Traveling from Holland to Norway

nilo · 07-25-2007, 08:03 AM

This July I had the chance to travel from Holland to Sognefjord near Bergen in Norway. I would like to share some of the photos in this thread with my comments.

We started the trip in Dutch canals. The tug boat you see in the foreground of the 1st picture is from 1920's and restored to original conditions.

In the second and third pictures are the flood gates for Rotterdam Harbor. I have watched a documentary about these large steel structures. I understand they are one of the largest man made moving structures. During high tide they are closed to avoid flooding. If I do not recall wrongly, they are above 350 meters in length.

From Rotterdam we sailed to the Kiel Canal in Germany. The 4th picture is the entrance of the canal. Kiel Canal is 100 km long and 165 meter wide and 9.5 meters deep. It was opened to service in 1895. It is the busiest man made water way. Most of the commercial traffic to and from Baltic to North Sea moves through the canal. The 5th picture is an old bridge above the canal.

nilo · 07-25-2007, 08:21 AM

Most of the feeder ship traffic for containers move through the canal. The canal is surrounded by forests, but there are also lots of inhabited locations, like you see in the 2nd picture.

In the 3rd picture you will see a very interesting traveling lift for commuting people from one side to the other.

4th picture is the famous Luerssen shipyard. I understand this is one of their facilities which is more involved with production of military craft.

There was even a German submarine transiting the canal,
5th picture.

nilo · 07-25-2007, 08:30 AM

This is a good picture that proves how busy the canal can get. 3 ships at the same place.

As you see in the 2nd picture, there are several small ferries operating between the two shores for commuting cars and people.

There were several bridges laying over the canal. One fascinating issue was the richness of wildlife. There were several swans and different kinds of water birds living on the waterway.

nilo · 07-25-2007, 08:58 AM

It took us about 10 hours to transit the canal, but it was a very nice trip with scattered clouds and sunshine. We have arrived Kiel around 10.00 pm in the evening, just before the sun was setting.

We went into a lock together with a sailboat and a freighter.

Next day we started heading to Danish waters and on the way out we came across this nice old lady, a paddle boat steamer.

We cruised among the Danish Islands. Our route to Copenhagen was from the south of Fyn and in between Sjaelland and Lolland. The picture that you see is of the Mons Klint, which is a chalk cliff. The highest point is 128 meters.

The last picture is the picture of Oresund Bridge, which connect Denmark to Sweden. The cable span is 490 meters and the total bridge lay over 7845 meters.

nilo · 07-25-2007, 09:14 AM

We have arrived Copenhagen from the south, passing next to the Airport.

Enterence for small boats was through a tight channel on the south side of the harbor.

On this picture, you see buildings erected on the Langelinie, which was a part of the harbor, but has been converted to residential areas during the last decade.

In the 4th picture you'll see the Port office. In the foreground the 2 kiosk type structures which are the Queen's jetty.

We found a nice place to berth next to Ameliaborg Palace (Queen's Palace). The Royal Huisman yacht Anakena was also there. The building at the background is the headquarters for Maersk Line.

nilo · 07-25-2007, 09:26 AM

Westship/Trident yacht Tajin was also there. On the other side of the jetty the newly built operahouse stands out nicely. The building is a donation of Mr. Maersk Mc-Kinney Moeller (owner of Maersk Line) to Copenhagen City.

brunick · 07-25-2007, 01:34 PM

very nice pictures, that chance was maybe one of the best to see the kiel canal
(north-eastsea canal on german by the way) from water side - the little lift under the bridge is a very nice thing - i see it every time when i'm coming from flensburg.

also that picture of the lurrsen yard is nice - i've seen some yachts like St Nicolas there

oh and: what yacht have you been on?

looks like a bigger yacht

Garry Hartshorn · 07-25-2007, 02:02 PM

Looks like an interesting cruise. I would love to do it one day.

YachtForum · 07-25-2007, 02:20 PM

Nilo,

It's an honor that you are taking YF readers along with you... in more ways than one. It looks like you're enjoying your new boat to its fullest. Look forward to living vicariously through your travels.

Carl

nilo · 07-25-2007, 04:44 PM

Dear Carl,

I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to share. We have a saying, with sharing happiness grows and sorrow ease away.

I hope members will keep on enjoying the next posts.

YachtNews · 07-25-2007, 05:54 PM

I have to agree as well. Your pics and write up are pretty educational as well for someone like me that does not see that part of the world.

GrahamF · 07-30-2007, 03:51 PM

Hi Nilo.

Thanks for the photo's and comments. Enjoy your New Baby and may you have many happy years with her. Looking forward to your travels.

YachtNews · 07-30-2007, 04:53 PM

I actually saw a pic of the NILO somewhere recently, can't remember where now, but she is a nice looking yacht.

YachtForums · 07-30-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YachtLuver

I actually saw a pic of the NILO somewhere recently, can't remember where now, but she is a nice looking yacht.

So... let's leave it at that. Please, try to respect the privacy of our members.

Thanks!

Francois · 08-01-2007, 12:24 PM

Nilo thanks for the beautiful pictures of your trip.I must say its a nice place to cruise.Lots of things to look at as well.I love thoese old tugs .As a woodworker I really appreciate how they restored that tug to life.

Francois