Tieske's Adventures

This is the last leg on a two-week trip through Norway. During the next few days I’m staying in Sandness, a town fifteen minutes south of Stavanger. The reason I picked this area is twofold: there are supposed be great fjords to visit and it reduces my drive back to the Netherlands  by six hours,  coming Saturday.  In the last six weeks, I’ve been living in remote areas, in relatively old houses. As I get closer to the AirBnB I notice that I’m in the middle of a residential area. Annemai, my host, opens the door and shows me around, while she apologises for an impeccable kitchen. The house is delightful: the colours are light and bright; everything is extremely clean and new; it feels calm and serene.  This is great! It’s quite a contrast compared to the last weeks. I guess sometimes you just have to deprive yourself from something, to appreciate it again.  My only complaint is the way my host has the toilet paper oriented. I don't mind helpin...

My journey continues to the west coast of Norway. To Tofterøy to be more specific, a little village on an island forty kilometers south of Bergen. The drive is breathtaking. I catch myself numerous times shouting “ Wow! ”, when the landscape changes completely after turning a corner. My phone conversations with friends are interrupted many times, because I cannot resist the urge to stop, get out, and snap a picture. “ Wait! Hold on! …. OK, I’m back, what were we talking about? ” The E134 takes me through fog coated mountains with hairpin bends, I pass calm lakes and ride next to white water rivers, filled with huge rocks. I drive through small villages where sheep seem surprised to spot a passenger. There are literally hundreds of waterfalls along this drive. Small ones next to the road, big ones coming down from the mountains. Blue skies and sunshine alternate with cloudy skies and rain. I spot snowed mountain tops, multiple rainbows and the autumn colours complete a delightful ...

It’s a 5.5 hour drive from Malmköping to my next destination. After assuring the suspicious officer at the border that I didn’t bring any alcohol or cigarettes, I’m welcomed to Norway. I’m staying in Nesodden, a peninsula south of Oslo, for a few days. After getting a quick tour from my host, I’m on my way. Exploring the area. I thought Sweden’s nature was gorgeous..  Around 6.30PM I decide to do some groceries for the next few days. That is, until I find a bar right next to the grocery store.  "To beer or not to beer?"  It’s a Saturday evening, what the heck. I end up enjoying local beers (for the reasonable price of $11 each.. ugh!). There is some alone time, mixed with conversations I have with the bartenders and random guests. Not a lot of dancing, but still a good Saturday night in Nesodden I guess. I’ll worry about breakfast tomorrow. I get up early to visit Oslo. The bus takes me to the ferry, which takes me to the city center. Oslo’s city cent...