Before giving you in a few days my feedbacks about Norway, I wanted to take you one last time to this winterland, for a final trip I had with my family ! so ready ?
FROM THE END OF THE WORLD
Before leaving Norwegian ground, I had the chance to share part of my trip with my mother, my sister and her boyfriend. I have only one sister, two years older than me, whom I rarely talk about on this blog because it was the very first time she visited me on one of my trips. It was also her first time on a plane and outside of France (if we forget our round trips to Holland and Belgium for theme parks or express shopping).
Concerning my mother, she already shared with me some pieces of my travel life since she came with my father to visit me on my european long trips and they travelled once with me to Peru... However, it was her first time in such a northern country !
So when the trip was confirmed, I was really thrilled to be able to share with them what my life is like, when I am hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away.
I'm not gonna lie, I spent a lot of time preparing the trip. If I like to go out of my comfort zone and confront the unknown and the unexpected, I knew it would be different for them. The objective ? to find activities, accommodations and pieces of travel that would be enjoyable for everyone.
In the end, I designed a 4-day road trip in the heart of the Lofoten, including visiting small towns and fishing villages, walking along isolated beaches and snow-covered peaks, spending a night in a traditional cabin, stopping for photos at every corners of the islands and enjoying a spa under the stars... Just enough to create new memories together and continue what we started a few years ago with my dad...
After reaching them in Bodø, on the mainland, south of the islands, we took the boat back to Svolvær, starting point of our little roadtrip. A hectic wavy crossing that we will remember, but fortunately, a snowy night that in the early morning, made them forget everything about the night before. Welcome to this magical Winterland.
First morning expedition : I took my mom with me on a hitch hike adventure, to pick up the car at the airport. It was a real pleasure for me to be able to share with her this way of transportation, especially because I know how scared she can be from it sometimes. 15 minutes later we had the car keys with us and could start our little getaway.
For the record, it was my first time driving on snow and ice. To avoid the unnecessary stress of my passengers, I obviously did not say anything until the end of the trip.... "Be who you decide to be," I was repeating myself. And I've wanted to try it for a long time, so I remembered all the advices I was given one day and put it into practice! In the end I loved it! I, who was afraid for Canada, am now more than ready for the cold! (Okay, if I have an old van like Toto it'll be different from this upgraded car, but still !)
After an express visit of Svolvær city, we went to Henningsvær, doing a few detours on the way through Kabelvåg and Hopen. Until recently, the village of Henningsvær was a small fishing village. Today, it is the city to go out for a drink, eat in a restaurant, do activities or go for a wander. It is famous for its football field dug into the rocks. & from February to May, apparently, the city smells like cod as they dry outside the many fish caught during the season. It really has to be special...
After a first lunch together, we headed for Route 815, famous for its paradisiacal setting. Well... not when you're going through a snowstorm... Cause, the distant and panoramic views disappear under the fog.
However, for a first change of scenery, it was not too bad. It was almost like Santa's land ! And then I could finally show them what it's like to be on a half-sandy, half-snowy beach, surrounded by white peaks and with the turquoise blue sea right next to us !
For the second night, we stayed at FURU Hostel (the hostel where I was) to have some rest before going back on the road. It was a good opportunity for me to introduce them to my work and also to what was my home for a month.
Early morning, we went in the direction of the last island with on the way, the visit of Unstad (famous beach for surfing), a lunch break in Reine and a walk along Å for a view on the final point of the islands (yes yes, the name of the city only has one letter !). No doubts that these completely different landscapes delighted my passengers !
For the third night, I had booked a traditional Rorbuer in Reine, those little red fishermen's cabins that you see everywhere when you look for pictures of the islands. I had found an option "with sea view" that I obviously ticked to offer a stunning night to everyone and it is in one of the most famous cabins of the Lofoten that we slept ! (the third one from the right on the picture below) :) Pretty proud of this lucky pick !
Before going to sleep, we tried to hunt the Northern Lights, because of course, my mother and sister were hoping to see some. Unfortunately, the conditions were not as favourable as in previous weeks and after waiting an hour, they went to bed. I spent 2 more hours outside with Tom a friend who joined me from the hostel, just in case something was happening. I was ready to run to wake them up but nothing. We played quite a bit with our cameras that capture more light than our eyes, but in the end, except for a few distant lights, no show. Too bad, we'll have to come back! 0:)
After breakfast, we went back on the road to Leknes with a few stops to visit on the way : Sund, Ballstad, Vikten and Nusfjord. This last one is one of my favourite places on the island. It is a traditional village the norwegian try to preserve despite the tourism that flows in daily. In summer, you have to pay a fee at the entrance, which regulates access and also allows the village to be maintained. In winter, it is free and pretty deserted. Magic.
We actually went back there a little later during the day for a night spa session under the stars. It was the only activity I could have considered given our very different tastes for adventures. A good relaxing moment and a nice memory all together.
(Imagine an evening of northern lights... the dream!)
We went back for a night in Furu Hostel again and in the morning, big moment for my mom who met Santa (or rather Guri's father;)). A little later, we left for Haukland Beach for a two-hour walk. It was nice to get some fresh air to change the driving and especially to walk to Utakleiv, a small village hidden on the other side of the peaks. We narrowly avoided the snowstorm, perfect timing ! Just an other occasion to immortalize this trip with some more pictures:)
Last quiet afternoon playing cards, return to Svolvær for a last dinner together, late flight to Bodø and under the snowstorm, short night in an airbnb and it was already time to leave...
(The pictures below are from my trip to Bodø, but it's the same plane we took on the way back:))
In the end, I was really happy to be able to share for real this time and not only through my writings and photos, this little piece of travel with my mom and sister, especially after this rather complicated year. I often have the feeling that I can't totally put words and images on why I like living abroad and travelling so much... (That's what I think drove me to start this blog by the way.) So when people visit me, it's an opportunity for me to try to show them what my life really looks like.
I think I've never seen my sister smile so much in pictures before and this is my little personal victory because if we don't share many common passions, I know that I've managed to transmit to her this little "enchantment" that the beauty of nature provokes when we really find ourselves facing her. And then, being the four of us in these fragile times, was strengthening and it felt good.
A big merci to my father up there who, even if he is no longer there, allowed us to make this trip together and to my mum who also offered us this escapade and who fights every day to rebuild her life as she can.... A merci to my sister who also agreed to play the game and get out of her daily life to come to me. And to Julien for joining the adventure because I know traveling this way is not always his favorite. I think it was important that we all share it together and it is nice to see that each of us has found in his own way a little joy in the middle of the mountains and islands...
Maybe it was the first time we appeared together on my blog and who knows, maybe not the last ! :)
Awaiting Norway's review article scheduled for this weekend,
I'm not saying "bonne nuit et à demain" but "have a good day and i'll write to you in a few days !"
Love,
Co
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