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People, you have some catching up to do, I've been without internet for several days!
28 July 2009 Goal reached: Nordkapp (Honningsvåg)
After two days of utter depression (ok, I am exaggerating but I was homesick to the point of tears) I have found my happy self again and have been out and about.
Happy, for several reasons.
I have today, after a little over 6 weeks of travelling, reached the North Cape (N71˚10'21"). Ok, the huge entry fee set aside, it is truly a wonderful spot. Now, I asked many of you to wish for the Northern Lights to be visible, but what many of you may not know is that they usually show between September until the winter months (apparently November is the best bet) and then only when it's truly cold and there is a clear sky. Well, it's July. I knew this but you always hope, don't you.
I am not complaining. After a rainy couple of days (which added to my feeling of misery) here the sun is shining and the skies are clear. Only now at around 22.00 is it getting colder, because a breeze has set in.
Before I came here I had read as well as been told different stories about the North Cape, ranging from a must-see to a terrible tourist place. Especially the video shown on the different seasons and the northern light is for some a tiresome sit. I thought it was wonderful. It gives you a good impression of what the Cape looks like from seaso to season. Imagine having days with only two hours of light!
And to end it all I treated myself to a second glass of champagne, following the first one I took upon arrival. I was in a celebratory mood! And still am.
Although I have decided to return to Holland earlier than planned, I already know that Norway will need special attention in another trip. It's awesome and I ain't seen nothing yet.
Thanks for all the well wishes for the northern light, the lovely responses to my sms announcing my arrival at the North Cape, by phone and sms. It made me feel all but alone.
Tomorrow I'll be walking to the actual most northern point of the continent which is at Knivskjelodden at N71˚11'08". It will take a good couple of hours hike but it will be worth it. Then I can truly say I've touched the earth of the most northern spot of our continent.
And then I'll start on my way home.
PS. Not only need I return earlier than expected for being homesick, I am now also sort of broke. Tell you why. Got a call from Vodafone (provider) asking me if I realized the amount that had accumulated for using mobile internet abroad. I had no idea what she was talking about. So I asked. Well the sum until today is a mere Euro 900. Ninehundred euros???????? A very expensive travel blog indeed (Lou, start selling the stories!!!!)
Apparently I was badly misinformed about whether I should use this kind of mobile internet abroad. (When your client tells you she needs internet at a cheap rate to write a travel blog while travelling through Scandinavia, does that sound unclear to you?)
The lady urged me to send a letter of complaint upon my return. She was truly sorry for any misunderstanding and apologized on behalf of her incompetent colleage?
Sorry? A letter of complaint? Want all my money back, especially with all the problems I've had with internet. And then I'll fire them. What a nuisance. Ah well, it's nothing that can be solved now, so I'll let it rest.
Hence I have no idea when I will be sending you this.
Not using my Vodafone datacard, that's for sure.
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