On Tuesday, our group of 16 were welcomed with reindeer soup by Layla, who runs Inga Sami Siida. “Only 8% of the population has reindeer, so very few, so you need a large number of animals to survive,” she explained. “I started this business her in 2009. I wanted to have my own company. It’s a free life.”
The Sami have lived on the island for hundreds of years, supported by reindeer, and in Norway it is forbidden for anyone outside the Sami culture to breed reindeer.
“We own them, but they are wild animals,” continued Leila.
Cruise passengers can feed and pet six Leila’s reindeer while learning about their behavior and seasonal interactions with animals. “Not everyone wants to meet reindeer, but they want to see them,” she said.
Cruise passengers typically take 20-30 minutes with the reindeer. Meals are not served due to time constraints, but Cloud He is sometimes served with berries and dried reindeer meat.
Demonstrating what cruise passengers can expect from the experience, she performed a Sami ‘joik’ (song) and explained its meaning and message. Storytelling is also part of the program, allowing passengers to stand up and watch as they move around the space.
The company usually runs one group tour each day, with a maximum of 45 people.
sustainability
Attractions strive to be sustainable. Drinks are served in Finnish cups. Made from 50% wood, 50% plastic and designed to last.
Layla offers excursions from her newly built wooden cabin in authentic Sami dress, insisting that “souvenirs are not my business” while holding her hand with a traditional Sami knife. It shows personal collections and goods made from the skins and furs of purchased seals and arctic foxes of Inuit origin.
Daniela Sordi, Senior Manager of Destination Management at Swan Hellenic, expressed reservations about the experience, saying it was better suited to a “family-friendly cruise company.” This sentiment was echoed by Michelle Sanchez, coordinator of Shorex, Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, who said, “It was good, I liked it. It’s very cute and I think a lot of kids will like it.”
She continued, “There is a return of cultural experience among certain people. Younger generations are increasingly interested in discovering world history from different perspectives.
Fjord on a ribbed boat
Followed by a 2 hour sea safari rib boat. Took the group to the most beautiful places of the Lofoten Islands. Cigarfjord and Trollfjord Among them, there were places where you can see dolphins and white-tailed eagles. 3bn old rock.
‘We can make products – Also half an hour on the water or 1 hoursaid a company representative. ‘it gives passenger It’s also a chance to meet locals and get in touch with the people here.
For a short excursion, a rib boat takes passengers to the settlements for refreshments before returning to the cruise ship. Longer trips allow you to stop at more remote locations to eat freshly caught salmon.
hob farm
In another example of an excursion for cruise passengers, a familiarization trip was to Hob Farm on the island. Gimsoy. According to its owner, Frode Hov, the 18-hole Lofoten Links golf course is recognized as one of Europe’s most spectacular courses and is ranked in the top 40 list of the world’s best golf courses. Many tourists come from all over the world, including cruise passengers. “Australians, many Americans, Germans, British, Swedes…we are probably more famous outside Norway than inside. They travel here just to play the golf course – it’s a bucket list activity.” is.
Or, with 50 Icelandic horses on the ranch, passengers can hop on horseback and ride scenic trails along the beach, past sacred Viking burial grounds. “Lofoten by horse is our most popular tour,” he affirmed Hov. Beaches, harbors, Viking ruins, boathouse ruins, amphitheater‘ Shore excursions are offered all year round, including midnight to catch the midnight sun and northern lights. Half-day tours include a trip to a second beach. Suitable for ages 8 and up, but younger riders have separate requests and depend on the availability of sufficient support.6-10 guides currently working full-time on the farm I’m here.
A restored hay barn, The Låven Restaurant caters for up to 70 guests with freshly sourced local cuisine and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner options.
A few meters from the building there is a sauna.
Lofoten Seafood Center
The family traveled to the Lofoten Seafood Center to celebrate the food tradition of cooking the Lofoten Islands’ oldest surviving stockfish. There is an exhibit about animals in the same venue as the dining area. The company’s stockfish house production facility is open Monday through Sunday from 10am to 10pm in June and August, allowing passengers to watch the fish being sorted and prepared.
