Amazing Norway!

Wow! This is probably the phrase that is most often heard in Norway...

We pass the Sweden - Norway border at Åre and for the first time our vaccination is benefiting us. It is strictly controlled. Until today, we don't know the exact criteria, but it was obvious that we had an advantage. There was a line waiting. The motorhome in front of us had to turn around, not allowed in?! Others, including Norwegians, had to drive off and, at least it seemed that way, get tested. Anyway - We showed our passports and digital vaccination certificates and were pretty much the only ones pulled out of the line and allowed to continue. Nice!

We are on our way to Trondheim and quickly the first wows come. The nature changes rapidly, huge mountains rising beside us, rushing rivers with eager anglers here and there.

Arriving in Trondheim, the first thing on our agenda is laundry. We park a bit outside for free, watch some kitesurfers and walk with a bag full of laundry on our backs into the city center. It's beautiful! We initially pass the industrial harbor district, then an alternative corner with many workshops and small artist galleries. When we reach the center, our impression is more of a modern harbor district. Several new buildings, lots of restaurants and bars - charming!

After our detour in Trondheim, we realize that we are a bit aimless - a disadvantage when you just go with the flow. For us, it's clear that the Lofoten Islands will be a destination, but until then?!

So first, we orient ourselves a bit and see how our route could go.

And so we slowly wind our way further north.

As much luck as we had with the weather in Sweden, we have just as much bad luck in Norway - continuous rain at less than 10°C. We're not made of sugar and of course, Fiete always drags us out, but it eventually becomes annoying. And above all, it's a shame! Because despite the gloomy rainy weather, we are constantly amazed and overwhelmed by nature! What would it be like in better weather?

Well - at least we got to enjoy our parking heater and found out that it works perfectly. And since I don't have a hairdryer with me, it also serves as a hairdryer on cold days.

Drenched and ready for a shower, we now also use our outdoor shower for the first time - check!

We try to make use of the few dry hours, go for some hikes, explore the area around our parking spots. Wow!

Turquoise water, the fjords, rocks rising from the sea, waterfalls wherever you look.

The hikes we do are partly quite demanding. On the one hand, probably because we have a lot of muddy, slippery ground due to the weather, on the other hand, it's simply damn steep, rocky, and untouched. With Fiete on the leash, sometimes it's also a little challenge.

One evening, we are running late, hungry, and tired - yes, yes... traveling makes you tired! We quickly go shopping in Mo i Rana, no longer in the mood to drive around and look for a place to park, so we decide to stay outside on a parking lot. While engrossed in a Netflix series, we hear noises from outside from time to time. The parking lot turns out to be a meeting place for young people. At first, not a big deal. At some point, fairly late, we finally tune out and while brushing my teeth, I realize - Oops, the police are parked right next to us on the huge parking lot. But we couldn't really see what they were doing from the window. Exciting! We're relatively sure that we're legally parked there, but you never know. Too scared to go out and check the situation, we wait it out. But of course, sleeping is out of the question. After the police had left, we also decided to leave. We probably wouldn't have had a restful night there anymore. And when we start driving, we finally see why the police were there and almost feel bad for not offering our help. The young people seem to have driven their car into a ditch while cruising around the parking lot. Oh well. The end of the story is that we drove for another half an hour and spent a quiet night next to a beautiful lake, which also served as a chilly swim the next morning.

And then there was a spectacular evening!

Parking spot by the fjord, with a presumably great view, but unfortunately, due to the weather, we didn't see much of it. After dinner, Jannis looks out the window and sees some fish jumping and decides to cast his fishing line again. And then - a salmon!!! Slightly overwhelmed and definitely unprepared for the catch, he pulls the fish out, proudly takes a photo, and... throws the unharmed fish back in! I'm furious! I was looking forward to a Norwegian salmon fillet! In hindsight, however, it was probably a reasonable decision by Jannis. Regardless of the fact that it wouldn't have fit in our fridge, pulling the fish out where he did was, as it later turned out, rather close to the boundary of a protected area. Nevertheless, the experience remains - catching a salmon in Norway!

What other animals does the animal kingdom have to offer? As in Sweden, you often see warning signs for elk and reindeer. We also see a moose cow once more. But what we didn't have on our radar at all were the sheep! They constantly cross the road or graze right next to it, completely at ease. Funny.

During our further journey, we come across such a wonderful place, unfortunately again in pouring rain. It immediately becomes apparent that someone has made a lot of effort here. The neighborhood has taken it upon themselves to make their surroundings nice for everyone. Again and again, there are small sweet places to take a break, with barbecue and seating areas, flowers, decorations, etc. A place by the lake is particularly marked, we drive there and quickly become sad that we are there on such a rainy day. A hut with reindeer hides and a fire pit in the middle, the possibility to rent boats, SUPs, etc., countless nice seating areas, outdoor games. The perfect place to spend a summer day and everything with so much attention to detail!

We continue driving and cross the Arctic Circle. Somehow crazy. It doesn't get dark at night for a long time now, but by now it's almost bright all day!

Our destination - Bodø. We spend a night in the harbor and take the ferry to the Lofoten Islands the next day.

Since this report is already quite long and the Lofoten Islands are definitely worth it, I'll make a point here and give the Lofoten Islands their own section!