We’d heard that another nearby island, Henningsvær, were holding good Christmas markets, so we hired a car and set off on the wrong side of the road. Kudos to Andrew for navigating a left-hand drive manual on icy roads!
Like Svolvær, Henningsvær is a fishing village that has turned to tourism. The local retailers had come together to create a Christmas street, which makes sense when it’s so cold outside.
Henningsvær is also on the world map for it’s soccer field. It has to be one of the most unique locations in the world, and as such has featured in Pepsi and UEFA promotions. It’s right on the edge of the island, surrounded by fish drying racks with a lighthouse at one end. Google it – the drone photos online show what a great location it is.
The drive was magnificent. It’s hard to describe how beautiful this area is, with snow covered mountains rising from calm waters, and little traditional houses dotted along the way.
One of our photo stops on the way home uncovered some soft snow, as opposed to the ice that we’ve encountered everywhere else. There was no need for a rendition of ‘Do you want to build a snowman’, within moments ‘Olaf I’ was created with much excitement.
Rachel arrived this afternoon and was celebrating her birthday. When it’s dark at 3, it seems perfectly acceptable to pop the champagne and try some Norwegian treats.
I had been in touch with Anja, a previous 3rdView team member. Having been born and bred in Norway, I knew she’d have a list of delicacies we should try. Her words… ‘we’re all raised on a few very strange things like caviar in a tube, ham-cream-cheese in a tube, brown cheese, liver pate, and mackerel in tomato sauce in a tin’. The mackerel, brown cheese, and chips and crackers that she recommended were great, however we drew the line at anything that claimed to be protein in a tube!
For dinner we headed to the most recommended restaurant in the town, Børsen. It serves traditional local dishes, including the stock fish that the area is famous for. The fish is rehydrated, and my dish ‘Lutefisk’ was served with bacon, peas, maple syrup, mustard and brown cheese on top. The girls tried Pinnekjott, a traditional Norwegian Christmas meal of cured lamb. Both were unique experiences, and the Viking sized serves were impossible to get through.
…and to close off the evening, Alex befriended the local cat. Some things are the same wherever we go in the world!
Tomorrow we head out to the fjords to see the Sea Eagles. It’s forecast to be cold and snowing, so hopefully the weather holds together for us!
Love M, theBunch, and REB!
Svolvær temp: 5, wind 25km/h
Sun: Down all day, Civil Twilight: 9:24-14:35
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