Fjordbotn Camping – Peace and the Taste of Celebration
After returning from the Hesten hike, we continued our journey towards Tromsø and the Lyngen Alps. After a strenuous day, we didn't want to drive too far, so Fjordbotn Camping was chosen as our overnight stop. The campsite was wonderfully located right by the sea, and as usual, the area was almost empty – we were free to choose a spot for the car right near the shore.
After a long, hot shower, we prepared tortillas for dinner in the campsite's kitchen. Since it was my birthday, we also made excellent pancakes for dessert. The food and pancakes tasted heavenly after a tough day.
Evening Surprise – Northern Lights and Worry
However, when we returned to the car after our evening routines, the atmosphere changed. Jessika fell badly in the dark and injured her leg. The situation was particularly worrying because she is also pregnant, and the thought of the baby's well-being weighed on our minds. We went to bed feeling uncertain, wondering whether to go to Tromsø hospital immediately or wait until morning. Finally, fatigue and the late hour decided – we chose to go to the hospital only the next day.
Before going to sleep, however, the sky offered a comforting spectacle: for the first time on the trip, we saw the Northern Lights properly. The sea was completely calm, which made the experience even more spectacular. In addition, the night sky was filled with stars and shooting stars – a moment that left a strong impression.
Journey to Tromsø and a Stop in Sommarøy
In the morning, we packed the car and continued our journey towards Tromsø. The sun shone from a cloudless sky and the sea was calm – the weather was perfect. We took the ferry from Senja island to Kvaløya island (220 NOK). On the way, we made a quick stop at Sommarøy island, which turned out to be truly picturesque. There would have also been an easy hiking trail at the end of the island, but since Jessika’s leg was still not in good condition, we settled for driving around the island and stopping for a meal. I went to the beach myself to collect shells while Jessika waited in the car.
Tromsø Hospital Experience
Upon arriving in Tromsø, we headed straight to the hospital. Finding the emergency room was difficult at first, but eventually we got to the right place. We were able to borrow a wheelchair for Jessika to make moving around easier.
The emergency department at Tromsø Hospital was surprisingly small and sparsely equipped compared to Finnish hospitals. We waited for an hour until Jessika was assessed. She was given an appointment with the doctor for later in the evening at 9:40 PM, so we immediately knew that the entire day would be spent waiting at the hospital. This was frustrating, as the weather outside was beautiful.
While waiting, Salla and Valtteri went to the grocery store and prepared dinner right there in the hospital yard – a small relief amidst the long wait. In the evening, the doctor examined Jessika's leg and also checked on the fetus. The baby was fine, and the leg only needed rest and support bandages. Fortunately, nothing was broken. Jessika received crutches, which allowed her to move independently, albeit slowly.
The day felt like a condensed version of life itself – from the wonderful mountain adventure of the previous day, we transitioned overnight to a hospital waiting room.
Towards the Lyngen Alps
After leaving the hospital, we continued our journey towards the Lyngen Alps and the Blåisvatnet lake hike. However, there was a ferry along the route, and its last departure had been hours ago. So, we decided to drive to a wild camping spot near the ferry departure point so we could leave first thing in the morning.
A narrow forest road led to the wild camping spot, along a high ridge, and we camped at the end of the road on the edge of a cliff. In the dark, we couldn't see how far the drop from the ridge would have been – parking the car was an exciting experience and added its own charge to the evening.
