The border crossing was once again unspectacular. If we hadn't heard beforehand that the dog had to be reported to customs, we would have crossed the border without seeing anyone. As it is, Sebastian went to the customs house to show the ID and had the feeling that the customs officials had done unnecessary work. So no corona control, although Finland intends to close the borders on 08/24/20. Off we go towards Nordkapp.
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Billefjord - sleeping place with a view of the fjord
The landscape changes immediately when you drive from Finland to Norway. The landscape becomes more sparse, no tall trees anymore but only bushes and the hills are slowly turning into mountains.
We both realize that Norway will become our country. First, we do service in a small town across the border. Then we continue to our sleeping place in Billefjord. The way was really great when you drive along the coast, look at the water and there are mountains or islands to the right and left of the water. A great view awaits us when we arrive.
Below us, right by the fjord, a resident has a house with a large plot of land and didn't say anything to us when we stood up there. It's a little windy, but the sun is shining and it's relatively warm. The first night in Norway was spent well and slept really well. When we got up, it was really warm. We were also visited by sheep who were lying behind our car on a small hill. The house owner's dog also came to us.
Nordkapp - our northernmost destination on our European tour
On the drive towards Nordkapp you get the feeling that you could also be in Scotland. Not only reindeer, they don't exist in Scotland, but also sheep everywhere, all of which run on and off the road. You really have to be careful when driving that one of the animals doesn't run in front of the car. The second day in Norway has started or is already half over and we have already seen more reindeer than in Finland. It's unbelievable how many people walk around here and then even in herds. In Finland one has often only seen single animals or two.
The coastal road up to the Nordkapp is a dream. Water and mountains everywhere you look. We feel confirmed that Norway will become our country. Although, the winter would have to be tested at some point. The coastal road also leads through several tunnels, which are 0.7 to 7 km long. The one with 7 km also has a gradient and an ascent halfway through 10% and leads at the lowest point 220m below sea level.
One of the other tunnels was partly a construction site. On the way to the Nordkapp, the road in the tunnel was repeatedly torn open and thus a small mogul slope. On the way back the next day, everything was ready except for the end piece, where we drove out again. They work really fast here.
We made it, our northernmost destination, the Nordkapp, has been reached. Incredible, driven almost 8000 km and then you are standing there, at the “end of the world”. An emotional chaos; Happiness, satisfaction and pride grasp us. What have we experienced and seen in the last few weeks. Here on the Nordkapp you actually notice that it is Corona times. The parking lot is almost empty, few cars, but more mobile homes, no coaches. Since we were there early and the weather was great, we walked straight to the globe with photo equipment. Unbelievable, so little going on that you can take photos without unwanted people at a humane time of day.
Before we went to the Nordkapp, I expressed the wish to spend the night there if it wasn't too stormy. Since we have to pay 20 euros for 12h parking anyway and the weather was fine, we stayed overnight. Actually, I would have liked to visit the shop and maybe also write one or the other postcard. But to get into the building, where there is a museum, the shop and a cafe, you would have paid another 25 euros per person. We didn't do that after all.
On the last round with Finja in the evening I counted the German mobile homes. With us it was 12 out of a total of 22. Hammer, we haven't seen that many Germans since the Baltic States.
In the evening the wind increased a bit and since there is no wind catcher around, the polar bear was rocked a bit. Nevertheless we slept well and long. However, the wind also brings cold and we slowly have to put on our warmer jackets, if not the winter jackets, and hats. My warm shoes are now used after all.
I then drove the way back from the Nordkapp so that Basti could take pictures in between. He took many photos of reindeer and the fjords and suddenly he was shouting that there was a porpoise in the water. Well, then I was over and unfortunately there are not so many opportunities on the coastal road to stop quickly.
We spent the night at the bridge that connects the island of Kvalsund (town of Hammerfest) with the mainland. There is a fishing spot by the fjord that is used properly by the locals. Both in the late afternoon and the next day there were always anglers here. And they pulled a lot of fish out of the water during the day. Here, too, were several reindeer that ran just past our car and looked for a place to sleep nearby.
Hammerfest - holiday destination for cruise ships
On the way to Hammerfest we stopped briefly at the ferry that took us to Seiland the next day. We found out how it will all work and where to pay for the ticket. Hammerfest is a larger city in the far north of Norway. Mainly it consists of port, industry and also has a small airport. There was a cruise ship in the harbor, but there were no people to be seen.
Because of Corona, many cruise ships are not allowed to land and we thought that this ship was sitting out the time here in the port. A little above Hammerfest there was a lookout point that we walked up to. It's unbelievable what a view of the city from up here. And then the sun is shining too. One can see part of the island of Seiland as well as a whole part of the island of Soroya.
For the night we drove to the other side of the island, where the fishing village Forsol is located. There we stood by a bay and looked out through the harbor at the sea. There was also a sight that we could easily walk to. In fact, they have found ancient remains of dwellings here, which come from the indigenous people of Norway. A little further through we saw a bay with a sandy beach and green clear water for the first time. The water is so clear that you can see right down to the bottom. However, it was too cold to bathe. Finja first let off steam on the beach and we took pictures.
We spent the night quite well and slept well. The morning, however, was a bit stormy. The polar bear was shaken and the sea was properly whipped. Since we will now spend a week on the island of Seiland, where there is only one small shop, which is probably also very expensive, we went shopping in Hammerfest for a short time.
We also did the disposal in the port. In fact, the cruise ship with passengers ran out during that time. So they are apparently allowed to drive again. When we arrived at the ferry, there were already a few cars and it is only a small car ferry. But we all took care and 15 minutes later we were on Seiland. More information about Hammerfest can be found here.
You can find more of our pictures in the Photo gallery Norway.
