As a Norwegian, this looks like hell on earth. Sardines in a barrel, we would call this. The Northern lights is a natural phenomenon. Sometimes it can give amazing shows in many different vibrant colour all over the skies, and if so there's no need to book any tours, you'll see them from anywhere. Othertimes it's clouded over, or there's only weak green patches, or there's none whatsoever. That's just nature. These aurora borealis safari trips are just made for desperate touritsts who only have a couple of days and somehow _have_ to see a couple of weak green light patches on the skies just so they can tick it off their bucket list. So they go hunting for the best chances, but, if the Northern Lights are so weak you'll have to hunt them then they're really not worth seeing. I think it's a good rule of thumb as a tourist anywhere on earth to never ever get on a tour buss. You'll just get cramped with other tourists and you'll have the least authenic experience ever. Chinese seems to love this form of travel, I only see Chinese tourists in big tour busses and it's so sad to see every time, the Japanese used to be like this too, but recently I'm seeing more and more Japanese tourists travelling outside of the tours and discovering the lands in a more authentic way so I'll give them cred for that. Tour busses must be avoided at all cost, no matter where on earth you are. It's about as authentic as going on a cruise. For example, that guy who sang this magical Sami shamanistic song. I think any local would have started laughing when he started joiking Samiid Ednan. The thing is, joik is a spiritual exercise where you sing the feelings you experience in nature, it's supposed to have elements of _improvision,_ and it's never words or language. Just sounds in a distinct pattern which represent something meaningful in that moment. And what kind of spiritual/nature experience do you think that guide had in that moment? It's like asking a guy dressed in Donald Duck costume to have a spiritual experience in a Disney Park. Utter nonsense. Just google Samiid Ednan, it's a 44 year old Eurovision song that's been used so much it's lost all significance. It's more like a caricature of Sami culture, than an actual experience.
Thanks for the info! I would love to see a more authentic version of the aurora borealis in the feature. My friend told me you can see them in many other countries as well, such as Alaska in the United States and Canada. When we went to Bergen Norway, we were very adamant about avoid any tour companies because we wanted to customize our whole travel experience. I think due to the nature of being in a cold place that was snowy and the northern lights being very far away, we were more compelled than usual to use tour companies. We will definitely seek out the northern lights on our own next time. There was a lot of Chinese tourist, as well as tourist from Spain and France, and even a handful from South America. We even talk to some tourist from Australia! The tour bus was awful! They charged a lot of money too, such a rip off. In Bergen, we rented a car which made for a more amazing experience. It was also around the summer time, so the weather was much more favorable. I thought the moment when everybody was singing together with the Sami chief was enduring. It was a great representation of many cultures coming together and showing respect to another culture through song and music. We definitely need more instances of showing respect to other cultures, based on all the events that are happening in the world at the moment.
@@minTwin Were they mainlanders or Taiwanese? Mainlanders usually have their own tour busses in my experience. I live in a touristy town and meet people from all over the world, I always love meeting people from different cultures and I've met really nice people from Singapore and Taiwan, but mainlanders come in big flocks and keep to themselves. If I try to say hi they just look at me scared. Twenty years ago it used to be you guys(I am guessing from your accent you're American, if not then sorry) which had the worst reputation. Back in the Bush era, Americans would think they ruled the world and behaved so too. But now, that's completely gone, Americans are much more respectful now(especially your generation) and Russians and Chinese(mainland) have taken over the bad reputation the past ten years. So I am really happy that you met Chinese people out on that trip because that means they're starting to open up and explore and expose themselves to people from around the world, and not just stare at us locals as if we're scary barbarians about to oof them. (It's a generational thing though, younger folks seem more normal). My advice about aurora borealis is first to check what year it is. It goes in patterns and some years are stronger than others. I lived in Lofoten one year, and solar activity was at a height that year so we saw them every single time we went out(except when clouded). Right now I live in Ålesund and I only see it like a couple of times a year here, because it's way further south(almost as south as Bergen). My second advice is to try to find some cheap accomondations and stay a little longer, so there's not this stress, so you don't have to chase after it. It's a completely different experience if you're out on your own in nature, away from lights, maybe staying the night in a tent, and you're just left alone. Then you connect in a different way. Lofoten would be the ideal spot, imo, because it's islands out in the ocean and thus has less light pollution. And if you don't see anything then you're still at one of the most beautiful places on earth. Come December/January for the magical everlasting night. It's really beautiful, especially in Lofoten where there's clear view to the south and this vibrant red colour in the horizon around midday which was just the most incredible coloured sky I have ever seen. To me, that was the greatest experience when I lived in Lofoten, way more beautiful than the northern lights. But as long as you're in the sweet spot, which I believe is between 66° north and 70° north, it's just as visible in Canada and Alaska. But I think it'd be a lot colder so bring wool, wool and more wool. ^^
