The Far North - Norway - page 856

KAMØYVÆR
A short detour from the E69 brings you to this tiny, sheltered fishing hamlet, its pastel-
shaded cottages and cabins encircling the small harbour.
Arran ( 78 47 51 29; www.arran.as ; s Nkr750-850, d Nkr950-1050; mid-
May-Aug; ) has 44 rooms spread over three quayside buildings. The Sami family
who run it bake their own bread and the menu is always the freshest of fish, hauled from
the seas off Magerøya. To vary the cuisine it also offers a reindeer special.
If you find it full, several other houses in the village advertise rooms. And should you
fancy a cultural diet, call by the Gallery East of the Sun ( noon-9pm mid-May-mid-
Aug) , featuring the sinuous shapes and bright canvases of artist Eva Schmutterer.
GUARANTEEING A BUS SEAT
Should you see a cruise ship heading for port, rush to the tourist office to reserve
your bus journey to the North Cape. The Nkr25 extra that you pay is well worth-
while; readers tell horror tales of scrimmages, arguments and bus drivers simply rid-
ing on by, once these monsters of the waves disgorge their masses.
Lakselv & Around
POP 3000
The plain fishing village of Lakselv, at the head of long, slim Porsangerfjord, has little to
detain you. The name means 'salmon stream', which reflects its main appeal for Norwegi-
an holidaymakers.
The tourist office ( 78 46 07 00; www.arctic-active.no , in Norwegian;
9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm Sat & Sun mid-Jun-mid-Aug, 8.30am-4pm Mon-Fri
rest of year) is in the lugubrious Porsanger Vesthus hotel.