2014-03-02

Meeting Aurora

The day started off as quiet - a sandwich for breakfast at the hostel, accompanied by a few of the previously stolen eggs from the ship's buffet. We jumped on yet another plane toward Harstad/Narvik airport in Evenes. This time, a tiny little bird by Wideroe, with a choice of about 25 self assigned seats, took us up in the air all the while rattling and humming. Small planes are not my preferred method of transportation, but we arrived safe and sound, picked up our rental, and were on our way toward Henningsvaer to spend our first night on the Lofoten islands. 

What was meant to be a 2.5 hour drive to our destination, turned into over 4 hours of cruising underneath a mysteriously lit up sky. 

Let me go back - we were driving down the narrow and winding roads, me as the passenger planning our hunt for the aurora when i spotted 'clouds' in the sky. Disappointed at our chances to see the aurora later that evening, I point out the clouds to Lukasz who in turn tells me to look closer as clouds don't have a tinge of green to them. That was just the start. 

Fast forward half an hour and we were blessed with the most magical light show we could have ever imagined…


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We were hypnotized. The cold creeping up to us as we stood there, but we barely felt it. My fingers numb from trying to capture the moment. None of the pictures could ever do it any justice, nor could they portray how small and insignificant we felt in the world at that moment.

Suddenly the whole sky lit up in green, illuminating the snow covered mountain tops, with ribbons of purple peeking through.

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We retired to our two story cabin (which was somehow cheaper than a room), then proceeded to relax in the private sauna and steam shower.  We felt on top of the world buzzing with excitemend from the experience we just had on the road. Not even our gas station bought dinner consisting of salty instant noodles and frozen pizza could ruin the mood. I went to bed feeling very lucky to have been privy to one of Nature's most amazing shows.

Sweet Dreams.

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