A TRAVEL BLOG POST

ABOUT OUR THREE FABULOUS WEEKS IN FINNMARK, NORWAY

Photos / Edited by Kristin Bae Mysen

Kautokeino
We have finally reached the absolute Northern part of Norway where the sun is up 24 hours a day – the Midnight Sun. Also it is possible to spot reindeer along the roads, and we have already seen a few. Today we visited the great silversmith Juhls, and I fell in love with this Sámi symbol of the sun. The sun has a special meaning for the Sámi people.
Photos / Edited by Kristin Bae Mysen

Alta
What a day! Biking along Alta river, one of the best salmon rivers in the world. Watching salmon fishing and the beautiful wooden Alta riverboats. Passing the Northern Lights Cathedral on our way to the stunning 7000 years old rock carvings at
Alta Museum World Heritage Rock Art Centre
Photos / Edited by Kristin Bae Mysen

Honningsvåg
Traveling to pretty Honningsvåg, the northernmost city in the world. We saw herds of reindeer, and I learned that they are grazing in coastal areas during summertime.
While we were there, the Hurtigruten Finnmarken arrived. Since 1893, the Hurtigruten ships have been a hallmark of the Norwegian coast.
Photos / Edited by Kristin Bae Mysen

Karasjok
Another great day up north. In Karasjok we had a guided tour in the Sámi Parliament, viewed Sámi art, learned about the local mineral Masikvartsitt and passed lavvos (temporary dwellings) out in the nature. In addition we had a coffee in a local cafe where everyone spoke Sámi. The cafe was crowded, a mixture of trendy youngsters, families with children and people who wore the traditional Sámi clothing Kofte. Fun to find wooden toys made for Sámi children as well.
Photos / Edited by Kristin Bae Mysen

Vadsø
These past days we have been spending some eventful days with our friends here in Vadsø. We have been king crab and cod fishing in the Varangerfjord, in addition to salmon fishing in the rivers. Great fun 🙂
There are many Sámis and Kvens living in Vadsø (Samís are the indigenous people and Kvens are a Finnish ethnic minority), therefore the street signs are in three languages. From the top; Norwegian, Sámi and Kven.
Upper photo: Nina Berglund, editor and publisher in NEWS in ENGLISH.no Article
Lower photos: Taken and edited by Kristin Bae Mysen

Vardø
We have visited stunning Vardø, the easternmost town in Norway, which faces the Barents Sea. It is the only city on the Norwegian mainland deemed to have an Arctic climate, and is located even farther east than Istanbul. In 2012 a group of 12 street artists transformed “crumbling facades and abandoned factories” into art. I just love it.
Photos taken from their website

Vardø
It was interesting to visit the Steilneset Memorial in Vardø, a monument focusing on the trial and execution (often burning) in the seventeenth century of 91 people accused for witchcraft. The district of Finnmark experienced the highest rate of accusations of witchcraft in Norway. Lower left is an installation by Louise Bourgeous which was her last major work. The monument itself is in my opinion an architectural gem.
Photos / Edited by Kristin Bae Mysen

Finnmark
After three weeks of travel, it was time to say goodbye to this beautiful part of the world.

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