Places We’ve Been: Adventures In The Lofoten Islands – Part I, By The HelmsMistress

It was time to get out of the heat (“…but it’s a dry heat”…desert humor) and make a long overdue visit to Europe to visit my best friend, so we decided to meet up in the beautiful Lofoten Islands of Norway https://www.visitnorway.com/places-to-go/northern-norway/the-lofoten-islands/ .  You’ve likely seen it before on a screen saver or other media dedicated to some of the world’s most picturesque locations and it definitely lived up to its reputation.  It is located at 68˚latitude, just above the Arctic Circle.  So whether you’re enjoying the endless midnight sun or mysterious northern lights, there are spectacular views abound (weather permitting).  So, with little vacation time to spare due to starting a new job, I made the consecutive 4 flight venture to this beautiful location that I hope you all have a chance to enjoy someday.

We arrived in the evening…like time matters when the sun never sets…and settled into our fisherman’s cabin at Lofoten Basecamp https://lofoten-basecamp.no/cabins/?guestCount=2&datefrom=2024-07-10&dateto=2024-07-12. Here was our view.

No traffic, no meaningless chatter, just peace.  Beyond the breathtaking views and tranquil surroundings, there was also an inviting sauna extending over the water that could be reserved – more on that in a future post.  Between the endless sunshine, my overwhelming jetlag, and sheer excitement of being on vacation, I think I finally fell asleep at 3am.

Day two and no time to spare!  Weather had rolled in, but coming from the desert, it was so nice to enjoy a damp and cool day!  I was also surrounded by a rich vibrant color I hadn’t seen in quite a while…green, I believe we call it? (more desert humor). We wandered down the path to the bus stop and anxiously awaited our transportation to the Lofotr Viking Museum https://www.lofotr.no/en/lofotr-vikingmuseum/.  The rain picked up and I was instantly reminded why I packed winter clothes in the heat of summer.  Something about traveling above the Artic Circle had me convinced I just might need them.  The buses were very nice and welcoming.  As much as I was enjoying the change in weather, it was a welcome relief to have some shelter from the rain for our brief trip up to Borg.

Lofotr Viking Museum

Let’s face it, I couldn’t possibly go to Norway and NOT visit a Viking museum…I mean what kind of tourist would I be?  Their impressive history and our modern-day misconceptions about who they were have always fascinated me, so this was a must.  Unbeknownst to me, the Lofoten Islands are home to the world’s longest reconstructed Viking longhouse.  It was erected just adjacent to the original Chieftain House at Borg, presently boasting the title of largest longhouse of the Viking age.  The posts are still visible on this archaeological site that was only discovered by a famer in 1981!  Most fascinating to me were the gullgubber (small thin sheets of gold stamped with figures) that were found here in postholes under the high seat from where the ruling couple held court.  These intricate amulets, traces of weaponry, and other archaeological finds indicate that an elite and resourceful class of chieftains once lived here.

Beyond the main museum building and reconstructed longhouse, there are acres of land to explore with plentiful opportunities to find your inner Viking.  The Lofotr Viking Museum provides and incredible glimpse into history through stunning archaeological finds and simulated experiences that encourage you to unapologetically play tourist while trying to appreciate a noteworthy advanced ancient civilization.  Don a Viking helmet and pose for a picture sporting your best warrior pose – CHECK! Sip some mead from a fancy glass vessel in the longhouse – CHECK!  Set sail on a (tiny) Viking ship in the rain– CHECK!  Sadly, we passed on the axe throwing.  There’s always next time.

Ali secured a rental car in the main city of Leknes, our original point of entry to the Lofoten Islands.  With a quick wardrobe change and power nap, we set off on our next adventure…midnight sun kayak.

Standby for more on this adventure and more on the beautiful Lofoten Islands next Wednesday.  The Helmsmistress is back!