Today we are saying goodbye to Norway after 3 weeks. The ferry departs at 14:00. Boarding is 2 hours prior. We draw an extremely positive balance of our trip and can only recommend it further. There are plenty of opportunities to explore the country; it doesn’t necessarily have to be by bicycle. The bike has the advantage that you get to know the land and its people better. We have only met friendly people who are helpful without being asked. The country is clean, the infrastructure is top-notch, thanks to the revenue from oil. Norway can be expensive in certain areas, for example, dining out. Sometimes it can also be very affordable, like ferries or museums. You automatically get free water served in every guesthouse. The hotels and the food were very good everywhere.

We dedicated the last day in Oslo to the Olympic site from 1952. A visit to Holmenkollen is definitely worth it. We cycle a few kilometers steadily uphill on the well-marked path. The jump is visible from afar. Upon reaching the top, we are greatly impressed by the gigantic structure. We need to take a close look at this masterpiece of statics and architecture. We ride up to the observation platform and hope to snag a spot in the elevator to the tower. We buy a ticket for the interesting ski museum. The waiting time for the ascent turns out to be a bit long for us. We also visit the Holmenkollen Chapel, a wonderful wooden construction. We thank dear God for taking such good care of us during our journey. In the city, we enjoy a beer and look forward to going home.

A uniquely charming and affordable aspect of the Norwegian capital is island hopping. With the electric boat, one can visit as many islands as one wishes. There are numerous islands in the Oslofjord, and for just €6.00, we can travel all day long. We visit four of them: Lindoja, Hovedoja, Bleikoya, and Gressholmen. Each island has something special to offer. In Lindoja, it's the wonderful colorful houses. In Hovedoja, it's the ruins of a Cistercian monastery from the 11th century, where the cannons from that time are also well presented. We also take a glance inside an art hall. Our understanding of art isn't enough to comprehend the exhibition. During the tour, we meet four very nice girls from Switzerland. We share our experiences and continue our journey. In Bleikoya, it’s the summer houses and the bird paradise. Each island can easily be explored in half an hour along beautiful walking paths. Since it’s on our route, we also stop at Nakholmen. Here, we are also charmed by the wonderful panorama and the friendly people who spend their holidays in their colorful summer houses. They warmly greet the island visitors with a friendly 'Hi'.

Today we explored Oslo with the hop on hop off bus. Before departure, we visited the Royal Square. The royal palace with its park is an impressive but by no means ostentatious building. King Harald even runs a farm, as we learn during the tour. The first stop was the 'Vigeland Sculpture Park.' Gustav Vigeland is a highly regarded artist of the 19th and 20th centuries. His most famous works are the angry boys and the wheel of life. We were certainly very impressed by how he represents all situations in sculptures. Another stop was the 'Norsk Folkemuseum.' A museum that presents the entire history of Norway in a very impressive way. The ship museum with the Viking exhibition also interested us greatly. Next, we checked out the floating saunas, a Norwegian uniqueness. The modern opera house with its walkable marble roof was the impressive conclusion of our tour. At a nice restaurant, we treated ourselves to a pizza.

The highlight of today's journey: We have reached our actual destination, Moss, at the Oslofjord. Thanks to favorable weather conditions, we arrived 2 days earlier than expected. After about 83 km, we reached the ferry terminal in Horten. It is a very busy ferry port. Ferries depart every few minutes. For bikers or pedestrians, it is free. We need to orient ourselves first. With the traffic jam of cars, trucks, and RVs, we must be careful not to get under the wheels. A staff member is already calling out in English: 'Bikes to the front.' There is a separate lane for bikes and pedestrians. They wave us to the front, past all the cars. The wind on the ship is quite rough, and the waves are high. We're actually eager to quickly cross the Oslofjord. We will stay in Moss for 2 days, then we will cycle the last stretch to Oslo.

There are also a few highlights from today. The two bridges in Brevik are a brilliant construction. A real feast for the eyes and it's fantastic how cyclists are guided to the bridge. However, a small problem arose. I once again ended up on a mountain biking trail. When it got too wild for us, we turned back. Today we also had sunshine all day long.

After a week, we're taking the ferry again today. Our destination for the day was Risor, a wonderful little town with a very special atmosphere. In this coastal town, we see only impeccably maintained wooden houses. We're surprised by the crowds on the streets. A woman from Munich tells us that a wooden sailing regatta is taking place here this weekend. We also learn that the oldest wooden ferry, built in 1950, is still in operation. We're not going to miss this experience. We take the historic ferry to the next island. On the way, we meet some globetrotters from Sweden and the Netherlands. We exchange experiences with these chatty gentlemen and cycle the same route to the next ferry to Krangero. The men from Sweden are a bit faster than us; they cycle 150-180 km a day on their racing bikes. The young Dutchman is a real adventurer, we can tell from his appearance. We stayed in Kragero and booked the last available room in a sports center. It was a clean, very basic place with simple beds. We took it in stride because we were tired anyway. We enjoyed a relaxing end to the beautiful day.

Today we are expecting nice weather again, with pleasant temperatures. Once again, we are impressed by the brilliance of traffic planning. Whether it's a highway, roundabout, or bridge, we are easily guided along the bike path everywhere. After about 30 km, we arrive in the charming town of Lillesand. I really wanted to try charging the e-bike at an electric vehicle charging station. We bought an adapter before the trip. So we get to work. We struggle with initial difficulties. Eventually, it works out, the battery is charging. I am relieved, Luigi doesn't mind. Well, my bike uses more power than his😉. Now I need to know how cold the North Sea is; at least I can get my feet into the sea. We are used to different temperatures for swimming. In the afternoon, we arrive in the small but very nice harbor town of Arendal. Numerous yachts are anchored in the harbor. We sit down in a cozy guest garden and enjoy a beer. Again today, I book with the Thon hotel group. In the conference room of the **** hotel, we are allowed to bring the bikes in and charge them. It's really great, we appreciate such hospitality. The room rate of € 154.- does not scare us.

The harbor city has a lot to offer for such active seniors. Today, we will visit the highlights of the city. We will orient ourselves with the city map. Another night at the hotel is no problem. On the recommendation of the receptionist, I book through Booking because it's cheaper. Oh no, my fears come true; I booked at the wrong hotel which belongs to the Thon group. The friendly receptionist notices immediately and helps me with the cancellation. We wander to the yacht harbor and then to the fish market. Here we meet neighbors of our daughter from St. Johann Pg. The loading of containers at the ferry port works brilliantly. A crane picks up the container as if it were nothing and places it exactly in the right spot on the container ship. We visit a Norwegian café. The order is placed online. We need a little help choosing the food. Luigi is also perfect at the screen and orders the next round.

Today's motto was: We ride as long as it doesn't rain. Sometimes we felt a light drizzle. In Mandal, there is a special bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. We easily made it to our destination today. The city is bustling with activity. Kristiansand is a very busy port city. Right at the entrance of the city, next to the highway, we are greeted by a two-lane bike path. At the ferry port, we observe a traffic jam of hundreds of cars all heading for the ferry to Hirtshals in Denmark. Our hotel is right in the city center. Charging the batteries is not a problem today either. We make ourselves comfortable in a nice local spot. 

Once again today, perfect weather and many attractions. Such amazing fjords that we simply can't get enough of. The sun reflects on the water, making the many mountain lakes shimmer differently at every curve. The winding and steep mountain roads pose no challenge to us thanks to the E-bike. On the narrow mountain roads, there are many camper vans on the move. They sometimes struggle with the tight corners. The brakes on some vehicles get hot, which you can smell. Well, the 1000 meters of elevation gain doesn't bother us; sometimes you manage this even in Mühlviertel. The rugged cliffs combined with many mountain lakes and the small colorful houses make the 68 km seem much shorter. We take a short break in a geopark and seize the opportunity to book a hotel for the night, have something to drink, and recharge the battery a bit. The Fjord Hotel proves to be a good choice. Rooms, food, and ambiance right by the water couldn't be better. I'm having fish & chips for the third time today. It always tastes different, but it's very good each time. I think I've fallen in love with the national dish.

Today's journey was a challenge. Three hours over hill and dale, a path meant only for moose and two donkeys on bikes. But we finally found the right way and caught the ferry to Stavanger, which only runs twice a day. Stavanger is a lovely city with great restaurants. Oh, we are already feeling hungry, as today we only had a few blueberries.

Today marked the first stage of the king’s route. From Fitjar to Haugesund, covering 100 km / 1000 m elevation. The scenery was extremely captivating. We cycled along without realizing how far we had already traveled. Occasionally, we took a photo stop to admire the surroundings. Oh, a mishap happened to me; a part of the phone holder fell over the guardrail and rolled down the steep embankment toward the sea. Luigi didn't think twice and jumped over the guardrail. At the risk of his life, he retrieved the crucial part.😉 Well, it wasn't quite that dramatic. But men do like to be heroes. In the end, we arrived safely in Haugesund with just a short ferry ride. The hotel is located directly by the pier and is a perfect fit.

After arriving at the Strandkai Terminal in Bergen, we quickly cycled to our hotel Klosterhagen. Thanks to Komoot, we find our intended destinations very quickly. We soon decide to visit the district of Bryggen as well. A few drinks should be in store for us today. Because it stays light for so long, we almost lose track of time. Our room is quiet, and tired from the many impressions, we sleep very well. After an excellent breakfast with plenty of fish, we set off to explore the city a bit. Bryggen and the fish market impress us particularly. We take the cable car to the viewpoint. Around noon, we leave Bergen and cycle about 35 km along Route 1 to Hahljem - Solviksvagen to catch the ferry. We are quite surprised to find out that we can ride for free. As experienced ferry travelers, we line up properly and are the first ones on the ferry. The staff gives us a thumbs up 👍. After 40 minutes, we are back on our bikes and ride to Fitjar to our booked hotel. We are looking forward to dinner, although it is somewhat disappointing. Well, a new day brings new luck.

After a sunny day, we expect a bit of rain today. After a delicious breakfast, we set off towards Flam. We should cover the 52 km around lunchtime. We agree that we haven't seen such a great cycling path before. The scenery is so impressive that I have to keep stopping to take photos. The weather god is also kind to us. It only rains briefly. From Myrtal onwards, it’s all downhill. We have to tackle some steep bends. Good thing I only had one Aperol yesterday. After we conquer the steep section, I can no longer feel my fingers from all the braking. We take a short break at a small hut. The last part we ride through Flamstal. The Flamsvegen is entirely paved. Flam is a small place by the Aurlandsfjord. This is a side arm of the longest and deepest fjord, the Sognefjord. Due to its picturesque location, Flam is a true tourist hotspot. After a short walk, we treat ourselves to a salmon pizza. Boarding is at 3:00 PM. We have booked the fast boat to Bergen. The journey takes 5 hours. As time passes, it gets too windy on deck, so we retreat inside, look forward to Bergen, and enjoy a beer.

We turn onto the 15 and follow it until Fossbergom. Here, we turn onto the 55, the Sognefjell road, which takes us, as expected, over the Sognefjell to Øvre Årdal. There, we follow the 53 along the fjords until the junction to the 5. In Tonjum, we take the E16, following it all the way to Borgund. In Borgund, we visit the famous stave church.

Next, we turn left onto the E16, which we follow until just before Kjerland, where we then turn onto the 7. This road takes us to the Kvandall ferry landing, where we cross to Utne.

There, we follow the 550 to Odda. On the 13, we continue toward the Latefossen waterfalls. 10 km before, we drive to a campsite and set up our camp.

After spending the night at Comfort Hotel Tom Kilde, we headed to the Norway pier the next morning. The port area is vast, and so is our ferry. You really have to be careful not to get run over. Oh great, there is a dedicated lane for bikes. During check-in, we are told that we will be waved from one guide to the next. We swiftly reach our assigned parking spot on Deck 5. However, our cabin is on Deck 10. The next challenge is to find the right lift and the cabin. Luigi and I are seasoned travelers, and we quickly find everything, including the restaurant sun deck.

Just before Dombas, the landscapes become magnificent again. At 27 degrees and a blue sky, we cross the Dovrefjell. One of today's highlights.

Upon arriving in Dombas, my Honda's thermometer shows 29 degrees. So we continue on the E136 towards Trollstigen.

Trollstigen is one of the most spectacular mountain passes in Norway. It connects the Romsdalsfjord at Åndalsnes with Valldal and is famous for its 11 narrow hairpin bends that climb a nearly vertical rock face and cross the roaring waterfall Stigfossen.

The second highlight of the day.

We continue on Route 63 towards Linge, where we take the ferry to Eidsdal. We proceed on Route 63 until we reach the Ørnesvingen Viewpoint. And here is highlight number three. Before us lies the Geirangerfjord, probably the most famous fjord and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A few kilometers further, we find our campsite at Dalen. It has been a long day with many kilometers, but with all the highlights and the dream weather, it also felt very brief.

After the Sundklakkstraumen Bridge, we turn left into the 815, which takes us along the coast to Leknes.

We continue along the E10 past Skagsanden beach and Rambergstrand. Further through fjords to the end of the Lofoten, to Å, the place with arguably the shortest name.

From there, we head back approximately 5 km to Moskenes, where we leave the Lofoten and take the ferry, approximately 3.5 hours of travel time, to Bodø.

Just before 10 AM, it really stopped raining. We drove the 87 back to Bardufoss and then turned onto the E6 towards Bjerkvik. At Steinsland, we crossed the Tjeldsund Bridge. The drive took us again along rivers, lakes, and high plateaus.

In Bjerkvik, we continued along the E10. One fjord followed after another. We drove through tunnels, and at the end of each tunnel, you were greeted with a fjord in front of you.

Continuing on the E10, we crossed the Raftsund Bridge and found ourselves at the entrance to the Lofoten Islands. Through the tunnel under the sea, we drove to the island of Arnoya and then turned onto the 82 towards Fiskebol. There we went a little further to our accommodation for the day, a modern shelter designed by an architect.

Our destination for today is Bardufoss. We navigate through countless tunnels, always following the coast southward. One fjord follows the next. To the left is the road, in the middle are the fjords, and to the right are the mountains, some still covered in snowfields and waterfalls cascading directly into the sea.

At Hatteng, we leave the fjord landscape and drive inland towards Overgard, departing from the E6 to take the 87. A small bumpy road through the Norwegian wilderness. The road is lined with trees and rivers.

Between Rundhaug and Bardufoss, we find our accommodation at the Nedre Målselvfossen resort, right by the Målselvfossen waterfall, which we can see from our balcony.

We stay in our camp to recover from our morning tour.

Shortly after 2 AM, we set out for the North Cape again to take the photo that is a must for every motorcyclist at the North Cape.

Upon arrival, a car was blocking the bus lane that circles around the toll booth. A bit disappointed, we drove to the parking lot where surely 10-12 bikers were already standing. We had become accustomed to the idea of taking a photo without our motorcycles.

Suddenly, there was a spirit of departure among the riders. The toll lady had left, and the bus lane, through which we could sneak towards the globe, was clear.

At 3:00 AM, we were able to take our photo. On the way back to the camp, we encountered a convoy of motorcycles that were likely aiming for the same picture.