Day 13 (22 March), Voyage South Day 3

In 33 days, we'll once again be starting our day aboard the Capella. The sailing on this day is all about the Lofoten Islands - one of the most stunning places on earth.

The Lofoten Islands are an archipelago in northern Norway, north of the Arctic circle, with a rich history dating back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that humans have inhabited the islands for at least 11,000 years, with early settlers relying on fishing and hunting. By the Viking Age (8th–11th centuries), Lofoten had become a hub of trade and seafaring, with Viking chieftains establishing settlements such as Borg, where the largest Viking longhouse ever discovered was found. From the Middle Ages onwards, Lofoten's economy revolved around the cod fisheries. The drying of cod into stockfish, a tradition that continues today, fueled trade with the rest of Europe. Despite harsh conditions, small fishing villages thrived, and many still retain their traditional charm.

Geologically, Lofoten is composed of some of the oldest rocks on Earth, dating back 2.7–3 billion years. The islands are made primarily of Precambrian basement rock, mostly granite and gneiss, shaped by glacial erosion during the Ice Ages. The dramatic peaks and fjords were carved by glaciers, creating the rugged, alpine-like landscape we will see as we pass.

Lofoten remains famous for its breathtaking scenery, vibrant fishing communities, and tourism centered around outdoor activities, the Northern Lights, and its unique Arctic environment.

Stunning scenery of the Lofoten Islands

For me though, Lofoten will be famous for the time I went horseriding on the beach in Norway! With the excursion leaving the boat around 6.30pm and returning a couple of hours later, this is again another item ticked off the bucket list! It will be just me this time... Jase, Drew and Cloe will be doing a different excursion - the polar night walk in Storvågan. While I would love to be doing this too - when it competes with horse riding, it's a no brainer!

The ports the Capella will visit this day include:

• Finnsnes

• Harstad

• Risøyrhamn

• Sortland

• Stokmarknes

• Solvær

• Stamsund