Have you been to Norway??

One of the biggest benefits from studying in a diverse environment the U.K. had is that by the time we all graduated… we will have had created friendships with people from all over the world.

This is one of the main reasons why I decided to go bag-packing after my time in the U.K. The first place I went to was Norway, and why Norway?

1. I’ve never been there before.

2. I would be able to visit a friend I met in Canterbury.

3. What better than traveling with a local or another way I could put it.. traveling as if you were a local (no touristy tours and all that nonsense).

NORWAY - OSLO

My friend (Andreas) picked me up at the train station which I took from the airport (Oslo Gardermoen) and sent me to my hotel (The Citybox Oslo). And guess what! It was the first self-check-in hotel which to me looked like a cash machine (yes, I was wondering around looking for the reception staff before XD).

Andreas took me to the ‘Beer Palace’ and introduced me to a few decent whiskeys in Norway, knowing how much I enjoy a good whiskey.
-> Gammel (Old) Oppland
-> Gammel (Old) reserve

• Hovedøya island (The Main island):

Andreas told me that as a way to spend quality time with their friends.. Norwegians usually go out for barbeques (Sausages, burgers and beer :D). I had a lovely time with Andreas and his brother sitting on the rocks next to the sea and stuffing our faces with food (Andreas being the responsible brother who does all the cooking & cleaning lol).

• Andreas’s Family:

They had the most adorable house I had ever seen..a bright yellow cozy wooden house with a lovely porch that led to their garden. Andrea’s mother (knowing that I’m Asian) got inspired to cook an Asian noodle dish for dinner which was absolutely delicious (Norwegian + Asian taste to it = unique and different).

Have you guys ever heard of “Cloud berries”?

If you haven’t ..in Norway they usually mash these orange berries in a bowl and consume it with vanilla ice cream.

Taste? the berries are considered to be rather sour that’s why its perfect once it is paired with the sweetness of the ice-cream.

Last but not least…Norwegians make their pizza in a rectangular shape. To be honest, I have no idea as to why :D but he taught me how to make pizza and it tasted fantastic, although my Italian may had been a tad disappointed ( I can imagine him screaming at me saying ..”That is NOT the proper way to make pizza!”).

• Norway’s high-school grads tradition:

According to Andreas, high-school grads tradition is to rent a ‘Party Bus’ where they could spray paint their party theme/concept on the whole bus while inside the bus, massive speakers (4-6 speakers) and couches are installed (included a mini bar). This was the strangest but at the same time ‘the most awesome idea/tradition I've came across.

• Other places to see in Oslo?

*Historisk Museum & Vikingskipshuset

*Frognerseteren Restaurant og kafe

*Kanelbolle (Ski Slope)

*Holmenkollen

*Frognerparken/ Vigeland Parken

NORWAY - FINSE & STAVERN/MøLEN

• FINSE (Skiing Trip)

To get to Finse we took the train from Oslo S (Central station) to Finse.

[Stayed in Hostel (My first time) at DNT Oslo og Omegn, Finsehytta].

In my defense…I’ve only skied once in my life in Japan in which I planted my face in the snow so I was fairly certain that I am not a natural. Andrea’s brother Peter tried his best to teach me how to ski however, I ended up sliding backwards as I tried to reach the top of the tiniest hill. :D

And… course of this has to end with a snowball fight.

• South of Norway - Stavern/Mølen

We traveled to Stavern and Mølen in the last few days I had left in Norway. We had a great time having lunch by the pier in Stavern and seeing amazing different rocks (that was carried there by the sea itself from all over the world as time goes) in Mølen. We visited Andreas’ friend on the way back to Oslo. His friend’s family (Husband and wife with four wonderful children) recently built a house with a farm on top of a hill…eating waffles (with jam and brown Norwegian cheese) and playing football with the kids was the best way to end the road trip…relaxed, a belly full of waffles and a bit of football.!

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Hope you guys enjoyed the read :))