Lofoten Islands - Stunning!

I've heard so much about the Lofoten Islands that when we finally got to set foot on them, I didn't feel that we had enough of it - I kept wishing I could get closer to the rocks and the mountains. We got magnificent views of the dramatic landscape from viewpoints calculated to provide postcard-perfect pictures but somehow I felt we were too far away. We had a bus tour going through five of the islands, but what we needed was a good hike to get up close to the rocks. Well, maybe next time...

Our first stop was at a village called Ä (the last letter of the Norwegian alphabet) on the island of Moskness where we visited the Torrfisk Museum, dedicated to the Atlantic cod. We learned all about Stockfish, unsalted dried cod which was the main industry on these islands.  Portugal and Italy are the largest customers. The fish heads go to Nigeria where they are used for soup because of the protein. It was an interesting visit with an enthusiastic guide, the owner. We then proceeded through the islands going from south to north with the first stop at the iconic view of the islands at the picturesque village of Reine.

Reine

The mountains around Reine

Look at those rock faces!

The squatters (kittiwakes!) have taken over this building at the waterfront in Moskness

Stockfish samples at the Stockfish Museum.

Fish farms

Fish drying on racks which were everywhere on the islands - they have to be finished the drying process by June before the insects arrive!

The red cabins are fisherman's cabins (Rorbuer)

A pretty church with a Russian inspired spire where we stopped to stretch our legs.  We clambered over a meadow and saw some oyster catchers nesting.

Nesting Oyster catcher

Some of the rugged landscape we saw on our way through the islands

 

Our lunch stop at the small fishing village of Nusfjord on the island of Flakstad

Kittiwakes were nesting everywhere, including window ledges!

Another picture postcard view at Nusfjord where we had our delicious Norwegian lunch

The ceiling of the museum shaped like a Viking ship

Near the museum

Our last stop was at the picturesque fishing village of Henningsvaer.  Lots of reflections here and interesting doors on the houses...

The "Lofoten Wall" - collection of mountain peaks that from a distance appear to form a straight line

The last excitement of the day was the ship's trip into the narrowest fjord in Norway, Trollfjord which is only 100 metres wide at its narrowest part.  The scenery at the end was spectacular with the evening sun hitting parts of the mountains.  The Captain did a nifty manoeuvre at the end to turn the ship around.

Going into the narrow fjord

This hidden gem at the end

One of two waterfalls on the sides

Rock formations along the side of the fjord

Leaving the narrowest fjord in Norway