Tuesday August 22, Arctic Circle to “A”, Lofoten Islands

The village "A", at 9.30pm...beautfiul.

 We are finally here, 13 days after arriving in Rotterdam, we have got to our goal, The Lofoten Islands. Hoping to spend a few weeks here at least, weather permitting!

A good night’s sleep at the Arctic Circle and a 10am start after chatting with a guy in a neighbouring van with his very friendly black lab who is travelling with them. Called into the info centre before we left to see if they had any maps, no luck there, but spotted some warm socks with soles on the bottom, they were on sale at NZ$15, just what I needed for the cooler evenings! We saw a large herd of caribou on the side of the road as we left, had to get some shots as we were driving as no pull over area but so good to see, especially as they seemed to be in really good condition, not like the ones we saw in Alaska.

Stopped off at the National Park headquarters about 30kms along the road to check out for maps, really impressed with the wonderful building, which also had a painting exhibition… but no maps. She sent us on a little further to an information centre, which turned out to be housed in a hotel/ restaurant and finally got a map book of Norway.  Phew, now I know where we are going!
Loving how so many buildings have dirt roofs growing wildflowers and grasses and even spotted some small pine trees on the ones at the National Park headquarters..a new way of growing pines Ed Bright!

Such a picturesque drive through, this really is strong, wild country full of rivers tumbling over large boulders, hillsides of rock with trees managing to cling to the bits of soil in amongst them. There was a “wow” from me around every corner, this is what we had come to see. Pulled off to a point overlooking the water for a lunch break, there are little red boatsheds poked into every corner, you can certainly tell that fishing is their life.

Then it was on, into Bodo where we headed straight to the ferry terminal, had heard that there were a number of ferries every day to the Islands. We joined the queue and then a friendly guy came along to collect out money…about NZ$280 for the three hour crossing..ouch, but it had to be done. We had an hours wait until we loaded, so poked around the wharf and harbour a little but not much happening except a rather large boat, the Polarlys was loading passengers and departed while we waited, checked online and saw that it was a cruise ship that travelled up and down the Norwegian Coast.

For those that know how seasick I get, have to report another very good ferry trip, the sea was very calm, and thank you Heather H once again for your little pills! Enjoyed the three-hour journey, interesting watching the islands get closer, wondering where we going to land and finally being able to see the houses of the village of Moskenes. It was after 7pm so headed to a carpark that we had heard about, right at the end of the road above the town of A (pronounced O I understand), with towering rocky mountains above.  We had a quick meal then went for a walk down the path to check out the town, so pretty with all the boatsheds and fisherman’s huts tucked around the rocky inlet. There is plenty of accommodation, and even though it is a tourist town, it doesn’t look tacky. We wandered back to the van about 9.30, and it was still very light. Joined about 10 other campers overnighting here.

Had heard about all the tunnels in Norway, and sure enough there were quite a few today, so have started a Norwegian tally, 2 yesterday and another 7 today. Strangely we came through one to get to this carpark, and this is the end of the road…it must have been built just to get to a parking area for the town. There is an information centre here, tucked into the hillside with a “flowering roof”, will check it out in the morning.

Caribou

A roof with grasses..and pine trees!

Ferry for the Lofoten's

The Lofoten's in the distance

Overnighting with the tunnel in the background and information centre beside it.

Too cute!

Looking for leftover fish bits

Loved these letter boxes, with their individual paintings.