Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dronningensgate 26.
&
75-52-52-50.
Reservations recommended. Main courses 200NOK-240NOK
($28-$34). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 3-11pm.
BODØ AFTER DARK
The largest nightclub in Bodø is the
Rock Café und Nightclub,
Tollbugata 13B
(
&
75-50-46-33
), which can hold up to 550 patrons, most of them usually in
their 20s and 30s. Live bands perform twice a month. The DJs here are some of
the best in the north of Norway. It's open Friday and Saturday 9am to 3am and
charges a cover of 50NOK ($7.10).
Opened in 1991,
Bonsak Piano Bar,
Sjøgata 17 (
&
75-52-29-90
), is housed
in a modern building--like everything else in town--and it attracts a wide range
of patrons, ages 25 to 50. There's always live piano music, and on the second
floor there is a disco playing Europe's Top 40. The cover charge of 50NOK
($7.10) is only levied on Friday and Saturday nights. It's open Monday to
Thursday 8pm to 2:30am, Friday and Saturday 8pm to 3:30am, and Sunday
8pm to 1am.
Finally,
Nordloenningen,
Stogata 16 (
&
75-52-06-00
), is a laid-back cellar
pub often featuring live music, such as blues, country, or rock to a crowd rang-
ing in age from 20 to 50. They also serve pub grub ranging from burgers to
omelets. Local artists' paintings dominate the decor. A cover charge is imposed
only on Friday and Saturday nights, ranging from 60NOK to 80NOK ($8.50-
$11). It's open Monday to Thursday 1pm to 1:30am, Friday and Saturday 1pm
to 2:30am, and Sunday 2pm to 1:30am.
3 Narvik: World War II Battleground
301km (187 miles) NE of Bodø; 1,647km (1,022 miles) NE of Bergen; 1,479km (919 miles) N of Oslo
This ice-free seaport on the Ofotfjord is in Nordland
fylke
(country), 403km
(250 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. Narvik, founded in 1903 when the
Ofoten (not to be confused with “Lofoten”) railway line was completed, boasts
Europe's most modern shipping harbor for iron ore. It's also the northernmost
electrified railway line in the world. It covers a magnificent scenic route, through
precipitous mountain terrain and tunnels, over ridges, and across tall stone
embankments.
Only 11km (6
1
⁄
2
miles) from Narvik, Straumsnes station is the last permanent
habitation you'll encounter as you go east. The last Norwegian station, Bjørnf-
jell, is well above the timberline and about 3 hours from Kiruna, Sweden, some
140km (87 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. You can catch a train at Kiruna to
Stockholm. If you're driving from Kiruna to Narvik, take no. 98 heading north-
west to E6 heading southwest toward Narvik.
Narvik looms large in World War II history books. On April 9, 1940, 10 Nazi
destroyers entered Narvik waters to sink two Norwegian battleships. On April
10, a series of five British destroyers arrived to take the German boats on in com-
bat. The tragic battle at sea resulted in the sinking of two destroyers on each side.
On April 12 the British sent planes to attack the Germans. Allied forces were
successful in reclaiming Narvik by late May. However, the victory was only
momentary. In early June the Nazis came back to decimate Narvik. The port of
Narvik became a graveyard not only of men but also of ships from Germany,
Britain, Norway, France, and the Netherlands. On June 8, 1940, Narvik sur-
rendered to the invading Nazis, who stayed here until the Allies chased them out
on May 8, 1945.
