Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MELBU
Inanabandonedherringoilfactory(romanticallynamedNeptunedespiteitsstarkfunction-
ality), the
Norwegian Fishing Industry Museum (Norsk Fiskerindustrimuseum; Nep-
tunveien; adult/child Nkr50/free; 9am-3pm Mon-Fri)
traces the life of a fish from
the deep sea to the kitchen table. There's also a children's exhibition about the goings-on
ontheseafloor.Acrosstheharbourfromtheferrypier,it's750mfromtheE10.Insummer
there are guided visits, included with the admission fee.
The
Sommer-Melbu festival (
www.sommermelbu.no
)
,heldeachJuly,isoneofnorth-
ernNorway'sliveliestculturalfestivalswithseminars,lectures,musicofallgenres,theatre
and art exhibitions.
Langøya
POP 14,650
The high points, both literally and figuratively, of Langøya, Vesterålen's central island, are
the historic, little-visited fishing villages at its northern tip. Should you be passing through
Sortland around bedtime, you'll find a pair of decent lodging options that also offer good
dining.
The annual
Arctic Sea Kayak Race (
www.askr.no
)
, held over six days in July, is one
of the ultimate challenges in competitive sea-kayaking. Normal beings can opt for less in-
tensive kayak touring or an introductory course in sea-kayaking.
SORTLAND
POP 9800
Sortland, Vesterålen's commercial centre and transit hub, occupies a nick in the island's
east coast. Its mostly chunky, rectangular buildings are painted a soothing sea-blue.
In September the town hosts
Sortland Jazz,
a festival that takes place over a couple of
weeks.
Sleeping
Sjøhus Senteret
GUESTHOUSE, CABINS €€
( 76 12 37 40;
www.lofoten-info.no/sjohus
senteret; Ånstadsjøen; d/tr Nkr770/870,
3-/5-bed cabin Nkr1345/2000)
Precisely1.4kmnorthofthebridge,thisappealingspothas
