Spectacular! Spectacular! Spectacular!
Norway was the 5th European country we’ve visited, and by far, the most glorious one. She has the fjords, sea, snow capped mountains, alpines, steep plunging rocky hills, majestic waterfalls, plus good choices of sea food (the most popular Norwegian salmon) and friendly people.
We stayed at 4 different places. Thrice at youth hostels, and the last night at a hotel. Everywhere is clean and pleasant, cultured and peaceful. Only noises from laughter and chatting, no sign of construction or big machines. It is a paradise for cyclists, mountaineers, walkers, like us, and drivers too, esp caravans, which are seen in most hiking locations. It’s easy to get to places by bus or ferry, but be prepared for a couple of hours of travelling, nicely compensated by beautiful scenery, which made the journey quite wonderful.
I would have appreciated the Norway trip to the fullest extent if I had not been ill. Still, thankfully, I count myself really blessed to come so close to God’s creation in every way possible.
Friday 11 July 2008
Finse
Finally, our last night at a hotel. We had no other cheaper options here, where everything is snow and rocks. At 1200 m above sea level, Finse is the highest train station in Norway.
If only, if only we had more time, both LC and I kept lamenting – that we could walk a longer distance and climb more heights in this area. Nathan even walked on ice, for a short while.
The clear blue sky made all the difference to our stay here. There isn’t every much to do around here, except biking and hiking, and sitting on a nice big rock to admire the fantastic white and blue scenery that surrounds you.
If only, if only we had more time, both LC and I kept lamenting – that we could walk a longer distance and climb more heights in this area. Nathan even walked on ice, for a short while.
The clear blue sky made all the difference to our stay here. There isn’t every much to do around here, except biking and hiking, and sitting on a nice big rock to admire the fantastic white and blue scenery that surrounds you.
Balestrand
We stayed 3 nights at a third youth hostel. Balestrand is a nice town, with a church, an aquarium where we had all 3 dinners, and of course the sea port where the boats and ships docked. Nathan saw star fish, a few gigantic lobsters, fishes, urchins and crabs in a pool at the aquarium.
One very wet day, we stayed in to watch Wimbledon, a final match between Federer and Nadal. It was a long hard fight for 5 solid hrs!
We made a day trip to a glacier. Nathan was too young to walk on it, so we only visited the museum and watched the glacier from a distance.
One very wet day, we stayed in to watch Wimbledon, a final match between Federer and Nadal. It was a long hard fight for 5 solid hrs!
We made a day trip to a glacier. Nathan was too young to walk on it, so we only visited the museum and watched the glacier from a distance.
Flam
The train ride was the highlight – Flamsbana, which took us from Myrdal to Flam, 800m above sea level to zero. Along the way, we saw a gorgeous waterfall.
At Flam, we stayed at another youth hostel, but we were delightfully brought back to the ‘kampong style’ of living – common bathroom and kitchen facilities, not even a basin in our cabin (hut with 4 single beds). We had a small cooking area and fridge, so we decided to make 2 breakfasts and one dinner – ham and cheese omelette and sausages with bread. What an adventure.
From Flam, we took a day out on a cruise along the one thing every tourist speaks of – The Norwegian Fjords – long and large water bodies surrounded by high steep cliffs on all sides. We saw waterfalls, billy goats and seals along the way.
Beautiful, glorious and amazing was the scenery!
At Flam, we stayed at another youth hostel, but we were delightfully brought back to the ‘kampong style’ of living – common bathroom and kitchen facilities, not even a basin in our cabin (hut with 4 single beds). We had a small cooking area and fridge, so we decided to make 2 breakfasts and one dinner – ham and cheese omelette and sausages with bread. What an adventure.
From Flam, we took a day out on a cruise along the one thing every tourist speaks of – The Norwegian Fjords – long and large water bodies surrounded by high steep cliffs on all sides. We saw waterfalls, billy goats and seals along the way.
Beautiful, glorious and amazing was the scenery!
Tonsberg
The first day we arrived in Norway at Torp airport. Alighted from the plane, took a bus, then another 15mins train ride to Tonsberg. First thing first, looked for our youth hostel. There it was, located right in front of the mountain!
Staying at youth hostel wasn’t a bad thing at all. Nice comfortable beds, and we were even surprised to find a TV in the room, and of course, can’t do without an en suite bathroom.
Dropped our bags, and went out for a short hike, 20 mins up hill to a 100 yrs old Tower, where a much older castle once stood. It was the highest peak and view point of the area.
We treated ourselves to a good meal on our first night too. Salmon fillets! The stretch of restaurants strategically located next to the port was bustling with activities and people watching, boats docking, dogs roaming and sea gulls hovering above us.
We didn’t get to see this town very much, for we quickly moved on to our next more spectacular location, another 7 hr train journey away the next morning.
Staying at youth hostel wasn’t a bad thing at all. Nice comfortable beds, and we were even surprised to find a TV in the room, and of course, can’t do without an en suite bathroom.
Dropped our bags, and went out for a short hike, 20 mins up hill to a 100 yrs old Tower, where a much older castle once stood. It was the highest peak and view point of the area.
We treated ourselves to a good meal on our first night too. Salmon fillets! The stretch of restaurants strategically located next to the port was bustling with activities and people watching, boats docking, dogs roaming and sea gulls hovering above us.
We didn’t get to see this town very much, for we quickly moved on to our next more spectacular location, another 7 hr train journey away the next morning.
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