After about 10 kms along country tracks only just wide enough for a small mini-bus, and crossing several single track river bridges, we arrived at Ongajok 'village'.   We were received in a large 'reception' log cabin that had a 6m x 6m lounge area, and the same sort of area for the kitchen and dining area.

Then we went to find our cabins.   We were lucky as we had a shower room en-suite, and this shower was a sight to behold.   Imagine a 2+ metre high wine barrel, cut out an oval doorway into it and step inside.   This was a 'REAL' stand alone shower enclosure, beautifully made and tiled.   The rooms were brilliant, large, warm, inviting, as ours had also a seating area with its own wood burner to add to the decor.

Ho(use)ws about dinner?   Chef was there, cheffing and making a lovely job of our meals.   Amongst other things we had bear, elk, pork and Norwegian brown and yellow cheeses.   Mushroom soup with 'added', complimented by a crispy bacon slice tilted into the bowl.   There was a magnificent range of food available, as was the wine list.   NOTE: House wine - £50 per bottle.   So you can imagine the cost of more exclusive ranges.   Still all alcohol is dear in Norway, that is how they pay for their roads.

If it hadn't been for a presentation by Brian Ford, I would never have managed to take any of these pictures.   His presentation sent me off to examine what manual control I had on my Canon camera.   As it happened, I had enough, but even using f/2.8, and becoming more adventurous with an 8 sec shutter speed and a tripod purchased in Tromso, I should have gone on to 15 secs and also read up on video on my camera, because we saw the lights as they ranged from one horizon to the other.

The transport or not! Our cabin.   They were built in blocks of three accessed by the central steps and we had a middle one.   Yes, they grow grass on the roofs, as this helps with the insulation for the winters.   Some had little fir tress growing on top of the house...built in Christmas trees!

As I said, we were probably 10 kms from any real civilisation and it really felt like this.   They run business courses there and it must be great.   So in summary, one of those, becoming rarer, beautiful out of the way places.

©Tony Best-Ward 2012. All rights retained. Email me to contact Tony.