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Published: September 29th 2010
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The Skoglie family
The best hosts you could ask for ************ NORWAY *********
OSLO
The flight from Dublin to Oslo was over before we knew it. We expected a 3 hr trip looking at our tickets but didn't take in to account the 1 hour time difference. The flight was in fact only 1 hr 40. Looking down from the plane we saw the many mountains and fjords that Norway was famous for. 4 million people were spread sparsely over this scenic country. Norway has the 2nd highest standard of living in the world. Since they discovered oil off their coast in 1966, the country has boomed in every aspect. (Fishing and paper industry are also big) It has the lowest homicide rate in the world which we were glad about.
We caught a coach from the airport to the central station in Oslo and then a taxi to our hotel that we had booked at the airport. Most signs around the airport and train station were in english as well as norwegian for which we were grateful. We arrived at the Best Western Kampen and were blown away at how nice and modern the hotel and our room were, for e.g, Heated tiles in the
Grassy roof
Grass is common on many of the roofs in Norway. I wonder how they get the lawn mower up there? bathroom and two heavy front doors for extra sound proofing. All the taps, light switches, shower and even the toiler flusher were like nothing we had ever seen before.
Breakfast the next morning was an adventure. The food, milk, spreads were all in Norwegian so we didn't know what we were getting. Wasn't too bad though in the end. We arrived at the train station ready for our 8 hour trip to Stavanger on the south-west coast. Here we had arranged to stay with a Norwegian family that we had met on our trip to Thailand 2 years ago. We had been in touch on face-book since then and couldn't wait to see them again. We were also looking forward to staying in a house rather than hotels and apartments.
The train ride was comfortable and the scenic views from the train windows took the boredom away from the trip. We had some yummy hot dogs on the trains (and in Norway in general) for a reasonably priced $8 each.
STAVANGER
Arriving at the station in Stavanger we were met by Oyvind and Kristin who embraced us warmly. We were a bit shy to
start with but by the time we got back to their place and re-met their kids Erik (19) and Andrea (16) we were like old friends. The next 4 days were spent touring around Stavanger and Norway with our gracious hosts as guides. It was so nice staying with a family and in a home after all the hotels. Not once were we made to feel unwelcome during our stay. It was lucky that we were staying with them and having home cooked meals and then a few drinks around the fire place; food and alcohol were soooo expensive in Norway. A pot of beer = $10, a steak at an average restaurant = $50!!!
The first couple of days were spent walking around central Stavanger. The place was split down the middle into old Stavanger and new Stavanger. Nearly all the houses in Norway were weatherboard due to the abundance of trees. The streets were crowded with wooden houses that you could touch on each side if you stood about 4 abreast. Oyvind explained the gypsy problems on the streets, on nearly every corner was either a Romanian beggar or a Romanian piano accordianist. Our hosts' home though,
was nestled in a nice neighbourhood where we were astounded to see that they left their garage and house open when they went out. The garage in particular had bikes and motorbikes that anyone could see from the road but nothing is ever stolen.
The third day was the best. Kristin packed lunches for the 4 of us (the kids often did their own thing) and we set off for Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock), one of the biggest tourist attractions in Norway. The Pulpit Rock is a cliff with a sheer drop that you can look over to the fjord 600 metres below. The walk up takes 1 hr 45 mins over 2.5 kms that is 300 mtrs uphill. It's definitely not easy. The reward is absolutely sensational. The view from the top is one of the best in the world. I was surprised that Lynette went straight to the edge and looked down. To begin with, I couldn't even look at strangers sitting on the edge let alone Netty. She wanted me to take a photo but I honestly couldn't so that was left to Oyvind. We ate our lunch up there with about 80 other tourists. There
Pulpit rock map
This sign shows you how far up and away the rock is was even a muslim with his carpet out on the rock facing the sun and praying. After about 40 mins we decided to start the long trek down. I knew this was my last opportunity and I think after a while the edge doesn't seem as precarious so, on my belly, slithering like a snake, I wriggled to the edge and looked down. My belly dropped into my nether regions and my head started getting dizzy so I quickly retreated to a safe position, stood up and followed the others on the journey down. We were all knackered by the time we got to the bottom and our legs were sore for a couple of days afterward.
Our final full day in Norway we traveled north, with Oyvind driving as usual. His daughter Andrea was playing soccer in a town called Sauda where Kristin's parents also lived. Andrea is that good that she plays for Norway's national team (U/16) so we were looking forward to seeing the Stavanger Vikings v Sauda game. The trip took about 3 hrs in total to get to Sauda and was packed with sights to behold. The Norwegians don't believe in building roads around
Pulpit rock
600 metres above the fjord below or over mountains, they tunnel straight through them. I reckon we passed through at least a dozen tunnels on our way to Sauda including one that was 6 kms long and passed 200 mtrs below sea level (our ears were popping). Along the way we viewed countless fjords and majestic waterfalls much to Net's delight. Arriving at Sauda we had lunch at Kristin's parent's house which was situated at the very end of a fjord on the 2nd story of an apartment block and had fantastic views of the mountains on each side of the water.
The soccer game was interesting, it was evident that the girl's playing were at a high level of skill. Andrea won best on ground (she is a defender and saved many goals) and her team, the Vikings, ended with a 1 - 1 draw against Sauda which wasn't a bad result considering the Viking's best player missed the game with a red card.
The trip back to Stavanger was long and we drifted in and out of sleep as we meandered through the mountains. We noticed some highland cows on the way up so we stopped and took some photos of them
on the return drive much to Netty's delight. I cant believe we searched half of Scotland for the silly looking things and here was a paddock full of them right beside the road.
Another thing about Norway, particularly in the west where all the fjords are, is that ferrys are a way of life. We had about 6 journeys on ferrys in our 4 days there. Huge queues of cars line up across the road waiting for the ferrys to arrive and then drive on board where everyone exits their car and climbs the stairs to the lounge/eating area above.
It was an enjoyable leg of our vacation. The Skoglie family were fantastic hosts and we hope they come to Australia one day so we can return the favour. We recognized that even though english is their 2nd language, that it was not easy for them to speak it the entire time.
We laughed together at some of their words like “full fart” (high speed) and their beer “Aass”.
We loved their home breakfasts with a selection of bread, ham, salami, eggs, tomato, cucumber, mayonnaise (shrimp) and especially BaconOst (A Bacon and cheese spread).
We were
amazed at some of their strict laws: No alcohol at all in your system when driving. The fine is a month's wage and about double the loss of license that we have in Australia.
Norway was even better then Scotland scenery wise and we were lucky we visited here as without having known the Skoglies we would have missed this beautiful country due to the expensiveness.
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