Ocean Dream, "the Peace Boat" on its way to Bergen

Ocean Dream in Øresund on May 25, 2013

Tonight the classic cruise ship Ocean Dream, "the Peace Boat", was on its way from Copenhagen to Bergen.

A look at the world's largest ship - the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller - under construction in Korea

Danish Maersk Line has published an interesting timelapse video of the semi-launch of the world's largest ship, under construction in  Okpo, Korea. The 400 meter long ship, which bears the name of Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller, is 70 meters longer and five times heavier than the Eiffel Tower. 

The delivery deadline for this first Triple-E ship is June 28. 

Classic cruise ship MV Discovery in Øresund

MV Discovery approaching Helsingør/Helsingborg this morning.

It is always nice to some of the older, classic cruise ships still in full use. One of them, cruise company Voyages of Discovery's MV Discovery was this morning on its way from Felixstowe to Copenhagen. The 168.8 m x 24.7 m ship has been in service since 1972. First it was called the Island Venture, then Island Princess, Hyundai Pungak and Platinum. Since 2002 onwards it carries its present name.

The passenger capacity for the ship, which is under Bermuda flag, is reported to be 698.

Eider ducks at the Hittarp reef

There were quite a few eider ducks at the Hittarp reef early this morning. The males are rather spectacular with their distinct colors:

A nice summer restaurant in Helsingborg

This nice looking summer restaurant in the garden of the Church of St. Mary in Helsingborg will probably soon have many more customers than when this picture was taken two days ago:

PS
I added a related image of a beach cafeteria, also waiting for customers in Domsten:

Greetings to the gardener

Sofiero Palace gardens and Fredriksdal are of course the most spectacular gardens in Helsingborg, but I have a feeling that people do not always notice that actually the entire city is full of beautiful parks and flower "spots".

This time of the year, when the city gardens and parks are at their most colorful, I think it is time to thank Helsingborg city gardener Ole Andersson and his assistants for creating such wonderful displays of beautiful greenery in different parts of the city.

The pictures below from my favorite city park hopefully can serve as "proof" of the fine work they are doing.

The village Viken at its fairest

This is the time of the year when the village of Viken in northwestern Scania is at its fairest:

A sea view of the old fishing village Viken.

My favorite private garden in Viken

Last October I published a few pictures from my favorite private garden in nearby Viken. Today, I had a chance to photograph the garden from a somewhat closer distance. Below is a selection of pictures from this afternoon:

MS Ryndam on her first visit to Øresund this season

Holland America Line's MS Ryndam - here shown approaching Helsingør - was early this morning on her first visit to the Sound this season. The 220 m x 32 m Ryndam was delivered by the Italian Fincantieri yard in 1994. It takes max. 1,258 guests and has a crew of 602.

The Holland America Line has two other ships in the same class, MS Statendam and MS Maasdam.

Three German tugboats towing another interesting load in Øresund

The season of interesting tow jobs continues in Øresund. Three German tugboats, Bugsier 10, 9 and 3 are involved in towing this interesting load from Wismar to Eemshaven. They left Wismar yesterday and are estimated to arrive in Eemshaven on May 25. The tug "flotilla" passed Hittarp, just north of Helsingborg, at about 8.30 PM.

The Bugsier 10 (33 m 13 m), here overtaken by the Finnish container ship Birka Trader, was the "lead" tugboat.

The load and the barge carrying it looked quite interesting. I can only guess what the load could be - a future oil drilling rig?

Bugsier 9 and 3 followed in the rear.