Today marks the end of our first month of travels. We have been to 4 countries and leave tomorrow for our 5th (Sweden). If the rest of the trip is as expensive as Norway, we will be coming home before the snow falls... I should take a moment and thank the people who have written to me to correct or further elucidate my postings. Alfred Nobel did not invent TNT but dynamite, which I would have known if I had waited until after we had visited the museum. If any of you ever visit Oslo, the Peace Center is fabulous, with amazing technological effects and a message that moved us all. While in Oslo, we went to both the primary art museum for the country and their famous sculpture garden. The Norwegians have this thing for Vigeland’s sculpture. We found it stoic, and vaguely disturbing (babies being kicked by horses, wolves wolfing down children’s arms—you know, pretty stuff…) The Norwegians also love Munch. I must say his “masterpiece” The Scream, left me, and Kim pictured here doing is best imitation,
underwhelmed. It is also the most unprepossessing museum I’ve ever been to. But, the weather has been spectacular. We have had an amazing string of blue skies and warm temperatures. In fact, one of the days we were in Bergen, a city known for cold rain, was the hottest day in Norway in the last 30 years.
underwhelmed. It is also the most unprepossessing museum I’ve ever been to. But, the weather has been spectacular. We have had an amazing string of blue skies and warm temperatures. In fact, one of the days we were in Bergen, a city known for cold rain, was the hottest day in Norway in the last 30 years. We heard a funny story about how much it rains here. A man asks a thirteen year old boy if it is true it rains every day in Bergen. He replies he thinks that is an exaggeration. But, he can't contradict it as he is only 13 years old.
After Oslo, we took a train up and over the mountains of central Norway, and a second train down into the valley of a fjord. If this isn't the most beautiful place on earth, it must be tied for the honor. The waterfall above, was one of 8 1000' falls we could see from our hotel room. It is like Yosemite on steroids.
Once we made it to the western coast, we boarded a boat for a 4 day ride up through narrow fjords and snow capped mountains.
Where in the world are Ethan and Siena? If you remember them being at zero degrees longitude, here they are at another imaginary line. We crossed the Arctic Circle! And wore shorts and t-shirts there. We have been swimming in 3 fjords--one of which was 46 degrees! We were gung-ho to swim
above the arctic circle, but it is just too cold now. We are a couple of weeks too late to see the actual midnight sun, but the sun only sets at about 11 pm, there is 2 hours of sunset/sunrise, then the sky begins to lighten until we have broad day light by 2 am. So, when was I supposed to find time to write? This picture was taken at midnight when we were at the 65th parallel. The furthest north we got was the 68.5th. Currently, we are only 2100 kilometers from the north pole. Unbelievable, isn't it? 
I am afraid I cannot continue my review of the booze in this country other than to say it costs too much! A beer is 12 dollars. Wine was $90 for a mid range bottle. Of course, it isn't so bad after all the drinking in Great Britain to take some time off. To comment on some comments: No, I don't make anyone taste herring, as I can't stand it! The water here is fabulous, cold and great tasting, which almost makes up for the fact that we cannot afford to drink anything else. Cheers to all of you, with my glass of water...
above the arctic circle, but it is just too cold now. We are a couple of weeks too late to see the actual midnight sun, but the sun only sets at about 11 pm, there is 2 hours of sunset/sunrise, then the sky begins to lighten until we have broad day light by 2 am. So, when was I supposed to find time to write? This picture was taken at midnight when we were at the 65th parallel. The furthest north we got was the 68.5th. Currently, we are only 2100 kilometers from the north pole. Unbelievable, isn't it? 
I am afraid I cannot continue my review of the booze in this country other than to say it costs too much! A beer is 12 dollars. Wine was $90 for a mid range bottle. Of course, it isn't so bad after all the drinking in Great Britain to take some time off. To comment on some comments: No, I don't make anyone taste herring, as I can't stand it! The water here is fabulous, cold and great tasting, which almost makes up for the fact that we cannot afford to drink anything else. Cheers to all of you, with my glass of water...The Beatties
1 comment:
Wendy,
In some climates, they might consider the break from drinking a drying out period, but I have faith that you and Kim will find a reasonably priced beverage of choice further on in your travels. I hear that they have wine in Italy......
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