What is everyday life like in the far North, and why is now the perfect time to visit Norway? We discuss this and more with Marta Jaroszyńska, known as Lofotengirl.
Editor: To start, why Norway? Why did you choose the Lofoten Islands?
Marta Jaroszyńska: There isn’t really a romantic story here—Lofoten was more of a total coincidence. I already knew that Norway would be my home, since my Leon lived here. But as for Lofoten, that was an accident. Leon used to live in Møre og Romsdal. He biked to Nordkapp and stayed on the Lofoten Islands. The archipelago captivated him.
So, can we say you found your place in the world here in Norway?
Or maybe it found me. I had heard about Lofoten, and I discovered this place because I wanted to get to know Norway when I moved here. In a way, I feel that Lofoten found me.
Do you travel to other parts of Norway as well?
We’ve traveled across Norway many times. Everyone who lives abroad knows that going back to Poland isn’t exactly a vacation (laughs). We go to Poland to take care of administrative matters, see doctors, like a general “EU check-up.” Often, we drive through Norway, which also becomes a trip for the kids. We get to see the places calmly, without stressing over everyday responsibilities. My sister, after many years in Italy, has now moved to Båtsfjord in Finnmark.
Do you remember your last trip?
My most recent trip was driving through Norway by car. Last year, we went on vacation to Poland with the kids to visit their grandparents. We stopped in many places, met fantastic people, and explored Vestlandet and the areas around Oslo. That was our journey before starting our vacation in Poland. However, the last big trip was to Asia. Before the pandemic, we used to go to Asia for a few months every two years. The last trip I remember was a three-month adventure with the kids to Vietnam, Indonesia, Bali, and Thailand.
I love Asia. You know, I’m a person of the North, I feel it every time I return home to Lofoten, but there are two places on Earth where I could settle down: the cold, Arctic North and Bangkok. I know they’re polar opposites—one is almost empty and quiet, the other bustling like Bangkok. Asia isn’t somewhere I could live forever, but I could see myself settling there for a year or a year and a half.
So would you say Bangkok is like a second home?
Yes, exactly. We’ve been to Bangkok so many times that I know the entire metro map by heart. I know which stop to get off at, where the main attractions are, and where to catch a boat. Of course, the infrastructure is constantly evolving, but I still know the key points well. When I see photos from friends or people in Bangkok, I remember—oh, we were there, we ate there.
If you had to name your favorite places, what would they be, and in which countries?
Vietnam—Ho Chi Minh. I love Saigon. Hoi An in Vietnam, Bangkok in Thailand, and Koh Phangan island. I absolutely love that island. It’s our favorite spot where we can just be, do nothing, watch people, and ride bikes. Bali didn’t really captivate me. We explored the island on our own and faced difficulties at every step, especially with fees for everything. When you’re with an organized group, those fees are included in the trip cost, but when you plan it yourself, you often run into challenges. That’s why Bali didn’t charm us. But Java did. The volcanoes and the local community—such a great place.
Let’s dive into that. You mentioned some of these trips were self-organized. Do you often travel on your own, or do you use travel agencies?
I’ve only used a travel agency twice, the last time in Morocco in 2008. Since then, we’ve only traveled on our own. I study the Map myself. At the time, there were no travel ebooks—you had to read about places on foreign websites. There weren’t apps like the ones we have now, where you can easily check a continent and find people who’ve been there and marked points to make your trip easier. For example, the getFindia app, which is fantastic. We used to rely on blogs and paper guides, marking everything by hand with a pencil. Now everything is electronic.
We’ve since organized all our trips ourselves because I get so much joy from planning things for our family. I choose the routes myself—there are usually several options, as not every plan fits. I’m not saying big travel agencies are bad, but I prefer local ones. I often look for Polish people living in the area, as they can offer the best guidance and help. I run a family business myself, so I believe that someone living in a place can show you the best parts. They can share insights about the culture and traditions that aren’t just from the internet but are personal stories about the place. That’s what captivates me the most. I also try to show all these lesser-known points in getFindia—places you can’t find online, apart from the most famous ones.
Speaking of that, what places have you added to the getFindia app?
I want to highlight that Lofoten is mainly about the views. We don’t have historical monuments, beautiful little town squares, or old districts. Lofoten is mostly nature, and that’s what I try to convey in the app. But there are also other places, like Street Art, where I mark spots with interesting graffiti and works by famous Norwegian artists on walls. These pieces blend beautifully with the surroundings. There are also many places for kids. I’ve written unique guides for Lofoten, including the only guide for Lofoten with kids. We’ve explored the archipelago countless times. I can honestly say I know this place like the back of my hand.
I’d also like to add that this year, there will be even more places, as we’ll be updating the guidebook spots. I’ll be adding new points, and I hope everyone will find something for themselves.
Travels aside, what else are you interested in?
I’m someone who spends a lot of time outdoors. I’m passionate about hiking (laughs)—I could live in the mountains. I always joke that if you ever hear about a lady living in a cabin in the mountains by a lake, that’ll be me (laughs). I knit sweaters—I learned that craft here in Lofoten. I mainly make Scandinavian and Icelandic patterns. I’m also interested in photography, read a lot, and listen to audiobooks. I have a range of hobbies, but mainly hiking and skiing.
It seems like you live a very full life, enjoying every moment.
You know, I try. Let’s be honest—the North isn’t for everyone. Living above the Arctic Circle is tough. We have the polar day and the polar night. During the polar day, it’s light 24 hours a day. Last night at 1 AM, it was so bright you could easily function outside. You could see every detail of the buildings. During the polar night, it’s not pitch black for 24 hours, but there’s only a brief twilight at noon for about 3-4 hours. Lofoten also has strong winds. We only have one main road connecting the islands, and when the wind picks up, the bridge is closed, the plane doesn’t fly, and the ferry doesn’t sail. We’re often left on our own, isolated. If I couldn’t find joy in what’s around me, I would’ve left here long ago (laughs). Lofoten is a special place. Only people with strong character can stay here long-term—I know this from observing and talking to others.
You mentioned the challenging weather conditions here. How did you adjust to life on Lofoten?
When I first came to Norway, the peace of this place struck me, as well as the calmness of work. I didn’t need to compete with anyone for my job or fear that someone would take it from me. I’ve worked in different European countries, so I can compare. Of course, certifications and various documents matter here, but experience is also valued. If you’re good at what you do, people respect you for it.
Speaking Norwegian shows respect for the locals. Integrating into society—whether by participating in holidays or respecting traditions—is a big plus for us immigrants. It’s not about assimilating immediately but about simply integrating. This integration with the country makes living here easier. People who resist integration tend to leave quickly, complaining they can’t fit in. Our mentality—speaking as a Pole—is very different from the Norwegian one. If you’re not flexible and can’t adapt to someone having a different opinion or working at a slower pace, you won’t stay here long. But Norway is, above all, a very open country, ideal for vacations. Right now, it’s also a very affordable destination because the exchange rate of the Norwegian krone is at an all-time low. It used to be that one krone was worth 50 groszy, but now it’s about 37 groszy. So accommodation, fuel, and food are much cheaper. If you want to visit Norway, if Scandinavia and the North are on your list, now is the perfect time. And if you want to see the Northern Lights, this is predicted to be a spectacular year. Don’t forget the app—it’ll make your trip much easier.
Travels aside, what else are you interested in?
I’m someone who spends a lot of time outdoors. I’m passionate about hiking (laughs)—I could live in the mountains. I always joke that if you ever hear about a lady living in a cabin in the mountains by a lake, that’ll be me (laughs). I knit sweaters—I learned that craft here in Lofoten. I mainly make Scandinavian and Icelandic patterns. I’m also interested in photography, read a lot, and listen to audiobooks. I have a range of hobbies, but mainly hiking and skiing.
It seems like you live a very full life, enjoying every moment.
You know, I try. Let’s be honest—the North isn’t for everyone. Living above the Arctic Circle is tough. We have the polar day and the polar night. During the polar day, it’s light 24 hours a day. Last night at 1 AM, it was so bright you could easily function outside. You could see every detail of the buildings. During the polar night, it’s not pitch black for 24 hours, but there’s only a brief twilight at noon for about 3-4 hours. Lofoten also has strong winds. We only have one main road connecting the islands, and when the wind picks up, the bridge is closed, the plane doesn’t fly, and the ferry doesn’t sail. We’re often left on our own, isolated. If I couldn’t find joy in what’s around me, I would’ve left here long ago (laughs). Lofoten is a special place. Only people with strong character can stay here long-term—I know this from observing and talking to others.
You mentioned the challenging weather conditions here. How did you adjust to life on Lofoten?
When I first came to Norway, the peace of this place struck me, as well as the calmness of work. I didn’t need to compete with anyone for my job or fear that someone would take it from me. I’ve worked in different European countries, so I can compare. Of course, certifications and various documents matter here, but experience is also valued. If you’re good at what you do, people respect you for it.
Speaking Norwegian shows respect for the locals. Integrating into society—whether by participating in holidays or respecting traditions—is a big plus for us immigrants. It’s not about assimilating immediately but about simply integrating. This integration with the country makes living here easier. People who resist integration tend to leave quickly, complaining they can’t fit in. Our mentality—speaking as a Pole—is very different from the Norwegian one. If you’re not flexible and can’t adapt to someone having a different opinion or working at a slower pace, you won’t stay here long. But Norway is, above all, a very open country, ideal for vacations. Right now, it’s also a very affordable destination because the exchange rate of the Norwegian krone is at an all-time low. It used to be that one krone was worth 50 groszy, but now it’s about 37 groszy. So accommodation, fuel, and food are much cheaper. If you want to visit Norway, if Scandinavia and the North are on your list, now is the perfect time. And if you want to see the Northern Lights, this is predicted to be a spectacular year. Don’t forget the app—it’ll make your trip much easier.
We want to thank Marta for this interview, and and we invite you to visit our Instagrama, Facebooka and TikToka, to meet more of our Creators!