Marcel Burger - Third time's the charm

Revamped fishermen houses, drying racks and mountains in Svolvaer, Lofoten, Norway, July 2007

One of the most stunning places I ever visited were the Lofoten, a group of islands in the far north of Norway. Here, mountains rise directly from the sea and even in June some of them can be snow topped. My visit to the Lofoten was super short, two days only, and included a cool small boat ride from Narvik, on the Norwegian mainland. The way back was by bus - less romantic, but the boat was in repair.

Svolvaer

Named after an old farm, Svolvær (4,730 inh.) is kind geographically the central town on the Lofoten, part of the Vågan municipality. Already in the 800s there was a settlement here, historic texts apparently show. The village of now dates back to the mids of the 1500s. It grew in importance in the early 1900s as a fishing village, with the fishermen often living at the waterfront in cabins on wooden beams. During my visit I stayed in the Svolvær Rorbuer on the smaller island of Austerøya a short walk from Svolvær centre. It was the middle of summer, with the Midsummer sun shining 24/7. Hearing the water rippling down below felt amazing.

A small boat passes the six rorbuer.

Close up of the fishermen houses in Svolvaer.

The restaurant Børsen Spiseri in Svolvaer, July 2007.

Historic working vessel N250V with historic warehouses in the harbour of Svolvaer.

The town of Svolvaer seen from halfway up a hill in Osan, July 2007.

Lødingen

Like Svolvær, the village of Lødingen on the island of Hinnøya was also named after a farm on the spot. It has only 2,000 residents.

The harbour of Lødingen, Lofoten, July 2007

A car ferry on its way to the next Lofoten destination

With no reference points to show their size, these mountains look pretty small on the photograph.

A women looks at the beauty of the Fjords on a ferry boat between the Lofoten island and the mainland, July 2007.

Narvik

Since my visit in 2007, Svolvær can be reached by car. But back then, the bridges connecting the Lofoten to the mainland were not all finished yet. A boat ride from/to Narvik through the fjords here is an adventure. In clear weather, like on this July day, one can see far. The snowy peaks in July were a surprise and a sign that even late in the year, skiing on slopes further inland is still possible.

Narvik is a key harbour facility for the iron ore that the mines in Northern Sweden transport across the world. In fact, the city of 14,000 can only be reached by rail from the Swedish city of Kiruna. The line was the first to be electrified by Sweden.

The Hålogalandsbrua (Hålogaland Bridge) still visible on the horizon as my boat is distancing itself from Narvik.

Central street in Narvik, with a snowy mountain in the background, July 2007.

The harbour of Narvik is essential for the transport of iron ore from the mines in Northern Sweden. Here a ship as moored at the harbour installations.

A reflecting metal spire in the centre of Narvik.

Narvik is an important harbour for the delivery and transport of goods.

My small boat towards the Lofoten, July 2007.

View to the west over the fjord leading to Narvik from Sweden. The Hålogalandsbrua (Hålogaland Bridge) is clearly visible.