Day 32 - Tuesday 24 May - Alta

After the last two nights I decided I really needed an easy day today, so skipped the morning optional activity.

Bit of hurty in the morning so awake earlier than I wanted. Had a fairly leisurely breakfast with some nice choices.

After breakfast I came up to do computer stuff. And given that it rained all morning I'm not regretting my choice.

Some rock carvings that Mum saw on her optional tour
Photo by Mum

I used the time to various *stuff*. I checked the downloads of my photos, and I'm super glad I did as there was a day on the Reformation tour where I'd downloaded my photos before dinner, but had taken a whole heap at dinner, but hadn't downloaded them. I was super lucky I checked and that I hadn't already cycled that memory card, otherwise I would have lost all the people photos I took on the last night of the reformation tour. Backed everything to memory stick and external hard drive. Also completely repacked my suitcase which made me feel a lot better. I paid my phone bill (excess usage from being overseas). Blogged some stuff on my main blog. And just looked through photos.

Interior of Nordlyskatedralen Alta kirke (Cathedral of the Northern Lights)

Cathedral of the Northern Lights

Cathedral of the Northern Lights
Photo by Mum

The afternoon optional activity was a wilderness river "cruise". It's really not very well described so I had no idea what to expect. What it actually was was these motorised canoes that held between four and seven people in single file, and we motored up the river and back (20 km/h upstream, 35 km/h downstream). Unfortunately didn't get to see any wildlife except for a few birds. But it was somewhat exhilarating in the cool arctic air (not cold mind you!).

Me, Mum, Terri and Bob on the motorised canoe

Me on the canoe heading upstream
Photo by Mum

Detsika Sætra camping cabin

Mum on the canoe

Gammelbollo River

Heading back downstream, about to pass under the Detsikaveien Road bridge

Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge

After the ride we got out and had some waffles by the fire sitting on reindeer skins (which are surprisingly warm, who knew) and got to see the remains of the ice hotel they build every year but has since melted. We got to see a bit of a promo video of it too which was pretty cool. Would be an awesome experience to stay the night!

The campfire at Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge

Riverside at the Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge

Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge

Eating waffles around the campfire
Photo by Mum

Interior of the restaurant building of Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge

Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge
Photo by Mum

Crossing the Eibyelva river on the way back to Alta

The evening's activity was to a husky breeder's house for a dinner of bbqed salmon and veggies. After dinner was some stories from the owner who breeds and races her Alaskan huskies. She was a great story teller, it was really interesting. Then we got to go and play with the dogs and even got to hold some four week old puppies. Sooo cute!