The Finnmarken took us to some *amazing* places.  I don't have them in the right order, but never mind that.  Here is a photo of the Finnmarken in the Trollfjorde.  The land was just as close as this on the other side of the boat.  And its a *big* boat.  Got to keep a steady hand on the helm!

I should mention at this point that the Finnmarken is one of a fleet of Norwegian coastal ferries run by "Hurtigruten".  Here is the propeller of the now retired original "Finnmarken" in the town of Stockmarkness, permanently on the hard and now a museum.  

We made a visit to the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society in Hammerfest.  This is not just a society for the any person - it is most prestigious and exclusive.  Why they almost didn't let Lyell climb on their "mascot".

After that, we climbed the hill in Hammerfest for a little picnic.  It was a beautiful day.  The Finnmarken is barely visible in the lower righthand corner of the photo.  Don't we look natural as we scurry around to meet the timer on the camera?!

Then in Havoysund, there was a vintage fort.  Of course by this point the boys had been on the boat for a few days and were ready for some running around.  So when we saw a playground on the way to the fort, they and I had to stop.  TT toured the fort on her own and got random strangers to take her photo.

Fortunately, people are very nice in Norway.  While I'm here - I should point out the grass on the roof.  We saw this all over northern Norway.  We have two theories.  The first is that its soooo cold there in the winter they will use anything they can get to insulate the house.  And the second is that it rains soooo much there that its impossible to keep things from growing on the roofs.  What do you think?

These were some of the things we saw when we got off the boat.  Hit next to see life aboard the Finnmarken.