Annual Northern Lights Hunt, plus the capitals of Norway & Sweden.

February, the northern lights hunting season has begun again.

I'm planning to visit Norway and Sweden. I'm flying with Thai Airways, arriving in Oslo and returning from Stockholm.

The main purpose of this trip is to see the Northern Lights. The focus will be on the northern region, driving from Lofoten up to Tromsø, which is known as the 'Capital of the Arctic'.

The season for viewing the Northern Lights is from late September to early April, but I chose February because I wanted to experience heavy snow as well. It also gets dark early, which increases the chances of seeing the lights.

Check prices and flights on the Thai Airways website. Click https://bit.ly/TG-Oslo-Norway

The travel plan is detailed below.

Day 1 Bangkok - Oslo

Day 2 Oslo - Bodo - Leknes - Hamnoy

Day 3: Hamnoy – Sakrissoya – Reine – Å – Hamnoy

Day 4: From Hamnoy to Nusfjord and Skagsanden Beach, returning to Hamnoy.

Day 5: Hamnoy - Henningsvaer - Svolvaer

Day 6 Svolvaer - Tjeldsundbruan - Finnsnes

Day 7: Finnsnes – Senja – Sommarøy – Tromsø

Day 8 Tromso

Day 9 Tromso - Helsinki - Stockholm

Day 10 Stockholm

Day 11 Stockholm - Bangkok

Day 12 Bangkok

The outbound flight was to Norway, but the return was from Stockholm. This is because a connecting flight is required when returning from Tromsø anyway, so I chose this route to have a stopover. Furthermore, there is a direct Thai Airways flight from Stockholm to Bangkok that departs in the afternoon and arrives in Bangkok in the morning, ready for other activities.

........

Day 1 Bangkok - Oslo

The outbound flight is Business Class on an Airbus A350-900, with premium service starting from check-in.

Business class passengers can check in at the dedicated counter in Row A and use the Fast Track immigration lane, which leads directly to the lounge.

After completing check-in and passing through immigration, the Thai Airways lounge is located directly ahead.

This lounge is split into two sides. I have to say, it was very crowded on the day I visited, so I didn't get to take many photos to share. But even with the crowd, the food selection was as extensive as ever, with both hot and cold food sections. The food was constantly being refilled. For a late-night flight like this, you've got to get some energy in you.

After a full meal and a short rest, it was almost boarding time.

Today's flight departs from gate S113. This is the new terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which requires a shuttle train ride. Anyone departing from gates in this area should allow for extra time.

The aircraft for tonight's flight to Oslo is the Airbus A350-900, HS-THC, with the royally bestowed name "Srinagar".

Monty's business class seat for today is 16B, which comes with pajamas, an amenity kit from Jim Thompson, slippers, and delicious Luk Chup.

After we were seated, the cabin crew introduced themselves and confirmed our pre-ordered meals. This flight featured a new menu by Michelin-starred Chef Pam from POTONG restaurant.

Dinner will be served approximately 2 hours after takeoff. The meal from Thai Airways is a course menu, including an appetizer, first course, main course, cheese and fruit, and dessert.

And the highlight has to be this dish.

Chuchi curry with Thai Wagyu ribs, served with braised beef Ranjuan soup and Royal Project jasmine rice.

Ancient chili salt dip and Khai Khrop, created by the beautiful Chef Pam from POTONG restaurant.

A well-balanced Thai dish that you shouldn't miss. You can select this menu online to ensure it's available on your flight.

Following the meal service, the cabin crew prepared the cabin for rest, including turning down the beds for passengers. As the flight duration is nearly 12 hours, this provides an opportunity for sleep. A significant advantage of this Thai Airways service is its non-stop, overnight schedule. This direct route allows for a full period of rest, enabling passengers to arrive refreshed and ready to commence their itinerary immediately upon landing.

I got a solid 7 hours of sleep, as the seat on this plane reclines 180 degrees into a fully flat bed for a great rest. I slept right through until it was time for breakfast.

For breakfast, I ordered online a soft rolled omelet filled with Zuwai crab meat and Maitake mushroom cream.

The menu from Mezzaluna is guaranteed delicious with its 2 Michelin stars (this dish is truly delicious).

Finishing off with Chinese fried dough with pandan custard and condensed milk. I have to say, it's my favorite breakfast.

Check prices and flights on the Thai Airways website, click https://bit.ly/TG-Oslo-Norway

By the time I opened the window again, the sky was already bright. I must say, I was a little surprised because there was snow everywhere. This means it will definitely be cold when I get off the plane.

I have arrived safely at Oslo Airport with Thai Airways. Clearing immigration and collecting my luggage took less than half an hour in total.
Now, let's start the trip.

The fastest way into Oslo is the Flytoget express train, which takes only 19 minutes to reach the central Oslo S station. I was staying near the station, so I dropped my luggage off first. With only one day to explore Oslo, I had to hurry.

Oslo is quite quiet and less busy than other European capitals. I'm impressed (except for the cost of living). Oh, and it's -5 degrees today—so satisfyingly cold.

For attractions in Oslo, there are...

The Oslo Opera House is a major highlight you must visit for a photo. Otherwise, your trip doesn't count.

The next stop is Oslo City Hall, which is also the venue for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

However, a top photo destination for every tourist is The Vigeland Park, the world's largest stone sculpture park, which features natural nude statues lining both sides of the path.

For the tourist attractions, I bought a 1-Day Pass. It allows unlimited travel on both buses and trams within the service area. You don't have to buy a ticket for every single trip, which I must say is very convenient.

You can't come here and not try the Fish & Chips, another famous dish in this country. The fish is very fresh and sweet. I highly recommend trying it at this restaurant, Fiskeriet Youngstorget.

After sightseeing from late morning until late afternoon, it was time to get to the accommodation because of an early flight to the Lofoten area tomorrow.

Day 2 Oslo - Bodo - Leknes - Hamnoy

Today I left the hotel at 0600 for the airport. I'm so excited to see the magnificent landscape. The flight will be Oslo - Bodo (layover) - Leknes, with a total travel time of about 3 hours and 30 minutes, including the connection.

After landing, we picked up the car at Leknes Airport. I used Hertz.

Our vehicle for the day is a 9-seater Toyota ProAce. It was a leisurely day; we stopped for lunch and groceries at the supermarket, not getting on the road until 2 PM. We are driving to stay overnight in Hamnoy, a journey that should take an hour. However, we encountered heavy traffic due to tunnel repairs. The road was restricted to one-way traffic in 45-minute intervals, causing a very long wait.

The accommodation for these two nights is at Reniefjorden Sjohus Lofoten, which offers a spectacular view. Upon arriving in the evening, the weather was poor with thick cloud cover, eliminating any chance of seeing the Northern Lights. It was therefore decided to go to bed and rest.

Day 3 Hamnoy - Sakrissoya - Reine - A - Hamnoy

Today, we will be exploring the Hamnoy area. This region is full of clustered fishing villages. You can drive, stop, and take photos anywhere—every view is beautiful. However, I have to start early today because the weather is expected to be bad in the afternoon, with heavy snow and strong winds, meaning another lost chance to hunt for the Northern Lights.

It gets dark earlier than usual these days, around 4:30 PM. This leaves less time for sightseeing, but the upside is a longer and better chance to see the Northern Lights.

For anyone who wants to try seafood in this area, you must try this restaurant, Anita Sjomat.

The menu has a wide variety. The taste is average, but not that impressive. At least I can say I've tried it.

Day 4 Hamnoy - Nusfjord - Skagsanden Beach - Hamnoy

Today we will visit two spots. The first is Nusfjord: a fishing village preserved by UNESCO as a living museum. Here, you will see the traditional way of life, a cod liver oil factory, and 19th-century wooden architecture.

The next stop is Skagsanden Beach, which features a distinctive mix of white and black sand from mineral deposits. Free public restrooms are also available.

Although the destinations for each day might not seem far apart, the roads here are quite narrow, have speed limits, and are snowy. You must be constantly alert while driving, as even the slightest mistake can lead to an accident. Most importantly, the cold is intense. It's impossible to stay outside for long, and you constantly have to find shelter from the wind.

The sky was overcast again tonight, so we missed the Northern Lights for another day.

Day 5: Hamnoy - Henningsvaer - Svolvaer

Today we have a bit of a long journey, as we are starting to leave the Lofoten area. Monty is quite disappointed that after two nights, we still haven't seen the Northern Lights. Anyway, the forecast for tonight looks promising, so we'll give it a try. But we will stop to sightsee in the town of

Henningsvær: Nicknamed "the Venice of Lofoten," with houses scattered across small islands. Its world-famous highlight is the football stadium.

Henningsvær, located on the tip of a rocky island, is a popular tourist destination. But when I went, the football field was gone, completely covered in snow. You could barely see its outline.

But that's okay, we can go for a walk in the city. It's just as beautiful.

In the afternoon, we drove on to Svolvaer, where we planned to get to bed early because the forecast said the viewing window was from 1 to 4 AM, which was guaranteed to be exhausting.

I set my alarm for after midnight. I woke up to wash my face, but I was so sleepy. But I decided to give it a shot anyway. At least there's a chance if you try. And then.....

The first northern lights of the trip appeared. Everyone was so happy to see them because we had been feeling a lot of pressure, as this was the highlight of the trip. We took photos until 3 AM. By the time we drove back to the hotel, it was around 4 AM. We were completely exhausted.

Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/9tTh9Q...

*On a cloudy night with a bright moon, try driving to a dark spot away from city lights. You'll have a much better chance of seeing things.

Day 6 Svolvær - Tjeldsund Bridge - Finnsnes

We woke up very late today because we barely slept last night. We're meeting at 11 AM. We will walk around Svolvær first, and then start the approximately 6-hour drive to Finnsnes.

After taking photos for a while, we continued to Finnsnes, passing the Tjeldsundbruan bridge along the way.

Day 7 Finnsnes - Senja - Sommaroy - Tromso

Today will be another tiring day, because we have to leave early to travel around Senja, catch the ferry on time, and then continue on to Tromso.

Senja: Norway's second-largest island, nicknamed "Norway in miniature" because it features the full range of the country's landscapes.

Must-see spots include Tungeneset (the boardwalk with a view of the Devil's Jaw) and the Bergsbotn viewpoint.

After passing 2 checkpoints.

Now, we're getting ready to take the ferry. After crossing over, we will visit Sommaroy before entering Tromso.

Sommarøy: A small archipelago with clear turquoise water and white sandy beaches that resemble the Caribbean (but it is in the Arctic). It is a very peaceful and beautiful fishing village.

We arrived in Tromso in the evening. I was exhausted, but the views were stunning. Since I'm here on vacation, I had to go out and take some photos in the evening light.

Day 8 Tromso

Today will be a day for visiting the city's attractions, and then we'll get to bed early. The forecast says there's a KP3-4 chance of seeing the Northern Lights, and it's our last night to hunt for them. That's why we woke up early to get ready for our tour first.

A highlight of Tromso is the Arctic Cathedral, built by Jan Inge Hovig in 1965, with a design inspired by the region's landscape.

The Tromsø City Library features a modern design with a curved roof resembling ocean waves. It was created by the same architect who designed the Arctic Cathedral.

We spent the rest of the time walking around the city. We're taking it easy on our last day before our final night out.

In the evening, I took the Fjellheisen cable car to see the evening light (I think it's my favorite).

I have to admit, the view from up here is really worth it. If you have time, I highly recommend coming.

After this, I went to bed because we had a 10 PM meeting to get ready to go hunt for the Northern Lights.

And then, my last night.........

And that's a beautiful end to our Norway trip, with the stunning Northern Lights. It was well worth the ticket price.

Day 9: Tromsø – Helsinki – Stockholm

This morning we have a flight from Tromso to Stockholm via Helsinki.

We could return the car directly at Tromso Airport. We just dropped the key at the Key Drop-off and then went to check in. I left in the late morning, and by the time I changed planes and arrived in Stockholm, it was already dark.

For the fastest and most convenient way to get into the city, I recommend the Arlanda Express. From the arrivals hall, you can take the elevator directly down to the train platform. (A round-trip ticket is cheaper, so it's best to buy it all at once.)

Day 10 Stockholm

Today we have the whole day in Stockholm, so I decided to wake up a little late. We will be sightseeing and taking photos at various spots. The weather is amazing today, with a crystal-clear sky.

Then we went to the Vasa Museum.

This is an ancient ship museum. Its main highlight is being the world's most complete ancient warship.
The centerpiece is the Vasa, a royal warship built in the 17th century (1628). Remarkably, the ship sank just 1,300 meters into its maiden voyage and remained submerged in the Baltic Sea for 333 years. It was salvaged in 1961 with over 95% of its original structure intact, after which a museum was built to house it.

Highly recommended. It's magnificent.

In the afternoon, after I was done, I went to Gamla Stan, the old town center.

For the evening light, we'll go to City Hall for our last beautiful spot. I think it's another gorgeous spot.

And then we went shopping and returned to our accommodation.

And if you're not tired, one of the highlights of this city is the subway station. If you have time, you should go check it out. I have a few photos to share.

Day 11 Stockholm - Bangkok

We're having a relaxing morning, getting ready to fly back to Thailand on flight TG961 at 13:50.

Thai Airways is located in Terminal 5. It is not difficult to find.

The flight is on time today. I miss Thailand already!

The great thing about the return flight on Thai Airways is that on the last day, you can wake up late and go straight to the airport. You arrive in Bangkok early in the morning, giving you time to get things done the next day. Most importantly, it's a direct flight, so you can get a long sleep without any layovers.

Every seat is full today. I'm so happy for Thai Airways.

Two meals will be served on this flight: lunch (approximately 1.5 hours after takeoff) and breakfast before landing.

I had a long sleep after eating. It was so relaxing.

Day 12 Bangkok

Finally arrived in Thailand. Thank you all for following.

Thai Airways provides direct flights from Bangkok to three primary Scandinavian cities: Oslo, Norway; Stockholm, Sweden; and Copenhagen, Denmark. Fare and flight information can be accessed via the official Thai Airways website.

👉 Book flights to Oslo (OSL) https://bit.ly/BKK-OSL-Norway

👉 Book a flight to Stockholm (ARN): https://bit.ly/BKK-ARN

👉 Book flights to Copenhagen (CPH): https://bit.ly/BKK-CPH