Sweden

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wE ARE NOW IN COPEMHAGEN , WE HAD A GREST TRIP TO ICELAND BUT YOU CAN READ ABOUT IT LATER

To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world. - Freya Stark

June 23, 2009, Tuesday, Bandang Camping, Stockholm, Sweden, to Karlstad Camping , Sweden a drive day.
We traveled from Stockholm, to Karlstad, the lake region in Sweden. This lake region is a very popular family camping area. We walked along the huge Vanern Lake and enjoyed the kids playing and families relaxing and swimming. There were many, many camp areas in this region and most were permanent camp sites, with porches and fences, etc.

June 24, 2009, Wednesday, Karlstad Camping, Sweden to Ekeberg Camping, Oslo, Norway.
We are now in Norway, and the landscape is absolutely beautiful. Finding our way to Ekeberg Camping was a bit difficult, but we are finally settled up on a hill. The temperature is 85 F and this campground doesn’t have much shade. From my readings, the Gulf Stream keeps things warm in the summer, but the “locals” say this is very unusual.
We got the 24 hour pass for transportation and went into Oslo by bus. Time to get some Norwegian money (ATM), and find the Tourist Info(TI). The TI was very helpful and we have info on “Norway in a Nutshell” along with maps and stuff to keep us busy planning. We walked along the pedestrian walkway, “Johans Gate”, and found our way to “Island Travel” (Iceland Travel). We spoke to Freida, a helpful travel agent, and inquired about a side trip to Iceland. We are still deciding, but being this close to Iceland, why not?? We think…. July 4, 5, 6, 7 and return to Oslo on the 8th of July. We need to organize a safe home for the “Bothan” that is convenient to public transportation to the airport. That seems to be our current location, Ekberg Camping?? But we will explore other possibilities closer to the airport.
Back to the pedestrian walk and we stopped for a beer at an outdoor café. Then we found our way back to the bus and up the hill to “home”.
A word about Norway, it is expensive, let me repeat EXPENSIVE.! Last year we thought England was really pricey, now England is looking good. Glad we don’t live here, it is just for a while… we keep saying…. $12/15 for a beer??? this afternoon. What’s wrong with this picture?? . They seem to gather at the train station, a central location, near a park area, one of the main downtown sections.
Back to the campground and a homemade meal. We even found a shady area. Never thought we would be hot in Norway?

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Photos

Ekeberg Camping, Oslo Norway
Over looking Oslo

Comments

[Diane Santoriello]

Iceland
I would love to see Iceland. My only concern for you is what has the failure of its economy done to tourist prices? Love, d