Holiday trip (to Norway), what should I take? What not to forget?

[neuroanatomist]

I'd love to bring all my stuff, but unfortunately I have a bad shoulder. An hour with my fully filled camera bag is ok at this point, but I'm not sure how much I will enjoy it when we're going on a hike or something. That's why I wanted to travel light.

One suggestion, depending on budget and time to get something ordered before you go - get the gear off your shoulder(s). I've had good luck with a 5DII (with grip) + 24-105mm in a Lowepro Toploader Pro 65 AW attached to my waist with a Lowepro S&F Deluxe Technical Belt. You can attach a lens case to the other side, the Lowepro Lens Case 9x13 is optimal for a 70-200mm f/4L IS with hood reversed.


Another option, less modular but also less expensive, would be a belt pack like theLowepro Inverse 200 AW. That was actually my first camera bag (which I soon outgrew) - it would fit 5DII, 24-105mm f/4L IS, 70-200 f/4L IS, and ride comfortably on your waist. It's got straps to hang a tripod on the bottom, and a pull-out rain cover, too.

[qwRad]

Hehe nice coincidence, I'm going to Norway too very soon so I'm going to borrow this thread a little bit I'm leaving on the 21st (Thursday) and we will stop in Levitunturi (in northern Finland) and then cross over to Norway near Kilpisjärvi. We have not set the timetable just yet but probably aim to be back in Levitunturi by Friday the 29th so around a full week in Norway.


Our plan at the moment is to go from south towards north: see the Lofoten first and then drive up the coast towards Nordkap. Do you (Lars especially) think this would be a reasonable plan or do we need more than about 5 days for driving from Lofoten to Nordkap with reasonable amount of sightseeing on the way. I would prefer not to drive more than about 350-400km per day.


And to the main point. On that route (Lofoten - Nordkap) what are the best spots for photography or just generally awesome must see places? Is there any glaciers nearby? Where is the best chance to see whales? Best cliffs/fjords? Etc?

[Lars]

I must admit that I am most familiar with the scenery from Lofoten and southwards, mostly since I spent half a year in military service in Harstad (just north of Lofoten), and cycled home from Harstad to Voss when I finished (1750 km). I also cycled in Lofoten with some friends some years ago. Three days with heavy rain forced us to abandon the camping the fourth day [st]. We were soaking wet.


Just east of lofoten lies Saltfjellet, where there are some glaciers, and also the largest in mainland Norway, Svartisen. But since you arrive further north, it might be a too long diversion. I would anyway suggest a day in Tromsø, perhaps the most friendly town/city in Norway with lots of night clubs, pubs and cafés. It has a very famous church with modern architecture, inspired by icebergs and the norther lights, I think.


There are also some nice mountains in Lyngen (called Lyngsalpene in Norwegian) that are quite breathtaking, particularly if you are used to the rather flat Finland. I have not been on whale safari in this area, but know that there are good chances in Vesterålen, that lies just north of Lofoten. Killer whales are often seen, usually in groups.


Most towns and cities in Finnmark was destroyed by the nazis during the last war, so don't expect the pittoresque small villages like those in Lofoten. But I have to admit that even though I was born in Finnmark (Kirkenes, close to the Russian (then Soviet) border), I know very little of that area (lived there for three years, only). But Karasjokk or Kautokeino might be worth a stop to experience the sami way of living, and perhaps spend a night in the traditional tents (lavvo).


These are just some quick thoughts, and I am sure that I have missed some spots that is worth a visit. But Lofoten is anyway worth the trip alone, for sure.


If you want detailed maps, I suggest www.gislink.no rather than googlemaps. Gislink is more correct, and more like a proper map. Not sure if it works on mobile phones, though.


Lars

[qwRad]

Thanks a lot for the tips! Hopefully it won

[Lars]

Gas stations usually have maps, if not, you can check out kiosks (sell everything from milk, hot dogs, magazines, books chocolate etc.).


Deep water fishing should be available in Lofoten, I would ask the tourist information. King Crabs are overrunning the fjords in Finnmark, and it might be possible to join a boat there. Again, the tourist information would be the best advisor.


I will be offline for some days now. Off to the cabin by the sea to catch crabs and trout in the river.


Lars

[Sheiky]

Alright...I'm a bit ashamed because I'm already two weeks back home from my holiday in Norway, but I do really want to give a big thanks to everybody who has given me advice and support. Thanks a lot[Y][Y]


I want to give a special thanks to Lars who has met us in Bergen and toured us around almost the entire day despite the constant raining. It was really great to meat him and we have enjoyed our time with him a lot! Thanks Lars!![]


Shortly: we had the holiday of our lives[] We were fortunate to only have 2,5 days of rain in our 14 day trip and that's like 8 times better than we we were prepared for.


Norway is the most stunning country I've ever seen and we enjoyed different parts of all that beauty. It's like there's a natural beauty surprise behing every bend in the road. Really amazing! Nothing like the Netherlands, where bends are hard to find [:P]


About the photo-part: I took the 5D and 24-105 and the 40D with the 70-200. I think I have shot about 3 photos with the 40D and 70-200 [:P] Tele-lenses get to stay at home the next time.


We've shot about 1600 photos of which a lot are panorama's and HDR's. 24mm on a full frame camera in Norway is like a tele-lens here in the Netherlands. Everything is so big and you feel so small and it's very hard to capture some of those big things in one shot. (I have panorama's containing 23 shots...in 3 exposures...so 69 shots)


Anyway, I still have a lot of sorting and editing to do. I hope to show some photos very soon. I really need to because I also want to enter some in a Dutch photography contest themed "Holiday" so I have to[A]


Again thanks for all of the tips and advice. Even though I didn't have the time before my holiday to reply on all of your messages. I did print them out and took them with me, so they were of great help[]


Thanks and to be continued I guess[]


Jan