I think this is my favorite city in Norway!

It could be that we've had perfect weather, but I think it's more than that.  Bodo is just a really pretty city.  The landscape around it (the mixture of mountains and sea) is beautiful, and the city - right next to the harbor - is very pleasant:  Like every city in this part of Norway, it was almost completely destroyed during the war (bombed on May 27th 1940 leaving only a few buildings).  

 The new architecture is definitely 1960's cement - but maybe because it is so prettily set on the water, and the streets are nicely laid out with cafes and shops, it seems to work.
This is the new cathedral, with very nice stained glass windows and architecture that fits well with its surroundings.

 

 It is surrounded by residential neighborhood  consisting of pretty wooden houses that were also rebuilt after the war.

We walked around the harbor where, if we so wished, we could have bought some whale meat for diner at this boat (note the harpoon launcher in the front of the boat).   We did not, but our guide was very indignant when we suggested that it may be controversial (she said that the whales they eat are not endangered, and besides, she likes it!).

Also got a look at the remnants of the fortress built during the Napoleonic wars, when the Norwegians worried that the English would come and take their fish!  (apparently, the Brits did not care for the fish as they never showed up....).

We had lunch on top of the new Scandic hotel - 17 floors high and providing yet another beautiful view.

 In the afternoon, we took a RIB tour (because we like tourist stuff that forces us to wear silly suits..... we really need to start acting our age .....).

The boats left from the Hurigruten terminal - which I did not know about.  But Joe - who is apparently more sophisticated then me - did:  it is the cruise line that follows the old mail ship route up the coast, making the same stops as it used to - but now for tourists.  

 Here is a relatively good picture of one of the vortices.  We learned that the currents and maelstrom is created when the tide from one fjord - which is 450m deep) flows to the other fjord - which is 650m deep- through a channel that is only 26 meter deep - thus creating the fastest tidal current in the world.

On the trip, we also got to see some nesting sea eagle (not great picture because I only had the iphone with me), and the intriguing rocks on the side of the fjords (these where pushed up with the American tectonic plate clashed into the Eurpopean one).

  

  For dinner, we had another very typical Norwegian meal:  Boknasik - dried cod (boiled) served with bacon, potatoes and carrot bechamel - very unusual (at least to us), and very good!