The Journey Begins...Packing and Planning

This trip has been long imagined.  My paternal grandfather was born in the year 1900 in Honningsvag, Norway as a new century dawned.  While I know that much will be changed in this most northerly town in the past 119 years, I still am drawn to it. 

My paternal grandmother's family originated in Finland and even now I have close family members living in that country. 

My travel agent and I have a long-standing relationship.  Together we built a trip with the comfort and camaraderie of family visiting (and great Finnish hospitality) and an adventurous cruise up and down the coast of Norway. 

Hurtigruten is a very old cruise line, having been delivering mail, goods and passengers all up the coast of Norway for 150 years.  Their ships do not offer swimming pools, fancy restaurants, zip-lines or arcades, but promise plenty of adventure on their inland excursions.

My suitcase has been mostly packed for several weeks now.  The challenge has been cramming in cold weather gear (including 2 pairs of boots) and keeping the weight under 50 lbs.  My carry-on is petite (I'm hoping to fit it under the seat) and filled with camera, long lens and binoculars, with a few other essentials to pad everything. 

I'll be wearing or carrying my heavy parka as I depart on Thursday.  Hopefully it won't be a warm day!