Design,Featured,Food,Lifestyle,Travel

DIY Norway In A Nutshell

Keri   10 Nov , 2014  

One of the most beautiful places I have ever been to is Norway.  In fact, Disney’s Frozen patterned the country of Arendelle after the city of Bergen,  while the  castle was  inspired by the Akershus Fortress which is found in Oslo.

Bergen was our first stop in Norway.  We stayed at the Clarion Collection Havnekontoret which is right across the old Hanseatric Wharf and beside the buildings  on the UNESCO Heritage List.  The Fish Market is walking distance (from our hotel) and we enjoyed having our lunch and dinner there, we skipped ordering whale  though.   Two places in Bergen we couldn’t miss are the Fløibanen Funicular  (up to Mount Floyen) and taking the cable car up to Mount Ulriken for the best views of the city.

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assorted fruits at the Fish Market

 

Whale meat, salmon, and shrimp at the Fish Market in Bergen

Whale meat, salmon, and shrimp at the Fish Market in Bergen

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a variety of yummy caviar from Norway, US, Canada, and Russia

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salmon for lunch, breakfast, and dinner <3

 

whale and salmon are the popular types of meat at the Fish Market

whale and salmon are the popular types of meat at the Fish Market

 

Buildings by the old Hanseatic Wharf are a part of the UNESCO heritage list

Buildings by the old Hanseatic Wharf are a part of the UNESCO heritage list
Buildings by the old Hanseatic Wharf are part of the UNESCO heritage list

Buildings by the old Hanseatic Wharf are part of the UNESCO heritage list

 

View from Mount Fløibanen

View from Mount Fløibanen

 

view from Mount Ulriken

view from Mount Ulriken

We took the NSB train to Flam and the journey was absolutely breathtaking.

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train ride to Flam

Train ride to Flam

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Train ride to Flam

 

The Flamsbryggen hotel is located right on the fjord and it was  surreal to wake up  to  this picture perfect setting.

view from Flåmsbrygga Hotel

view from Flåmsbrygga Hotel

Hubby trying all kinds of ale at the Viking restaurant next to our hotel

Hubby trying all kinds of ale at the Viking restaurant next to our hotel

 

 

We joined the Fjord Safari, which according to Tripadvisor is the no.1 attraction in Flam.  We were able to cover the Sognefjord and the Nærøyfjord.  And some highlights of this 2 hour tour are passing through  the world heritage Aurlandsfjord and Gudvangen and being greeted by seals and porpoises ( they look like dolphins) along the way.

Fjord Safari

Fjord Safari

Fjord Safari

Fjord Safari

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Aurlandsfjord

Aurlandsfjord

Sognefjord

Sognefjord

After a quick lunch, we rented bikes and went around the town.  And again, everything was so beautiful.  If I could freeze that moment, on a bike in a beautiful town ( which at that moment felt like we were the only ones in it) I would.

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Haven't biked in ages but this is one opportunity I couldn't resist

Haven’t biked in ages but this was one  opportunity I couldn’t resist

We took the 5pm NSB train to Oslo and arrived a few minutes before midnight.  Since we only had one full day in the city, we decided to join a whole day tour which includes Vigeland Park, Holmenkollen Ski Jump, Viking Museum, Polarship Fram Museum, Kon-tiki Museum, and a cruise on the Oslo Fjord.

located in Frogner Park, you will find more than 200 amazing sculptures by Gustav Vigeland

located in Frogner Park, you will find more than 200 amazing sculptures by Gustav Vigeland

 

one of Vigeland's famous sculptures in the park is the Angry Boy

one of Vigeland’s famous sculptures in the park is the Angry Boy

Vigeland Sculptures

Vigeland Sculptures

 

Vigeland Scupture - father and son

Vigeland Scupture – father and son

Yes, all his sculptures do not have any clothes on;)

the Nobel Peace Center

the Nobel Peace Center

one of the most beautiful Operas I've seen is in Oslo. Stunning architecture with its walkable roof. This opera was inspired by icebergs.

one of the most beautiful Opera houses I’ve seen is in Oslo. Stunning architecture with its walkable roof. This  was inspired by icebergs.

at the Viking Museum in Oslo. Behind me is one of 2 well preserved Viking ships.

at the Viking Museum in Oslo. Behind me is one of 2 well preserved Viking ships.

enjoyed our evening stroll here at Karl Johans gate

enjoyed our evening stroll here at Karl Johans gate

 

Norway was like a dream, literally.  I’ve enjoyed each city tremendously and I can’t wait to go back with my kids and maybe take a trip to Iceland as well 🙂

 

 

 

 

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5 Responses

  1. rikki says:

    Nice photos! 🙂 Try watching “Vikings” for post-Norwegian fever 😉 hehe!

  2. Per Yap says:

    Great Blog Keri 🙂 Can’t wait to see Norway..

  3. Per Yap says:

    Great Blog Keri 🙂 Can’t wait to see Norway

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