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| THE NORTH CAPE |
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In the summer of 1997 I made a journey to Norway, to the north of Europe; the very north. One can't go any further north in Europe without falling off. It was my first long journey with a motorbike (a Honda CB 250).
I must admit, this has been the holiday of a lifetime. Thanks to beautiful weather and little experience this trip became a string of pearls; every day surpassed the previous day. Immense, desolate landscapes, just enough hardship to make it a real adventure, and the most impressive finale one can possibly imagine upon reaching the point of return, what more can a man want? For those who can read Dutch; here is a full journal of the journey. |
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Oook at his 'hobbit-breakfast'. Usually I start the day by filling a thermos with tea, packing my gear and being off. Breakfast is served some time later, when I have found a nice spot with a view. |
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'Just enough hardship to make it a real adventure'... After over a week of sun and warm weather, the temperature dropped overnight to just above freezing. Sun gave way to rain and fog. All of a sudden I found myself kneeling beside the bike to warm my freezing hands at the exhaust. When not in my ears, I had to keep my earplugs under my clothes to keep them flexible. And this was the first day I decided to leave without preparing my thermos with tea. |
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But at the end of that same day I reached Alta, and in the far off distance I saw a line of blue. I decided to press on until I could see the sun. That moment came on the high, barren fields south of Olderfjord. And all of a sudden it dawned on me: this is the land of midsummernight, fair weather is rare in these parts. I should press on as long as the weather would hold...
Just after midnight I arrived at the North Cape.
The sun stood in the north, it's rays piercing their way between clouds, reflecting of the cold water of the arctic sea. It was like looking into a kaleidoscope filled with gold, green, blue and white. I will never forget those magical moments. |
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Very few people, immense landscapes, three weeks alone on the road. OOK! |
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BACK TO HOMEPAGE
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