Hellemobotn, Norway
After our introduction to mainland Norway in Tromso yesterday, today we really began our exploration of the Norwegian fjords. And what a spectacular way to start. Under blue skies and sunshine, with temperatures into the high 60s F, we cruised into the Tysfjorden complex and into Hellemobotnfjord. We landed at a small Sami settlement and hiked into the hills through pine and birch forest – so strange to be in a landscape with trees after the open tundra of Svalbard. Kayaks were launched and Zodiacs cruised through the idyllic calm waters.
Later we visited another branch of the fjord where we landed to explore a site with ancient rock art estimated to be some 9,000 years old. Here we saw representations of moose, bears and killer whales, all animals of importance to the indigenous population of Sami people. After dinner we cruised by Stetind – the mountain voted by the people of Norway to be the most beautiful in the country. And on an evening such as this, with the fiery glow of a sunset (itself a rare event after the midnight sun of Svalbard) reflected on the flanks of the peak, who would disagree?
After our introduction to mainland Norway in Tromso yesterday, today we really began our exploration of the Norwegian fjords. And what a spectacular way to start. Under blue skies and sunshine, with temperatures into the high 60s F, we cruised into the Tysfjorden complex and into Hellemobotnfjord. We landed at a small Sami settlement and hiked into the hills through pine and birch forest – so strange to be in a landscape with trees after the open tundra of Svalbard. Kayaks were launched and Zodiacs cruised through the idyllic calm waters.
Later we visited another branch of the fjord where we landed to explore a site with ancient rock art estimated to be some 9,000 years old. Here we saw representations of moose, bears and killer whales, all animals of importance to the indigenous population of Sami people. After dinner we cruised by Stetind – the mountain voted by the people of Norway to be the most beautiful in the country. And on an evening such as this, with the fiery glow of a sunset (itself a rare event after the midnight sun of Svalbard) reflected on the flanks of the peak, who would disagree?
