SUMMARY: Norway

Norway was the second country we've travelled through. The following is a summary of our impressions.

Things we liked:

• Norway is very beautiful, particularly in the Western Fjord Region
• Norwegians seem very congenial
• Very warm wool sweaters and blankets
• Best hostels we've seen so far (not that we've seen many)
• English is just as prevalent here as Sweden
• Bergen was a very charming coastal city
• Night train - felt like camp for adults
• Good Indian food

Things we didn't like:

• Oslo did not fit our mental image of a 'European' city. It was still nice, but reminded us of Toronto more than Stockholm
• The weather always seemed cold and rainy
• Plastic in our food
• Beer prices are sky high
• Could not get the VAT (value added tax) returned for our purchases when we departed
• Night train - hard to sleep soundly

Interesting findings:

• Norwegians are obsessed with selling trolls to tourists
• Converse sneakers are just as popular here as in Sweden
• Culture seemed very similar to Canada with fewer red-panted, pram-pushing, sidewalk-hogging men around
• Women like to color their white hair with black streaks, akin to skunks
• Norwegian rap music consists mainly of one guy repeatedly yelling 'Ooooh shit...'

Photos that didn't end up in other posts:

View from the train on the way to Flam

Photos taken in the Flam valley

*From Jackie's GQ photography portfolio

On the Ferry out of Flam

Oslo Opera House

Ferry out of Oslo