Narvik, Norway

After a day at sea and crossing into the Arctic Circle, we arrived in Narvik. Before our trip to Norway, we watched the 2022 movie, Narvik, which gave us an understanding of how World War II was thrust upon Norway. Germany attacked Narvik in 1940 and occupied this country for five years. Due to ocean currents, Narvik is an open port year-round. With rail lines leading to iron mines in Sweden, this was an extremely instrumental port for the Nazis to control.

NARVIK WAR MUSEUM

The War Museum was within walking distance of our ship.

The museum provided perspectives of both Germany and Norway.

This monument is in memory of the children who died when the British accidentally bombed a school building in Narvik instead of the targeted rail yards during WWII.

JOURNEY TO POLAR PARK

Located at 69 degrees north latitude, this reserve is the northernmost wildlife park in the world. It is home to a variety of Arctic mammals including moose, foxes, wolves, lynx, wolverines, musk oxen, elk, bears, and badgers.

We enjoyed the views on this beautiful afternoon during the one-hour drive to the Polar Park.

The living spaces are large. The park boasts the world's biggest area-per-animal ratio, so we had to be patient and observant to see the animals. We also used our binoculars.

We crossed a foot bridge to enter the Polar Park for the almost three-mile walk around the park.

A Young Moose

The Arctic Foxes were fed some strips of raw lamb to encourage them close to the fence.

The foxes have shed their white winter coats.

The wolverine was enticed out of his nap with some lamb chunks.

Norwegian Brown Bears like the lamb too.

Norwegian Grey Wolves

The guide had us howling and the wolves responded in kind.

Musk Ox

We enjoyed watching the lynx.

The drive back to the ship was beautiful with the clear skies.

The Saturn left Narvik as we sat by the window eating dinner in the World Cafe.

The 2500-foot long Rombak Bridge