Kirkenes

The Hurtigruten ferry’s last stop (before it turns around and goes back to Bergen) is the town of Kirkenes, only about 10 miles from the Russian border. WWII hit this area hard for interesting reasons (Tom Hanks, I smell your next movie!) and in interesting ways, including people (such as our tour guide, now in his 80’s) living underground in an old iron mine for long periods of time. We learned all about it, appreciated the landscape, crept right up to the border (Russia, I sure do hope to see you again at a time when an actual visit is possible!) and said goodbye to the ship. We are Oslo-bound tonight, and phase two of the Scandinavian adventure starts tomorrow!