Biking Above the Arctic Circle in Norway: August 19 -20: From Reine to Reykjavik

(Posted by Alan)

It took us two days to get from Reine to Reykjavik via Oslo, and it almost didn't happen. On our last morning in Reine we were to take a three hour ferry at 9:00am from Reine to Bodo. From there take a plane to Oslo where we planned to tour around for the better part of the afternoon then next morning catch the plane to Reykjavik. Only that morning's weather was a continuation of the stormy and rainy weather we have been experiencing this whole trip, and when we showed up at the ferry terminal the place was abandoned and no sign of a ferry. We then discovered we had read the schedule wrong and just a few days earlier the schedule changed and ferry was not to leave until 11:00am. Still OK to make our connecting flight, but when our guide called to double check the schedule we learned that all ferry traffic had been canceled due to high seas and wind! So after a lot of frantic calling to airlines and travel insurance folk we got new tickets out of the airport we came in at at beginning of trip! So very luckily the tour van had not left yet and let us pile back in and hitch a ride back (4 hour drive) which basically retraced our bike route! It was quite amazing to retrace the route and realize we had biked all this way up all these hills and along all those fjords.

Our flight to Oslo was not until 8p, so we didn't get to our hotel until after 11p. So no touring Oslo that afternoon. The hotel was advertised as "shabby chic" which made for interesting decor. Intentionally ripped wallpaper, strange carpet patterns that look worn but was not, and other stuff. But the room was first class for comfort, cleanliness, and amenities, Just 'shabby chic'. The next morning we had a few hours to tour around Oslo before catching train back to airport.

We have not had any time yet to explore Reykjavik, but the weather is the same as all week, overcast and rain, but by now we are used to it and don't really notice. We did get out to wander down to the harbor district and have dinner at the 'Sea Baron' restaurant which is a hole in the wall place advised to us by our daughter Heather as having life changing lobster soup! So we had to go, and it was as good as advertised. Tomorrow we take the tour of the area so hope the weather improves.