Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
facts and a DVD take you through the process, from hauling the fish out of the sea through
drying, grading and sorting to dispatch.
Moskenesstraumen Strait
VIEWPOINT
Beyond the campground at the southern limit of Å, there's an excellent hillside view of
Værøy island, across the waters. The mighty
maelstroms
created by tidal flows between
the two islands were first described 2000 years ago by Pytheas and later appeared as fear-
some adversaries on fanciful early sea charts. They also inspired tales of maritime peril by
Jules Verne and Edgar Allan Poe. They're still said to be among the world's most danger-
ous waters.
NORDLAND BOATS
You're bound to come across the uniquely shaped, stubby Nordland boat, which has
served local fishing communities from the earliest days of settlement. These informal
symbols of the tough, self-sufficient lifestyle of the hardy coastal folk here up north are
still in use from Namsos, in Trøndelag, right up to the Kola Peninsula in Arctic Russia, but
the greatest concentrations are found in Lofoten.
The smallest versions are known asfæring, measuring up to 5m, while larger ones are
calledhundromsfæring(6m),seksring(7m),halvfjerderømming(7.5m),firroing(8m),
halvfemterømming(9m),åttring(10m to 11m) andfembøring(11m to 13m).
Traditionally, the larger the boat, the greater the status of itshøvedmann(captain).
Whatever the size, Nordland boats are excellent for both rowing and sailing, even in rough
northern seas. Until quite recently, sailing competitions, pitting fishing communities
against each other, were one of the great social events of the year.
A good place to see museum-quality examples is in the harbour at Å in Lofoten.
Sleeping & Eating
Moskenesstraumen Camping
CAMPGROUND
( 76 09 11 48; camping for 1/2/3 persons Nkr10/160/200, caravans Nkr220, 2-/4-bed cabins from
Nkr500/750, with bathroom Nkr750/850;
Jun-Aug)
