Pernille

And today (12/7/2011) it’s google’s theme…

To visit Lisseth & Paul!

We (young couple) went to Norway on the cheap. For 12 days. We flew in with Norwegian, the low cost airline which has recently (2010) extended its flight routes. We slept in the airport with sleeping mats+bags, very comfy! In the morning, we immediately headed to Jotunheimen with the 0930 bus and then the boat to Gjendebu. Straight to the heart of the parc. We hiked there for 7 nights, often in the rain and wind and cold, but with some sunny moments too. We only slept once in a hut (Ingjeby? next to Vettismorki) and 3 nights by Skogadalsboen, where you can use the lounge at not extra cost if you pay for your tent spot (70 NOK pp). The park was beautiful and we saw reindeers and drank water from rivers and ate delicious meals cooked on the gas stove (mashed potatoes, smoked sausage +peas/carrots, yummy!).

We then left the park, coz just too much rain and started hitchhiking. A local advised us Flam was pretty, so we went there. We couchsurfed 1 night there, then took the ferry to Naeroyfjorden (world heritage, absolutely stunning, and a sunny day! Lucky us!). We camped in a nice norwegian couple’s field, with a scenry that is on all the postcards. Now that is 5* camping! Morning showers in the petrol station.

With 2 days left to our return flight from Oslo, we started hitchiking to the capital. After 3 tiny lifts we got a ride all the way to Oslo.

1. Hjelle (exit of Jotunheimen)-Aardalstand with lady+her mother
2. Aardalstand-Flam with hippie female hiker, very friendly
3. Gudvangen-Flam with the spanish family
4. Flam-Aurland with the hydro engineer (visit of the church in Auralnd)
5. Aurland-Habakken with the weird rock climber
6. Habakken-Oslo with Paul+HElen, with a stop for waffles and coffee. Gorgeous landscape all the way and very nice people!

Our last lift advised us of a place to camp in Oslo (near the drinking water reservoir) and then we visited a few things in Oslo with a 24h transport pass: FRAM museum on Bygdoy Island, Viggeland park, royal park. Free guided tours at Akerfortress and Townhall (very worthwhile!).

Last night in a hotel (100 euros with cooking plates and a fridge – Cochs Pensjonat, next to the royal pak), the cheapest we found. It was raining hard.

Great trip, Beautiful scenery!