Kayaking the Fjords

After the long hike up to Trolltunga, we decided a couple of days of rest for our legs would be a good idea, so we booked a 2 day (one night) kayaking guided tour of a fjord (through Nordic Ventures). The tour took us the full length of the Naeroy Fjord and and a short distance of the Aurland Fjord. The total kayaked distance was estimated to be about 25 km. Our guide’s name was Steve from New Zealand, and for some reason, Jeanette had a tough time understanding his accent. He has spent 5 months out of the last few years coming to Norway to guide these tours; the rest of his year is spent as a park ranger in New Zealand.

received_10200662940236047 — I am pretty sure we camped at the “X”.

Jeanette and I were paired in a tandem kayak which had me a little nervous because I know paddling is one thing that she tires quickly at, but she did a very good job for the whole trip. The tour came with 2 lunches (sandwiches and tomato soup), a dinner (mince pasta), and a breakfast (toast & cereal), and all of them were good (Steve was formerly a sous chef in a past job). There was always plenty of food.

received_10200662774071893 — We are feeling serious spray from a waterfall in this picture.

The best part of the tour was the wildlife that we encountered. We saw a white-tailed eagle, seagulls, goats, sheep, porpoises, and mussels. After getting approval from our guide, Jeanette had us on the hunt for mussels all along the fjords. They cooked the mussels up for an appetizer for our dinner which had her in heaven. We also learned that all the small towns along the fjord were mainly deserted with only one or two families left permanently living in them and many of the remaining inhabitants receive grants from the government to continue living there.

0610181030-1 — Mussels collected by Jeanette cooked in butter by Steve. Surprisingly, no one got sick. Even I tried one (against my wishes)

0611180635_HDR-1 — Jeanette’s obsession the second day was collecting more mussels. Here she is looking among the seaweed. She tried a taste of that too.

received_10200662772031842 — Feeding goats from our kayaks. They were surprisingly nimble on the slippery rocks.

received_10200662772711859 — Kenny either reaching enlightenment or Mika making him take more jumping pic’s.

The tour finished at the small town of Undredal- famous (locally) for their goat cheese. We tried a few samples but did not buy anything.

After returning to our car we started driving north for our final 3 days in Norway. Shortly after leaving our Nordic Adventures, we drove through the longest road tunnel in the world at 25 kilometers long. To cheer you up during these dismal kilometers under a mountain, they add different colored lights at rest areas within tunnel; Kenny thought they looked appropriate for raves.

-Jason

Life as a Local in Syros, Greece

3 months with Boundless Life