Alta to Hammerfest & Home Again

June 09, 2019

Hammerfest - The World's Northernmost City.
After a hundred kilometers of deserted Finnmark coast, Hammerfest suddenly appears as a mirage on the horizon. Surrounded by mountains, sandy beaches and a raw coastal landscape. Hammerfest has a long history of pomor trade (bartering between Russia, Sami & Norwegians), iceberg fishing, fishing and the fishing industry . Hammerfest city received city rights July 17, 1789, the same day as Vardø, and these 2 cities are the oldest in Northern Norway. Settlement began already between 1250 and 1350 , but traces of people have been found even further back in time. Despite the hurricanes and city fires, the city has risen again and again, including being totally burnt out by Germans in World War II. The municipality borders Kvalsund in the east, Alta in the south and Hasvik in the west. The city is located at 70.7 degrees north and for over 200 years until 1996 was considered the world's northernmost . In 2009, Hammerfest received trademark protection for "the world's northernmost city". Hammerfest town is located on Kvaløya with a bridge connection to the mainland. Despite its location north of the Arctic Circle , the city has an ice-freeport.

Leaving Alta and heading north

Nice to see little homes and a church after miles of mountains and sea.

little cabins in deep snow.

really deep snow.

A Sami village, but it's mostly cabins built for vacationers

another church in a little community of about 50.

crossing over to the island of Kvaløya which Hammerfest is located on.

one of the oil rigs outside of Hammerfest.

first glimpses of some homes just outside of Hammerfest

coming into town.

This is the domkirke in Hammerfest. Quite a different style than most. It was built just prior to Dad serving here.

Looking across the fjord.

A few looks inside the church

We got to go inside because they would be having mass at 12. It was Easter week and everything else was closed Thursday through Monday

This was easter weekend. Crown of Thorns and roses on the alter,

Love the manhole covers. Each city is unique

just showing the snow depth.

This is a Sami restaurant.

Sikksakkveien to the viewpoint Salen. Headed to lookout view of the city.

On top of Salen

Over looking the city.

pano view of Hammerfest from Salen

too bad someone decided to mar this sign with graffiti

use barriers seen to help control the snow from causing avalanches down to the town below

Another interesting map of city of Hammerfest and it's surrounding mountains

A metal map of the mountains around Fammerfest.

Dad on the lookout tower. It was so windy up on top, one felt like you were going to be blown off even holding on to the rails

Quite windy up on top.

Elders Sobotka and Baird.

A polar bear on the chair back. Whole little restaurant on top of Salen had this theme.

This is the restaurant at the lookout point.

A look inside. We wish it would not have been closed and we could have eaten there. Would have been a fun location.

Camping anyone? A tent in the middle of the snow break barriers.

Sami Restaurant, it too was closed with the holiday week

heading back to Alta

That would be a cold ride!

on our way back.

arriving back to Alta

skis on side of Kristian home

tributes to Linnea and Kristian in their living room

Elder Morrell's message to Kristian as we left to go home

My letter to Kristian. Linnea has kept these in a photo journal of Kristian's since their marriage

Geir playing the piano for us. He is challenged with Autism, so he is a 10 year old boy in a 50 year old body. He has perfect pitch and can hear any music piece once and then play it by ear. Amazing

Linnéa and Geir

Leaving Alta

inside one of our two hotel rooms in Alta - the second since we had water problems in bathroom of our first room

Scandic Alta

someone did a good job with all the fish and birds

Leaving Kvaløya (island Alta sits on)

salmon fishing farm

we have fallen in with the many different bridge designs in Norway. They have really made them very artistic

Amazed at how deep the snow was still up north. We are almost into May

Cod drying again.

What can I say? (Din = Your in Norwegian) (Fart = Speed) Mom always reads these signs in both Norwegian and English and then giggles.

Two ferry rides each way.

inside the ferry they have comfortable seating and small cafe for food purchases. You can be inside and be warm or outside and brave the weather but see a lot more scenic views.

Dad taking pictures.

Pretty majestic mountains up here.

waiting for the second ferry again

second ferry, almost home.

On the wrong page most of these next photos should actually be on the way to Harstad so they are beginning the next blog post - trip to Harstad...oh well still learning how to post...consider this a sneak preview....hope it's not too much of a spoiler.