For a long time now I've been wanting to explore the very north of Sweden. I finally managed to go, in collaboration with Kiruna Lapland and Aurora Sky Station. It really was like being in a fairytale from the North Pole, watching the Nordic Lights from the top of Abisko Mountain and spending time with the reindeer at Nutti Sámi Siida.
I took the night train from Hudiksvall which took me all the way to Kiruna Train Station where I rented a car. I drove to Kaalasluspa, on to Laukkuluspa and Nikkaluokta where I shot the mountains and the starlit sky. I was completely on my own in the wilderness and the silence was eternal. On my way back to Kiruna the Northern Lights were dancing above me and I stopped to take some pictures in the ice cold night. After that I went to my friends house in Kurravaara where I got to meet their two dogs, Skaja and Rusty.
I woke up early next morning and drove up to Jukkasjärvi and ICE HOTEL. I went to see the reindeer at Nutti Sámi Siida where you get to feed them with lichen to get close. My hands were freezing afterwards but I heated up inside of the restaurant at ICE HOTEL with a cup of hot chocolate.
On my third day I drove to Abisko where I stayed at Abisko Fjällstation. I met my guide Niklas Hjort and he showed me the area. On the evening we took the Sky Lift up to Abisko Mountain where we had a 3 course dinner and later on went out to shoot the night sky and the Northern Lights along with the rest of the group.
I drove back to Kiruna the next morning and took the train back to the mid North, that I realized I shouldn't call the North anymore because it's in the middle of Sweden, but it will always be my North.
I can truly recommend visiting Kiruna and Abisko at wintertime, the adventure itself watching the Northern Lights is well worth the ride. I would love to go back at summer to hike and to experience the area from a different season.