Norway

So, it all began at 4.15am on a Friday morning, as 6 of us set off in our flash hire van, heading into the dark on a four-day adventure in Norway! Somehow 8 hours managed to pass at a reasonable pace, so we were in the centre of Oslo by midday. Checked into our nice accommodation then took the afternoon to explore the city. Came across Akershus Slott, the fortress which was used to protect Oslo in the past, which lies on the harbourfront. Was a really great building to look at, and some great views to be had as well. Spent a few hours around the fortress and harbour area, before also having a look in the city centre. Cooked a nice dinner together, and relaxed a bit in the room before heading out to explore the Oslo nightlife. However, after the incidence of a couple of lost ID cards (both which were eventually found), this changed the plans for the evening. In any case, Andi, Beate and I eventually went out to see what we could come across, but by that time it was too late and everything was closing. But got to meet a friendly local along the way, so that was funny. A long first day, but a great one!!

Saturday began with some more touring around the city. Went to the Royal Palace, and also had a look inside the very impressive City Hall, which is where one of the Nobel Prizes is awarded (the rest are awarded in Stockholm). In any case, was another nice time exploring Oslo, a city which I really took a liking too second time around, after my first visit 4 years ago. Soon enough it was time to get going, onto Lillehammer. Eventually made our way out of the city, after many wrong turns, due to some confusing directions, or lack of, on my behalf. In any case, 2.5 hours later we made it to Lillehammer, home of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Checked into our hostel, on top of the railway station, which was actually much better than you would imagine for railway station accommodation!! Had a great view of the platforms and the Coke machine, perfect!! No but we also could see the mountains in the background, really cool. This evening we cooked up another dinner and ended up spending the evening in the hostel, playing UNO amongst other things. Was another great day!!

Sunday took us on a tour of this nice little town. We went first to the Olympic Park to see some sights from the Games. The ski jump was being used while we were there for training, so that wasa really cool to see. We tried to walk up the hill to see better, but it was really icy and not so easy, which made for some laughs as well as falls. Also had a look at the Olympic museum as well which I found really interesting. Drove a bit around Lillehammer for some time, went to the lake area and into the hills. Constantly looking all over the place to check out the fantastic scenery, was excellent!! In the evening we had yet another big dinner together, before heading out for some bowling and other arcade games. Though I had just as much fun on the way walking to and from there, since the footpaths were all iced over, so I was sliding along instead of walking on the roads like all the others. It was one of the few times so far that I have been in such a winter environment, and I really was enjoying it!! In the evening we found a nice pub to enjoy our last moments in the town, meeting another friendly local who bought nearly all of us a drink, not sure what he wanted out of it but it was friendly in any case. In the evening we just relaxed ahead of our early departure, enjoying some delicious smoked salmon fillet, perfect!!

Hit the road back to Sweden at 7am, so it was a long driving day, arriving back home at 6pm. It was such a great weekend and even though it took a long time to get there, I would do it all again anytime soon! Makes it easier when you have such nice places to visit, and such great friends to share it with!! One of the best weekends I have had since arriving here in Europe!!