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Drakkar the Leviathan, Vardø Norway | Bjorn Bites a

Arctic Odyssey to the Ends of the Earth – Day Three

November 4, 2024

Today was film screening day, set in the unique community greenhouse, DyrkVaranger. This greenhouse, built entirely from secondhand materials collected by locals, was designed by Oslo architects and crafted by the community. It’s more than a greenhouse—it’s a learning space where kids from the local school are encouraged to grow their own food and learn about sustainability.

Charly’s documentary, Frø, Nordic Seed Heroes, intrigued about 30 curious souls gathering to watch and dive into questions afterward. Fresh Norwegian waffles were baking nearby, filling the space with a warm, sweet aroma, served with homemade strawberry jam and shavings of sweet, brown goat cheese called gjetteost—a true Norwegian treat!

After the screening, we wandered around town before heading to the island’s northern edge to find Drakkar, the Leviathan. Built in 2016, this awe-inspiring sculpture stands as a tribute to the Arctic’s fierce beauty, its people, and the rugged wilderness.

As we explored, the sun began to set—at 3 PM! We wrapped up the day at the Nordpol Kro, a historic bar dating back to 1864. Known as The North Pole, this was the last stop for explorers heading to the Arctic! We were the only ones there when we arrived at 10 PM, sampling local beers and dried fish, but soon enough, friendly locals and fellow festival-goers filled the place with laughter and stories.

We ended our night with one more mesmerizing look at the Northern Lights, dancing just for us before calling it a night. On to Day Four!

by Bjorn Bites & Booze

Arctic Odyssey to the Ends of the Earth – Day Two

November 1, 2024

Charly & I left Oslo at dawn, catching an early flight to Kirkenes, a town near the borders of Finland and Russia. It was interesting to see street signs in both Norwegian and Russian, hinting at the blend of cultures. After a quick coffee break, we set off on a 3.5 hour drive towards Vardø. We followed the winding road around the Varanger Fjord, stopping to capture the breathtaking subarctic landscape, with a sunset that cast everything in a golden glow that seemed to last for hours.

Our journey brought us to the Vardø Tunnel, which stretches 9,480 feet and plunges 289 feet below sea level. Built in 1982, it was Norway’s first subsea tunnel. As we descended deeper and deeper beneath the ocean, the weight of the water above was almost palpable.

We checked into the Vardø Hotel, our home base for the next two days. After a fresh fish dinner and meeting some of the film festival coordinators, they encouraged us to explore the town. Though it was already 11 PM, the call of adventure won out! We headed toward the historic Vardøhus Fortress, perched on the shores of the Barents Sea. We wandered through its storied walls, discovering that the fortress had not only protected Norway for centuries. The Crossings Film Festival was also showing films on loop throughout the fortress.

In the stillness of midnight, we made our way to the Steilneset Memorial, a haunting tribute to the 91 people executed for witchcraft in 1621. The memorial includes two structures, each filled with symbolic design. The first is a 410-foot-long wooden hall, a dark passage where small windows each illuminate a name and accusation, paying tribute to those who suffered. The fierce wind howled around us, adding to the haunting atmosphere, while the waves crashed against the shore.

The second structure was just as striking, with a metal screen surrounding a lone chair, flames projecting through its seat—the “perpetual flame” representing those lost. Encircling the fiery chair were seven towering mirrors, like silent judges,, reflecting the past and capturing the solemnity of the site.

With no city lights to dim the sky, the Northern Lights shimmered above us, casting an ethereal glow over everything. It was a magical yet eerie experience, one that will stay with me long after this Arctic journey ends.

On to Day Three!

by Bjorn Bites & Booze

Arctic Odyssey to the Ends of the Earth – Day One

October 31, 2024

Welcome to our Whirlwind Arctic Adventure

To the end of the world and back in 5 days!! It’s been a whirlwind of adventure and awe-inspiring experiences. Charly’s (my amazing and talented daughter) incredible documentary was accepted to a film festival in Vardø, the northeasternmost town in the Arctic. With the film festival calling, I couldn’t resist joining this once-in-a-lifetime journey! I can’t wait to share our wild journey to the edge of the Arctic!

Diving right into Day One of our Arctic journey! I met up with Charly in Minnesota, and we flew together to Iceland before continuing to Oslo, where we had a 20-hour layover to explore. Our day in Oslo was packed: we strolled through Aker Brygge, admired the stunning Oslo Opera House, the Nobel Peace Center, and took in the vibrant atmosphere of the city.

One of the highlights was reconnecting with my college friend Mette. We hadn’t seen each other in over 30 years, but it felt like no time had passed. Laughter and stories flowed as she guided us to some of her favorite spots, including the iconic Holmenkollen ski jump, which has been part of the Olympics.

Our tour led us to Roseslottet, an outdoor art installation dedicated to democracy, rule of law, and humanism—a powerful and moving tribute to Norway’s history and resilience during the Nazi occupation, honoring the stories of those who suffered. We ended this unforgettable day at Frognerseteren, a cozy restaurant from 1865 with breathtaking views over the Oslo fjords, where we enjoyed a cozy meal to wrap up a day full of laughter, memories, and awe-inspiring sights.