Sommarøy – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

I am still sharing photos from our Norway trip, these are taken with my IPhone 17 PRO, when traveling taking shots with the phone also works as a dairy. Joining in John’s Cellpic Sunday

Sommarøy, Troms-12 — A cloudy sky looms over a tranquil beach in Sommarøy with scattered seaweed and small houses nestled among greenery.

The dark clouds that circled the area was what I wanted to capture, because when looking the other way you saw the turquoise waters glimmering like jewels beneath the faint light. Even if the clouds loom over the mountains, casting a shadow that blankets the landscape, the contrast between the foreboding sky and the vibrant hues of the sea creates a breathtaking scene. It was as if nature itself was putting on a show, with the cloudy atmosphere adding a dramatic flair to the serene beauty of the coastline. The combination of these elements stirred a deep sense of wonder in me, urging me to preserve this moment through my lens.

Sommarøy, Troms-14 — The crystal-clear turquoise water gently lapping against a sandy beach, the soothing sound.

As a photographer, I wanted to convey the beauty and tranquility of our coastal landscape. The crystal-clear turquoise water gently lapping against a sandy beach, the soothing sound. I wanted to highlight the shallow water, where you can see the sandy bottom, subtle ripples, and even a small patch of seaweed, adding to the setting’s authenticity. In the background, I included the rocky shoreline adorned with lush greenery, leading up to the rugged mountains that stand strong yet appear melancholic under the thick, gray clouds. This composition captures the calmness I felt in the moment, balancing the vibrant blues and greens with the moody sky, aiming to evoke a sense of peace and reflection in those who view it.

Sommarøy, Troms-32 — Wildflowers, rocks, and a weathered log with mountains and a calm North sea under a cloudy sky in the background.

Sommarøy or Sommerøya is a charming old fishing village nestled in western Tromsø Municipality, Norway. Located about 36 kilometers (22 mi) west of Tromsø city, it captivates visitors with its stunning white sand beaches and breathtaking scenery. Spanning 0.41 square kilometers (100 acres), this close-knit community has a population of 304 (2023), creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere with a density of 741 inhabitants per square kilometer (1,920/sq mi). Sommarøy embraces the beauty of both Store Sommarøya and parts of Hillesøya, as well as smaller surrounding islands. The village thrives on its rich local fishing industry, while also welcoming tourists who are drawn to its unique charm, offering a cozy hotel and inviting rental cabins for those seeking a peaceful getaway.

Welcome back, everyone! After our summer hiatus, Ann-Christine is our guide for this week’s exciting challenge. There’s no better occasion than the holidays to embark on an adventure! I certainly had my share of fun, and it still continues as I am on vacation until the middle of August. So while at our summer house with our grandkids, I am trying to put together a post that makes some sense. It will be interesting to see what you all have been up to. Be sure to visit Ann-Christine’s fantastic post and participate, remembering to tag Lens-Artists and link back to her original post.

This summer has been particularly hectic. In June, we traveled to Oulu to visit our son and explore the local attractions. Being so far north, which is midway across Finland by distance, we took the opportunity to drive to Kilpijärvi and further into northern Norway. Additionally, in May, we spent some time in Crete, and last weekend, we visited Estonia. In this post, I’ll be sharing more photos from our trip to Norway.

Northern Norway-24 — the lush Sørdalen canyon in Rohkunborri National Park, located in Troms county.

Heading to Northern Norway had been a long-time dream; I don’t understand why we hadn’t done it before. Although it didn’t seem very far, especially coming from Southern Finland, we made sure to give ourselves plenty of time for the trip. Our car’s odometer showed a total of 1,300 kilometers from Helsinki, but we did make a stop in Oulu to visit our son, so we did not drive it in one stretch. Every bit of it was worth it, as Northern Norway is truly a dream spot for anyone who enjoys stunning landscapes and the great outdoors. The Lyngen Peninsula was just a few hours away from Kilpisjärvi, and we reached Skibotn in less than an hour, I think. Troms County, with its majestic mountains, took my breath away with attractions like Lyngen, renowned for its alpine wonders. The Lyngenfjord, or Yykeänmuotka in Finnish, sits beautifully between Tromsø and Kilpisjärvi, with the magnificent Lyngen Alps (Lyngsalpan) as the crown jewel of the peninsula. Seeing those sharp peaks for the first time was an experience I’ll never forget, and hopefully, we will visit again.

Northern Norway-88 — A view of snow-capped Lyngen Alps peaks under a cloudy sky with lush green hills in the foreground

Northern Norway-142 — This picture shows the striking landscape of **Kåfjorden** (Kaivuono), a beautiful branch fjord located in the Troms og Finnmark region of northern **Norway**

This image depicts the harbor of Skibotn in Norway, featuring several boats along the shore of the Lyngenfjord.

A panoramic view from Samuelsberg it’s a small village in the Kåfjord municipality in Troms, Finnmark county,

The different time of day made a difference even if the sun did not set during the time we were there

You won’t believe how beautiful Sommarøy is, especially during peak summer! We visited on a chilly, windy day in June, so it wasn’t exactly beach weather for us. But I’ve heard that if you go there on a sunny Sunday in July, it’s totally packed, just like a Mediterranean vacation spot! Luckily, we got to enjoy the tranquility of the beaches on a weekday. There weren’t too many people around, which made it perfect for taking photos without distractions. And the way the turquoise water shimmers against the mountains is just stunning!

Oh, the beauty of these scene is so stunning

Northern Norway-600 — Do I need to say anything , the photos say it all.

The “Caribbean of the North“: It is famous for its stunning white-sand beaches, emerald-turquoise shallow waters, and lush green coastlines.

Northern Norway-626 — Colorful houses by a serene fjord with towering, snow-dusted mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky. So Idyllic.

I hope you enjoy the views as much as I did, as they truly take your breath away with their stunning beauty; I fell in love with that area, captivated by the vibrant colors of the landscape and the serene ambiance that surrounded me, making every moment spent there unforgettable.

Next week is Anne’s turn to lead us, Saturday 25th July.

Until then, let’s keep exploring, broadening our horizons, and maintaining a positive mindset

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