I was here during the down period of the Lofoten Islands. Arriving here after changing two flights, from Tromsø to Bodø and then to Svolvær. This is going to be a different post where I won’t be sharing places to visit or places to go but just my overall experience being in the Lofoten Islands. So I’m going to be real and unfiltered writing this post.
After arriving in Svolvær Airport, the only way to the small town is to call a cab. The cost of the cab was around 180NOK to the Airbnb that I was staying. The moment I stepped out of the airport I was slightly taken aback. You could feel how secluded this place was and there was a number outside the airport where you could call for cab. Everyone on board the plane were locals and had someone pick them up. Felt so alone waiting for the cab, it was just three of us Asians waiting in the cold. There was a cab driver who wanted to fetch us to where were were but he seemed dodgy and we gave him a pass. The night was coming in quickly at 2.30pm and I started to get worried. Thankfully the cab did come at last.
We were quite tired after arriving and decided to stay in for the day. We cooked some dinner, watched television, chilled for the night and slept. The next morning, we woke up to this view.
#speechless #wtfview #morningviewgoals
The view is beyond words, it’s like #lifegoals to wake up to a view like this everyday. After breakfast, we took a walk downtown to explore. Blessed with a clear day, we went down to the renowned harbour area to catch the sunset which was around 12.30pm…
Our daily walk from the apartment takes us down this slope then to the harbour.
It started to snow periodically after sunset. Weather changes quickly around here. We had brunch at this local cafe called Bacalao, Havnepromenaden 2, 8300 Svolvær, Norway, Opens from 1030AM to 1AM. The place has great ambience and the food taste good too. I ordered a meat patty with fried onions and eggs. Every item on the plate were cooked to perfection. Look at that perfect sunny side up. Prices at the cafe were reasonable also considering you are in Norway.
As daylight was precious during winter, we can only make the most out of the 4 to 5 hours in a day. We got a driver from the local travel office to fetch us to some locations that we wanted to see around the Lofoten Islands. My guide’s name is Geir Notnes. He is a photographer/artist and he knows the best locations to take photographs around the islands. He has lived there for the longest time. If you want to contact him to be your guide, you may Facebook message him through this link: https://www.facebook.com/Geir-Notnes-photography-211072098915534/ Check out his epic photos too!
Eggum – My local guide told us that Eggum was a special place in the Lofoten Islands. The houses here looked more dilapidated than those in Svolvær. Very few people live around here due to the harsh weather around here.
Driving in takes us to a military fort from the World War in the 1940s and the view through the sniping holes of the fort.
And the view from the other side of the fort into the mountains.
After Eggum, our guide drove us to a nearby town with an aquarium which showed us arctic fishes like cods, salmon and flounders. If you are interested in some fishes, check it out at: Storvåganveien 28, 8310 Kabelvåg, Norway
It was night time by around 4pm. Geir drove us back and I ended the day cooking dinner and had an early night.
The trip at Lofoten ended at a quaint little cafe downtown. The cafe flamboyant in pink and green and quirky furniture was a safe house from the blistering cold outside. We ordered lunch and some desserts to fill our stomach before heading back home to pack. The meat stew was okay to be honest. But the desserts were divine.
Hjerterommet Kafé: Vestfjord gata 5, Svolvær 8300
We bid the Svolvær and the Lofoten Islands goodbye, hoping to come again during summer where the weather is a little kinder.
