Nordfjorden
Trolls! They were out there, I just know it. But I suspect that as the sun rose up over the southern fjord wall of Nordfjorden this morning, they must have just tucked away into the overhead stands of Norwegian Spruce and Birch trees right as we dropped anchor. Despite their daytime disappearance, however, they certainly left an enchanted feeling for us to feel as we emerged from the National Geographic Explorer into this glacially carved fjord for exciting activities on the water.
Nordfjorden is the northern fjord branch of Melfjorden, located just north of the Arctic Circle. This fjord enters into the Svartisen (Black Ice) National Park of Norway, and it was here that we came to explore some classic grandeur of Norwegian Fjordlands.
Zodiac cruises launched out to explore the verdant, forested shorelines and to peer up at the massive granite walls looming overhead. These cliffs and crags were occasionally cut by streaking waterfalls near their crowns that cascaded down to the mossy, verdant slopes at their feet. Even higher and further back could be spotted the hanging, blue-gray glaciers of the park. Along the way, we spotted swimming Harbor Seals in the water and chirping, orange-billed Oyster Catcher birds on the shoreline. I’m sure the trolls probably woke to see us, too, but, alas, they were too elusive for us to catch a glimpse of them today.
While cruisers were out and about, kayakers also hit the water to quietly paddle around the few small islands in some peace. However, if the hidden trolls were trying to sleep during this peaceful morning of our visit, they were undoubtedly woken rather abruptly by the boisterous, excited screams of people taking the “Arctic Plunge” to finish off their morning adventures. Jumping in the water was quite a refreshing way to end our time in this fjord, and as we set sail for a sunny afternoon at sea, I’m sure the trolls of Nordfjorden offered us a fine farewell from their hidden nooks and crannies… I just know it.
