Norway |
| Thursday, 14 February 2008 00:00 |
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Norway, land of trolls and waterfalls, has a fast growing fan community, particularly among backpackers and other individual travellers. The country seems to be custom-made for
outdoor activities like rafting, hiking, fishing, and skiing. Norway covers an area of roughly 231,000 square miles, which makes it slightly bigger than Germany, but has a population of merely 4.5m. This is reflected in the capital as well. At 500,000 Oslo has a relatively small population, which does not mean it is small in terms of culture and history. The former Kristiania offers plenty of activities to fill a few days. The Frogneparken, for example, was turned into a sculpture garden by the artist Gustav Vigeland. Locals have grown particularly fond of the Sinnataggen figure, a little boy indignantly stomping his foot on the ground. The most expensive town in the world, an ambiguous title recently transferred to Oslo from Tokyo, provides art fans with a special treat: the Munch Museum has the most fabulous collection of the great artists work. Sports fans might be interested in the oldest ski jump in the world, the Holmenkollen, where the first competition was held in 1892. These days the Holmenkollen is also a popular starting point for excursions into the country. Hiking and biking trails take you to lakes full of fish waiting to be caught. While the capital region certainly has a lot to offer, the rest of the country deserves exploring as well. The vast lands are covered in lakes and rivers that are best explored by car. Renting a vehicle is a good idea, since a lot of the country is difficult to get to by means of public transportation. Some areas are only served by bus once a week during the summer and not at all during winter. A car also enables you to stop at any waterfall, view point and fjell (mountain) that looks worthy of a picture. The town of Stavanger has a population of 100,000; small in American terms, but the 4th biggest town in Norwegian terms. In summer this charming little place gets quite lively, just like Sandes, a small town just 6 miles from Stavanger, well-equipped with shopping streets, bars and cafés. The Lysefjorden (roughly: sermon chair) is only 18 miles from here. The measurements of this rocky plateau are 82 ft by 82 ft, the cliff is 1981 ft high. The climb takes about three to four hours both ways, depending on your physical fitness. You should not attempt to climb the Lysefjorden without proper hiking shoes, though. A pair of good shoes is essential in Norway, just as is a warm sweater (just in case), a car, and most of all a camera to capture all those stunning sights and beautiful moments that a tour through Norway will bless you with. |
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