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Why Norway should be No.1 on your cruising bucket list

The borders are open. The Fjords are calling. From stunning Northern Lights to breathtaking landscapes, here are our Fab Four must-do experiences in the land of the Midnight Sun... International cruising is now back on the agenda and it’s time once again to start ticking off all those incredible destinations you’ve always dreamed of seeing one day. We’ve got some good news for you, cruise fans: Norway, the home of spectacular cruising experiences, is now open, safe and ready to welcome you back to experience all of its delights, from the fjords to the stunningly breathtaking Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun in summer. To sweeten the deal, Norway has now completely removed its entry restrictions, so it’s the perfect time to experience all of the majestic landscapes and beautiful opportunities this country has on offer. Hurtigruten's Norwegian Coastal Express has been cruising the coast since 1893 and will give you access to small fishing villages, locally sourced cuisine and off-the-beaten-track excursions, allowing you to really explore the country like a local. So, what are you waiting for? Book before April 30 on selected departures in 2022 and you may receive <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/au/share-the-most-beautiful-voyage/?_ccid=20927&_ccst=1000&_hrgb=2utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=APAC_COA_Awareness_Brand_B2C_W01_YR_2022_NO_22-23&utm_content=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">up to 50% OFF</a> the second guest. Here we’ve outlined just a few of the things you can expect on one of these must-do cruises. 1. Explore the majestic fjords <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/FJORD_Geiranger-Norway-HGR-49268.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Yes, <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/inspiration/experiences/where-to-find-norways-best-fjords/?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=APAC_COA_Awareness_Brand_B2C_W01_YR_2022_NO_22-23&utm_content=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Fjords are calling</a> – and if you’re still unsure of what that is after reading this, then here's a little explainer. A fjord is a long, deep, narrow body of water that reaches far inland, and is made when a glacier retreats, resulting in an incredible U-shaped valley with soaring cliffs on either side. Cruising in Norway will take you to the heart of these jaw-dropping natural creations which you can finally tick off your bucket list. Some of the best and most unmissable fjords in Norway are the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Geirangerfjord with its spectacular waterfalls, the epic 180km long Hardangerfjord, the pretty Trondheimsfjorden that’s home to the gorgeous port city of Trondheim, and the unspoilt surrounds of tiny Trollfjord – which, while only 3km in length and just 100 metres wide at its mouth, contains enough jaw-dropping scenery to leave you in awe. 2. Gaze up at the Northern Lights <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/LIGHTS_Northern-lights-Norway-HGR-104675_1920-Photo_Photo_Competition.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Yes, you are actually guaranteed to experience the <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/inspiration/experiences/northern-lights/?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=APAC_COA_Awareness_Brand_B2C_W01_YR_2022_NO_22-23&utm_content" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Northern Lights</a> during their spectacular winter viewing season in either September or next year in March. If the lights don’t present on your cruise, you’ll be given a free 6 or 7 day voyage the following season with Hurtiguten's amazing ‘Northern Lights Guarantee’. Known as nature's own mesmerising light show, the Aurora Borealis lasts up to 15-30 minutes, and what we see from the ground is caused by electrically charged particles from space entering the Earth’s upper atmosphere at a very high speed. Interestingly, the famed Northern Lights also look substantially different to all who view them, with some people seeing different colours making their way across the sky, or rays of light going up into space. Another item to check off your bucket list? We think so! 3. Experience the land of the Midnight Sun <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/SUN_Passenger-on-deck-Norway-HGR-12274_1920.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> What do you think of when you read the words “Midnight Sun”? We are betting it is exactly what you think it is. If the words of <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/destinations/norway/the-original-norwegian-coastal-express/sailing-under-the-midnight-sun/?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=APAC_COA_Awareness_Brand_B2C_W01_YR_2022_NO_22-23&utm_content=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">past guest of Hurtigruten Bronwen Pyle</a> are anything to go by, experiencing this phenomenon from the deck of the Norwegian Coastal Express is something you will never forget. “The day kept on going and going, never getting dark, even all through the night. The non-stop day actually gave us even more time to admire the scenery on the route,” she says. Bronwen says that the crew and passengers were all lovely, saying it was definitely the almost never-ending sunlight that helped everyone’s mood. She suggests staying on the ship’s deck to secure a seat and enjoy the Midnight Sun as much as possible. A word of caution from Bronwen, though: Don’t get stuck behind the camera; enjoy what is actually there in front of you in the present moment, and create some memories that will last a lifetime. And one last tip: If you feel like you’re struggling to sleep because of the extra hours of sunlight, then the awesome onboard gym is the place for you before knocking off! 4. Dine on delicious locally sourced meals <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/FOOD_MS-Polarlys-King-Crab-HGR-116417_1920-Photo_Carsten_Pedersen.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Hopping on board the Norwegian Coastal Express will help you not only see the dramatic coast in all its splendour, but taste it too – thanks to the <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/norways-coastal-kitchen/?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=APAC_COA_Awareness_Brand_B2C_W01_YR_2022_NO_22-23&utm_content=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">delicious onboard meals</a>. All food is locally sourced, with its provenance resting in very ports that the ship pauses at along the way, making it an even more special experience to appreciate the freshness and flavours. Other than the food, you can choose to get involved in endless excursions (there are more than 70 on offer!), learn about regional specialities, discover how food is at the heart of local life, and listen to the life stories of brewers, chefs, farmers and more. So, are you ready for the cruising experience of a lifetime and to fall in love with the beauty and people of Norway? If you are, don’t forget to share the adventure with a friend and get up to <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/au/share-the-most-beautiful-voyage/?_ccid=20927&_ccst=1000&_hrgb=2utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=APAC_COA_Awareness_Brand_B2C_W01_YR_2022_NO_22-23&utm_content=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">50 per cent off</a> for a second guest on summer voyages if you book before the end of April. Check out the gallery below for more stunning images of what to expect on a Hurtigren Norwegian Coastal Express cruise. This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/destinations/norway/?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=APAC_COA_Awareness_Brand_B2C_W01_YR_2022_NO_22-23&utm_content=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hurtigruten</a>.

Cruising

Midnight cyclist charged with looting

A man <a href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-qld/man-charged-with-looting-claimed-he-found-a-bicycle-on-a-footpath-in-flooded-area/news-story/8046b2827f46de7d1098fc49bb118d98" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has been charged</a> with looting after being stopped by police in the middle of the night in one of Brisbane’s flood-affected suburbs. Police officers were patrolling the suburbs of Milton and Auchenflower on the lookout for looting when they questioned Michael Peter Rose, who was riding a bicycle at 12.20am on Saturday. Mr Rose allegedly told police he found the bike on a footpath along with other discarded items. However, the police allege the bicycle looked brand new - and undamaged by the floods - with a defence lawyer telling the court that police didn’t accept his explanation before charging him with stealing by looting in a natural disaster. The 36-year-old appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday facing several additional charges he was meant to appear in court for in February. The previous charges included committing an indecent act in a public place, failure to appear on a bail undertaking and entering premises and committing an indictable offence. Police prosecutor Sergeant Wade Domagala opposed awarding Mr Rose bail, saying the risk he would fail to appear in court or commit other offences was unacceptable. Mr Rose claimed his earlier failure to appear in court was due to a text he received from the court saying he wasn’t required to attend, while his lawyer said the phone the text was on had been lost. Magistrate Tracy Mossop said Mr Rose failed to appear in court, contravened a probation order and was in breach of a suspended sentence. She said Mr Rose hadn’t shown any cause for why he should be granted bail and remanded him in custody. He is due to appear via video link in early April. Image: Getty Images

Legal

Cruising to the Midnight Sun

For those of us who think of Europe as two-countries-before-breakfast tiny, Norway is a surprise. It’s about 2400 kilometres to cruise from Oslo to the top of Norway – about the same distance as Sydney to Townsville. However, unlike the Australian coast, the Norwegian coast is deeply inset with <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/bergen-is-the-gateway-to-the-fjords-of-norway.aspx">fjords</a>, some deep enough to accommodate the largest ships. Standing on deck looking up the sheer sides of a fjord rising more than a kilometre above and almost close enough to touch is magical. And watching a giant cruise ship turn in a fjord little wider than the ship’s length reveals impressive nautical skills. Most Norwegian cruises start on the southwest coast. Indeed, a lot don’t go anywhere near the capital city of Oslo. If you do travel via Oslo, I recommend an excursion out to Trondheim, the home of the legendary polar explorer Roald Amundsen. It’s tricky to get to – and to get back from – but it provides an interesting insight into a fascinating man. My other must-see recommendations are the Viking Ship Museum and the exciting new Opera House. The best-known port of the itinerary may well be the first and its most rewarding. Bergen is wonderful. It’s a World Heritage city and picturesque Bryggen, the city’s historic district and its heart from the days of the Hanseatic League, rewards hours of exploration. However, it’s a good idea to venture into the suburbs to Troldhaugen, which was composer Edvard Greig’s home. Sometimes there are recitals of Peer Gynt here. Venture down from his house to the waterfront to visit the simple hut where he wrote much of his music. He couldn’t have written it anywhere else: Greig’s compositions perfectly encapsulate the wonders of the dramatic Norwegian coast. “In the Hall of the Mountain King” indeed. One dramatic point of entry into fjordland is sailing into Flam, deep in a narrow fjord and the terminus of the Flam Railway. It will offered as a shore excursion and no other compares: the train climbs 865 metres over 20km to Myrdal on a journey justly rated as one of the most spectacular in the world. The rails begin mere metres from the dark, deep waters of the Aurlandsfjord. The next day you are likely to cruise along Sognefjord, Norway’s longest fjord at over 200km. Recently, I had the chance to ask the Norwegian captain of the <a href="http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/en-au">Azamara Journey</a>, Captain Johannes Tysse what were his favourite fjords. Not surprisingly, they were all Norwegian. He nominated Geirangerfiord with the Seven Sisters waterfall and Naeroyfiord off Sognefiord into Godvangen. But his absolute favourite is Trollfiord, south of Tromso, where the Azamara Journey is the largest cruise ship able to turn within it. Norwegian summers can be a challenge. With luck, sunny days reveal snow-capped alps reflected in mirror-smooth fjords. But inclement days top up the snow cover while sometimes fog and cloud merge into an opaque white wall. While many of the best sights of the magnificent Geirangerfjord can be seen from the decks of the ship, in pretty Geiranger town it’s worthwhile venturing inland to Flydalsjuvet lookout, the one that features in so many gut-wrenching pictures. On a voyage north a stop may be Alesund, an important fishing port that burned down in 1904 and was rebuilt over the next three years in Art Noveau style. Heading north, Molde offers a chance to visit the Trolls Road and the beautiful new viewing platform at the top. Next are the two Ts. Trondheim, on the very open Trondheimsfjord, was once the capital of Norway and is still the country’s third most populous city. It’s a big step to the north to Tromso that lies above the Arctic Circle and has an impressive collection of wooden buildings in the city centre and a cable car to provide a bird’s-eye view of the city. A 12-hour visit to Honningsvag is barely enough time to appreciate North Cape. But if you are lucky, your ship may cruise around the cape and provide a perspective denied to land-based visitors. It’s also closer than most people will ever get to the North Pole. The ultimate goal of a Norwegian cruise is North Cape (or Nordkapp). At 71.1725°N this is as far north as you can go on the European continent - the next stop is the North Pole. The main attraction is to gather at a giant clifftop globe of the world and watch the midnight sun skirt above the horizon before rising again. Honningsvag is the tiny port for North Cape. There’s a very wide range of options for a Norwegian cruise as most cruise companies offer it throughout the European summer. The classic voyage is with <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com/">Hurtigruten</a> that began running mail boats to remote coastal communities in 1893 and offers an extensive selection today. Otherwise, just consult your favourite cruise company be it Azamara, Silversea, Costa, MSC, Holland America, Saga, Fred Olsen, Seabourn, NCL, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas, Crystal, Oceania, P&O, Princess, Windstar, Lindblad, Sea Cloud and Viking, of course. There’s a very good chance they’ll all be able to offer you a cruise with the chance to embrace your inner Viking. Written by David McGonigal. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/cruising-to-the-midnight-sun.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>

Cruising

“Kick up a fuss”: Midnight Oil’s comeback for special cause

Midnight Oil, iconic Australian rock band, are playing in Canberra on Reconciliation Day, which is May 27 - to sold out crowds. The band is only doing two intimate concerts in Australia in 2019, which will be held in Canberra and Wollongong, along with performing as part of The Big Red Bash, which is the world’s most remote music festival on July 18. Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett is eager to “kick up a fuss” in Canberra. “Meaningful steps towards reconciliation are long overdue, including a whole-of-government response to the Uluru Declaration,” the band’s frontman said to <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/act/midnight-oil-to-kick-up-a-fuss-in-canberra-on-reconciliation-day-20190402-p51a38.html">The Sydney Morning Herald</a>. “So it will be good to be in Canberra on this important date to kick up a fuss and help get the issue back on track.” <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvxXydED7Vl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvxXydED7Vl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Midnight Oil (@midnightoilband)</a> on Apr 2, 2019 at 4:22pm PDT </div> </blockquote> However, for the first time since 2001, rumours have been circulating as to whether or not Midnight Oil will release new music. At this stage, however, it’s not known whether a new song or two will be previewed at the intimate concerts. “We’ve been talking about recording again for years but The Great Circle Tour in 2017 was such a positive experience that it made us even hungrier to get back to making new music together,” drummer Rob Hirst said. “It’s a bit early to know what might come out of it yet – we’re just looking forward to getting back into that creative mode.” Would you listen to new Midnight Oil music? And are you a fan of their old music? Let us know in the comments.

Music

The reason you need to go to the loo in the middle of the night

Researchers in Japan have found that the cause of needing to wee in the middle of the night is related to the salt in your diet. Nocturia is the name given to the need to urinate during the night and it can strongly impact someone’s life as their sleep is regularly disturbed. Scientists from Japan have discovered that if salt intake is reduced, the need to wee in the night is also reduced. Dr Matsuo Tomohiro from Nagasaki University said, "Research generally focuses on reducing the amount of water a patient drinks, and the salt intake generally is not considered. Here we have a useful study showing how we need to consider all influences to get the best chance of improving the symptom.” The study involved 300 men and women who reduced their salt intake by 10.7 grams to eight grams. This reduction decreased the number of times participants needed to urinate from 2.3 times to 1.4 times. The study was presented at the European Society of Urology congress in London. Dr Tomohiro says that although larger studies need to confirm their work, the findings are promising. "Night-time urination is a real problem for many people, especially as they get older. This work hold out the possibility that a simple dietary modification might significantly improve the quality of life for many people," Dr Tomohiro said.

Body

Elvis’s legendary midnight sandwich run revealed

One night in 1976 Elvis Presley decided on a whim to take his private jet from Graceland to Denver to satisfy his late-night snack cravings. The snack in question was a now equally legendary sandwich titled the Fool’s Gold Loaf, comprised of a hollowed out loaf fill with an entire jar of peanut butter, Kelly and one pound (0.45kg) of bacon priced at a modest $50. Elvis was entertaining friends from out of town in Graceland on the night in question when he and his guests began recalling the famous sandwich. Elvis decided he had to have one, and luckily was in the possession of his own private jet. They endeavoured on a two-hour long flight, arriving in Denver at 1:40am. The couple that owned the restaurant, the Colarado Mine Company, was waiting for them with 22 Fool’s Gold Loaves. The trio, accompanied by the pilot and the couple, then spent the next three hours in the aircraft hangar, complementing the outrageous “snack” with champagne. The recipe for the legendary sandwich is as follows: <ul> <li>2 tablespoons margarine</li> <li>1 loaf French white bread</li> <li>450g bacon slices</li> <li>1 jar of smooth peanut butter</li> <li>1 jar of grape jam</li> </ul> How’s that for a midnight snack? <img width="500" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9204/foolsgold_500x375.jpg" alt="Foolsgold"/> Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/09/retro-teenage-posters/">The best retro posters from the past</a> <a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/08/discontinued-classic-australian-lollies/">Old-favourite lollies that are no longer available</a> <a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/08/new-favourite-childhood-book-covers/%20">Your favourite childhood books now look different</a>

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