Day 08, Feb 04, 2025, Karasjok to Nordcapp

Today is an early day. Breakfast at 6, on the bus at 7. It is only -12C to start the day, a Heat Wave compared to yesterday! There are 2-3 inches of fresh snow on the ground. The snowstorm last night warmed up the air. I remember this from my youth, it is always warmer in a snowstorm because the snow insulates. We drive away as planned. It is snowing. The snowflakes are pretty in the headlights. There is a brief shot of the rising sun but then it’s back to snowing. The road we need ahead is closed, it was closed yesterday also. We won’t know until 10ish if we can get through. Maybe by supervised caravan.

We slept well last night. Dinner was good. The Aussies are a friendly lot. Our bus is a 47 seater and we have only 25 people so we can sit wherever we want. We have been near the front of the bus for 2 days. Today we sit mid bus with close access to the side door. The front door malfunctioned 2 days ago so the side door is the only way in or out.

It’s a different world up here. It is cold and barren. But it is also mountainous and beautiful! We see the occasional house or cabin and wonder who lives there. We have earned 2 diplomas so far. One for floating behind an ice breaker and one for crossing the Arctic Circle. When we reach our planned destination of Nordkapp (North Cape) today, we will earn another for reaching the northernmost point in Europe. Then we’ll celebrate with champagne and caviar! We hope we can get there.

We have now crossed both Arctic and Antarctic Circles and stood on the Equator. What other lines are there to cross? Oh yes, the Prime Meridian! But we have been there too! Lines, lines, everywhere a line, ones to cross and others to stand on. You can see our location (blue dot) on the map and our destination is Nordkapp (North Cape) at the top of the map.

One hour and ten minutes into the drive and a snowplow blocks the road. The road is closed. We turn around. We are at the 17th parallel, equal to the top of Alaska. We drive a short mile or so back to a place to rest and wait. We spend 3-4 hours in a Circle K parking lot waiting to get road clearance. It never comes. But the Circle K has tables to sit 30ish people so we spend money and buy hot chocolate and snacks. Gas station hot dogs are cherished by some in the group. I have to admit they look increasingly tempting as the time passes. I get an ice cream smoothie. Yeah, I get it. But it’s good. Must be the cold air getting to me. Maybe I’m delirious, but it’s good.

Viktor drives us back across into Finland to the Alko. We see many moose. Several moose and even a red fox are spotted. Everybody in the bus are looking out their windows in hopes to be the next one to call out, “Moose! On the right!”

A bottle of brandy to spike my hot chocolate seems to be in order. Elee gets a bottle of Cloudberry Liquor to share with everyone. “Cloudberries” are a pale sweet berry that grows in this area and are absolutely delicious! We go back to last nights hotel in Karasjok and get new rooms. This time we have to carry our bags down a flight of stairs. But the hotel is comfortable.

I go up and sit in the lounge area and wait to see who shows up. Perhaps I’ll check out the sauna on the 3rd floor. I do go up and check out the sauna but decide against using it. Saunas have never held any attraction for me. It sure is hot and dry though!

Dinner is served at 6:00 PM and starts with Reindeer Soup. Then Salmon. Dessert is pudding with berries. All is good!

It is still snowing. But the storm clears before midnight and someone texts on WhatsApp in the group that the Northern Lights are spotted! We get our first sighting of the Aurora Borealis shortly after midnight. I jump up and pull on several layers of clothing, grab my camera and tripod, and head outside! A few photos are taken to figure out the correct exposure to use. By then the Auroras have dissipated. I do get one decent shot though!

Back to bed it is with the suggestion that the Auroras might peak around 5 AM. So at 5 AM, I’m back up and dressing. Outside the skies are clear and calm. No Auroras. Back to bed it is!