When I circled the coordinates of the Norwegian Arctic Circle on the map, my heart rate skyrocketed. That mysterious land seemed to exude an invisible call. For this journey across thousands of miles to chase the Northern Lights and explore the fjords, I plunged into the intense itinerary planning three months in advance. I delved deep into a vast amount of travel guides, carefully researching the probability of the Northern Lights appearing in different seasons, much like hunting for treasures. At the same time, I thoroughly studied the ever-changing local climate and the rich and colorful folk festivals, aiming to make every minute of the journey full of surprises. After careful consideration, I locked in the itinerary from November to February of the following year, the most stable period of the aurora season. During this time, the sun hides below the horizon, creating the perfect conditions for the grand debut of the Northern Lights. The dark sky serves as a dedicated stage for the aurora.
Without hesitation, I eagerly boarded an international flight and plunged into the sea of clouds. The nine – hour long flight tested my patience minute by minute. Finally, the outline of Oslo emerged in the plane’s window. The unique cold air of Northern Europe, carrying the fragrance of pine, rushed towards me, instantly dispelling my travel fatigue. During my two – day stopover in Oslo, I headed straight for the Viking Ship Museum. The moment I stepped into the museum, it was as if I had traveled through a time tunnel, and those wooden warships that had slumbered for thousands of years suddenly came to life. Mysterious runes were carved on the ship’s hull, and the keel bore the marks of the vicissitudes of time. They stood quietly, yet seemed to be loudly telling the ancient courage of the Norwegians in conquering the ocean. I couldn’t help but reach out my fingertips and gently touch the replicated Viking shield. In an instant, the sense of historical weight struck my heart like an electric current, deepening my awe of the historical heritage of this land and making me even more eager to uncover its many mysteries.
After a short rest, I immediately transferred to a propeller – driven small plane. As the plane ascended, the scenery outside the window gradually changed. The city skyline slowly faded away, replaced by continuous snow – covered plains, as pure and flawless as a fairy – tale world. When the plane flew low over the fjords, the wings sliced through the cold air of the Arctic Circle, and the deafening roar filled the air. Just then, Tromsø came into view. This city, known as the “Gateway to the Arctic,” is surrounded by snow – capped mountains. The colorful wooden houses floating in the port are like candies carelessly scattered by God, dazzlingly beautiful against the white snow. The aroma of cinnamon rolls wafting from a bakery on the corner, mixed with the sea fog, instantly soothed my travel – worn soul. When I checked into a local homestay transformed from a hundred – year – old wooden house, the enthusiastic landlady handed me a cup of cloudberry tea with fine beads of water condensing on the outer wall of the cup. She also reminded me not to miss her home – cured reindeer meat. The tea was sweet and sour, with the unique flavor of polar berries. At that moment, I truly felt the simplicity and hospitality ingrained in the Norwegians, and my anticipation for the rest of the journey grew even stronger, as if I were about to embark on an unknown adventure.
Precautions: Before traveling, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months. Prepare your hotel reservation in Norway and your return flight ticket for future reference. It is recommended to purchase overseas travel insurance in advance to add a layer of protection to your journey. When traveling in cities like Oslo, pay attention to traffic rules. Some roads in Norway are complex, so if you plan to drive, familiarize yourself with local road conditions in advance. If using public transportation, pay attention to the operating hours.
On the nights waiting for the Northern Lights in Tromsø, time seemed to be enchanted and became extremely long. I decisively signed up for the popular Northern Lights cruise in the area. The ship, painted in bright orange – red, was particularly eye – catching in the dark night, like a blazing torch. When the ice – breaker slowly sailed out of the port, the night outside the window became even thicker. The floating ice on the sea sparkled with a blue – violet light under the moonlight, like scattered stars, so beautiful that it took one’s breath away. The captain excitedly announced over the loudspeaker, “The geomagnetic storm index is soaring!” The tourists on the deck immediately became restless. Everyone quickly wrapped themselves in thick down jackets, skillfully set up tripods, and stared intently at the northern horizon, afraid of missing any wonderful moment. Suddenly, a light green ribbon of light faintly appeared behind the clouds. the light ribbon began to twist and stretch wildly, and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a flowing light curtain pouring down. Purple, pink, and emerald green collided and intertwined in the night sky. The Northern Lights, like living spirits, danced wildly in the ionosphere, and one could even faintly hear the slight hum as it swept through the atmosphere. The exclamations and shutter sounds on the deck intertwined, but even so, they couldn’t compare to one – ten – thousandth of the shock in my heart. An elderly Japanese grandmother, while wiping away her excited tears, murmured, “This is the dance of the gods.” The moment I witnessed the Northern Lights with my own eyes, I deeply understood that nature has a power beyond words. It can instantly break through the barriers of the heart, making one truly feel one’s own insignificance and the grandeur of the universe. It taught me that some beauties are worth waiting for with great patience. The perseverance in the long dark night will eventually be rewarded with a moment of shock and eternity, an experience that can be remembered for a lifetime.
Another night, I chose to ride a snowmobile deep into the wilderness to chase the lights, starting a unique adventure. I put on a thick wind – proof suit and goggles, straddled the snowmobile, and the roar of the engine instantly tore through the silence of the snow – covered plain. Where the headlights shone, the snow powder glowed with a blue – violet light under the aurora, as if I had entered a dream world. The guide suddenly turned off the engine, and the whole world instantly fell into absolute silence, with only the Northern Lights dancing silently overhead. I couldn’t contain my excitement and lay directly on the snow, letting the cold wind brush my cheeks, and staring unblinkingly at the Northern Lights pouring down like the Milky Way. Those flowing colors seemed to be telling the ancient stories of the universe. At this moment, my breathing gradually synchronized with the rhythm of the Northern Lights, as if I could touch the pulse of time. This feeling of integrating with nature made me intoxicated and unable to extricate myself. This journey of chasing the lights was not only a visual feast but also a spiritual baptism. It taught me to be in awe of and grateful for nature in the face of its ultimate beauty, grateful for nature’s generous gifts and in awe of its mystery.
Precautions: When participating in the Northern Lights cruise or snowmobile light – chasing activities, be sure to choose regular and qualified operating agencies. Understand the activity process and safety precautions in advance. In extremely cold weather, keeping warm is of utmost importance. Bring enough thick down jackets, warm gloves, hats, scarves, etc. It is best to prepare hand – warmers to prevent hypothermia. When shooting the Northern Lights, adjust the camera parameters in advance and prepare spare batteries, as low temperatures can significantly shorten battery life.
Farewelling the brilliance of the Northern Lights, with anticipation for the fjords in my heart, I headed south along the west coast of Norway, rushing towards the embrace of the Sognefjord. I took a vintage steamboat and sailed deep into the fjord. The white mist sprayed by the ship quickly merged with the morning mist in the mountains, and in an instant, it was as if I was in a fairyland. The mountains on both sides of the fjord soared into the sky like knives cutting and axes splitting, with an imposing manner. In the U – shaped valleys carved by glaciers over thousands of years, countless waterfalls hung like white silk, crashing into the emerald – colored water, setting off thousands of layers of snow – like splashes, a spectacular sight that made people gasp in admiration. When the cruise ship passed by the village of Geiranger, the wooden houses on the shore were filled with curling smoke, full of the flavor of life. An elderly fisherman with white hair was drying cod, and the lupines on the window sills gently swayed in the mountain wind, like a peaceful idyllic picture. Captain Ole, with a strong accent in English, told me that the villagers here have lived by fishing and growing apples for generations. “The fjord is our mother. She has fed generations after generations.” He also pointed excitedly at the distant cliff and told the century – old sea – monster legend – it is said that on stormy nights, sea – monsters will emerge from the deep sea and use their singing to lure passing ships. These legends added a touch of mystery to this magnificent scenery, making people’s imagination run wild. Standing among the mountains and waters of the fjord, I deeply understood the wisdom of the Norwegians in living in harmony with nature. The fjord is not only a geographical wonder but also the foundation of the local people’s lives. Their cherishing of the land has preserved this beautiful scenery intact. This also reminds us that no matter where we go, we should respect the local ecology and protect the natural environment. Only in this way can these fairylands on earth be passed down forever.
When the cruise ship slowly docked in the town of Flåm, I couldn’t wait to stroll along the cobblestone – paved streets. The air was filled with the aroma of delicious food. I followed the scent into a small shop and tasted the freshly baked salmon pie. The crispy outer skin wrapped the tender fish, paired with the sweet and sour of the lingonberry sauce. One bite and my taste buds were instantly ignited, leaving a lingering aftertaste. I walked into an old – fashioned tavern where musicians were passionately playing ancient Norwegian folk songs. The melody of the accordion intertwined with that of the violin, and together with the sound of the wind from the fjord outside the window, it seemed as if time had frozen here. Conversing with fellow travelers at the next table, I listened to their stories: there was a solo – traveling writer looking for creative inspiration here; there were lovers who specifically came to this romantic holy land to commemorate their tenth anniversary. Only then did I realize that people from all corners of the world had traveled thousands of miles to find that piece of purity and shock in their hearts. This journey allowed me to make friends from all over the world, hear different life experiences, and made me understand that although we come from different places, our yearning for beauty is universal. This resonance, transcending language and cultural boundaries, has made the world seem no longer so far away.
Precautions: When taking a boat tour in the fjord area, be sure to wear a life jacket and follow the crew’s instructions. Some mountain roads around the fjords are rugged. When hiking, choose hiking shoes with good anti – slip performance. Plan the hiking route in advance, pay attention to the scenic area signs, and never enter undeveloped areas without permission. When tasting local food in the town, pay attention to food hygiene to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort caused by eating unclean food.
From the aurora feast in Tromsø to the landscape scroll of the Sognefjord, the Norwegian Arctic Circle has branded an indelible mark on my life with its most extreme natural landscapes. Those moments of holding my breath under the Northern Lights and touching the thousand – year – old glaciers by the fjord have made me deeply understand: there are always some sceneries in this world worth traveling across mountains and seas to reach. And this journey has taught me not only the uncanny craftsmanship of nature but also the Norwegians’ respect and love for the land, the communication and resonance with strangers during the journey, and the re – understanding of myself in the process of pursuing beauty. When I left, I took away not only the photos in my camera but also a deeper perception of life and nature. This memory will always warm every future journey of mine, inspiring me to constantly explore the unknown and encounter more beauty and moving moments.
