Most people from the district didn't have much contact with the people on the two farms near Svartisen when they visited. They usually arrived in their own boats, took a stroll, and had their packed lunches. The tourist cabin that the people of Fonndal set up in 1927 was only open when cruise ships docked, but during those times, anyone could buy souvenirs, coffee, and Porridge made of sour cream.

I particularly remember a time when Alfred Enga from Engavågen was here on a Sunday outing aboard the boat "Bina," I think it was shortly after the first World War. They stopped by Grønøy and picked up the innkeeper Fredrik Meyer, along with his wife and a Swedish artist.

They landed at Fondalsøyra and hiked up to Fonndalsbreen, where they stood admiring the beautiful scenery.

*Laughs

The Swedish artist was so impressed that he painted a picture that supposedly hangs in an art gallery in Stockholm today. I believe they called him Carsten Hvistendal, but I can't be entirely sure. It is as you know, quite a long time ago.

Anyway, back at the farm, they unpacked their picnic basket and had coffee before ending the day with games, song, and violin music.

Initially, in addition to the Tourist Cabin, there were two tents in the same area, a writing tent where tourists wrote their postcards, and a stamp tent where postcards and stamps were sold. The frames of the tents stood all summer, covered with tent cloth during visits. When the season ended, everything was dismantled. In later years, all sales took place indoors.

Albert Knutsen from Holandsfjord had his own tent where he sold model boats. The boats were carved from solid alder wood rigged with sails, equipped with everything, and painted in the correct colors. Knutsen also made beautiful walking sticks with painted Svartisen motifs.

Tourists often bought a walking stick on their way up to the ice, and upon returning, boat purchases were made. Several others also sold small items around the tourist cabin area. However, it should be noted that the people of Fonndal did not become directly wealthy from cruise tourism. The amount left by tourists was limited.

By the end of the 1960s, the tourist engagement of the people of Fonndal had come to a crossroad. If they were to continue, significant investments were needed. Ultimately, the decision was made to close down. Fonndalsbreen was already in solid decline, and the fact that hosts Edel and Johan Dahl were getting older did not help either.

So, when the last tourist ship glided out of Holandsfjorden in late summer 1966, it also marked the end of hosting cruise tourists in Fonndal. In 2005, the tourist cabin was demolished, marking the end of an era.

 

 

 

 

Subject text: Helge Seim

Screenplay: Helge Seim

Voice: Marit Emilie Meidelsen Øvrebø

Editing: Helge seim

Music and Soundeffect: freesound.org

 

Source:

-Myrvang, A. (2000) – Med Svartisen som Nabo.

-Steinar Johansen intervjue 2.11.23