Day 20: Train journey with a view

This morning didn't start with breakfast, but with packing our things and heading to the train station. Here, we boarded the train to Narvik with a few other people.

After a few more passengers got on in Boden and the tickets were checked, the on-board bistro finally opened and we got sandwiches for breakfast.

The journey initially took us through endless forests of pine trees and thin birch trees, occasionally interrupted by yellow-brown grasslands and various-sized lakes. As we traveled further north, the forests became less dense and the landscape became hillier and rockier, until the first mountains emerged with their snow-covered peaks.

The last two hours of the eight-hour journey were truly spectacular. As the train wound its way along the mountainside, we had a clear view of the valleys and canyons with their lakes. And when the clouds broke and we suddenly glided through the bright sunshine, our eyes grew wider.

The water of the lakes and later the fjords sparkled outside, competing with the blue sky. The autumnal yellow trees shone, and overall, the landscape seemed too surreal to describe - perhaps the photos will give you a glimpse.

When we got off the train in Narvik, a strong, cold wind blew in from the fjord. We said goodbye to an American guy we had met on the train and made our way to the hotel in the sunshine. Here, we settled into our simple but comfortable room and went straight to do some shopping.

For dinner, we had pasta salad with chicken and fresh bread, as darkness descended over the city.

Now we're sitting in our room, hoping and waiting for the Northern Lights. The sky is clear, so who knows...

Unfortunately, we have to wake up very early tomorrow to catch the bus to Bodø - tonight won't be a long night. 🙃