The 1952 North Cape Cruise - 08 / 09 July 1952
The Norwegian Fjords (08-15 July)
Before their disappearance many centuries ago, the mighty ice strata of the glacial period grooved the rocky terrain of Norway, creating its magnificent and beautiful fjords and valleys of today. In spite of its northern position, much of it lying north of the Arctic Circle, Norway enjoys a temperate climate.
This is thanks to the beneficent waters of the Gulf Stream, which sweeps its coastline. From North Cape, the Caronia steams down the coast for seven days of cruising in some of the country's most beautiful fjords, unfolding a paradise of scenic splendour and loveliness.
Lyngseidet (Lyngen)
Lyngseidet is a lovable little hamlet, a charming Norwegian village with bright, cheery houses set in fields of buttercups and clover. But once ashore you will hasten off in a pony-drawn stolkjaerre to the Lapp Colony a few miles away.
Survivors of the nomadic races of pre-historic Europe, these dwarfish little people, Mongolian in type, will he found before their tepees of reindeer hide, wearing long belted blouses, brown with bright red and yellow stripes, high fur boots and strange tasseled caps.
Lofoten Islands
On the day after leaving Lyngseidet, the Caronia will spend the morning and afternoon cruising down the huge Vest Fjord, guarded seaward by the Lofoten Archipelago, islands noted for their busy cod fisheries.
Svartisen Glacier
Later on the same afternoon you will see a glacier at close view. The Caronia will pick her way through the narrow, tortuous Holandsfjord to the foot of a great river of ice. The Svartisen - “Black Ice” - is the only glacier in Europe that comes down to the sea.
