Kirkenes at 69N, is often described as the end of the earth. It is as far east as Istanbul and lies 15km from the Russian border at the end of the E6 highway from Oslo. It has a frontier feel where it is said that the local fishermen who can speak Russian get a better price for their catch. It is also on the tree line at the northern edge of the Siberian taiga. The Andersgrotta is an air raid shelter built as protection from the waves of Russian bombers which were intent on knocking out the German iron ore shipping facility. Bunkers big and small litter the town with the most interesting one being topped by a house, which according to our guide, has the best wine cellar in town because of its 3m thick concrete.
We visited the Russian border, which was a pleasant location with lakes and forests, but care had to be taken because one foot across the border line can be very expensive.