The Atlantic Sea-Park (or Atlanterhavsparken) is an aquarium around a one-hour walk from our accommodation in Ålesund. Obviously, if you choose to stay somewhere closer then it won’t be an hour 😂
On the walk I was surprised at how mild the temperature was. It was a bit rainy, and breezy, but the air was warm. Additionally, seemingly delicate flowers were in bloom. I know there are places in Scotland (like Plockton if I remember correctly) that sit on the Gulf Stream and thus have a warm micro climate. Perhaps that’s the case here.
Another thing I noticed was how cool the “cross the road guy” looked 😂 Look at his hat!
At about the half-way mark we crossed a fancy little bridge.
And from the bridge you could see the hill that was climbed yesterday. You know, the one that technically has a café, but that the café is closed.
Some more steps later and we arrived at the aquarium.
The layout felt very interesting and approachable. And also with lots of large tanks. The glass kind, not the ones with a turret and tracks 😂
First up a close-up of a common fish. I admit, this photo cod have been better 😉
Then a little hermit crab. Looked a bit nervous. Could probably do with coming out of his shell.
The giant water tank had a feeding session. Obviously this had to be seen! In the midst of the fish was a diver who was feeding the fish.
It was really cool. The lady on this side of the tank was talking to the diver, who was talking back to her. She sounded a bit like an astronaut with her speech interspersed with breathing sounds. A bit like Darth Vader but more shark side than dark side. After the feeding was done we grabbed a photo ☺️
Then we saw a Northern Stone Crab. I assume it’s pork pie and whippet were somewhere else 😉
The aquarium has four European otters and naturally we watched that feeding session too. I think, although they were probably quite cold to begin with, after moving around a bit they were feeling otter.
Then the penguin feeding session. This particular group were Humboldt penguins and were actually from South America. There were lots of facts, all of them pretty easy to p-p-pick up.
Finally, the last feeding session of the day. This was a group of ten Harbour seals. They were fed in two groups, one on a shoreline area and the others on a rocky outcrop. It was interesting. It got my seal of approval.
I had noticed that about twenty minutes walk away from the aquarium was the Hessa battery. A World War 2 German defences position. Norway was occupied by Nazi Germany in World War 2.
The battery was begun in June 1940 and was operational by September 1940 as Ålesund was one of the most important convoy ports for Germany.
We walked around three separate, but closely linked structures. It was a very peculiar experience.
I find there is a strange and terrible awe associated with these kinds of places. So much effort, focused in a short time, to create things for nefarious purposes. It would be lovely if such coordination, diligence and urgency was used for the betterment of things.
Heading back to the centre of Ålesund, this time by bus, we popped into Storfjord for a brunost ice-cream. Brun ost (broon ost….or brown cheese) is a cheese made from goats or cows milk, whey and cream. When asked if I wanted mine with salt, I accepted. I like to try new things! It tasted great ☺️
Today was around 7 miles of walking. In motorbike boots as well 😂
Thanks for reading about Day 9! Hopefully the puns weren’t too painful 😂 Tomorrow is the last full day in Ålesund!
Leave a Reply