Norway
Well, believe it or not, another chapter has fairly quickly come to pass. I arrived in Norway from China/Hong Kong about two weeks ago and have been enjoying the gross over-abundance of stunning natural beauty while also feeling personally offended by the sky-high prices. (It seems almost legend here among travelers; “it’s more expensive than Switzerland;” “it’s more expensive than Japan,” etc.) So, I’ve decided that I have appreciated enough fjords and eaten enough Gudbransdalost and recognized enough of the country I knew (which really hasn’t changed) and so onward I go!I feel like much of my time has either been on a boat or a bus. Either way they were perfect ways for sailing by perfect vistas and still feeling like you got to see them and enjoy them — between the fjords and mountains and Caribbean-blue water and forests and lakes, it is clear that Norway got more than its lion’s share of natural wonders.
I will fill you in on more later, but just wanted to let you know I’m off to…
NEXT STOP: France!
Details:
Fly Oslo to Kirkenes (not much in town, decided to cathc boat out next afternoon, Midnight Sun)
Hurtigruten Kirkenes to Tromsø (2 days on boat, last of the official Midnight Sun)
Tromsø (Tromsø musem, Samis, Polaria with bearded seals, walking)
Hurtigruten to Risøyhamn
Bus to Andenes
Andenes whale watching (only bad weather day, saw three sperm whales)
Bus to Risøyhamn
Hurtigruten to Bodø
Bus to Trondheim
Trondheim (Olavsdag festene, Nidaros domkirke, walking, perfect little neighborhoods with cafes and apt.s)
Bus to Ålesund
Ålesund (Atlantic Ocean aquarium, walking)
Bus to Oslo
Oslo (walking, Vigelands park, Slottsparken, Nasjonalgaleriet, Karl Johans gata)
August 11, 2004 in Europe
