Highlights of Lofoten

After four hours sailing from Bodø, we arrived into Stamsund at Lofoten Island just after dinner at 7 pm.
The busses were waiting at the pier and we departed right after our arrival. 

The Lofoten archipelago consists of three main islands and two small - we arrived into Vestvågøy and did drive via Gimsøy to Austvågøy. Due to the warm Gulf Stream, Lofoten has a much milder climate than other parts of the world at the same latitude .
We did first cross the island of Vestvågøy and passed the bridge to the Norwegian Sea island of Gimsøy. Our first stop at Gimsøy Church. We did visit the church (picture left). 



We then continued to the island of Austvågqya and Kabelvåg, the oldest fishing village in the Lofoten Islands and formerly the largest. It was here that Lofoten’s commercial fisheries started more than 1,000 years ago. In Kabelvåg we visited Lofoten Museum where we learn about the history of the Lofoten fishing and fishermen. We saw the authentic fishermen's cabins and boathouses featuring Nordland boats. 
We also visited Gallery Espolin, with the largest collection of works made by artist Kaare Espolin Johnson, known for his depictions of the sea, Lofoten and the hard lives of fishermen. On our way to the port of Svolvær where we should meet M/S Kong Harald Our we passed by Vågan Church in Kabelvåg, also known as Lofoten Cathedral. An impressive church  built in 1898 in the Gothic Revival style and is one of Norway´s largest with close to 1,200 seats. 
We arrived into Svolvær at 10 pm- just in time for the departure of M/S Kong Harald.

The nature at Lofoten is amazing, the Gimsøy Church a nice photo opportunity and Lofoten Fishing  Museum very interesting - a nice break with bus and an interesting 3 hours excursion, however a bit too hight priced.



Lofoten Islands
The Lofoten archipelago is located north of the Arctic Circle in the county of Nordland, Norway. Between the mainland and the Lofoten lies the open Vestfjord. The archipelago is known for its exceptional natural beauty, the picturesque Fishing settlements, the Rorbu (Fishermen’s cottages) and the stockfish. Lofoten has a very high density of sea eagles and millions of other sea birds, among them the colorful puffin. Due to the Golf Stream the climate is mild, despite the latitude north of the Arctic Circle. Between May 25 and July 17 you can experience the Midnight Sun, and from early May the nights are bright. Lofoten Islands is an archipelago and a traditional district in the county of Nordland, Norway. Lofoten is known for a distinctive scenery with dramatic mountains and peaks, open sea and sheltered bays, beaches and untouched lands. Though lying within the Arctic Circle, the archipelago experiences one of the world's largest elevated temperature anomalies relative to its high latitude.