Another time, Another Place - This time its off to Oslo, Norway. Reason for picking Oslo is to see 'Midnight Sun' plus the other constraint being get cheap flight tickets which I could get with Ryanair airlines.
Day1:
Started off early in the morning and took the train to From Basingstoke to Stanstead airport - The train fare was costlier than my flight tickets :(. The train from London Liverpool Street Station to Stanstead airport brokedown in between adding to additional journey time - but still made it in good time for the airport. Then the flight journey was good and landed before time at Oslo Torp airport. The worst part was the airport was almost 2hrs away from Oslo. Fortunately on the airport transfer bus I had a co-passenger who was an Oslo Localite and she helped planning my trip. She suggested against going to North Cape as the time was too short. She was a drug researcher and hence was quite a learned person and when she said that my thoughts of going to North Cape are like her planning to goto India and visit Kerala and Andaman Islands in 3 to 4 days - She rather suggested me visit some other places like Bergen. From Oslo centre, I reached my hostel which was a bit difficult to spot as many people were unaware of its exact location. The hostel was pleasant and good though. Later walked in the evening on the harbour and returned back to hit the bed.
Day2:
Started the day and headed to 'The Opera' then to Akershus Castle then to Vigelands Park followed by 'The Royal Palace'. Later headed back to the hostel as it was too hot to continue and was absolutely tired. I have decided to go on the fjords tour and booked it for sunday. Of all the places, I liked the Vigelands park - it had lots of sculptures and sport activities there. Evening decided to go out into town to check the night life but it rained - so no outing but definitely relieved by the rain as the temperatures were too hot to handle. However just after an hour the rain stopped and sky cleared up. Went out closeby and I end up meeting 2 scottish guys - I dont know what bond I have with them but whereever I go I seem to find them :). They were pretty good guys with very thick scottish accent. We instantly got acquainted very well and had a good time. Also made couple of good Norweigian friends.
Day3:
Didnt feel like doing much and hence went only to few places - Bygdoy and the Botanical gardens and returned back to the hotel after booking for a 'Norway in a nutshell' trip for sunday. Later in the evening - Stefan(Swedish) a friend I made in the Hostel promised to show me the best view of Oslo. He, another hostellite Turcotte(Canadian) and myself went to 34 a bar on 34th floor of Radisson hotel in the town centre of Oslo. Boy it was a great view of Oslo from there. Then we walked on the streets and headed back home.
Day4:
Started early in the day for the 'Norway in a Nutshell' trip which gives a trip around the fjords of Norway in multiple forms of transport. I decided to go to Bergen and return back to Oslo overnight as I had to catch the flight back from Oslo. The first part of the trip was on a regular train till a place called Myrdal. Enroute just before Myrdal is the highest point of the terrain where a german couple - Stefan and bettina, both friends again from the hostel got off for a 10 day hiking! The best thing to do at that place. Hope and pray that they have a safe and enjoyable hike. From Myrday, We boarded another train to Flam. This was a great scenic journey passing through the fyords to a location called Flam. Flam was an absolutely stunning and exotic location! From Flam we boarded the Boat to a location called Gudvangen. Boy this was spectacular - I have no words to describe this journey! I couldnt have asked for more. Then from Gudvangen, boarded a bus to Voss passing through the traditional steep routes by the valley and from Voss headed to Bergen by train. At Bergen I just had 1 hr and to make the best of it, I approached the local people to find out the best restaurant for best Norweigian food - yes the foodie in me never dies ;). Went to a place Bryggen on the coast and had great fish/prawn combo food - Loved it! Then headed back to the train station for the trip back to Oslo.
Day5:
After reaching Oslo, headed back to hostel, checked out and then sat waiting for the time to go by as the weather outside was rainy and cloudy. Then while waiting, decided to write up this blog a good way to kill the time. Then head back to the airport and back to London.
Summary:
Visit Norway to experience great scenic beauty. I am short of words to describe and rewrite the experience I had on the Fjords. Dont ever miss it if you happen to be in Norway. Great People, Great Place but costly one though. Be sure to be surprised to check your credit card bill after you return! Good tour could be arrive at Oslo and depart Norway from Bergen or vice-versa.
Day1:
Started off early in the morning and took the train to From Basingstoke to Stanstead airport - The train fare was costlier than my flight tickets :(. The train from London Liverpool Street Station to Stanstead airport brokedown in between adding to additional journey time - but still made it in good time for the airport. Then the flight journey was good and landed before time at Oslo Torp airport. The worst part was the airport was almost 2hrs away from Oslo. Fortunately on the airport transfer bus I had a co-passenger who was an Oslo Localite and she helped planning my trip. She suggested against going to North Cape as the time was too short. She was a drug researcher and hence was quite a learned person and when she said that my thoughts of going to North Cape are like her planning to goto India and visit Kerala and Andaman Islands in 3 to 4 days - She rather suggested me visit some other places like Bergen. From Oslo centre, I reached my hostel which was a bit difficult to spot as many people were unaware of its exact location. The hostel was pleasant and good though. Later walked in the evening on the harbour and returned back to hit the bed.
Day2:
Started the day and headed to 'The Opera' then to Akershus Castle then to Vigelands Park followed by 'The Royal Palace'. Later headed back to the hostel as it was too hot to continue and was absolutely tired. I have decided to go on the fjords tour and booked it for sunday. Of all the places, I liked the Vigelands park - it had lots of sculptures and sport activities there. Evening decided to go out into town to check the night life but it rained - so no outing but definitely relieved by the rain as the temperatures were too hot to handle. However just after an hour the rain stopped and sky cleared up. Went out closeby and I end up meeting 2 scottish guys - I dont know what bond I have with them but whereever I go I seem to find them :). They were pretty good guys with very thick scottish accent. We instantly got acquainted very well and had a good time. Also made couple of good Norweigian friends.
Day3:
Didnt feel like doing much and hence went only to few places - Bygdoy and the Botanical gardens and returned back to the hotel after booking for a 'Norway in a nutshell' trip for sunday. Later in the evening - Stefan(Swedish) a friend I made in the Hostel promised to show me the best view of Oslo. He, another hostellite Turcotte(Canadian) and myself went to 34 a bar on 34th floor of Radisson hotel in the town centre of Oslo. Boy it was a great view of Oslo from there. Then we walked on the streets and headed back home.
Day4:
Started early in the day for the 'Norway in a Nutshell' trip which gives a trip around the fjords of Norway in multiple forms of transport. I decided to go to Bergen and return back to Oslo overnight as I had to catch the flight back from Oslo. The first part of the trip was on a regular train till a place called Myrdal. Enroute just before Myrdal is the highest point of the terrain where a german couple - Stefan and bettina, both friends again from the hostel got off for a 10 day hiking! The best thing to do at that place. Hope and pray that they have a safe and enjoyable hike. From Myrday, We boarded another train to Flam. This was a great scenic journey passing through the fyords to a location called Flam. Flam was an absolutely stunning and exotic location! From Flam we boarded the Boat to a location called Gudvangen. Boy this was spectacular - I have no words to describe this journey! I couldnt have asked for more. Then from Gudvangen, boarded a bus to Voss passing through the traditional steep routes by the valley and from Voss headed to Bergen by train. At Bergen I just had 1 hr and to make the best of it, I approached the local people to find out the best restaurant for best Norweigian food - yes the foodie in me never dies ;). Went to a place Bryggen on the coast and had great fish/prawn combo food - Loved it! Then headed back to the train station for the trip back to Oslo.
Day5:
After reaching Oslo, headed back to hostel, checked out and then sat waiting for the time to go by as the weather outside was rainy and cloudy. Then while waiting, decided to write up this blog a good way to kill the time. Then head back to the airport and back to London.
Summary:
Visit Norway to experience great scenic beauty. I am short of words to describe and rewrite the experience I had on the Fjords. Dont ever miss it if you happen to be in Norway. Great People, Great Place but costly one though. Be sure to be surprised to check your credit card bill after you return! Good tour could be arrive at Oslo and depart Norway from Bergen or vice-versa.
