The Route to the North Cape - Norway - page 430

open onto views of the surrounding forests; half of them are equipped with
bathrooms with a tub and shower, the rest with just a shower. The staff is most
helpful in arranging tours regardless of the season--winter dog-sled rides and
reindeer races or summer riverboat trips.
Porsangervn 1, N-9730 Karasjok. & 78-46-74-00. Fax [phone]. www.rica.no. 56 units.
930NOK-1,320NOK ($132-$187) double. Children under 4 stay free in parent's room. Rates include conti-
nental breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 2 restaurants; fitness center; sauna; nonsmoking rooms; rooms
for those w/limited mobility. In room: TV, dataport.
WHERE TO DINE
Rica Hotel Karasjok Restaurant NORWEGIAN Adjacent to Sami Park,
this restaurant is the best in the area. Go here for a real taste of the north coun-
try. A ski lodge restaurant, it is built of timbers and decorated with native Sami
costumes. For an appetizer, its smoked reindeer heart is even better than your
mother made for you. This might be followed with such regional dishes as filet
of reindeer in a game sauce with vegetables. If you've had enough reindeer, you
can opt for the delectable grilled arctic char with white-wine sauce and vegeta-
bles. The gourmet's favorite summer dessert in Sami land is a bowl of fresh
cloudberries.
In the Rica Hotel Karasjok, Porsangervn 1. & 78-46-74-00. Reservations recommended. Main courses
190NOK-300NOK ($27-$43). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 11am-11pm.
KARASJOK AFTER DARK
Once again, the Rica Hotel Karasjok, Porsangervn 1 ( & 78-46-74-00 ), a cozy
wood-paneled room, is the scene of the “action,” whatever there is. Patrons who
come here range in age from their 20s to 50s. There's no cover. Open Friday and
Saturday 11am to 11pm.
7 Hammerfest: World's Northernmost Town
2,314km (1,438 miles) N of Bergen; 144km (90 miles) N of Alta; 2,195km (1,364 miles) N of Oslo
The Hammerfest area stretches from Måsøy, near the North Cape, to Loppa in
the south. The wide region includes the rugged coasts along the Arctic Sea. The
regional capital, Hammerfest, often serves as a base for exploring the North Cape.
Hammerfest is a major traffic hub, and in the summer there's a wide choice
of boat and bus excursions. The tourist office (see “Visitor Information,” below)
can tell you what's available.
The city lies 70° 39' 48" north and achieved its town status on July 7, 1789,
making it the oldest town in northern Norway. The town was founded because
of its natural harbor, something that is equally important today for Hammer-
fest's economic foundation. Despite its geographical position, Hammerfest has
maintained its international connections.
A Meridianstøtta, or meridian column, stands on the Fuglenes peninsula,
across from the harbor. The monument commemorates the work of scientists
from Norway, Sweden, and Russia who conducted surveys at Hammerfest
between 1816 and 1852 to establish a meridian arc between Hammerfest and
the Danube River at the Black Sea. This led to an accurate calculation of the size
and shape of Earth.
Today Hammerfest is a modern town with an open and unique atmosphere,
where the town's square and harbor are natural meeting places. Hammerfest is
also an important communication center in the county of Finnmark, and this
makes it an ideal starting point for coastal and other scenic excursions in the
county.