Norveġja

Our journey continues in Norway. Passing Oslo, we move north. We spent the second night in Jotunheimen National Park. There was snow on the mountains, and a hot water bottle kept our feet warm in the evening.

The next morning, we head to Borgund. Here stands the best-preserved stave church in Norway. In the sunshine, we admired the church, which was built in 1180. Artfully carved dragon heads on the ridge of the roof and scale-like roof tiles make it look like a fairy tale, yet somehow mystical. The churches were built in a very special way, with a beam structure and vertical bars that serve as the basic element, or walls.

Most of them do not have a paint job. The dark color of most stave churches is due to the fact that their exteriors have regular tar coatings that protect them from wind, weather, and especially sunlight. The more you approach the church, the more you notice the smell of tar.

After a few kilometers, I realize that we suddenly have a completely different landscape here in Norway. As I said, the landscape in Sweden changed very little. Red houses, beautiful forests, lakes, and flat land. In contrast, Norway impresses with high mountains, a rocky landscape, glaciers, winding roads, and also beautiful lakes that reflect the mountains and clouds.

All of this is of course more related to the south of Sweden and Norway. I cannot judge the far north.

Oh, and of course beautiful and vast fjords! So, we are in the land of fjords. I think it's great! Especially from a bird's eye view. This is why we went to a viewpoint over the largest fjord in Norway, the so-called Sogne Fjord. If I'm not mistaken, the Sogne Fjord is 210 km long.

Yes, you heard right, quite long, isn't it? When we arrived at the viewpoint, we had a brilliant view over the fjord. Wow, I was speechless.

In Jostedalsbreen National Park, we were able to admire several glaciers. Some from a distance and two glaciers up close. Blue glacier water, thick ice, and a cold wind. To be able to admire the Boyabreen Glacier, we only had to take a short walk.

The second glacier made us take our hiking boots out of the box. A 3-hour hike brought us to this natural wonder, or what is left of it.

I saw my first glacier in New Zealand. But here in Norway, I got much closer to it. There was no long way to the glacier, and the view was splendid. Waterfalls coming down from the cliffs, a truly amazing spectacle!

By the way, we were not alone, as by chance, good friends of ours were nearby for the second time. Of course, we didn't miss the opportunity and met Lou and David in Skei. What a beautiful day!

The hike was a bit chaotic, but it would have been somehow boring otherwise. The first rule of hiking is: "Never leave the path!" Oops....

So, we're really not a good example for that! But it was worth it, because finally, and with a lot of effort, we had an awesome spot all to ourselves. From there, we could admire the glacier from above.

After the hike, we really deserved a sauna! Did someone say sauna? Yeees, I'm in right away! So, we reserved a sauna with a lake view for ourselves. What could be better than jumping into an icy lake after a session in the sauna?

Man, after that, you feel like you're born again!

We end the evening with a shared meal in a dreamlike parking space.

Those days when everything is just perfect.... :)

Cheers!