forrest | Michael Hoffman Photography

Winter in Norway can be bitter and harsh. Though it is not as cold as you might think. Thanks to the gulf stream which brings relatively warm water and wind from the Americas to Europe even the fjords at the polar circle do not freeze up. Although especially in this year 2020 there is a lot of snow, more than usual for this period of the year making travelling tough because of frequent road closures. On the other hand the snow provides for beautiful impressions fitting the imagination of the far north. In case you miss the light on the pictures; the reason being there is not much of it there in winter making also photography though – but rewarding.

On a Farm in the Midst of the Sea

In the midst of the Atlantic Ocean between the land masses of North America and Europe there are some sprinkled islands of volcanic origins called the Azores. If you want to find them on a map you probably need a pair of glasses. While they seem to disappear in the vast blue surrounding them, the inhabitants are there withstanding the forces of the ocean for many hundred of years already, living mostly of agriculture carried out on the rich volcanic soil of the islands. Products from the Azores like milk and cheese are well known for their quality in mainland Portugal, to which the nine islands belong politically. Also there is some tourism. Since 2015 Ryan Air is operating flights to the islands from Lisbon and Porto. Together with a friend we seized the opportunity and took a flight to the main island of São Miguel. We travelled the island by bike and by public busses mostly. Cruising through green landscapes and passing by cattle, visiting small villages and meeting friendly people. Always on the canvas of a vast endless ocean.