Capital: Oslo … 5,258,000 People … 385,203 km²
The Country
With world famous fjords, cosmopolitan cities, and a love for trolls, Norway is argued to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world. With over 450,000 lakes, 1,190 fjords, and 47 national parks, the country is the perfect place for some wilderness exploration. Norway also has a long history of international exploration, as a Norwegian team was the first to discover the South Pole. Bringing us inventions such as the cheese grater, and for being known as having the most inclusive economy in the world, Norway undoubtedly values equality and sustainability.
Fun Facts:
Norway and Canada are currently in a “Moose War”, claiming that they have the largest moose statue in the world.
A Norwegian delegation in the 1980’s introduced salmon sushi to Japan. They are also the worlds largest salmon exporter.
The Colonel-in-Chief for the Norwegian King's Guard is a penguin named Sir Nils Olav
My Experience
Without a doubt, Norway stole my heart. When I’m asked which destination I enjoyed the most, Norway is always near the top. Maybe it was the culture, maybe it was the scenery, or maybe it was the people I was traveling with. Whatever it may have been, I can firmly say that Norway is a prime candidate for heaven on earth.
My roommates and I took a ferry from Hirshals, Denmark to Larvik, Norway. The ferry had large amounts of alcohol and reindeer jerky, so that was a great way to spend a couple hours. Once in Larvik, we walked through the town which seemed to be abandoned. We didn’t see anyone on the roads, no one was walking on the sidewalks, and it was eerily peaceful. We caught a train to Olso, and after having a few drinks on the train, we stumbled to our hotel.
The next morning we explored Oslo; we walked from our hotel in the Torshov neighbourhood to Sentrum, downtown Oslo. We went into the Oslo Cathedral, climbed the steps of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, eventually walking towards the Norwegian Parliament. We went to Norway in October, so the ground was covered in bright yellow leaves. We walked up Karl Johans gate, the main street in Oslo, up to the Royal Palace and Slottsplassen square. The palace, which is the current residence of the King and Queen of Norway, overlooks the city and has a few royal guards patrolling the grounds.
From the Royal Palace, we walked to Frogner Park, one of the best parks I have ever visited. Absolutely covered in yellow leaves, the park was showcased definition of a perfect autumn day. With intricate sculptures everywhere in the park, we sat on the stone steps of the Monolitten, and watched the sunset. That night we had the best Indian food I’ve ever had, and we relaxed under the stars.
The next day we walked to Sofienberg Park, and continued to the Botanical Gardens. The gardens were still filled with flowers and bright leaves, with many buildings covered in multicoloured ivory. The Munch Museum was also in the area, so we decided to see go and see the art. There was an exhibit to make our own paintings, and even though it was intended for children, I think my roommates and I created some pretty stunning masterpieces. After wandering around a different part of Oslo than the night before, we went to a few nightclubs. However, we encountered age limits we were not expecting. We were all 21, but some clubs had a minimum age of 23 and 25 to enter. Eventually we found one we could actually get in to, and enjoyed the rest of the night.
In the morning we packed our bags and took a train to Flåm, a village in the southwest of Norway. The Flåm Railway, considered by some to be the most beautiful railway in the world, starts in a high altitude station of Myrdal, before descending Aurlandsfjord to the town of Flåm. Along the way there are deep gorges, stunning waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains with the occasional farm precariously perched on steep slopes. It. Was. Incredible.
When we arrived in Flåm, a town of only 350 people, it was clear to see that we had left the business of Oslo and were surrounded by untouched scenery. The silence of the town, interrupted by the occasional sheep, truly was refreshing. We left our things in the cabin we were staying in, and asked some locals what we should see. We were told Brekkefossen Waterfall was a must-see, so that’s where we went. We walked through empty streets and through farmland before arriving at the start of the hike, and after many strenuous steps, we arrived at the waterfall and at a viewpoint overlooking Flåm. It was incredible, and part of me was tempted to build a cabin and stay there forever. Sadly, we had places to be, and we hiked back to the town and had some more reindeer jerky before having some bonding time back at the cabin.
The next morning we hopped on a ferry to see the inside of the fjords. They were selling reindeer hotdogs on the boat at 9am, which is now known as the breakfast of champions. We traversed through Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, which are branches of Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in Norway. The trip was perfect, and partway through the excursion, a rainbow emerged through the clouds. I went to Norway during a particularly stressful time in my life, and this trip through the fjords reminded me how amazing the world really is. When we got off the boat, we took a bus back to the Flåm Railway, on to our next stop to Bergen.
We arrived into Bergen that evening, and instead of sleeping we decided to go to a silent disco. It was one of the best experiences going out I’ve ever had, which led my roommates and I to ask the bartender for the “strongest Norwegian shot you can make”. I wish I remembered what the shot was called; I vaguely remember it coming from a wooden box, but it will likely remain a mystery.
After a late start the next morning, we took a tram to the summit of Fløyen mountain overlooking Bergen. After some sightseeing, we wandered around Bergen before finding the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bryggen, a brightly coloured wharf from the 14th century. We spent the remainder of the day exploring Bergen, having traditional Norwegian seafood, and then going to a new nightclub.
The end of the trip was in sight, and the final challenge was soon arising: conquering Preikestolen. We took a ferry to Stavanger, stayed the night there, and then took another ferry to Tau. From Tau we took a bus to the base of Preikestolen, awarded as the best fjord in Norway. After a few hours of steep inclines and forgiving plateaus, we arrived at pulpit rock, a flat top above a 600 meter drop. We tried our best not to get vertigo, and I went off the trail to get more unique angles of the fjord. After a small picnic, we hiked back down and had moose hamburgers to celebrate. Our time in Norway had come to an end, and we took a ferry back to Denmark. If you ever have the chance to go to Norway in the future, do it. So many things make Norway great, and exploring the country was one of the best times of my life.
Photos of Norway