ABSTRACT
Travel as Rite de Passage Turning fifty Hans lives in a large city by the North Sea. The sea and the northern landscapes are important to Hans. The fact that he has got the chance to take the Hurtigruta is one of his dreams come true. He has wanted to travel for ten years, but never did so because his wife could not travel by ship. Hans has recently got divorced after a long marriage. Two years ago he decided that he would treat himself to a trip on the Hurtigruta for his fiftieth birthday, wanting it to be something special. The kitchen crew surprises him during dinner on the evening he turns fifty. Hans is very surprised when he is brought a birthday cake complete with candles while the crew and his fellow passengers sing out their congratulations. Hans is happy to the point of embarrassment that he is the centre of attention.
