Chapter 3 : A Heavy Snowfall in the Middle of Nowhere

Chasing the Aurora. A Journey Through Arctic Norway

Episode 3

We stayed at Super Stay Hotel, and honestly, the first thing I felt was comfort. The vibe was warm, simple, and calm—exactly what we needed after a long journey. Some of the rooms even came with a kitchen, which made the place feel less like a hotel and more like a temporary home.

That night, we didn’t go out searching for food. Instead, we gathered around leftovers: shawarma, rice, and something that felt incredibly special: nasi goreng brought all the way from Malaysia. One of my mom’s friends, whom I fondly call “ustazah,” had frozen it before the trip. Eating Malaysian food in Oslo, thousands of kilometers from home, hit me right in the heart. Truly, stay Malay bestie

The next morning, sunlight streamed gently into our room. The hotel can use a self-check-in system too, which felt very modern and smooth. Outside, autumn leaves painted the view with warm colours: gold, brown, and soft orange. We took some time to do a little photoshoot, capturing quiet moments before the journey officially began. 

Later, we had our briefing. Altogether, there were 21 of us with three big Mercedes vans, while my family travelled separately in a Mercedes car. We chose the car for a simple but important reason: my dad. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, comfort became our priority. We just wanted him to sit peacefully, without strain. Sometimes, love looks like choosing the slower, gentler option.

And then there was me.

I first time travel with this condition SLE, especially travelling in cold weather. That morning, after taking my Mycofit, steroid (10mg), and Lithunia, I paused and listened to my body. Surprisingly… I felt okay. No pain. No warning signs. Just calm. I remember whispering a quiet prayer of gratitude. For that moment, my body allowed me to live fully.

After about two hours on the road, we stopped for a toilet break at a petrol station. But the view—subhanAllah. Lakes stretched endlessly, reflecting the sky, with minimalist houses standing quietly by the water. Beauty here didn’t shout; it whispered.

A small historical fun fact caught my attention: red houses were once associated with poorer families, while white houses symbolized wealth. Red paint was made from whale blood, which was cheaper and more accessible, while white houses used white lime, something only richer families could afford. Even colours carry stories.

We stopped again, this time for prayer. One thing that stayed with me was learning that the mosque we visited was established by the Sudanese community. Standing there, praying so far from home, I felt the quiet strength of the ummah—connected beyond borders.

Lunch came next. And for the first time in my life, I truly understood why people love fish and chips here.  Fresh, tender, and wow. I even got a free lollipop from them Lol. 

As we continued towards the fjord, the scenery slowly shifted. Autumn faded, and winter quietly took over. Snow appeared, soft and untouched. We stopped and even went to the supermarket to buy fruits and some vegetables to cook tonight. 

When we went outside the supermarket, the cold air brushed our faces, the moon hanging above us like a silent witness. Standing there, surrounded by snow, water, and mountains, I felt small but in the most beautiful way.

This journey is a chase for the aurora, one of Allah’s quiet signs in the sky. With every step forward, I feel more grateful, more alive, and deeply excited for the next journey that awaits.