The long way home - Day 1: The second part..
Starting the long journey home.
I woke up in my tent, groggy and slightly disoriented. The tent was pitched just a few kilometers outside Nordkapp. The previous night had been anything but restful. My campsite, though boasting a beautiful view, was less than ideal in terms of peace and quiet. All night long, cars, motorcycles, and even buses had passed by, engines roaring, and at one point, a group of bikers—probably six or seven of them—stopped right at the same parking spot where I was camped. They didn’t just stop; they launched a drone, its buzzing noise adding to the chaos. Between the constant commotion and the chill of the northern air, sleep had been almost impossible.
Still, the morning was here, and it marked the start of my journey back home. I crawled out of my tent, feeling every bit of fatigue from the previous days. My body was tired, my mind was foggy, and the thought of the long road ahead was both daunting and strangely comforting. As much as I loved the thrill of the adventure, a part of me was ready to continue to the next planned destination.
“Norway had been everything I hoped for and more—wild, rugged, and utterly beautiful.”
Packing Up and Hitting the Road
As I started packing up my gear, the morning air felt surprisingly warm, a nice change from the cold, foggy conditions I had encountered the day before at Nordkapp. The sky was a clear blue, with the sun shining brightly. It looked like it was going to be a fantastic day for riding.
I made myself a cup of coffee—my usual morning ritual, which I’ve come to rely on to kick-start my day. I honestly don’t even remember if I had any breakfast that morning. The lack of sleep had left me feeling hazy, and I was more focused on getting everything packed up and back on the bike than on eating.
A german couple had pitched their tent just a few meters away from mine, and while i was packing up the final things, the woman approached me and asked if I wanted her to take a picture of me. That was nice!
The weather was too good to stay still for long. After days of dealing with rain, fog, and cold, the warmth of the sun was like a blessing. The scenery was breathtaking, as always. I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sadness knowing I was leaving it all behind. Norway had been everything I hoped for and more—wild, rugged, and utterly beautiful. But there was still more to see, more to experience, and I was eager to get back on the road.
Retracing My Steps
The plan for the day was simple: drive back to Sweden and make it as far as I could before nightfall. I retraced my route from the previous days, heading back across Magerøya. I made a stop at a beach where I contemplated going for a swim. You don't get many chances to swim in the Arctiv ocean, so I was tempted. But the water was freezing, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that kind of shock to my system. Instead, I settled for dipping my feet in the freezing water, feeling the sand between my toes and the sun on my face.
I continued on the winding road back through that long, slightly claustrophobic tunnel under the sea, and on towards Alta. The road was familiar now, but no less beautiful. The steep cliffs, winding roads, and sparkling Alta river were still awe-inspiring. I couldn’t help but stop every now and then to take in the view, snap a few photos, and just breathe in the fresh, salty air.
When I reached Alta, I stopped briefly to refuel and grab a quick bite to eat. I didn’t linger long—there was still a long way to go. My mind kept going back to the front sprocket of my bike, which was still making that scratching noise. It had been a constant source of worry since it was replaced. Every time I heard that sound, I couldn’t help but imagine the chain snapping or the sprocket giving out in the middle of nowhere. But there wasn’t much I could do except push on and hope for the best. After all, I still had a few more places I wanted to visit before I could officially call this trip over.
From Alta, I continued southward towards Kautokeino. The ride was smooth, and the weather was fantastic. It was so warm at this time, I found myself pulling over to strip off my jacket and ride in just my safety vest. Feeling the wind as I rode through the stunning Norwegian landscape was refreshing and almost therapeutic.
It was one of those rides where you get lost in your thoughts, the rhythmic hum of the engine lulling you into a kind of meditative state. Occasionally, I’d snap out of it to take in the view—endless stretches of road flanked by vast, open landscapes. The north of Norway has this way of making you feel incredibly small and yet entirely at peace.
Eating reindeer and crossing Borders
I made a quick stop at the Esso gas station in Kautokein to refuel and eat something. I had something called "Reinsnadder", which was some kind of reindeer meat, fries and lingonberry jam. Absolutely disgusting! I do not recommend!
I made a quick exit and headed for the border.
Again, it felt strange to cross borders without any guards in place. Why do we have borders if we don't guard them anyway?
The road took me through Finland for a short while, and then, almost before I knew it, I was entering Sweden at Karesuando. This town is unique because it is located on both sides of the border – one side of Karesuando is in Finland and the other in Sweden.
Ending the Day in Karesuando
By the time I reached Karesuando, I was done for the day. The lack of sleep the previous night had caught up with me, and the long day of riding had taken its toll. I decided to rent a cabin on the Swedish side of the town for the night. I could have set up camp, but after the restless night before, I figured I’d earned a bit of comfort.
The cabin was simple but cozy, just what I needed. After unpacking my gear and a hot steaming shower, I finally allowed myself to relax. I reflected on the day as I settled in. It had been a long one, full of mixed emotions. There was the sadness of leaving Norway, the anxiety about the bike, but also the quiet satisfaction of having made it this far. I was proud of what I’d accomplished, and even though the journey wasn’t over yet, I could already feel a sense of closure.
Reflecting on the Day
Driving back home gave a rather strange feeling. On the one hand, I was proud of what I had accomplished so far, but I was also a little disappointed, knowing that sooner or later the adventure would come to an end. I also had a lot I would like to explore in Norway.
It is so magically beautiful in Northern Norway, so alien somehow.
Already here I began to think about returning to the Nordkapp and continuing down through Norway.