Mittwoch, 02.09.20, Haukland Beach – Leknes – Nusfjord – Flakstad, 50 km

master_time-travel

When I left in the morning after breakfast I was not only charged by the fruits and green tea, but also from the high amount of positive energy Haukland Beach provided freely.

I headed for Leknes but found no reason to stop and carried on to Nusfjord. What a romantic place for the tourist, probably still a village with hard working fisherman and innkeepers.

The parking was already elevated but I still climbed to the top of the hill. It was worth it.

Colors, forms, mirrors and the magic of the north made it another unforgettable “let time stand still” moment.

But the day was still long and I headed for Flakstad direction north again.

  • Picture quality poor, but I hope it still provides the tranquility.

Again nearby was a famous beach for surfers with a camping ground and informal parking. Choose the latter. But before I asked the camping manager whether I could dispose my grey water and chemical toilet and fill fresh water. No problem.

Skagsanden Beach

Another lovely evening stroll

My favorite details

  • Not without a mirror image…

It proved to have been the right decision in Lillehammer listening to the German lady and turn back up north.

Dienstag, 01.09.10, Borg – Haukland Beach, 28 km

master_time-travel

The reason to come to Borg is actually only the Viking Museum. Google was just not quite up to date with the opening times. They changed from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00. So the relaxed morning became a bit longer.

The waiting was worth it. I should have taken a photo from the ticket lady. She was actually Mexican and spoke 7 languages, all latin ones and English and German. I was impressed, to say the least. And she was not unpleasant either.

  • The mansion of a king.

Nearby was one of their famous ships, just presented a bit neglected.

The church was modern and a place of good energy and peace.

Next recommendation was Haukland Beach. I was curious what I will find there and was increasingly impressed the longer the afternoon lasted.

  • To the east
  • To the west.
  • One of the legendary red houses at the right spot.
  • Uttakleiv Beach around the mountain.
  • Haukland Beach from the slope.
  • Before walking to the beach
  • In a tidal pond.

And a sunset for the mirror lover.

  • Remember? The end of the Dragon’s tail…

After the eventing walk I prepared my dinner and had a most peaceful night at Haukland.

Montag, 31.08.20, Henningsvaer – Gimsoysand – Borg, 68 km

master_time-travel

I followed a recommendation from a web site with the top 11 “must visit location” on the Lofoten. Gimsoy was a little up north and looked to be remote. It was, and generally in the year of Covid 19 and late in the season, I was never in a crowd.

After arriving I went for a long walk along the beach, completely on my own and enjoying the light breeze and the typical smell of sea water.

And very relaxing is to look for beautiful mussels or at least for some patterns in the chaos.

When I returned I felt I had to do some exercise, took the bike and started to cycle along the road to west. It would lead around the island with about 50 – 60 km. It did not come to that distance.

But what came was a sheep resting on a rock.

As the conditions were rather unfavourable with gusty winds and light showers of rain the pleasure was limited. On top of it I saw a golf course on the way (Lofoten Links), enquired about the booking situation and decided to cut short the round around the island…

  • Hole 1, distance to bunker 180 m over the bay. Hit a 3 wood from the carpet to the target!
    Scored a bogie.
  • Hole 3, about 200 m over the bay. Shook me off my socks.
  • Hole 5, I believe, over 500 m long, do not ask for the score…

I enjoyed every minute on the 9 holes I played. Not knowing the details was costly in lost balls (although when I search for mine, I always find others). The strong side and head wind gusts added to the challenge. But what a scenery and excitement to be there at all.

The club rooms were only average but the shower after sports is always unbeatable.

There was no suitable spot for parking the motorhome overnight, so I decided to head for Borg. There was free parking near the Viking Museum.

Sonntag, 30.09.20, Sortland – Svolvaer – Henningsvaer, 171 km

master_time-travel

The day has come to approach the “real” Lofoten. In 2017 I came until Svolvaer and this year I will dive further into the islands to the very end in A.

Side stepping from the main road to a small, small village and ferry docking station.

Another little detour to a remote cap.

Fotos from Laupstad, fairy tale land.

Photos from Svolvaer.

Fotos from the way to and from Henningsvaer.

  • Henningsvaer
  • Parking with a view again.
  • Not the classical, but still rewarding sunset.

Samstag, 29.08.20, Loedingen – Andenes – Sortland, 269 km

master_time-travel

Loedingen is actually on the island of Hinnoya and does not belong to the Lofoten. Same for the island of Andoya where I headed first. Andenes would become the most northern point of my 2020 travelling season.

  • Morning walk on the nearby beach in Loedingen.
  • View from the beach.

Fotos from the way to Andenes.

Fotos Andenes, most northern town on Andoya.

Impressions from the way back to the south to Sortland.

  • Tale of the dragon.
  • Lonesome?
  • Greetings from Heaven.
  • Impressive bridge to Sortland.
  • Welcome at
  • Parking above Sortland.

Freitag, 28.08.20, Trofors – Bognes – Loedingen, 465 km

master_time-travel

Second transfer day to the north.

  • Shopping groceries in the morning
  • Stop at Arctic Circle
  • On route
  • to
  • Fauske
  • for a coffee break.
  • More rain bows on the way
  • Could not find the pot of gold.
  • 11 km to Bognes to the ferry
  • At last
  • on the
  • ferry to Loedingen

After that long day again I was happy to find a small parking bay next to quiet road. The hut was attached to a picnic and barbecue area.

  • Stopped on the side of a quiet road with a view.

Donnerstag, 27.08.20, Lillehammer – Trofors, 692 km

master_time-travel

If it was not for the Lofoten, it would have been a bit weird to return the same way I came down yesterday. At least until Dombas, then the E6 turned north instead of north west (to Andalsnes).

Not much to report, one has to stay awake and concentrated on such a transfer day.

  • Cross country training.
  • Downhill speed 40 km/h
  • Sculputered mountains
  • At least not
  • the only one.
  • Unromantic parking near fuel station In Trofors.

Mittwoch, 26.08.20, Andalsnes – Dombas – Lillehammer, 261 km

master_time-travel

It will be an interesting day again. I checked the weather forecast for the region up to the Lofoten and was sad to see no improvements. So I decided to call it a day for this time and head south back to Denmark and heading for France Atlantic coast. And I booked the ferry in 4 days.

  • Improved weather!
  • Dombas
  • Ringebu

Visited that lovely gallery nearby of the church of Ringebu. Two charming ladies tried to get my cards working on the terminals, without success. Just as I thought to have to leave, they said, go in for free, it is not your fault. The saving was about 5 Euros.

Fotos Lillehammer

  • On route to
  • Lillehammer
  • View from
  • above, from the
  • Bakken of the Olympics.

Visited a great coffee with a view to the fountain (Park Cafe’n / Storgata 26, 2609 Lillehammer), walked back to the vehicle and found the church and parked up at the bakken.

Only to be approached by a german lady who drove the same brand of motorhome like me, the FIAT Ducato Rotec. We looked at the details and found little differences, hers was just one year younger. And she had a garage in the back and therefore not my comfortable sitting arrangement.

And she convinced me during the conversation according to her Norwegian weather application, up in north the conditions will improve greatly. I am influenced so easily. I changed the booking of the ferry to 14.09.20 and headed back north.

Dienstag, 25.08.20, Geiranger to Andalsnes, 86 km

master_time-travel
  • Could not get Google to show route from Trollenstiegen to Andalsnes 🙂

The daily routine included a healthy breakfast with a banana, half an apple and one small orange or some other smaller fruit. Topped with granola and a fruit- or plain-yogurt. And always a cup of green tea with a squeezed lemon juice. So also in Geiranger. The planned distance to Andalsnes led via the Trollenstigen and was only 86 km. But I knew also high up some mountain passes. Still there was no hurry to depart.

  • Sitting on the dock of the bay
  • watching the ship roll in…
  • Last view back to Geiranger Fjord

First stop an Gudbrands Bru (bridge)

  • Many cataracts
  • Cutting through the rocks

Moving on uphill again.

Arrival Trollenstigen with grumpy weather. Still astonishing scenery.
Astonishing road work engineering.

Great restaurant nearby. Had a coffee and snacks.

  • To outlook Trollenstigen
  • Trollenstigen view
  • Trollenstigen view
  • On Trollenstigen

It is only a short distance from Trollenstigen to Andalsnes. Found free parking near the harbor. There were three parked Hurtigruten vessels under refurbishment.

I cycled around town with the main aim to find a bicycle shop. I needed some chain oil urgently. The ride on the beach of Hirtshals left salty sand on the gears and chain. Luckily I found one. Peaceful night.

Touring Norway from Haag to Geiranger Fjord

master_time-travel
  • GEIRANGER FJORD

On Monday, 17.08.2020, I left with my motorhome for the north. The plan was to come back to the Lofoten after 2017 and to cycle with the tent and explore this part of the world in more detail.

The only preparation was to select some recommended routes through “beautiful” landscapes from the website of a travel agency for Norway.

Website: https://www.norwayprotravel.de/norwegen/mit-dem-auto.html

Whereby one “must” destination was the Geiranger Fjord.

After one week in the Fjord area the persistent rainy weather motivated to change the plan for this time and head south again much sooner.

Only to find the weather improving on the way to Lillehammer. At the parking up near the “bakken” for the ski jumpers I met a German lady who by accident drove the same brand of motor-home like mine (FIAT Ducato ROTEC) and she voted strongly that I still give it shot. Her Norwegian weather application promises good conditions in the north for the forthcoming week.

I can be influenced so easily… -:) – But I never looked back and had a smashing time on the Lofoten…

Monday, 17.08.2020, Haag to Hamburg

  • Ready to go from Haag
  • Crossing into Germany
  • First signs of lower pressure.
  • Design +++
  • Sunset near
  • Hamburg

On that first day the the excitement to travel again was pushing me until close to Hamburg, some 985 km with few brakes. Stopped then at a highway parking area Rastanlage Harburger Berge West and it did not take long to fall asleep.

Tuesday, 18.08.2020, Hamburg – Aarhus

Fotos Hamburg

  • Elb Tunnel entrance
  • and inside
  • Parking near Altona
  • Near Altona Fish Market
  • Ferries all along
  • Parking vessels
  • Admin building with a difference.
  • Elb Philharmonic and guiding motive.

Fotos Kiel

Fotos Flensburg

  • Shopping at ALDI
  • Crossing into Denmark
  • The important rules in Denmark

Fotos Aarhus

  • Moving mirror
  • Excellent roads
  • Aarhus
  • Free parking
  • near enough to cycle to town

Wednesday, 19.08.2020, Aarhus – Hirtshals

Fotos

  • Leaving Aarhus
  • Go west
  • Klüvers Holstebro
  • Shrimp Salad

Fotos Thisted

  • On
  • route
  • to
  • Thisted

Fotos Aalesund

  • Mirror
  • Reality

Fotos Hirtshals in later afternoon. Waiting for the ferry next morning.

Thursday, 20.08.2020, Hirtshals – Langesund – Farsund

Fotos

  • In the queue
  • Jumping, but not the queue
  • Catching the ferry to Norway Langesund

Fine weather at arrival.

Changing its mind swiftly.

  • Faresund
  • Parking for 25 Euros

Friday, 21.08.2020, Farsund – Stavanger

Fotos

  • Little better outlook
  • Neighbour’s passion
  • Good catch!
  • On
  • route
  • to
  • Ogna

Between Ogna and Stavanger along the coast.

Stavanger

Saturday, 22.08.2020, Stavanger – Odda

Fotos from the day of waterfalls and rainbows.

  • Ferry left
  • Ferry right
  • Pit stop
  • First surprise of many more to come!
  • Camping ground
  • in Odda

Sunday, 23.08.2020, Odda – Oevre-Ardal

Fotos from the road.

  • Funky tunnels
  • Brave bridges
  • First
  • attempt in Oevre-Ardal
  • Second and final
  • Still with a view

Monday, 24.08.2020, Oevre-Ardal – Geiranger, 195 km, 2.000 m plus altitude.

  • Proposed
  • ACTUAL

I had two options from the Navi and asked a couple which was on an early morning walk. They recommended the road over the mountains “Fardalvegen” as more beautiful. So I did. The very first ascent from Oevre was so steep so that I needed to use first gear in every hair pin bend. Unfortunately no hand free to take photos, only further up.

  • Quiet parking lot.
  • At the lake.
  • Fardalvegen
  • Vehicle and
  • Energy transfer
  • What goes up must go down
  • Turtagro Hotel
  • A long time up at 1.400 m
  • In memoriam
  • Nature creates forms
  • Right of way…
  • Wooden Church Lom
  • Fantastic location
  • Tight bends again
  • First view to Geiranger
  • Happy about first goal achieved
  • Typical church architecture
  • Camping at the Geiranger Fjord.

Summary until here:

My motorhome and I weathered the storms and were quite pleased to have arrived at Geiranger. Even in this dull weather it surpassed my imagination. As so many times before, changing a dream into reality is fantastic.

The following stages of the tour around Norway will be in a new post.

07-2020 – Cycling to Carinthia

master_time-travel

On Monday, 20.07.2020, I started to cycle southwards to Carinthia via Pass Pyhrn and Pass Triebener Tauern and then back via Mallnitz – Bad Gastein.
That would include about 700 km and 6.000 m altitude again.

  • There were many highlights worthwhile to mention.
  • I visited the “running wall” near Molln. It is a vertical wall of conglomerate stones where water drips through.
    Depending on the recent amount of rain, it is little or a big shower. Mine was a light shower.
  • Found a splendid camping site in Aigen.
  • Managed to cycle up the Triebener Tauern Pass to 1.274 m altitude and quite a steep gradient.
  • Found an informal camping spot in Frantschach.
  • The lakes of Carnuntum were not overcrowded.
  • The way back via Mallnitz and the train shuttle to Bad Gastein until Golling was tough.
  • Found a jewel of a route to Hinterebenau and Fuschl
  • Met unexpected friends at the lake of Wolfgangsee
  • Met my cousin in Altmünster and a good friend in Gmunden
  • Returned to my all time favorite Steyrtal.

Route maps and table:

06-2020 – Cycling around Lower Austria

master_time-travel

On Wednesday, 24.06.2020, Heinz Weitenthaler and I met at the Mobil fuel station in Haag to start our 4 day cycling tour around Lower Austria. That would include about 700 km and 6.000 m altitude.

Route Map from the Race around Lower Austria. Route table below.

Day 1, 24.06.2020, Haag – Eggern, 175 km, 1.800 m uphill

Day 2, 25.06.2020, Eggern – Marchegg, 203 km, 1.100 m uphill

Day 3, 26.06.2020, Marchegg – Reichenau, 158 km, 1.800 m uphill

Day 4, 27.06.2020, Reichenau – Haag, 175 km , 1.900 m uphill

Day 3, 09.06.2018, Los Angeles – Pismo Beach

master_time-travel

Route map 314 km

Summary of the day:
Leisurely drive all day, midday break in Goleta Beach Park near University of California in Santa Barbara with some beach walking. After checking in to Shore Cliff Hotel in Pismo Beach also good beaching time.

Hotel in Pismo Beach:
Shore Cliff Hotel: https://www.shorecliff.com/
Personal rating 5/5
The only hotel in 25 days with a superb breakfast buffet.

From the break and road.

  • Galeta Beach park

From the Hotel:

  • Shore Cliff Hotel

From the beach:

Day 2, 08.05.2018, Los Angeles

master_time-travel

Step 1:
With Hotel shuttle to the rental car company Thrifty:

Thrifty Car Rentals:
https://www.thrifty.com/loc/ll/US/CA/LOS-ANGELES-AP/5440-W-CENTURY-BLVD
Personal rating: 5/5

Booking confirmation:
https://www.rentalcars.com/

They said: Go out to the yard and select the one you like. Nobody accompanied us. So we choose the KIA (model TBA). First and second row seats like in business class. A comfortable and faithful companion all 3 weeks.

Route map: in LA:

Summary of the day:
Our expectations were rather low and we choose to drive to The Walk of Fame with all the stars on the pedestrian path. We also passed by at the Film Studios but did not enter. A stroll around Rodeo Drive concluded an early close of the day. We missed the sea side resorts, probably saved them for next time…

Walking by the famous.

Walking on the famous Walk of Fame.

Around Rodeo Drive

Day 1, 07.05.2018, Arrival Los Angeles

master_time-travel

A confirmed VISA application is essential of course.

Departure 06.05.2018 in Vienna

Upon arrival the legendary queuing was not too bad, we bought a pre-paid SIM card and called the hotel to send the shuttle service. This procedure was a bit tricky, we might have missed the correct pick up point at the first attempt.

Route Map 07.05.2018 Los Angeles:

Hotel Wingate by Windham near the Airport:

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wingate/inglewood-california
Personal rating: 5/5 (breakfast excluded)

*
The location of the hotel was very convenient since we arrived late afternoon and were tired from the long flight and the shuttle service was included. Just the surroundings we rather dull and we choose a Mexican restaurant nearby which deserves no comment at all. It was so bad that we could only laugh it away and hope, it would not be a bad omen for the trip.

It was not, not at all.
***

Mai 2018, USA West National Parks, Summary

master_time-travel

With two very good friends of us, Andrea and Perikles, Ingrid and I decided to join forces and explore the National Parks of the West of the USA together. We had another remarkable journey which exceeded all our expectations by far. What can you ask more?

Route map 6.062 km and detailed table of locations:

Without a valid VISA not entry to the States of course.

We left Austria on 07.05.2018 for 26 days and returned on 01.06.2018.
As a teaser I post ONE photo per day, which was a painful limitation.

Day 1, 07.05.2018, Vienna – Los Angeles

Day 2, 08.05.2018, Los Angeles

Day 3, 09.05.2018, Los Angeles – Pismo Beach

Day 4, 10.05.2018, Pismo Beach – Big Sur – San Francisco

Day 5, 11.05.2018, San Francisco

Day 6, 12.05.2018, San Francisco

Day 7, 13.05.2018, San Francisco – Yosemite National Park

Day 8, 14.05.2018, Yosemite National Park

Day 9, 15.05.2018, Yosemite NP – Sequoia National Park

Day 10, 16.05.2018, Sequoia NP – Death Valley

Day 11, 17.05.2018, Death Valley – Las Vegas

Day 12, 18.05.2018, Las Vegas

Day 13, 19.05.2018, Las Vegas – Grand Canyon

Day 14, 20.05.2018, Gand Canyon

Day 15, 21.05.2018, Grand Canyon

Day 16, 22.05.2018, Grand Canyon – Monument Valley – Page

Day 17, 23.05.2018, Page – Antelope Canyon

Day 18, 24.05.2018 Page – Zion NP – Bryce Canyon

Day 19, 25.05.2018, Bryce Canyon – Dead Horse Point – Moab

Day 20, 26.05.2018, Moab – Arches National Park

Day 21, 27.05.2018, Moab – Salt Lake City

Day 22, 28.05.2018, Salt Lake City – Yellow Stone National Park

Day 23, 29.05.2018, Yellow Stone NP


Day 24, 30.05.2018, Yellow Stone NP – Salt Lake City

Day 25, 31.05.2018, Salt Lake City – Paris

Day 33, Berg – Haag

master_time-travel

Route map 333 km

Summary:
Final day with easy riding towards south-east again to home town Haag. Only short pit stop in Autobahn restaurant.

Leaving Berg.

Arriving in Haag:

In these 33 days of my first long run motor-home journey I collected tons of memories and impressions which could last for a life time. The amount of endorphins was also remarkable. And the latter ones are possibly the reason why I feel the addiction has started to catch me badly…

Day 32, 01.07.2017, Soltau – Nürnberg

master_time-travel

Route map 588 km

Summary:
It was a long day again. We reached Nürnberg in the afternoon and went for the walk. It is a magic place with lots of historical buildings and the like. Just not too late we looked to the camping site near town. Only to find out it was fully booked because of a big Motor Sport Event. Ups. Eventually we drove further south-west towards Regensburg and stopped in Berg.

Camping in Berg: https://www.camping-in-berg.de/
Personal rating: 5/5

From the road:

  • Clocked 80.000 km
  • Just here!

From Nürnberg

  • Up to the
  • Castle

At Camping Berg

Day 31, 30.06.2017, Kopenhagen – Lübeck – Soltau

master_time-travel

Route map 402 km

  • Stretch with Ferry

Summary:
What a rainy day, took the ferry from Rodbyhaven to Puttgarden and reached Lübeck in the afternoon, still time for some sight seeing and a coffee in town. There is no bad weather, just possibly unsuitable clothing.

Camping near Soltau: https://www.camping-imbrock.de/
Personal rating 5/5

From the road and ferry:

From rainy Lübeck. Remember, one of the “Hanse-Städte” as Riga and Tallinn, which I visited during the north bound journey.

  • A beauty, but not in this weather…
  • Camping Imbrock near Soltau

No need to visit Soltau this evening in these conditions.

Day 29, 28.06.2017, J̦nk̦ping РMalm̦ РKopenhagen

master_time-travel

Route Map 374 km

Summary:
Driving on excellent roads again and without any incident. Rather short stop over in Malmö for coffee and snacks before entering the long Öresund Bridge and Tunnel.

Camping in Kopenhagen: https://campingcopenhagen.dk/en/
Personal rating: 5/5

Limited from Malmö:

  • St. John’s Church

From Öresund:

The Camp site is mentioned at the top. We tried one closer to the city center which was full. But the one we used was very good accessible with public transport anyway.

Day 28, 27.06.2017, Stockholm РJ̦nk̦ping

master_time-travel

Route map 315 km

Summary of the day:
With Metro to Gamla Stan (Old Town) again for more sight seeing with visiting churches and the Town Hall, where the Nobel Prices are celebrated. Smooth ride to Jönköping. Marvelous sunset.

Camping Jönköping: http://www.grannacamping.se/
Personal rating: 5/5

Still from Stockholm

Stockholm Stadshus

Royal Palace

Royal Chapel

From Granna Camping Jönköping

Position could be worse

Day 24, 23.06.2017, Trondheim – Östersund

master_time-travel

Route map: 276 km

Summary of the day:
Driving to town with motor-home because of distance and time. Then take the bike in town and find a charming, elegant and calm place. Finally heading westwards to Sweden through the typical Scandinavian landscape with waterfalls rivers, peaks and valleys.

Camping: Östersunds Stugby & Camping / https://www.ostersundscamping.se/en/
Personal rating: 5/5

From Trondheim town:

In Austria Mozart would rather be a Cafe..

  • Big Brother watching?

From the road:

  • Passing Are, the Ski resort

Day 23, 22.06.2017, Korgen – Trondheim

master_time-travel

Route map: 473 km

Summary:
For the risk of sounding repetitive, great roads, great landscapes, enjoyable driving. Arrived on time, found parking near old town and manage part one of bike tour around the city.

Camping: Vikhammer Camping http://www.vikhammer.no/
Personal rating: 5/5

From the road:

First view of Trondheim – on bike:

  • Nidaros Domkirke

Short drive form town to camping site:

  • Vikhammer Camping

Day 22, 21.06.2017, Solvaer – Korgen

master_time-travel

Route map: 467 km

Summary:
Chatted yesterday to the lady at the reception of the camp site and found out that there is a ferry from Lodingen to Bognes to short cut quite a distance via Bjerkvik. Still another demanding day after that with lots of road works and tunnel after tunnel. Most of them narrow and poorly lit.
Great highlight to visit the Arctic Circle Center.

Camping in Korgen was informal next to the main school:

From the ferry:

From the road:

Arctic Circle Center

Afternoon and after driving entertainment in Korgen.

Day 21, 20.06.2017, Harstad – Solvaer

master_time-travel

Route map: 154 km

Summary:
Short trip with again beautiful scenery as you would expect. Drove until I found a suitable camping site and then took the bike for further explorations. Reality exceeding my expectations.

Camping: Hammerstad Camping: https://hammerstadcamping.no/
Personal rating: 5/5

From the road:

  • Excellent
  • Refurbished o.k.
  • Old terrible
  • Fairy-tale

Cycling with some views:

  • Just Lofoten
  • Vagan Church Kabelvag
  • Solvaer
  • Hammerstad Camping

Treasures around the camping site:

  • Hammerstad Camping

Day 20, 19.06.2017, Tromsoe – Harstad

master_time-travel

Route map: 296 km

Summary:
Another day with the typical Norwegian Fjords and the winding roads along them. I was actually heading for Narvik when it stroke me to test the Lofoten Island Group. They are advertised in every cruise to the North Kapp. In Bjerkvik I turned right instead of straight and I was in. Never regret.

Camping: Harstad Camping: https://harstadcamping.no/en/
Personal rating: 5/5

From the road:

Long exploration ride with bike, to the marinas, up the central hill into the woods and back.

From the top of the hill:

Harstad Church

Back at base camp:

Day 19, 18.06.2017, Oksfjord – Tromsoe

master_time-travel

Route map: 283 km

Summary:
Despite the good road network I fell very tired about 1 hour before Tromsoe. Pulled over to a parking lot and took a long power nap. Worked very well. I did find an informal parking spot by luck, moved around with the bike in traditional fashion and enjoyed every minute there.

From the road:

Exploring Tromsoe:

  • Ishavskatedralen
  • Old friends

During cycling around the peninsula the weather cleared up just for my ride.
Another day to be grateful.

Overnight parking in the background of a Motor-home dealership 🙂

Day 18, 17.06.2017, North Kapp – Hammerfest – Oksfjord

master_time-travel

Route Map: 486 km

Summary:
486 km of demanding driving again. Beautiful scenery, good plan to take “detour” to Hammerfest, good luck to find Camping Oksfjord.

Camping Oksfjord: https://www.facebook.com/oksfjordfamiliecamp/
Personal rating: 4/5

On route to Hammerfest.

Into Hammerfest

Good old HURTIG-ROUTEN coming in.

  • Otis Reding: “Watching the ships roll in..”
  • Lonely tanker.
  • Overview harbor
  • Close up
  • Out of Hammerfest
  • Pit stop with card stations.

Breathtaking scenery every day, never becoming boring.

Best spot in Oksfjord Camping:

  • Camping spot of a lifetime!

Day 17 (2), 16.06.2017, North Kapp

master_time-travel

As it was daylight all night through I could start exploring the area. I was on high adrenaline levels because of the achievement of 4.517 km in 12 days of driving and because of the gratefulness to be allowed to experience a dream coming true.

In the restaurant I met a lady from England in my age group 60+ who cycled up from Greece in two months. Respect, respect.

  • Meeting hall with restaurant.
  • 00:00
  • 00:01
  • 00:02
  • 00.02
  • 00:03

Grateful for that weather with midnight sun, a 4.500 km trip without any incident but with uncountable places of interest, beautiful countries, capitals, cities, castles and museums.

Day 17, 16.06.2017, Kautokeino – North Kapp

master_time-travel

Route Map: 364 km

Summary:
Final approach to the summit! Again a lonesome ride but filled with great landscapes and scenery. Also rather tiring because of a topography of mountains and valleys and winding roads all the time. But the excitement increased km by km.

Departure and some stops:

  • Cyclists again
  • 197 km
  • 177 km
  • 129 km
  • 13 km

I missed to take pictures entering the final tunnel. It takes you plus/minus 280 m below sea level. I remember it to be a “funny” feeling.

  • Final stage
  • Entrance gate
  • Parking lot
  • First row position
  • Not really on my own
  • First glimpse of the dream
  • All documented for later generations 🙂

Day 16, 15.06.2017, Oulu – Kautokeino

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Route Map: 554 km

Summary:
If yesterday was a bit monotonous than today would be lonesome but still interesting. The reason for not being bored or even frustrated is manifold: everything is still new and with every km you come closer to your main destination, of which you dreamed about for quite some years: the North Kapp.

Camping: https://www.arcticmotel.com/
Personal rating: 3/5

Stopped only once for re-fueling and lived on my reserves.
From the road:

  • A rare meeting

Smooth border crossing Finland to Norway

  • A closed Camp Site
  • More emptiness
  • My second passion, maybe some times..

https://www.arcticmotel.com/

A good day of traveling in lonesome territories. But a little too tired to explore the town of Kautokeino nearby. Maybe some other time 🙂

Day 15, 14.06.2017, Helsinki – Oulu

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Route map: 600 km

From Helsinki to the North Kapp means now serious business driving. The stretch to Oulu was a fine example of the vastness and emptiness of Finland. You just have to hang in and enjoy the repetitive landscape and look forward to the fine stop overs in-between.

Camping: https://nallikari.fi/nb/
Personal rating: 5/5

Route to town with bicycle:

Leaving the Camp Site which was East of Helsinki in good weather and good mood.

First stop over:

Great second pit stop.

Now cycling to Oulu. Even after the 600 km drive it was time enough because of the long days in that time of the year.

Back at Camp Site.

Day 14, 13.06.2017, Helsinki

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Route map public transport:

From just outside the Camping Site to the City Center.

I decided to take the train and it took only 25 min to the City Center. And then I walked following my nose again and the crowed. During my short investigation last night I found a Rock Church and it cought my interest to search for it. But first came the center.

Overall impression as all over Scandinavia: very well organised, spotless, friendly, calm, relaxed, most attractive.

Fine culinary stands around the harbor basin.

The absolute high-lite of Helsinki for me was the Rock Church. Carved basically into an existing rock formation it had the most beautiful acoustics and for people like me an unbelievable amount of spirituality.

One should never have regrets Edith Piaf used to sing. I missed out on a harbor cruise for an unknown reason. Maybe next time…