Monday, June 5, 2017

Free Love Center / Centro De Amor Libre

In Northern Norway, we stayed in the Vesterålen Archipelago in the city of Sortland on the island of Langøya. The northernmost island in the archipelago (300 km into the Arctic Circle), Andøya, was just above us. It's where San Geraldo's grandfather was born. On our first drive up we passed a sign for a restaurant on the shores of Buksnesfjord. The place was called Andøya Friluftssenter. San Geraldo asked me what that meant (worried it was some sort of religious cult). I had no idea, although that didn't stop me.

I think it might mean, "Free Love Center," I said with a smile.

There aren't lots of options along these roads, so, after I looked up the word on my translator and learned it meant "Recreation Center" (I was close!!!), we decided to check it out for lunch on our way back. The place has cabins, hiking trails, bicycles, a hot tub, and an exceptional restaurant situated with breathtaking views of the fjord and the mountains. An unusual menu and exquisite food. It was a cloudy, rainy day. Several days later, under blue sky and sunshine, we went back and enjoyed another meal.

If you go north, don't miss Andøya Friluftssenter.

La imagen de arriba significa: "Ven a Andøya. Lluvioso y ventoso y nublado y a veces incluso soleado." ¡La verdad!

En el norte de Noruega, nuestro hotel estaba en el archipiélago de Vesterålen en la ciudad de Sortland en la isla de Langøya. Andoya, la isla situada más al norte (300km en el círculo polar ártico), estaba muy cerca de nosotros. Es donde nació el abuelo de San Geraldo. En nuestra primera visíta a Andøya pasamos un restaurante en la "ciudad" de Buksnesfjord. El lugar se llamaba Friluftssenter. San Geraldo me preguntó qué significaba eso (preocupado de que fuera algún tipo de centro religioso). No tenía ni idea, aunque eso no me detuvo. 

"Creo que podría significar, 'Free Love Center'", (Centro de Amor Libre), dije con una sonrisa.

No hay un montón de opciones a lo largo de estas carreteras, así que, después de buscar la palabra en mi traductor y aprendí que significaba "centro de recreación" (yo estaba cerca !!!), decidimos ir a almorzar a nuestro regreso. El lugar tiene cabañas, rutas de senderismo, bicicletas, Jacuzzi, y un restaurante excepcional situado con impresionantes vistas del fiordo y las montañas. Un menú inusual y una comida exquisita. Era un día nublado y lluvioso. Unos días después, bajo el sol y cielo azul, volvimos y disfrutamos de otra comida.

Si vas al norte, no te pierdas Andøya Friluftssenter.

ANDOYA FRILUFTSSENTER, FROM THE NORTH.
ANDOY FRILUFTSSENTER, DEL NORTE.
THE VIEW OF THE FJORD FROM THE FRONT DOOR.
LA VISTA DEL FIORDO DESDE LA PUERTA.
SAN GERALDO'S REINDEER.
EL RENO DE SAN GERALDO.
I THINK IT WAS ARCTIC CHAR... BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER.
CREO QUE ERA TRUCHA ALPINA PERO NO RECUERDO!
SG'S WAFFLE WITH WHIPPED CREAM AND CLOUDBERRIES.
PARA SAN GERALDO, GOFRE CON NATA Y MORAS DE LOS PANTANOS.
MY PAVLOVA.
MI PAVLOVA.
BACK FOR MORE, FROM THE SOUTH.
VUELVE POR MÁS, DEL SUR.
SG'S APPETIZER (CHEESE CROQUETTE, MOOSE MEATBALLS, SALMON & PRAWNS) .
CROQUETA DE QUESO, ALBÓNDIGAS DE ALCE, SALMON Y GAMBAS.
SG'S MOOSE PIE (THERE WERE TWO BOWLS OF VEGETABLES, TOO).
PASTEL DE ALCE, DE SAN GERALDO. (¡HABÍA DOS CUENCOS DE VERDURAS, TAMBIÉN!)
MY BAKED ARCTIC CHAR ROLL.
ROLLO DE TRUCHA ALPINA.
SG'S WAFFLE WITH SOUR CREAM AND CLOUDBERRIES. (YES, HE GOT CARRIED AWAY!)
GOFRE CON CREMA AGRIA Y MORAS DE LOS PANTANOS. (SÍ, SE DEJÓ LLEVAR.)
MY BRUNØST (BROWN/WHEY CHEESE) ICE CREAM. TRUST ME!
HELADO DE BRUNOST (QUESO MORENO DE SUERO). ¡CONFÍA EN ME!

28 comments:

  1. Looks gorgeous - dining with a view of the fjord, how awesome! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Snoskred:
      It was. And to think we simply stumbled on the place.

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. anne marie:
      "Pining for the fjords?!? What kind of talk is that?!?"

      Delete
  3. Great pictures and the food looks terrific. I think of Norway as being rather cold to go naked like that fellow on the poster.

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  4. All of that in what looks like the middle of nowhere! Great find!

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    Replies
    1. Bob:
      The quality of the restaurant is unbelievable and then when you consider the location...

      Delete
  5. The food looks AMAZING although I'm a little concerned that Santa will be down one reindeer this year and also some poor unsuspecting moose is now neutered.

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    Replies
    1. Debra:
      I never could get comfortable with moose and reindeer on a plate, which is why I stuck to fish. And I now find myself leaning more toward fish every day. I did, however, expect those moose balls to be bigger.

      Delete
  6. You find the neatest places!

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    Replies
    1. Wilma:
      We couldn't believe this place. We were very lucky during the entire trip. More surprises to come.

      Delete
  7. It does look rather cool and damp there...but who cares with food and vistas like that! I love the moss growing on the roof too.

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    Replies
    1. mistress maddie:
      Those are Norways traditional sod roofs. Many people have them on their contemporary homes. It's charming. And at least it wasn't cold and damp inside.

      Delete
  8. Is that a moose baked on top of the moose pie? I love that.

    That is, without a doubt, the nicest Free Love Center I've ever seen.

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    Replies
    1. A Beer For The Shower:
      Yep. Someone actually thought that was why it was called moose pie; she was not happy when she told her there was actual moose inside. It was the nicest Free Love Center I've ever seen, as well, um...

      Delete
  9. I'd pass on the reindeer and moose. Never been a big game person, where food is concerned, but the fish and the deserts.... hmmm... and the scenery. Oh my. Norway is definitely on my bucket list. Thanks for bringing us along on the trip.

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    Replies
    1. Willym:
      I'm the same. I don't like gamey meat. I mostly eat fish during our trip and find myself leaning away from meat entirely lately. Jerry said everything was delicious. You would not be disappointed with a trip to Norway. You both would especially appreciate the culture, history, and beauty.

      Delete
  10. You're killing us here, Jerry!!!
    What a beautiful location!
    The food isn't shabby either!!

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    Replies
    1. Jim:
      I get a warm feeling just looking at my photos. What an experience.

      Delete
  11. It all looks tasty and probably perfect for the climate!

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    Replies
    1. Walt the Fourth:
      Every fish dish I had in Norway (and I had many) was "the best I've had." And oh that Pavlova! But the brunøst ice cream was out of this world.

      Delete
  12. Replies
    1. Judy:
      Worth a trip of north for this place alone!

      Delete
  13. Wow! What a great place and those photos of nature and the food plates wonderful. The sort of place I love to visit.

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    Replies
    1. Laurent:
      The scenery was breathtaking... and so was the food!

      Delete

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