Lofoten Islands

The Amazing Lofoten Islands

Lofoten is an archipelago, lying within the Arctic Circle
 at about 67 degrees latitude.  Juneau, Alaska is 56 degrees, so
these unique islands are way up north!

A few months ago, President Evans told us that we
should take a trip up north and visit Lofoten.
So we did! 

The scenery is magnificent!

A lot of cod drying goes on here.
"Stockfish is unsalted fish, especially cod, dried by cold air and wind on wooden racks in Norway.  Drying is the world's oldest known preservation method and dried fish has a storage life of several years."

We didn't see any of this - it was too late in
the season...

... but we saw a lot of these empty drying racks
dotting the landscape.

But, first things first.

Look who we "ran into" at the Oslo airport!
Our "new friends" came to visit us in Norway and
we were thrilled!!  We were so excited to experience Lofoten
 with Rick and Jolene!!

We flew way up to Bodø where we spent the night.
This picture was taken about 12:30 A.M.

The ferry didn't leave until later in the day so

we toured around Bodø, going up to an old

fortress.

Looks like it was built in 1810

There was a great view of the city.

Took a drive to this beautiful area, Saltstraumen, 

where the world's strongest tidal current occurs every 6 hours.

In line for the ferry to Lofoten, we met this adventurous group.  Eighteen young Christians had been traveling and camping all over

Finland, Sweden and Norway.  They said they would be in

Kristiansand in about a week so, of course, Elder Nelson, told them

about the center and invited them to come by and get some home

made cookies. Unfortunately, they didn't come to the center, but Jim tracked them down, waiting to get on the ferry to Denmark and surprised them with a bunch of chocolate chip cookies. They couldn't believe that he remembered.   Hopefully they will have good memories of Mormons!

Our first views of Lofoten, right off the ferry.

"What is the good of experience if you do not reflect?"

Several bridges connect the main islands.

We were lucky to have gotten hotel reservations

in the little fishing village of Henningsvaer.

(I found this view from the web) 

Driving to the hotel, we spotted this big fox.

Our hotel -  Finnholmen Brygge, a restored

building from the early 1900's 

Even though we didn't arrive until after 10 p.m.,

they kept the kitchen open to feed us four hungry

travelers.

Two choices - fiskesuppe (fish soup) or...

...fiskegryte (fish stew)

They were both delicious!

Love these cute bowls!

The rooms were advertised as being small and simply furnished.  True. 

We weren't quite sure if the sun was setting or rising.

It never did get dark - this was at 1:30 a.m.

A typical scene at breakfast - tubes of 

mayo, shrimp cheese, bacon cheese, pork cheese

and different kinds of caviar. Just spread it on

a piece of bread, add a slice of meat, cheese, a few

slices of cucumbers and maybe a slice of hard

boiled egg.

Henningsvaer is delightful!

It was a cloudy day but, no matter!

Quaint 

and charming.

Jim would much rather make new friends than 

look around in tourist shops.

The Annual Viking Festival

The Viking king and his entourage arriving.

 The king opening this year's festival with dances and

 lots of skål (cheers)!

I asked this modern Viking, what was the significance

of the metal wolf head necklaces.  He told us they were

"just Viking bling".

Recognize him?

Jolene's and my favorite Vikings!

This would be fun in the back yard.

The festival took place in a beautiful area.

Of course, there is beauty all around.

Serene villages.

Waterfalls!

Fjords!

Wildflowers!

Open seas!

Beautiful reflections!

"Reflections are a second chance to see the wonder."

Rugged, jagged peaks!

Snow capped peaks!

More fishing villages.

What to do with the old phone booth?

Turn it into a mini library, of course.

We visited this old beautiful church but they

charged to go inside.  There was also a charge 

to use the W.C., so we didn't.

No problem - we soon found this.

How about these cool swings?

Stunning views everywhere!

Beautiful scenery!  Beautiful country! 

 Beautiful trip!  Beautiful Friends!

It's a beautiful life!

Festinord 2015

Festinord is the L.D.S. conference for L.D.S. YSA's from
Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.  It started way back in 1966 and has grown to this years' largest group yet, way over 700!
Young adults came from not only the Nordic countries but from over 25 other countries.  It was amazing and we, as a Senior Missionary couple working with the YSA's got to be there!   

The theme with the light house was so fitting since Scandinavia
is loaded with lighthouses!
"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light growth brighter and brighter until the perfect day".  D&C 50:24

Elder and Sister Whittaker waiting in line 
 to get on the ferry.  It leaves
 from Kristiansand.

Here is our happy group - Elder Nelson, Atle, Brianne,
Hannah, Camilla and Benjamin.

This is Skagen, the northern most point of Denmark where
two seas come together - the North Sea and the Baltic.
You could really see the waves coming together 
from opposite directions.

Even though it was pouring rain, we all walked out
into the sea.

On one of the first days, Atle's car wouldn't start so
they tried to push start it.  Didn't work but Jim saved
the day by dis-connecting the battery and resetting
the computer.  YAY! It started!

During one fun group activity, Jim noticed a couple
of young men watching us from a distance.  He motioned
for them to come over and they did.  He was really good
 at this balancing game!

Three Ephraim kids reunited in Randers, Denmark!
Janet Christensen Williams is serving with her husband as 
President and matron of the Copenhagen Temple.

Sports Day was a big hit! Åse joined in the fun!

My favorite day!  Over 700 people ready to give

service to the people of Randers.

Mormon Helping Hands

Jim and I were assigned to a bus of about 45 YA's, delivering
them to four different places where they would be working but on 
the way to the last stop, the bus stopped and didn't start again.
These cute kids, made the most of the wait for a new bus!

Eating lunch in the wheat fields.

 Playing games and taking over the little country road.

The leaders waited patiently too and took pictures.

Finally, we made it to the kindergarten where lots of
painting was waiting.

No ladders - no problem!

Six from our bus had an amazing experience helping
this sweet lady by cleaning up her yard

Hanna spoke Danish with her.

Ruth and her daughter were so very grateful for the help!

All the senior missionary couples. We helped greet at the 
bus and train stations, serve meals and midnight snacks, organize and carryout activities, set up tables and chairs, decorate, stay up late to be at the dances, serve dinner, take down tables and chairs as well as keeping an eye on all our own YA's. Whew!  

Last evening gala, "New York, New York!"

Most of our Kristiansand group looking very festive!

Headed home, on the ferry after a very successful
and a very inspiring Festinord!

Tall Ship Races - Kristiansans

The tall ships in Kristiansand harbor were amazing!!

The Tall Ships Races are organized by Sail Training
International, to help young people benefit from the sail 
training experience.

Eldste and Søster Whittaker from Stavanger, came down

to K-Sand a couple days early, on their way to Festinord, 
so we enjoyed the Tall Ships Festival together.

The race started in Belfast, Ireland and made a stop
in Ålesund, Norway, then to Kristiansand and finally
to Aalborg Denmark.

I think we may be related.