Honningsvag and Bodo, Norway

[oldbluefox]

Has anybody been to these places? Is there much to see DIY or are we best taking a tour? Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks everyone.

[oldbluefox]

Do I assume that anybody who has been there has never come back, or are too ashamed to admit it?

[Manoverboard]

Even I haven't been to either of those places

[oldbluefox]

I think I could be the first.

Do you want anything bringing back?

OK, new question. Has anybody been to the North Cape?

[Quizzical Bob]

Not quite, but we have been to Spitsbergen which I can highly recommend.

[shilly]

We have been to Honningsvag with P&O and there is very little there and only 1 excursion was available for the whole ship that is the ride to the viewing point/tourist area overlooking North Cape. Nice cafe and shop there and short film and walk.

[oldbluefox]

Thanks Shilly. There doesn't seem to be much going on although considering the remoteness of the area I am hardly surprised.

[rita17]

We went to Honningsvag many years ago on the old Sundream. We spent time in the town in the morning and did the ship's tour to the North Cape in the afternoon. We did enjoy the trip, I remember it was very windy there and have to smile when I remember my OH chasing after his hat. There is a visitor centre with a cinema where went to watch a short film. All in all, we enjoyed the day.

[Jill01]

We stopped at both ports on our cruise to the North Cape a couple of years ago.

Not much at either port if I remember correctly. Bodo we went on a trip to Saltstraumen, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltstraumen. As with most of Norway nice scenery. Can't recall much about Bodo itself, I think there was a small harbour but I am sure it was raining by the time the tour finished so went back on board after a short walk.

Honnisvag was quite small, plus it was a Sunday and everything was shut. Majority of people seem to go on the tours to the North Cape, but decided to do an alternative and go on a trip to a couple of small fishing villages. Quite happy with out choice, was very pretty and you can see the North Cape from the ship when you sail past.

[Not so ancient mariner]

We went to Bodo with Adonia in 2011 It was only a half day visit, though not advertised as such in the personaliser. We went to the Norwegian Aircraft museum, which I found very interesting - but obviously it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea. It was also the Sunday that marked the end of the official period of national mourning for the victims of Anders Brevik, so the atmosphere was understandably subdued.

[woodlander]

We went to the North Cape last year on Adonia. We went on an organised excursion to the North Cape from Honningsvag which was 3-4 hours long. Very nice Visitor Hall with cafe and shop - also small exhibition about the sinking of the Sharnhorst (sorry if spelling is wrong) during WW2. When we got back to Honningsvag we walked around the very small town and went to the Ice Bar under our own steam which was fun! Right on the quayside is a small bronze statue of Bamse - Sea Dog. Its a commemmoration to Bamse who left Norway with his Master (who was Harbour Master of Honningsvag) as part of the Resistance movement on a small fishing boat. He spent the rest of the war serving on various small ships out of ports in Scotland and died there. There is a similar statue to him in Dundee I think. Plenty of books to read about his many exploits.
AS to Bodo - its a modern town built upon the back of the NATO airbase - hence the Aircraft Museum. We also went to the Saltstraumen which was interesting and as ever the scenery was lovely. Had a walk around the town but not a great deal to see. We had a shortish stop there left about 4pm I think.
Anyway enjoy - we did.

[oldbluefox]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I like the sound of the aircraft museum although not sure whether we will do the trip up to the North Cape. I looked up the Ice Bar. It looked like it was in a shipping container!! Never mind, it will be a different experience.
Not long till we go now.

[Manoverboard]

... It looked like it was in a shipping container!! Never mind, it will be a different experience ...

Good grief Man, you mean to say that you ' really ' haven't been inside a shipping container

[oldbluefox]

Hopefully we'll get an upgrade one day and I'll tell you all about it.