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Going WAY Back in Time in the Orkneys of Scotland

Posted on July 1, 2023July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Days 48 and 49, 2023 North Atlantic Adventure Wednesday and Thursday, June 28 and 29, 2023; Kirkwall and Edinburgh, Scotland. When I think of visiting ancient places, I think of the pyramids of Egypt or the Colosseum in Rome. Scotland never came to mind. But on Wednesday I went to

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2023 North Atlantic Adventure, Scotland
6 comments

A Little Rain Must Fall, and It Did in Reykjavik

Posted on June 29, 2023July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Days 44, 45 and 46, 2023 North Atlantic Adventure Saturday, Sunday and Monday, June 24-26, 2023; Isafjordur and Reykjavik, Iceland. The rain finally caught up with us. Yesterday we pulled into the port in Reykjavik under mostly cloudy skies, but no rain early despite the forecast. I wore my rain

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2023 North Atlantic Adventure, Iceland
3 comments

Iceland’s Beauty Extends Far Beyond Its Stunning Waterfalls

Posted on June 26, 2023July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Days 42 and 43, 2023 North Atlantic Adventure Thursday and Friday, June 22 and 23, 2023; Seydisfjordur and Akureyri, Iceland. Perhaps there is something about the weather in Iceland that makes the flowers look stunning. I spent much of today with the blooms at the Akureyri Botanical Garden. The garden

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2023 North Atlantic Adventure, Iceland
4 comments

On Top of the World, Or at Least as Close as I Will Get

Posted on June 21, 2023July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 39, 2023 North Atlantic Adventure Monday, June 19, 2023; Hammerfest and North Cape, Norway. Today I set a new personal record for northernmost travel. We cruised beneath the towering cliffs of Norway’s North Cape. My map app measured our progress to 71.15973 degrees north (and 24.74017 degrees east). I

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2023 North Atlantic Adventure, Norway
9 comments

The Sun Never Sets on Us in Northern Norway

Posted on June 20, 2023July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 38, 2023 North Atlantic Adventure Sunday, June 18, 2023; Alta, Norway. In lieu of exploring the Svalbard archipelago, we are cruising through stunning scenery of the northern cape of Norway. It’s not a disappointing tradeoff. The most awesome aspect of this journey for me has been the Midnight Sun

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2023 North Atlantic Adventure, Norway
6 comments

Letting Go of the Burden of “Must See” Lists

Posted on June 17, 2023July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Days 35-36, 2023 North Atlantic Adventure Thursday and Friday, June 15-16, 2023; Molde and Trondheim, Norway. This cruise up the coast of Norway is something of a consolation voyage. Originally, we were to sail to Svalbard, an archipelago far north of Norway’s North Cape. Sadly, the cruise line canceled those

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2023 North Atlantic Adventure, Norway
15 comments

Bergen Delivers Stunning Day of Views and Sunshine

Posted on June 15, 2023July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 34, 2023 North Atlantic Adventure Wednesday, June 14, 2023; Bergen, Norway. The third time was the charm for Bergen. It is said to be the rainiest city in Norway (more rainy days than London), and my visits in 2019 and last April proved that true. Today was sunny, with

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2023 North Atlantic Adventure, Norway
7 comments

No White Cliffs, No Bluebirds Third Time at Dover

Posted on June 13, 2023July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Days 31 and 32, 2023 North Atlantic Adventure Sunday and Monday, June 11-12, 2023; Rotterdam, Netherlands, and Dover, England. Capt. Friso warned us Sunday night that we might have heavy fog in Dover this morning, and he proved correct. My first view of the white cliffs was of a white

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2023 North Atlantic Adventure, England
11 comments

Traveling Back in Time and Seeking a Sea Monster

Posted on June 10, 2023July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Days 28 and 29, 2023 North Atlantic Adventure Thursday and Friday, June 8-9, 2023; Invergordon and Edinburgh, Scotland. Just a few feet under the festive crowds on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile lies a world of dankness, darkness and disease. I spent an hour today exploring Mary King’s Close, venturing hundreds of

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2023 North Atlantic Adventure, Scotland
7 comments

Island Hopping Through History in Scotland

Posted on June 8, 2023July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Days 26 and 27, 2023 North Atlantic Adventure Tuesday and Wednesday, June 6-7, 2023; Portree and Kirkwall, Scotland. I wasn’t expecting much of Kirkwall as I knew next to nothing about it, other than it is in the Orkney Islands on the north of Scotland. Kirkwall is perhaps best known

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2023 North Atlantic Adventure, Scotland
5 comments

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I’m a writer in love with the sea, sailing, travel and sketching.

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