The Northern Lights are never guaranteed. Months ago we booked to head out on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, hoping we’d be fortunate enough to see them once.
We met our guide and driver at 5:30pm, and headed over to their depot to get suited up. You know it’s going to be cold when they kit you out in what seems like a heavy duty doona with legs. Our tour company clearly wanted everyone to focus on the lights, without the distraction of the elements!
The group was about 15 people. Two people were out for the third night in a row, still waiting to see the lights. The pressure on the guides and drivers must be immense, as they are responsible for monitoring the conditions to find the lights and clear sky, and finding a suitable viewing spot.
Our guide, George from Bulgaria, was a great young guy who had studied history, geography and and had a Masters in photography. His job clearly combines his love for the outdoors, people, and photography and he relished taking photos, giving photography tips, and sharing information about the lights and the region.
We headed out towards the Finnish border, and about 2 hours down the road we caught a glimpse of the lights. They are so natural and fluid that it’s hard to get your head around what you’re seeing. On our first stop they were a faint green haze across the sky to the naked eye.
We settled for the evening in a spot high on a hill, deep in snow, looking over a huge expanse of hills and forests.
Over the course of the evening, the lights got stronger, changed shape, and slightly different colours shifted across the sky, surrounded by billions of stars. We gazed upwards for a couple of hours and took countless photos, losing track of time.
The guides wait as long as possible to light the campfire to avoid any light pollution. There’s something about a campfire that draws everyone in, and creates a connection between people as they defrost their extremities! We also enjoyed a bite to eat… freeze dried reindeer soup was surprisingly good at 11pm in the cold!
Unsurprisingly, it was a very quiet 2.5hour trip back to Tromsø. A long, busy and very special Christmas Day… feeling so fortunate.
Love M, theBunch, and R x
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