To the arctic circle - Sweden, 2019
Chapter I / The Scandinavian dream
Sweden was a treat for our souls. We could walk for hours through beautiful landscapes and all we might came across was an elk. Dense forests and seemingly endless roads that continue straight for hundreds of kilometers, passing through small villages full of colourful wooden houses. We were usually alone amidst this majestic beauty - a real treat for the soul, especially for those seeking peace and quiet. You will find it here.
With our van called Wilma we drove along the Inlandsväg, a 1700km long road that starts in the south near Gothenburg and ends in the north of the Swedish Lapland. While driving to the far North, we really noticed how the landscape and vegetation changed, villages started to get more and more scattered and nature began to dominate the landscape.
From Jokkmokk on we were north of the Arctic Circle. The feeling of crossing this line was incredible, as suddenly there was still sun on the horizon - even though our clock was showing 1.00 a.m. An enormous feeling, giving us huge energy. We did not get tired anymore - our sleeping rhythm changed with each kilometer we travelled north and night slowly turned into our day. At this time the magical light is at its best. The lakes, heated up during the day, all wear a layer of fog illuminated by the low sun. A calm and windless night makes the picture perfect.
I previously thought that I wasn't attracted to the country because there are basically only forests and lakes - that's true somehow, but every single lake is special and when I looked at it carefully, every single forest had its own unique side.
The minimalistic aspect of Sweden is what I liked most, my eyes were not overstimulated like for example often in Norway. Huge sharp mountains standing in a landscape of even more mighty mountains with thousands of waterfalls coming down on the sides - I often loose concentration here as there is too much going on. Here it's just a lake with trees on the shore illuminated by the evening sun and reflecting in the glassy surface of the water. And despite this simplicity I can get lost starring into it, finding more and more details. Don't get me wrong, Norway is mind blowing but sometimes less is more.
