The captain nosed the ship into the mouth of the glacier fed river in theNordfjord branch of Melfjord.

We set off on a hike along the shoreline and into a relatively new birch forest. The area is part of the Svartisen or "Black Ice" National Park, so called because of the massive ice cap within.

Mussels that have been washed ashore (food of the seals)

We hiked along a rushing stream

with views of the glacier

and waterfalls spilling over the glacially smoothed rocks.

Arctic Chickweed.

Abundant wildflowers were in bloom in the undergrowth of the forest.

Roseroot

Boreal Jacob's Ladder

Buttercup (Note insect on petal)

Fred on the hike

After the hike, we went on a zodiac cruise along the shore

The waterfalls were spectacular

Oystercatcher

A seal pokes his head up to take a look at the tourists

Some passengers chose to kayak around the fjord

Leaving the fjord, we crossed the Arctic Circle for the third time. Monument signifies the imaginary line of the Arctic Circle at 66 degrees, 33 minutes north.

We stopped in the small fishing village of Traena which is on the Arctic Circle

Pretty Lutheran Church

Many of the houses in Traena have miniature houses in their yards for their Trolls.

The crew dressed in their Viking helmets served us traditional smoked herring on crisp crackers to celebrate crossing the Arctic Circle.

We stand in front of the monument on the Arctic Circle.