Long way up - day 8

The story goes on. We left Mo I Rana at about lunch time, but this doesn't matter so much up north, where in summer time you can drive at midnight in plain sun light. First stop was at the crossing of the Northern Polar Circle, where we marked the place with the Romanian flag. there was also the place where we received our diploma's, the diploma's that say that we have passed the imaginary line that marks the place on Earth where, for a few days around summer solstice, the sun never comes down, phenomenon also known as "the polar day". The place it is not particular through it's scape, just being a snowy plateau for about all year round, but through it's geographical position. It exists even a railway station where passengers can claim down the train for photo shoots, gather souvenirs or their diploma's.
Further on the way to Bodo, that we kind of ran through because we had to catch the last ferry to Moskenes, was extraordinary. Valleys of rivers, the coast of fjords, suspended bridges and tunnels, all with curves that will drive nuts any motorcycle lover. I have been on the same way in 1996, but I can say that from the saddle of my motorcycle it is a so much more beautiful experience, "friends know why". we managed to be in time to catch the ferry, crossing to Lofoten. I do believe, and here you may argue, that Lofoten is the most beautiful part of Norway, even if Nordkapp, with its exclusiveness, attracts more tourists. I hope the photos will come to support my affirmation.

Long way up - day 7

Day 7 marked the stage from Trondheim to Mo i Rana. It was a relaxed day, with curved roads on beautiful valleys. We met Norwegians that were fishing in the quick mountain rivers.
Then we passed the imaginary border and we came in to the land called “Nord Norge”, a space with a special atmosphere of quietude and tales. Even today I still get the shivers when I'm thinking of the sunny scape, lightened till midnight, reigned by the golden reflexes given by the rising-sleeping sun.
We've camped in a hotel in Mo i Rana, and we've spend the rest of the evening “extinguishing” some bear whilst listening to the piano, finding out by the end of the night ( I could as well say morning) that the piano player was Romanian as well....

Long way up - day 6

So the 6th day came along. A day that started just as any other usual day, we gathered up our tents and we at “at the horse's mouth”, one horse with four cylinders, that is. The sun was struggling to warm the air a bit, and the first part of the day was alright. In Lillehamer we have been wet by a little rain, but didn't take anything from the beauty of the Olympic Park. The trampoline, which I've first seen in 1996, had the very same effect on me. You get all shivering when you stand at the top and look where brave young men, modern Icarus, take off to jump over 140 m. I have a great respect for them and for the sport they are practicing, although at sports journal the most important “news” are gossip news with football player's girlies, more important than the tournament of the 4 trampolines, for example... What can one do, they sell what is asked for.

The second part of the day would bring to us 70 km of snow, that came up in 15 minutes out of nowhere, 10 km of snow with rain, and, as a closure, 20 km of hard, sturdy, contiguous rain with 3 or 4 degrees in thermometers. We have really felt the bad weather in Scandinavia, but for our luck, this was the only day like this. We have used the warmers at maximum, those from the palms and the one on the back, and I still had a frozen pinky. With all this, the evening we managed to reach Trondheim in good health, where we've found a decent retreat. We happily “kissed”, the “palinca” (Romanian drink, s
similar to votca or whiskey) bottle so we warmed a bit our frozen souls.

Later, we found out that this was real winter time in Norway.

Long way up - day 5

Day 5, a beautiful summer day. We left Copenhagen thinking of crossing the bridge to Malmo, cause we've heard it's impressive, but our GPS was set on “fastest route”, so we took the way to Helsingor. We missed the bridge, but we gained time, having a trip shorter with 50 km, and also we had the relaxing (nooo, nobody was sleeping, is just an impression!) pleasure of ½ hour on the ferry deck as we crossed to Helsingor.
We did not find any highway in Sweden and Norway, thing which we liked very much. The long lasted for scape didn't take long to show.
Around evening, we reached Oslo, where we also spent the night after we walked a bit in the center.

Long way up - day 4

Day 4 came with relaxation. We have been already on the road for 3 days and 2136 km, that is almost ¼ of the trip, so we choose to visit Copenhagen, with the exceptional zoo. It was completely worth it.
The evening found us on the same channel with the customary beer, drank in customary style, that is sitting down on the edge of the channel. Or, as the Romanian would say, “at horse's mouth”.

Long way up - day 3

…. and the adventure continued with a beautiful day of spring end, as any biker would like: sun, warmth and especially... DRY ASPHALT!

…after the “share” of 600 km and welcomed afternoon sleep, on the ferry, under sun and wind, we reached safe and sound the destination of the day: Copenhagen. The evening followed with a walk on the canal and a well deserved beer on the well known channel Nyhavn, surrounded by the danish specific atmosphere (but not strange to Romanians, Boby knows why :))))))) )

Long way up - day 2

Day 2 started promising, with sun and hopes of good weather, but it didn't take long until rain showed up, keeping us company till late in the evening, when we reached our destination, Dresden. In Czech Republic we met weather that was just the same as the one in Northern Europe, 8 degrees C, small rain and fog. Hm, this is what we have prepared for, isn't it? Let's taste the adventure...