Day 29 - The end is nigh

So, we made it back to Oslo late last night, and we are staying with Anne and Harold ( who very kindly lent us the Røros cabin) which brings a fantastic cyclical feel to the whole trip.

It also lets us reflect on the trip in a beautiful, relaxed setting.

After the train cockup, we went to Christina's then Danielle's ( where we picked wild blueberries!), and then to Risør with the lovely Bue and Catherine. Which was so so great. Got to play on boats and swim in the fjord. The nearby town ( Risør) was beautiful.

So happy about everything we've done but I can safely say this won't be the last Norway sees of me.

Did some sightseeing, then dinner with more of Sophie's family, which was lovely.

Then, just to add to the cyclicality of the trip, we went to frognerparken, just as we had on the first night.

Day 25 - Missed Trains and Tea

So our hungover train journey got worse. But in the end it was for the better...

Our train into Hønefoss was late by more than 15 minutes, so our connection train left before we got there, and no, they could not hold it for us.

Piss.

Thus followed a stopover of more than 4 hours, in the back of beyond. Literally nothing there. Because of this fact, and perhaps due to us also not seeing anyone really during this long wait, they had also shut the station and replaced any potentially helpful staff with hideously expensive vending machines.

So, it was up to travel agent Susie to get us on track.

The result was: ENTIRELY changed plans.

We wouldn't be able to get to Sophie's aunt for that night, but we could - by a string of perfectly timed coincidences - get to Sophie's godmother in her summer house.

But no Stavanger. And no kjagbolten. Never mind, we say. We''ll go one day.

Spending time with Christina was amazing. We met some of her friends yesterday with pimms and sparkly all round, and we even fished ( first time this trip. And of course, not even a nibble).
It was lots of great food, lots of laughs and lots of relaxation during our 2 night stay. We also drank copious amounts of tea. Fantastisk!

Now we are on our way to arendal, to Sophie's auntie. A couple of days later than advertised, but not a worry. After that it's Risør and then Oslo, then home!

It's nice to know(and for our parents too I'm sure) that we are only with Sophie's family and friends for the last week of our trip. No more meeting people from the internet and staying at their houses, I promise Mum.

posted from Bloggeroid

Day 23- hungover train journey

We had a great couple of days in Bergen, staying with a lovely couchsurfer host. We climbed a mountain( quite possibily just a very big hill) had coffee, ate some really great fresh seafood, and went to a salsa dance club. First Latino dance experience, and it was great - thanks Ashish!

And then we got a little bit drunk at some bars... Whoops. Train journey this morning already feels horrendous. Got up at 6 am after going to bed at something like 2.30 maybe? So, as soph said earlier, there's a possibility of still being drunk.

So dizzy. Hahaha

posted from Bloggeroid

Day 21 - We saw a glacier!!

Yesterday, after a pretty wet and bleak ferry ride, we played tourist and went on a guided bus tour. I really felt like an elderly traveller- you know the ones on coach trips, being hearded by young tour guides ...

Anyway, we saw a glacier, and the famous glacier museum, and we got to play with some ice. All pretty cool. ( haha)

Off to a book town in a bit and then Bergen this evening, where we are couch surfing again!

Day 20 - Tales from the Geiranger Fjord

It was awesome. With places like this it's hard to put into words the atmosphere, beauty and how much fun we had.

We hitchhiked on a tractor, stood a few inches from certain death, shopped, ate some food...

Here are some pics. Off to a glacier today

Day 17- Ålesund

We are now in Ålesund, which is beautiful. we spent the last two nights with some lovely lovely couchsurfers who picked us up from the station, made us dinner both nights, and just made us feel so at home. We couldn't have asked for a better host that Tarek, his friend Mahmoud and the woman who put us together, Ingvild.

Yesterday we went on a tour of the city with Ingvild and some other fellow couchsurfers. It was great. We also visited the cathedral, which is the only one in Norway! What?!?! I suppose it has something to do with the country only having 5million people in total.
We learnt a lot, found my new favourite cafe, laughed together, and enjoyed the city.  

Today we took a long bus to Ålesund, dropped our stuff at the hostel, which is beautiful( see photos at the end of the huge common room), and climbed up to a big rock to see the whole city.

Then we had a shower. Bliss. First one since Thursday.