#jostedalsbreen

[simplicius-simplicissimus]

Norway - Geirangerfjorden - Jostedalsbreen - Briksdalsbreen

[norgesnatur]

Jostedalsbreen, vestland, norway

[rabbitcruiser]

Jostedalsbreen National Park (Norwegian: Jostedalsbreen nasjonalpark) was established by royal decree on 25 October 1991.

[unsubconscious]

Mehmet Deniz, Jostedalsbreen National Park, Norway

[mutant-distraction]

Cecile Verbruggen Briksdalsbreen, Jostedalsbreen National Park, near Olden, - Norway. .

[norsko2024]

Den 7. - část druhá 🇳🇴

Národní park Jostedalsbreen - tentokrát jsme ušli 10.8 km, převýšení bylo jen 231 m, zabralo nám to necelé 3 hodinky. Dostali jsme se až v ledovci Jostedalsbreen, což je největší ledovec pevninské Evropy. Opět to byl jeden z nejhezčích výšlapů vůbec! Dali jsme nakonec nevědomky jinou trasu, než kterou jsme si naplánovali, to ale vůbec nevadilo, naopak.

[ignacionovo]

¡Hola, buenos días, humanidad! 🌍 ¡Feliz martes! 💪🌟🚀🏆🌈📈🌱🌞🎯🌺 Hoy os regalo la imagen de Stryn. Ubicada en el corazón de Noruega, es una localidad que te atrapará con su belleza natural y su rica historia. Situada en el extremo interior del Nordfjord, Stryn se caracteriza por sus imponentes montañas, glaciares majestuosos y cascadas vertiginosas. El glaciar Briksdal, una lengua de hielo que se desprende del glaciar Jostedalsbreen, es uno de los lugares más emblemáticos del municipio. 

Además de su belleza natural, Stryn también alberga una interesante historia vikinga. En el pueblo de Vik se encuentra el Centro Vikingo, un museo al aire libre donde podrás descubrir cómo era la vida en la época vikinga. 

Vida consciente 🌟 

Si te encuentras en mitad de una racha adversa en la que poco (o más bien nada) te sale bien, y estás empezando a perder la esperanza de que tu situación mejore, no te inquietes. Sobre todo, trata de mantener la calma. De vez en cuando, en mitad de todos esos horribles días que vives, tendrás uno bueno. Un gran día, incluso. Asegúrate entonces de conservarlo bien en tu memoria. Mantenlo guardado en un bolsillo feliz y a salvo de toda contaminación negativa, porque ese gran día es crucial para ti, y ello, aunque vuelvas al siguiente a la fatal rutina de siempre. Ese día te enseña que existen y existirán días mejores. Que la vida nos puede deparar adversidad, pero también nos da placer y alegría. Que nos puede golpear, pero también acaricia. Y que todo se equilibra más tarde o más temprano. 

[mel1505]

18.06.2023 Tag 10 in Norwegen 🇳🇴 Nachdem wir am Parkplatz angekommen waren und wir die 75 Kronen Parkgebühr (ca. 6,50 €) bezahlt hatten zogen wir unsere Wanderschuhe an und los ging es zum Briksdalsbreen. Dies ist wieder ein Nebenarm (von insgesamt 28) des Jostedalsbreen. Wir kamen an einem großen Wasserfall vorbei und liefen etwa 45 Minuten bis wir an einem See am Fuße des Gletschers ankamen. Das Wasser war hellblau/türkis. Im Vergleich zu den letzten Jahren ist das Eis schon deutlich abgeschmolzen. Auch Andis Mama meinte, dass das Eis noch bis zum See runter ging, als sie das letzte mal hier waren. Auf dem Rückweg liefen wir nicht genau den Weg zurück, auf dem wir gekommen waren und fanden an einem Baum zwei Schaukeln. Das perfekte Foto (im Hintergrund der Gletscher) haben wir direkt gemacht. 😍 Nun ging es für uns an die Westküste. 🚐 Auf dem Weg dorthin kamen wir durch den Eiksundtunnel, einen Unterseetunnel! Unter einer Brücke angelte Andi nochmal. Ein großer Seelachs riss sich kurz bevor er ihn aus dem Wasser holen wollte wieder los. 🐟 Als wir auf der Insel Nerlandsøy (neben der Vogelinsel Runde) ankamen fuhren wir einen schönen Stellplatz aus Park4night an. Dieser war traumhaft gelegen, mit einem tollen Blick auf das offene Meer und rechts und links die Steilküste. Wir legten unsere Keile unters Auto und liefen an einen Sandstrand der ganz in der Nähe war. Danach aßen wir zu Abend und legten uns früh schlafen, da wir nachts zum Sonnenuntergang auf den Berg in der Nähe laufen wollten. Um circa 10 Uhr liefen wir los. Der Weg ging sehr steil nach oben und wurde etwas später zum Glück wieder angenehmer. Nach etwas mehr als einer Stunde waren wir am Ziel angekommen. Die Aussicht war unbeschreiblich. Wir hatten einen 360 Grad rundum Blick. Vor uns das offene Meer mit der schroffen Küste und hinter uns in der Ferne die schneebedeckten Berge. Wir setzten uns auf einen Stein und genossen den Sonnenuntergang. Die Sonne geht hier nicht wie gewohnt im Westen unter, sondern eher im Norden. Und das um 23:45 Uhr! Es dauerte gefühlt eine Ewigkeit bis die Sonne komplett am Horizont verschwand. Zum Schluss blieb noch ein Streifen von der Sonne da, der einfach nicht weg gehen wollte. Plötzlich wurde dieser wieder größer, so dass wir dachten die Sonne würde wieder auf gehen. War aber doch nicht der Fall, da vermutlich eine Wolke dazwischen war und die Illusion perfekt machte. Wir machten uns auf den Rückweg. Dieser ging zum Glück schneller und wir waren um 0:30 Uhr wieder am Camper. Es war leicht dämmrig, aber immer noch hell. 🙈

[freibergeraufreisen]

Trip nach Bergen (3/6)

Der nächste Morgen hat uns beim Frühstück am Panoramafenster mit diesem Blick belohnt:

Hier das Häuschen zu sehen, wir hatten praktisch die gesamte untere Etage für uns drei 😃. Auch die Stube sehr schön, genauso wie der Ausblick und das Grundstück selbst. Ja daran könnte man sich gewöhnen...

Zum Glück habe ich damals schon bei der Reise auf dem Handy die Strecke mitgeschrieben... So wie wir sie gefahren sind, geht es jetzt scheinbar gar nicht mehr, jedenfalls kann ich die Strecke auf GoogleMaps jetzt nicht mehr so anzeigen lassen. Wahrscheinlich liegt es am Schnee, aber dazu mehr in den nächsten Bildern. Dieser reisende Strom auf dem linken Bild war der Fluss der in Hellesylt in den Geiranger Fjord mündet. Ja, richtig gelesen: Wir überqueren im folgenden den weitbekannten Geiranger Fjord.

Dabei handelt es sich um einen Fjord, der so groß ist, dass dieser sogar mit AIDA/Hurtigruten-Kreuzfahrtschiffen befahrbar ist. Wir wollten ihn mit einem kleinen Fährschiff durchqueren, wie wir es gestern schon getan haben und rechneten wieder mit einem preis im erträglichen Niveau (um die 80 bis 150 NOK, da wir wussten, dass die Fahrt über eine Stunde geht). Ja weit gefehlt. Die Karte war schon ans Lesegerät gehalten, als rund 1300 NOK abgebucht waren 😅😵. Es handelt sich bei der Hellesylt-Geiranger-Fähre nämlich um eine szenische Überfahrt mit Bla-bla im Hintergrund und Musik hier und Geschichte da... das muss schließlich bezahlt werden 🙈.

Auf den Bildern zu sehen, zum einen die mir persönlich sehr gefallende norwegische Flagge in ihrer gezackten Form, in der Mitte ein Wasserfall, der "Freierwasserfall" (nor.: Brudesløret zu deut.: Brautschleier). Er hält eine Geometrie in Form einer Flasche frei, aber "Freier" kommt in dem Falle eher davon, dass ihm gegenüber die Wasserfälle der sieben Schwestern liegen 😄. Leider war es recht diesig an dem Tag.

Wir kommen Geiranger immer näher, da sehen wir doch tatsächlich einen Kreuzer im "Hafen". Hier eher eine Wasserbrücke, die zum Schiff reicht, da es zu Tief im Wasser liegt, um an den Ort Geiranger tatsächlich herabzureichen.

Das ganze von Oben ist auch ein schöner Anblick. Noch weiter oben haben wir dann plötzlich schon Anfang Oktober Schnee gehabt. Da mussten erstmal die dicken Sachen herausgeholt werden, mit der wir an der Stelle noch nicht ganz gerechnet hatten...

Punkt C auf der Karte war nochmal ein schöner Ausblick, der es Wert war anzuhalten. Genauso, wie die Berge links und rechts der Straße... Durch die Nässe, vermute ich, hatten die ein ganz unwirkliches aussehen, fast wie Graphit oder so ähnlich. Die Kamera kann das leider gar nicht so auffangen.

Einmal um den Nationalpark Jostedalsbreen herumgefahren und dann eine Stunde einfach in ihn hinein ^^ Zuerst machten wir uns noch etwas lustig darüber, dass auf AirBnB so eine detaillierte Beschreibung war, wo man das Auto abstellen solle. Nachdem uns vor Ort bewusst wurde, dass Norwegen keine Dörfer besitzt, sondern nur Häuser, die etwas weniger weiter auseinander stehen als andere, war es besser so. :D Irgendwann hatten wir es dann gefunden und konnten unser Auto in einem umzäunten bauernhofartigen Grundstück abstellen. Allerdings dauerte es nicht lange, da bekamen wir Besuch der dritten Art 😂

Kaum haben wir uns aufgemacht den Berg zur Hütte zu erklimmen, kippt zum einen das Wetter völlig um, es meinte einfach regnen zu müssen. Und zum anderen haben wir auch recht lange geraucht, um den Ort zu erreichen, d.h. die Sonne ging dann auch noch unter. Und wir hatten faktisch nur eine vage Beschreibung, wo genau die Hütte jetzt sei, aber keinerlei Wegbeschreibung dafür. Das fehlende Licht hat die Erfolgsstimmung dann nicht gerade angehoben ^^. Irgendwann waren wir dann schon oberhalb der Baumgrenze und der Regen schlug in Schneeregen um. Und da war sie:

Ein netter kleiner Brief hat uns empfangen, leider mit der Nachricht, dass der Ofen nicht mehr in bester Form sei (Riss in der Ofenwand) und wir die ersten Gäste seit einiger Zeit und die letzten des Jahres sein. Die Hütte hatte entsprechend einstellige Temperaturen im Inneren. Wir machten das beste drauß, obwohl nur Rinde zum heizen zur Verfügung stand, was es nicht gerade erleichterte. Ich hab mein bestes gegeben. Einen tollen flair hatte die Hütte aber so mit ihrer Öllampe und allem drum und dran. Währenddessen wurde in der Sterneküche ein traditionelles deutsches Gericht kreiert: Dosenravioli, die waren halt noch übrig. Und wir fanden doch nicht tatsächlich noch ein paar Bier von Vorgängern vor!

[the-firebird69]

ex machina movie filming locations - Google Search

"The 2014 science fiction film Ex Machina was shot at Pinewood Studios and Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldalen, Norway. Other filming locations include:

Sognefjord, Norway

Briksdalen, Jostedalsbreen National Park, Norway

Nigard Glacier, Western Norway"

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fm.media-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FM%2FMV5BMTUxNzc0OTIxMV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNDI3NzU2NDE%40._V1_.jpg&tbnid=V46904eOpe3JPM&vet=1&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fm.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt0470752%2Flocations%2F&docid=2jOzcrVLyx8WFM&w=1012&h=1500&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim%2Fm4%2F2&kgs=33b9ffb91816e9ca&shem=abme%2Ctrie%2Cxga1pt1#:~:text=The%202014%20science,Glacier%2C%20Western%20Norway

I looked it up and saw that it's Norway and where he goes after is curious he goes to that hole we think and there's a reason for it not really it's just he's an ass and we don't like him

Thor Freya

Olympus

[elleonora]

Dovolenka v Nórsku

Nórsko je krajina bohatá na prírodu, kultúru a moderné mestá. Život v Norsku je známy svojou vysokou životnou úrovňou, efektívnym verejným systémom a krásnou prírodou. Tu sú niektoré charakteristiky života v Norsku a miesta, ktoré môžete navštíviť:

Nezabudnite si zvečniť svoje postrehy vo forme fotografií a najlepšie svoje zábery si dajte do svojho albumu, alebo si ich dajte rovno zarámovať, apropo ak sa opakovane radi vraciate v spomienkach tak na najbližšej návšteve svojich priateľov sa rovne môžte pochváliť, kde všade ste už boli. Trošku smradu z Vašej vlastnej samochvály nikdy nezaškodí. 😊

Vaše najsilnejšie zážitky aj tak ostávajú iba pre Vás.

Život v Norsku:---Príroda a Outdoor Aktivity:

Nórsko je známe svojou úchvatnou prírodou vrátane fjordov, hôr, jazier a morí.

Množstvo outdoorových aktivít, ako sú turistika, lyžovanie, jazda na koni, rybolov a horolezectvo.

Kultúra a Tradície:

Bohatá nórska kultúra so silným zdôraznením na tradíciách, umení a histórii.

Festivaly a podujatia, ktoré oslavujú Nórovia

Kvalita života:

Vysoká životná úroveň a efektívne verejné služby, vrátane zdravotnej starostlivosti a vzdelávania.

Nízka kriminalita a vysoká miera bezpečnosti.

Mestá:

Oslo - hlavné mesto so zaujímavými múzeami, modernou architektúrou a bohatým nočným životom.

Bergen - historické mesto obklopené fjordmi.

Tromsø - ideálne miesto na sledovanie polárnej žiary.

Stavanger - známy pre svoj ropný priemysel a nádherné pláže.

Miesta na Navštívenie:----Národné Parky a Prírodné Krásy:

Národný park Jotunheimen - domov najvyš��ieho vrcholu Nórska.

Geirangerfjord - svetové dedičstvo UNESCO, považovaný za jeden z najkrajších fjordov.

Múzeá a Galérie:

Nórske národné múzeum v Oslo so zbierkou venovanou histórii a kultúre krajiny.

Nórsky ropný múzeum v Stavanger.

Historické Pamiatky:

Bryggen v Bergene - historické drevené budovy, svetové dedičstvo UNESCO.

Nórsky ľadový múzeum v Fjærlande.

Návšteva polárneho kruhu a sledovanie polárnej žiary.

Je to úchvatný pohľad, ktorý Vám zarezonuje a doslova otrasie Vás tento jedinečný úkaz.

Plavba loďou po fjordoch.

Nórsko je ideálnou destináciou pre tých, ktorí milujú prírodu, kultúru a aktívny životný štýl. Zároveň si môžete vychutnať pokojné prostredie a výhody moderného mesta.

Osada Fjærland v Nórsku je malebná lokalita, ktorá ponúka návštevníkom príležitosť objaviť nádhernú prírodu, ľadovce a ďalšie zaujímavosti. Tu je niekoľko vecí, ktoré môžete v Fjærlande zažiť:

Nórske ľadový múzeum (Norsk Bremuseum): Toto múzeum je jedným z hlavných ťahákov v Fjærlande. Poskytuje informácie o ľadovcoch, ich tvorbe a vplyve na prírodu. Múzeum obsahuje aj ľadovcovú jaskyňu a interaktívne výstavy. Fjærland je známy aj ako "Knihy na ľadovci" pre svoje množstvo antikvariátov a kníhkupectiev, ktoré sa nachádzajú v historickej časti obce. Táto zvláštna kombinácia literatúry a ľadovcov vytvára jedinečnú atmosféru. Okolie Fjærlandu je tiež obklopené nádhernými jazerami, vrátane Jølstravatnet. Je to ideálne miesto na prechádzky, rybolov alebo len relaxáciu pri vode. Fjærland leží v blízkosti národných parkov, vrátane Národného parku Jostedalsbreen, ktorý je domovom najväčšieho ľadovca v Európe. Táto oblasť ponúka výborné možnosti na turistiku a pozorovanie prírodných krás, vrátane ľadovcov, hôr a fjordov. Okrem turistiky a obdivovania prírody si môžete vychutnať rôzne outdoorové aktivity, ako sú rybolov, cyklistika a plachtenie.

Fjærland je ideálnym miestom pre tých, ktorí milujú kombináciu kultúrnych zážitkov, literatúry a prírodných krás. Výlet do tejto obce môže byť jedinečným spôsobom, ako preskúmať krásy nórskej prírody a zároveň zažiť zaujímavé miestne atrakcie.

[more-savi]

10 plus Best Places to Visit in Norway

10 plus Best Places to Visit in Norway

If you are looking for 10 plus best places to visit in Norway then you are at the right place , Norway is a fascinating country with a rich history, stunning natural beauty, and a unique culture. Here are some tourist places where you like to visit............... Nordkapp – There is a very famous place in Norway. It is located near the Arctic Circle and is the northernmost point of Europe. This is a famous tourist attraction and people come here to see the huge Arctic Ocean. The original name of this place is "Nordkapp", but some people are also called "Nordkapp" . This is a hilly area that people travel here to see. The weather of this place is cold, and the view of this place is very beautiful.   Stavanger in Norway Stavanger is a city in Norway . It is a huge old city and the third largest city in Norway. Stavanger is a beautiful city surrounded by fjords, mountains and an atmosphere full of beauty. The people here are also welcoming and this is an important old area for Norway's tourism. anyone can enjoy the beauty of the place by exploring different places around the city. Stavanger is a beautiful city in Norway, located on the country's southwestern coast. It is known for its beautiful forts, beautiful beaches, and amazing old town. it’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with colorful wooden houses, narrow streets, and historic churches.   Jostedalsbreen National Park Norway Jostedalsbreen National Park is a true gem! It's home to the largest glacier in mainland Europe, the Jostedalsbreen glacier. The park has stunning waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and mountain peaks. Visitors can hike, bike, or take guided glacier tours to explore the park's stunning scenery. One of the park's most popular attractions is the Nigardsbreen glacier, which offers visitors the chance to see the power and beauty of a glacier up close. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including reindeer, arctic foxes, and eagles.   Oslo Norway Located in the southern part of Norway, Oslo is a great tourist destination famous for its natural beauty, cultural richness and attractive locations. Oslo is known for its philosophical sites, art galleries, and theaters, including the National Gallery, the Munich Museum, and the Norwegian Opera. Oslo offers a variety of outdoor activities, including parks, hiking trails, and opportunities for winter sports. The Holmenkollen ski jump is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.   Tromso Tromsø is a stunning city in northern Norway located above the Arctic Circle. It is known for its unique and vibrant culture, stunning natural beauty and amazing Northern Lights displays. The city is often called the "Gateway to the Arctic", as it offers visitors the chance to see the picturesque landscapes and wildlife there. Tromsø is also home to the Arctic Cathedral, which when illuminated at night gives beautiful views of the city and surrounding areas. It is a modern architectural masterpiece. If you're lucky enough in winter, you can even see the Northern Lights!   Trondheim, Norway Trondheim is a city in Norway. It's located in the central part of the country, and it's known for its beautiful architecture, historical sites, and culture. Some notable Attractions in Trondheim include the Nidaros Cathedral, the Trondheim Science Museum, and the Kristiansten Fortress. Trondheim is also home to several annual festivals and events, Such as the Olsokdagene festival, which celebrates the city's history and culture. Have you ever been to Norway, or is Trondheim on your travel bucket list?   Lofoten islands These islands, which are part of Northern Norway, are renowned for their stunning natural beauty, including charming coastal expanses, quaint fishing communities and towering mountains. Hiking, fishing and even skiing are among the main outdoor activities that attract people to the Lofoten Islands. The islands are renowned for their distinct history and culture, including old-world wooden buildings and quaint fishing villages.   Oslo National Park This national park is an incredible urban sanctuary as it is located right in the center of Oslo. It is famous for its breathtaking scenery, which includes forests, lakes and rolling hills. Many animals such as wolves, elk and deer can be found in the park. In winter, cross-country skiing is an option, and there are plenty of hiking trails to discover. Plus, the park is a great place to stay and relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is undoubtedly a must see when in Oslo!   Borgund Stave Church The wooden Borgund Stave Church is located in the Norwegian city of Borgund. It is one of the best preserved stave churches in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church, which consists of a rectangular nave, a chancel and a tower, was constructed in the twelfth century and its architecture is unique. Murals and wooden sculptures adorn the interior, while elaborate carvings and wooden planks cover the exterior. Anyone interested in medieval architecture should definitely check it out – it's a great illustration of the Norwegian stave church style!   Pulpit Rock Preikestolen, as it is sometimes known in Norwegian, is a naturally occurring rock formation that rises 604 meters above the Lysefjord in Rogaland county, Norway. Hiking enthusiasts visit this favorite spot as there is an easy walk up to the cliff edge, which offers breathtaking views. The fjord, the mountains and the surrounding landscape are all visible from the summit, providing absolutely stunning views.   Bergen Norway's second largest city, Bergen, is gorgeous! The city is famous for its picturesque port, quaint cobbled streets and vibrant wooden houses built on the hills. The city is home to several important cultural organizations such as the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bergen International Festival, and has a rich past as well as a well-preserved historic centre. A trip up the famous Fløyen Funicular, which provides breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding fjord, is something you must do during your visit to Bergen. Fresh seafood and classic Norwegian dishes like lefse (a type of flatbread) and fisksuppe (fish soup) can be found in Bergen's excellent culinary scene.   Read the full article

[ranjith11]

30 Facts About Norway | Things To Know About Norway | Geography Facts

Welcome to an extraordinary journey through the enchanting realm of Norway. In this video, we'll dive deep into the fusion of rich history, breathtaking nature, and innovation that defines this remarkable country. Discover the secrets of Norway as we explore its UNESCO wonders, historical treasures, and modern marvels. 🇳🇴 🏞️ From the majestic Geirangerfjord to the towering peaks of Bispen, Kongen, and Dronninga, and the icy expanses of the Jostedalsbreen glacier, you'll witness the incredible beauty of Norway's landscapes. ⚔️ Unearth echoes of Viking history and the impressive tunnel networks that crisscross the country. 🌿 Embrace Norway's commitment to sustainable energy through hydropower and immerse yourself in the rich culture of the Sami people. 🚗 Take a mesmerizing journey along the Atlantic Ocean Road, explore the icy world of Svalbard, and be captivated by the ethereal Northern Lights. 📚 Delve into Norway's literary history, its high standard of living, and the allure of its tourism. With a coastline stretching 100,000 km, unique points like Treriksröset, and events like the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, Norway's wonders are endless. Join us on this incredible adventure as we explore the hidden treasures of Norway! 🌍🏔️🌌

[rabbitcruiser]

The Kalmar Union was formed under the rule of Margaret I of Denmark on June 17, 1397.

[pandemicperipatetics]

Norway Fjords Road Trip (3 of 3)

Part III: Geiranger, Trollstigen, Andalsnes/Romsdalseggen Ridge

Day 7: Scenic Drive to Geiranger

Fjaerlandfjord in the morning

The drive from Fjaerland to Geiranger is one of the most beautiful drives we have ever been on. We saw so many different types of scenery: fjords, lakes, lush valleys, snow-capped mountains, glaciers. In my opinion, it was even more beautiful than driving Going to the Sun Road (the main road) and the Grinnell Glacier Hike (one of my favorite hikes of all time) in Glacier National Park – and that is saying a lot! If we could, we would have budgeted more time to spend in Fjaerland and some of the towns along the drive to enjoy the views, hikes, and water activities.

10:45 AM – Checked out of Fjaerland Fjordstove Hotell.

Our hotel room

Logistical note: Like Hotel Ullensvang, Fjaerland Fjordstove Hotell is on a beautiful fjord, but this hotel was significantly less nice for a similar price. The room was so small we could barely move and there were very few amenities (no A/C, refrigerator, or tea/coffee in the room, limited outdoor seating on the fjord). We stayed at a similar (probably somewhat nicer) B&B in Picton, New Zealand – which is on the beautiful Marlborough Sound, not dissimilar to the Norwegian fjords – a few years ago for ¼ of the price. Even accounting for inflation, the Norway version was comparatively very expensive. Still, there are limited options to stay in the area and it was one of our favorite areas of the trip.

11 AM – Tried the Mundal Valley Hike (~3 min drive from our hotel). I think it would have been great to do a  hike in the area, but we were initially confused about where this hike started (it was not well marked) and once we figured it out, the hike did not seem that impressive so we turned back after a little bit.

There was a helpful information booth just across the street from the Mundal Hotel with a written description (in English, yay!) of activities in the area, including a bunch of hikes. There were a few other hikes that looked really nice but were longer / more strenuous. Next time we’d try to book a hike (such as the Nesabraugen Mountain Hike or the overnight excursion to Besshovden) or other activity in advance through Fjaerland Guiding.

Fjaerland also seemed to have a bunch of other nice things to do that we’d love to explore more next time:

It’s  apparently a “book town” with >60k books spread across many different book shops

There is a glacier museum (~$15 pp) that our B&B told us has a really good video about glaciers

You can see and/or walk on glaciers, like the massive Jostedalsbreen Glacier

Some info about Fjaerland

11:30 AM – Stopped by the fabulous Boyabreen Viewpoint. This is a view of part of the Jostedalsbreen Glacier and it genuinely made my jaw drop. It’s a bit reminiscent of a glacier I saw on the road from Banff to Jasper National Park, but even more awesome.

Photos definitely don’t do this glacier justice. It was incredible to see in person.

Logistical note: If you go here, drive past the first parking lot; there is a second parking lot closer to the glacier. There are also picnic benches and a cafe in the area. It’s cold, so dress warmly!

Some info about the Jostedal Glacier, of which Boyabreen is a part.

The rest of the afternoon was spent driving along various fjords and lakes en route to Geiranger. Some things I’d want to do for next time:

Hike in Jostedalsbreen National Park (would need to do more research on which hikes)

Stay at the Olden Fjordhotel – it’s right on one of the most scenic fjords we saw. The hotel seems to have great reviews and it looked like such a   pretty place to kayak!

Do the Skalatarnet hike from Loen – this seems like a very difficult hike (6k meters elevation gain) and we read that it is recommended to stay in a cabin overnight at the top – this needs to be booked in advance.

Other activities – there were lots of pretty spots to kayak in these small     towns, and we saw people paragliding in Loen. Loen also has a cable car that goes extremely high (~$60 pp) – this might appeal to folks who are     less mobile and aren’t able to do hikes that provide similar views.

Info about local activities

~4:30 PM – Arrive in Geiranger. This is another very touristy town, but I liked it more than Flam. It’s a bit larger and feels a bit more “real” than Flam, and the drive to Geiranger is truly stunning.

You go up through snow-capped mountains and then steeply down into a beautiful valley in which Geiranger is nestled. The drive in the mountains is like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and the drive down reminded us a bit of the beautiful drive down to Queenstown, New Zealand. We thought it was even more beautiful than the famed drive down Trollstigen.

We stayed at Hotel Utsikten in Geiranger, which was a bit of an upgrade from the Fjaerland B&B.

To get a few steps in, we tried the very short (~20 min) Waterfall Walk. The walk starts at the town center and ends at the Norwegian Fjord Center. Signposts clearly mark the path, which takes you up ~330 stairs to the top of the waterfall. It was a good pre-dinner walk to work up a bit of an appetite after a day spent mostly driving.

Overlooking Geiranger from the waterfall walk

The vegetarian dinner options in Geiranger were a bit disappointing, but we made do with vegetable pizza (we went to Restaurant Olebuda aka Cafe Ule, but several places offered this).

Day 8: Geiranger & Trollstigen

We started the day doing a 3-hour kayak rental with Active Geiranger (990 NOK, we didn’t come across less expensive kayak options elsewhere). They did a great job explaining everything to us and even gave us skirts to wear that fit over the kayak to keep our legs dry (typical practical Norway, we loved it!).  Over ~10 km out and back on the water, we saw several beautiful waterfalls.

Given the sad vegetarian food options in town, we made peanut butter sandwiches and set off on the ~2 hour drive to the start of Trollstigen, one of the most famous drives in Norway due to its iconic hairpin turns (though by the time we got there, we had already been on a number of drives with hairpin turns). This was another beautiful scenic drive, and the route also involves a ferry that seems to come every ~30 minutes.

On the drive to Trollstigen

At the top (beginning) of Trollstigen, we parked at the visitor center for a bathroom break and a short walk to some beautiful views (parking appeared to be free). From here there are also options to walk uphill on a 1 km or 5 km (each way) route for more views – if you want to do that, hiking shoes and water will be helpful.

View of Trollstigen from the visitor center

Then we did the ~20 minute drive down Trollstigen, and from there another ~20 minute drive to our hotel in Andalsnes. Lucky for us, Andalsnes has a Thai restaurant, so were able to get some tofu and vegetables for dinner.

Day 9: Andalsnes & Romsdalseggen Ridge

Romsdalseggen Ridge was perhaps the most epic, and most exhausting, hike of our trip.

It’s typically done as a one-way hike that’s just under 7 miles / ~4k feet elevation gain – more elevation than any of the other hikes we did in Norway. Overall, the hike took us ~5 hours with no stops.

Earthtrekkers wrote that their 8 year old daughter cried on this hike when they did it in 2013. Even though they note that this hike is not recommended for kids under the age of 10, their kids have done some very impressive hikes, so I took this seriously. It did not take me long to see why she was crying. After the first mile of the hike, which was relentlessly uphill under a beating hot sun, my calves were crying. Over the next 2 miles, in which you climb nearly vertically through boulder fields (great if you love rock scrambling), and at times really need to watch your step to not step off a cliff on either side, my brain was crying. 

We somehow made it up this pile of rocks (you can see humans at the top if you look closely!)...

For this epic view!

On the way down, we passed the Andalsnes cable car and then went downhill through a nondescript forest with minimal views for ages – it felt like the opposite of Florli 4444 (so many steps!).

The views, however, were totally worth it. I am so glad we did it.

Logistics:

When & where to hike: The Romsdalseggen Ridge hike typically opens in June (depending on the weather/snow conditions). We weren’t sure if it would be open by the time we got there, so as a backup we were planning to hike to Rampestreken, a viewpoint you pass on the way down from the Romsdalseggen Ridge hike. Since the Romsdalseggen Ridge descent encompasses the Rampestreken hike, we saw it and wouldn’t necessarily recommend it – the Rampestreken hike is relentlessly uphill with minimal views until the viewpoint, and even then you’ll get more of a view if you just take the Andalsnes cable car (which goes a bit higher than the viewpoint). So if Romsdalseggen Ridge is closed, the cable car might be a nicer option.

How to get there: The Romsdalseggen Ridge hike starts from a parking lot that is a ~15 minute drive from the Andalsnes city center. There is a shuttle bus that leaves at 9am and 10am from the city center (250 NOK pp) – I believe you can book a spot on it online. Our hotel, the Grand Hotel, also arranged a small van transport leaving directly from the hotel for the same price, and we were able to book spots on it when we arrived in Andalsnes the evening before our hike. The hike ends in Andalsnes, so it was just a ~3 minute walk from the end of the trail to our hotel. Note: The Rampestreken hike starts at the same spot that the Romsdalseggen Ridge hike ends, and there is a fairly sizeable parking lot just a block from there. We don’t think it would make sense to start the Romsdalseggen Ridge hike from here (and end at the parking lot on the other side) because the descent on the other side – going straight down boulder fields – seems dangerous.

Restrooms: The parking lot where the Romsdalseggen Ridge hike starts does have a bathroom. There was a long line for it and it was less nice than any other hike bathrooms we saw, but it was still clean (this is Norway, after all).

After hiking Romsdalseggen Ridge, we drove ~90 minutes to Alesund, where we spent our last night in Norway.

Day 10: Alesund

Trolling

We didn’t really do anything in Alesund. We got to our hotel room at the Scandic Parken downtown around 5pm and flopped down in our room for a bit, exhausted from the hike. A few dinner spots that looked decently vegetarian friendly, and the Asian grocery store (our potential tofu source) closed by 6pm on Saturday, so we tried pasta and pizza at Cinque Minuti, which turned out to be a disappointing Italian restaurant.

Note: Street parking is free in downtown Alesund outside of 8am-4pm, and on Sundays. Even though we arrived on Saturday evening, it was easy to find a spot.

In the morning we woke up early and drove to Alesund Airport – an easy 15-20 minute drive that is mostly on one road. We dropped off our rental car in the outdoor Hertz parking lot and left our keys in their indoor dropbox as the Hertz office was closed.

For anyone thinking about a similar trip, it’s worth noting that the one-way Hertz car rental from Bergen to Alesund incurred a ~6,000 NOK (~$600) extra dropoff fee, which nearly doubled the entire cost of the 6-day car rental. While we knew one-way car rentals are typically more expensive than roundtrip rentals, this was far more expensive than we’ve seen elsewhere.

Driving in Norway

We found driving in Norway to be a bit different than other places we’ve been in several ways. This included more difficult/narrow roads, unfamiliar road signage and rules, more punitive speeding fines, prevalent tolls and parking fees, and issues with Google Maps.

Difficult roads: Most roads are one lane in each direction, and it’s rare for an extra lane to open up for overtaking a slow driver. Many roads are so     narrow that they look like they can barely fit 2 cars. There are hairpin     turns galore. You really need to be paying attention and driving     carefully.

Unfamiliar road rules & signage: It’s illegal to turn right on red (not that     we encountered many traffic lights, given the proliferation of roundabouts). There are default speed limits for the countryside (80 km/hr) and the city  (50 km/hr) and you’ll typically see a speed limit sign only in areas where the speed limit is lower; once that zone ends there will be a sign with that lower speed limit crossed out (at which point you can revert to the default speed limit). 

Meaning “the speed limit is down to 60 (from the regular 80 km/h) from here on out”

We also sometimes saw a yellow triangle sign, which apparently means you are on the road that has the right of way (vs. other roads that may converge / turn onto the road you are on). 

Meaning “the 60 speed limit is over, go back to the default 80 in the countryside. Oh and also road 65B has the right of way here.”

Last but not least, my favorite road sign  was a  reminder to abide by the speed (or as they say in Norwegian, “farts”) limit   – thankfully not, as we initially thought, an Amber Alert/“face on the milk carton”-style sign for a missing child.

Speeding fines: We read that speeding fines are hefty (hundreds to thousands of  dollars) if you’re caught going >3 km/hr over the speed limit. Fortunately, there seem to be road signs that warn you just before you pass speed cameras, and our understanding is that the police are less into trying to issue speeding tickets than in the U.S. (maybe they’re less needed when you have a massive sovereign wealth fund…).

Parking:  Most, but not all, parking was paid, and we usually paid at a parking  machine when we were leaving (the exception was at Kjeragbolten, where we paid when we arrived). You just input your license plate number and then it charges you based on the time you spent parked in the parking lot.

Tolls: Most tolls were charged automatically to our rental car bill without any action on our part, with the exception of Trolltunga where we paid a 200 NOK toll at a parking machine on the drive up.

Google Maps: The Google Maps app frequently got confused – usually when we  were going through tunnels – and would incorrectly change the route  mid-drive. It was important for us to carefully review directions before starting on a drive, and it was also useful to screenshot the directions at the start of the drive in case anything went wrong with them during the drive. That said, we did have cell phone reception (though it was sometimes slow) almost everywhere we went.

A Few Last Logistical Tips

Gas: Our first rental car took diesel, which I’d never heard of for a non-truck. We only knew this because Hertz happened to mention it. Our second rental car took regular petrol.

Gas Stations: Most unmanned gas stations only took a credit card with a PIN (credit cards without a PIN were declined) or a debit card (the exchange rate was a little bit worse than using credit). In this situation, one can use a debit card or pay inside at a manned gas station.

[booksformks]

Two Picture Books from Familius

Two Picture Books from Familius

P Is for Purrby Carole Gerber, Susanna Covelli (Illustrations) 5 out of 5 stars Each letter of the alphabet tells us something about cats, the different breeds, their habits, and their abilities. A is for American shorthair. B is for Breed. C is for claws. It goes all the way to X is for Xanthus Av Jostedalsbreen, a Norwegian Forest breed. Y is for Yankee cat, a Maine coon. Z is for Zibeline,…