Gala Viking Voyage

The Gokstad Viking long ship replica Gaia was built in 1989 in Bjorkedalen on the Norwegian coast. It copies a ship built in 895 AD, which was buried as part of a viking ship burial.

The replica ship was originally built as part of an environmental programme. Using traditional materials and tools. It first sailed to the UN Conference on environment and has since been appointed as an ambassador for the world's children. Recently the ship has been used to promote better awareness of vikings and their history. In 1991 it made a voyage across the Atlantic to North America to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of Leiv Erikssons voyage to Vinland. In 1993, it was given to the city of Sandefjord, where it was used for local educational purposes. The 2005 voyage was part of a celebration of 100 years since the abolition of the Swedish - Norwegian union and the start of sovereignty. During this long expedition, the crew, mainly volunteers toured islands through rough waters, living and using the ship as the vikings once would have.

The Gaia's stop in Peel harbour was part of the Peel Viking Festival.