We visited the Polar Bear Club at Hammerfest, and this is what we meet, this is part of an historical collection of stuffed birds and animals, with a collection of the trapping past.
The pictures of the exhibition were hard to take as it was rather dark in the room bit I did manage to take these,
There was a polar bear skin hanging on the wall, I was able to feel it, it was so so so soft, and about at least an inch and half thick.
This stuffed eagle was hanging from the ceiling, Vernon loves Eagles but unfortunately we did not see any on the trip, although the did announce that the fishing boat on the port side had some eagles around it, but it was too far away for the camera to pick up the eagles.
--ooOoo--
Crossing back over the Arctic Circle
When we crossed back over the Arctic Circle they had another ceremony this time a spoonful of Oive oil and then a spoonful of Brandy (the brandy was better) We were allowed to keep the spoon as a couvenir for the crossing.
Here is a picture of the spoon.
As this is a short post a few facts on Norway, their cost of living is very very high, their income tax starts at 28%, VAT is 25%, Wages as higher with a chambermaid wages start at £13.00 per hour. If they take a second job the whole amount they earn is taxed at 50%. Because a lot of the time norway is in the dark they had a lot of alcoholics, well they had not a lot to do in the dark!! So alcohol is very expensive because the Norwegian government put the prices up to try to reduce people drinking. A glass of wine was £20 a glass, Beer Vernon had a small bottle around half a pint £8.50 (that was local beer), when we saw the lights and they were fantastic we had a celebration a whisky was £10.00 and I had a Martini and lemonade approx £11.00 A spirt was £4.30. Let’s just say it was a dry’ish holiday.
Electric is cheap because they use hydro power and it’s so cheap they can leave their lights on all night.
The next post will the last on Norway, hope you are enjoying them.
Margaret
Goodness, I don’t think I can afford to visit Norway!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous story to have to tell Margaret, those drinks were abit much, next time take your own, my word...thanks for sharing.xx
ReplyDeleteWow what a lot to pay for a drink!! lovely photos Ginny
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More fabulous photographs Margaret, you certainly managed to pack a lot in. It sounds rather expensive, I would imagine food prices are quite high as well.
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Great photos Margret, and you've certainly done your homework with all these facts. I love the Scandi countries, they seem to care about what matters, and although the cost of living is high, wages are higher and most important of all is that they look after their vulnerable folk, especially the elderly, unlike this country. Iceland, even put their corrupt bankers in jail... what do we do, give them a bonus. I'd love to live in Iceland, but my son is here, pleased you are enjoying your trip, Kate x
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