourists?

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1880/...1db488c6_b.jpg20180729_103332 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1884/...ab65fdc4_b.jpg20180729_111243 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1857/...0a4ce26a_b.jpg20180729_115344 by Rob K, on Flickr
Gullfoss waterfall

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1853/...d3b682dc_b.jpg20180729_121312 by Rob K, on Flickr

robk1982 Sep 1, 2018 10:42 PM

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1853/...f1888d82_b.jpg20180729_124903 by Rob K, on Flickr
Did you know the word "geysir" is Icelandic? That is actually the name of this place - Geysir.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1896/...4d31b824_b.jpg20180729_125612 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1870/...7b4c150c_b.jpg20180729_125612(1) by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1847/...981cb332_b.jpg20180729_125613 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1858/...ed9d90c7_b.jpg20180729_151751 by Rob K, on Flickr
Thingvellir National Park. This is the 5km wide (and growing!) area that is formed as the North American and European plates are torn apart.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/...edd7726b_b.jpg20180729_152250 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1881/...4e79627b_b.jpg20180729_153502 by Rob K, on Flickr
It was also the site of the first Icelandic Parliament almost 1000 years ago.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1893/...cdcd3395_b.jpg20180729_154011 by Rob K, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1848/...00e4b441_b.jpg20180729_155242 by Rob K, on Flickr


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