(no subject)

[yuuago]

I've been working on researching for my Norway trip - taking a huge load of notes on all of the things I want to do, the places to stay, and how to get there. After that, I'll know exactly how much time I need in each location, and I'll be able to book everything all at once. It's starting to look as if transport won't be as difficult as I thought, so I guess I've managed to get over that anxiety hurdle - for the time being, anyway.

Of course, when it comes time to actually do everything, I'm sure I'll be a bundle of nerves, but... hopefully I'll be able to chill out a little and just enjoy it, too. Trains and ferries are scary because they're unfamiliar, but since the trips are pretty long, I'll hopefully be able to relax a bit and enjoy the pretty scenery.

For the Oslo -> Bergen bit, I'm going to be doing one of those Norway in a Nutshell tours, where instead of taking the direct route, you switch trains in Myrdal and go up to Flåm, and then take a boat through the fjords for a bit before reconnecting to the Oslo-Bergen train route.

Ordinarily I'd avoid something with so many detours and connections (anxiety city!), but it seems like a really good way to appreciate the beautiful landscape. With luck, I'll be able to get some amazing photos. And since it's so organized, I think it will be fine - the connections are well-marked, apparently. Plus there is also an option for the tour company to handle your luggage through to Bergen for you (if you're staying at certain places), so I won't have to haul my suitcase around the train and boat. One less thing to worry about.

For the Bergen -> Stavanger part of it, I'm definitely taking a boat, and I've figured out how to book it (and the bus to get to Stavanger city centre), so I think I'll be fine on that end, too.

I'm looking up things to do in Bergen now, and starting to have a bit of fun with it. There are so many things I'd love to do! (Have any of you been there? Any suggestions?) Definitely going to have to bring along my waterproof jacket in case of the notorious rain... I get the impression that Bergen is a bit like Vancouver in that regard.

Definitely going to have to get in some practice with my camera in preparation for all this, oh boy. :D

Comments

[st_aurafina]

Eeee, your planning is so exciting to me! I hope you get to take so many great photos.

[yuuago]

<3!
I'm going to do my best! Luckily I have lots of time to get good at taking photos. ;)

[zeest]

I visited Bergen and Flåm in summer two years ago and the yes, the landscape was breathtakingly beautiful! My favourite parts were actually the train rides haha, I just love staring out the window at the changing scenery. Everytime I thought I've seen the best, there's something even better around the corner.

Bergen and Flåm both gave me the impression that they're kinda like tourist towns for rich retirees :p But I wasn't there for very long, plus I was with my parents who are indeed retirees, so we didn't do much other than the stuff you can easily find on 'What to do in ...' lists. In Bergen we mainly stuck to the waterfront. There's a funicular that goes up a hill and the views on top are amazing! I don't recommend the fish market ahahaha but it's just a quick stroll if you want to have a look.

[yuuago]

Haa @ that "for rich retirees" impression. I wonder if I'll feel the same. ;p I guess we'll have to see.

Was there anything about travelling in Norway (or to Bergen in particular) that you found yourself wishing you'd known about beforehand?

[zeest]

Hmmm I guess I would have liked knowing how expensive the food at the fish market would be. Though, the main issue is that I'm a budget traveler at heart while my parents are not so it was difficult to align expectations. It was also a lot colder at the top of the hill than I expected; I thought summer temperatures wouldn't go below 15C but it was below 10C and windy, and we nearly froze.

I think these won't be issues that you'll face though. I'm looking forward to your impressions of these two towns and seeing how it differs from mine :D

[yuuago]

Oh yeah, sometimes when travelling with other people it can be a bit of a challenge if what you're expecting doesn't quite match.

The bit about the mountain is useful, thanks! Definitely going to have to remember to bring a jacket up there. :D

[kanadka]

I don't have any cool Norway suggestions to add so I'll just chime in with THIS IS ALL SO EXCITING AND COOL!! I'm super stoked for your trip :D

And cannot recommend enough the trains + boats combo. That is a genius move and sounds like it absolutely will be worth it for an experience of a lifetime (just googling this is bringing up extraordinary pictures, jeez...) - here's hoping your anxiety can go away and stay in the cabin for awhile. 💪💪

[yuuago]

Yay! Hopefully by the time it actually happens, you won't be sick of reading about it. xD

I knoooow at first I was going to just take the normal train, but then I saw those pictures and was like... YOU KNOW WHAT, LET'S DO THIS. :D

(Travelling with anxiety is like travelling with a very large, very heavy piece of extra luggage that you didn't even want to take but somehow ended up with anyway. THE WORST.)

[kanadka]

Oh man, no. I am never sick of hearing about people's travel excitement, so feel free to NORWAY AWAY <33

(It can be exactly like that D: anxiety should remain in the overhead bins!! And then maybe... it can be left on the train and not ever picked up at the lost and found!)

[sublimpingvin]

How fond are you of walking? Many Norwegian towns aren't that big and you can get to see a lot of the cities you visit on foot. The trek up Holmenkollen in Oslo e.g is pretty rewarding.

[yuuago]

:D Yeah, I plan to walk to most places; within the cities I don't expect it'll be much trouble getting around!