Tag: Norway

  • Vikten, Henningsvær and back to Bodo

    Vikten, Henningsvær and back to Bodo

    Vikten is my last stop here in the western part of Lofoten Islands. The houses of this small village have some wonderful beachfront view of the North Sea, although the shoreline is more of a rocky one. The forceful waves that day reminded me to stay away. While the cold harsh wind made it tough to wander around. Then I came across a sheep farm where the residents are seemingly enjoying the ‘breeze’ and snowfall. It is so funny that one of them was looking at me with such an intense stare.

    Sheep farm at Vikten

    Sheep farm at Vikten Lofoten

    Sheep farm facing the sea at Vikten

    The curious sheep at Vikten

    The curious sheep of Vikten
    Hello stranger, baa…

    Houses around Vikten

    Tractor at Vikten

    The Lofoten Design cabin (Glasshytta Vikten) looks different from other buildings around here. It is where the famous Norwegian glassblower makes his handicrafts from recycled glass. But it is closed during off season so I did not have the chance to check it out.

    Lofoten Design at Vikten

    The rocky shoreline carves by the unforgiving waves of the North Sea is both beautiful and scary at the same time. And adding on to the nice dramatic scene are beautiful mountains in the background. Perhaps the turn-offs would be those discarded junks and rubbish around the beach.

    Rocky shoreline of Vikten Lofoten Islands

    Rocky shoreline of Vikten Lofoten

    Rocky shoreline of Vikten

    Rubbish at the shoreline of Vikten

    Fish bones at the shoreline of Vikten

    Bicycle at the shoreline of Vikten

    I set up my tripod in attempts to capture the waves while reminding myself to keep a distance. But when the snowfall turned to a downpour, the only audience that afternoon has to scurry back to the car.

    Waves and rocks of Vikten Lofoten

    Waves and rocks of Vikten

    Waves and rocks of Vikten Shoreline

    Pentax K-5 at Vikten

    And it is going to be a long drive towards Henningsvær. Bye Vikten!

    Road leading to Vikten Lofoten

    Some great looking places while driving along E10.

    Nice coastal area along Lofoten E10

    Nice coastal areas along Lofoten E10

    Henningsvær, Venice of the North

    It took me around two hours to drive from Vikten to Henningsvær. On hindsight, maybe it is better to spend my limited time around the western part of the island instead. But I really wanted to check out Venice of the North before returning the rented car. The picturesque fishing village is comprised of some smaller islands spread around its waters. That is something different from the other villages I have seen on Lofoten Islands, although I do find Henningsvær to be a little touristy than the others. Still, the unique setting makes the drive here worthwhile – if only I have more time to explore around.

    Henningsvær of Lofoten Islands

    Henningsvær Lofoten Islands

    Harbour of Henningsvær Lofoten Islands

    Harbour of Henningsvær Lofoten

    Around Henningsvær of Lofoten Islands

    Unique house at Henningsvær Lofoten Islands

    I had a splendid lunch at the highly rated Fiskekrogen of Henningsvær. The restaurant has a great harbour view and the food is superbly fresh and tasty.

    Fiskekrogen Henningsvær

    Soup at fiskekrogen henningsvær

    Fish at fiskekrogen henningsvær

    I grabbed some food at a convenience store for the drive back to Leknes Airport.

    Food stuff from Joker convenience store.

    On the way to Leknes Airport

    Sunset reflections near to Leknes Airport

    The sun was still up when I reached Leknes Airport at 8 pm to return the Toyota Auris. I have clocked a mileage of 2012 km in the past few days and hope to be back here again.

    Returning Toyota Auris at Leknes Airport

    Returning Toyota Auris at Leknes

    Bright and shine at 8pm Leknes Airport

    Lofoten Islands look even more amazing from the sky above and I was hoping for the flight to last longer. How I wish I have gotten a window seat for my Bodo to Lofoten flight earlier on.

    Lofoten Islands from flight above

    Lofoten Islands from flight above

    Lofoten Islands from flight above

    And that is followed up by a brilliant sunset upon reaching Bodo Airport. Absolutely stunning!

    Amazing sunset at Bodo Airport

    STAY: Rica Hotel Bodo (Scandic Bodo) review

    I stayed for a night at Rica Hotel Bodo (Scandic Bodo) after arriving late. And my flight to Bergen will only depart the next morning. The single room is small and basic which was expected for its price point. I just needed a good night rest before my flight so I suppose the hotel meets my expectation.

    Rica Hotel Bodo

    Room at Rica Hotel Bodo

    Bed at Rica Hotel Bodo

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    What are your thoughts about Vikten, Henningsvær and Bodo? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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  • Nusfjord, Skagsanden and Ramberg

    Nusfjord, Skagsanden and Ramberg

    I arrived at Nusfjord on a wet and foggy day. I have wanted to visit Ramberg Beach beforehand but it makes no sense to visit a beach while the rain kept coming down hard. I made a swap in my itinerary while hoping for the rain to stop. There was nothing much going on at the small harbour that morning, was it due to the rain? Anyhow, it is hard to imagine that this was once a village where thousands of fishermen once live. The living condition back then must be horrendous.

    Nusfjord Lofoten

    Nusfjord in Lofoten

    Raining day at Nusfjord

    Nusfjord Rorbuer in Lofoten

    Nusfjord Rorbuer

    Small harbour Nusfjord Lofoten

    Small harbour of Nusfjord Lofoten

    There is a general store which sells souvenirs and a restaurant (which was closed during my visit). And it was all quiet except for the occasional reminders from the Seagulls indicating their presence.

    Seagulls at Nusfjord

    The rain, the fog and the Fjord create such a dreamy and moody atmosphere here at Nusfjord. I am sure the harbour will look equally stunning with a clear blue sky.

    Fog and Fjord at Nusfjord

    Fog at Nusfjord

    Foggy at Nusfjord

    I stopped by the huge frozen lake at Storvatnet after leaving the beautiful Nusfjord and get a welcome gift of snow fall. The cold wind kept reminding me not to overstay.

    Storvatnet at Lofoten

    Snowfall at Storvatnet

    Rock at Storvatnet Lofoten

    Standing on a rock at Storvatnet Lofoten

    My trusty Pentax K-5 performs marvellously well in the quick-changing weather of Lofoten Islands.

    Pentax K-5 at Storvatnet Lofoten

    Road leading to Storvatnet at Lofoten

    Road leading to Storvatnet Lofoten

    Skagsanden beach

    The rain has finally taken its well-deserved break when I reached Skagsanden beach. This is one fantastic looking beach with beautiful surroundings of the mountains, the water, the rocky area and the fine sand. There is also a campsite nearby for those people wanting to take in more of Skagsanden beach.

    Skagsanden beach of Lofoten Islands

    Skagsanden beach Lofoten Islands

    Rocky areas of Skagsanden beach

    Skagsanden beach view 1

    Skagsanden beach view 2

    Skagsanden beach view 3

    House around Skagsanden beach

    Houses around Skagsanden beach

    Ramberg Beach

    And finally to Ramberg Beach which is near to Skagsanden. I have driven pass this beach several times and wanted to check out the white sandy beach and scenic surroundings. But my intention was once again disrupted by the rain soon after I got here.

    Ramberg Beach at Lofoten Islands

    Ramberg Beach Lofoten Islands

    Ramberg Beach Lofoten

    Ramberg Beach

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    What are your thoughts about Nusfjord, Skagsanden and Ramberg? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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