taking a break from photos on the blog

Well everyone, Karen and I are almost done our travels together in Norway. This week is our last at work, and our parents will be meeting us to have family adventures before taking us home. Don't fret, I've got plenty more photos from this trip (I don't think you were really worried over that...) but unfortunately they are not uploaded to my computer here in Trondheim. So you'll have to wait until I get them onto a CD or 'til I get home to Canada.

I hope you've enjoyed the photos so far, expect more soon! For instance, who would want to miss out on adventures in the diver's basement in Moholt, or the our visit to Preben's house? Or the fun filled day on Monk Island and the work-fieldtrip to the arboretum and rappeling off a cliff? And that doesn't even mention Bergen!!! There's a lot more to come folks....

This is the Rosenborg mascot - I think he's supposed to be a troll. Freaky, eh?

The Trondheim football team, Rosenborg, has very entertaining supporters. We were sitting in the front row and got to hear them swear at the players from the opposing team (Brann, from Bergen) and wave their gigantic flag to the beat of a drum. Got a fine looking scarf out of this evening...

My Birthday!

My Norwegian guys - Klas, Torkel, Preben, Tobias, and Fredrik. They helped celebrate my birthday by joining Karen, Michelle and I for dinner and cake. It was a hilariously great time and certainly a birthday I'll always remember - it wouldn't have been nearly as fun without each of them. Thanks guys.

Michelle and Torkel. Michelle is another exchange student staying in Moholt, visiting from the United States. It's been a blast having her around - she's super funny, is always up for anything, and what's best, she speaks English! She'll be coming with Karen and I to Bergen, so this isn't the last you'll be seeing of her!

'Lunda', Klas, and I laughing it up. This night we first hung out in the Chinese Student's basement in Moholt (I was the only asian one there, and I'm a half-breed!), then headed to the Student Samfundet for more fun at a bar there. After a thirst quenching evening, got to have a burger at Sesam (they are gigantic!) and somehow made it home.

Bodø or Bust!

This is Saltstraumen, the world's strongest maelstrom. Karen and I were stuck in Bodo for 8 hours after departing Lofoten. So we did what any young person would do: we hopped a senior's coach tour to Saltstraumen! While the other passengers had naps, we listened to an audioguide about Bodo. Not really the most happening place in the world, but Saltstraumen is an interesting phenomenon.

What's a maelstrom, you ask? It's a powerful whirlpool caused by strong tidal currents. Quoting Wikipedia.org: 'Up to 400 million m³ of seawater forces its way through a 3 km long and 150 m wide strait every six hours, with water speeds reaching 20 knots. Vortices up to 10 m in diameter and 5 m in depth are formed when the current is at its strongest'. Yes, I am a geek, but this is great information folks! The strongest maelstrom in the world! It sucks down small boats!

Found this in the guestbook of the Skarheim Sjøhus after the departure of some French guys. Karen and I had met them the day before - they were lost in Svolvær without accomodation so I told them where we were staying. And what a small world! Turns out I had helped one of them in the laundry room at Moholt, the student city where I live in Trondheim!

They ended up staying at the Sjøhus, but we didn't cross paths again... Although we only talked to them for a moment, I guess we left enough of an impression to write this in the guestbook... How funny, we're a novelty!

Who doesn't need a photo of themselves in a gigantic tire? Plus, this is no ordinary tire, it's a Michelin - we have a Michelin factory in my home province in Canada.

The midnight sun.

This was one of my top reasons for going above the artic circle. We stopped at a little golf course overlooking the ocean and I sat on a little bench and watched the sun fall from the clouds. Kids were up playing soccer and it was very hard to fall asleep, my body clock was off kilter.

This natural phenomenon was amazing and surreal. Like magic...

Cod drying in Svolvær.

Me at the helm of the Grand Vitara, learning 'stick'. Karen took me around this tiny loop parking lot, where I did donuts and only got to 2nd gear. Choice!

Can you imagine how good the kayaking would be here? This place almost hurt to look at!

Outside Reine on the island of Moskenesøy.

me at Nusfjord.

Nusfjord, one of the best preserved fishing villages on Lofoten.

From the beach next to an artisans shop, Lofoten.

Fields of FISH HEADS!

Karen and I on our adventures in Lofoten. This image will give you an idea as to the landscape of the islands, but my photos really don't do the place justice... everything is more grand and majestic. The mountains are taller, the lakes are more green, and the views rendered me speechless many a time.

Wouldn't want to meet one of these nasty looking creatures in the depths of the ocean! This is a wolf eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus). They tend to live in rocky crevices and are not dangerous unless provoked. Still, they look pretty fierce to me. If it can crush shells with its strong jaws and teeth, I think my hand would look like easy prey!

From the Aquarium outside of Svolvær. This place was great fun, Karen and I ran around looking at all the marine life, including the seals and otters and giant tanks of salmon. We fit right in with the children. Good times!

Karen and I posing in our rented Grand Vitara. That's right, we're poor students travelling for two months... but who could pass this baby up? It offered us the chance to see all that Lofoten had to offer in a mere 4 days. Much better than taking the bus! Plus, we got to familiarize ourselves with Norwegian music (which is mostly from the States and Britain)... So really, renting the car was a steal! As a wise friend told me: 'Do now, pay later'. And excellent motto for travelling in Norway.

View from my bedroom at the Skarheim Sjøhus in Svolvær, my homebase while in Lofoten.

LOFOTEN!

This is a view of the harbour at Bodø, the most northern destination of the Norwegian rail system. Here you see one of the famous Hurtigruten, the coastal steamers. From Bodø, Karen and I caught an express boat (catamaran) to the spectacular Lofoten islands. Finally made it north of the artic circle!!!

Karen's Birthday!

Here's a happy Karen with her yummy 'ice cake' (i.e. raspberry ice cream cake) the day after her birthday. She turned a whopping 25 years old! In celebration, we had our friends Klas and Fredrik over for dinner, and she received champagne from yours truly... 25!

My roomates! From left to right: Anne Margriet (Netherlands), Karen, me, and Sindre (Norway). This was the night of Karen's birthday and the eve of Anne Margriet's departure home. We popped my camera in the freezer for an excellent timed photo.

Inside the courtyard of the Archbishop's palace looking towards Nidarosdomen.

And we're back!

Sorry it's taken me so long to post again - got busy here in Trondheim (and too lazy to upload photos - thanks Torkel and Klas for helping me with that...). So this is Nidaros Cathedral, aka Nidarosdomen. It is located in the middle of Trondheim and it's oldest parts date back to 1320. So now you know!

May 16th

May 16th = wild times in Norway. Karen, Fredrik and I had dinner and then played a drinking game. You'd think I'd know better by now, but no, I took part and split that bottle of Malibu with Karen. Very bad idea indeed! The mix of Laban gelly candy, Maarud chips and orange juice spelled disaster... but no pictures of that!

Karen and I enjoying the end of National Day at a local pub, where we joined Fredrik and Preben to watch the European Football finals (UEFA Champions League). Go Barcelona and that really smiley guy Ronaldhino!

Here I am holding Andrea's National Day treasures - namely her flag and her Little Mermaid helium balloon.

National Day crew! From left to right: Andrea, Preben, Rosemary (whose Mom is from Nfld!), me, Karen, and Fredrik. This was just after we finally found soft ice cream after a 2 hour search around town - we were very determined, poor Andrea fell asleep while we looked around. The 'ice' is dipped in coatings: either chocolate, caramel + nuts, strawberry, or sprinkles. It's great! And did you know: ice cream sells for half-price in the winter here! Amazing! I would get so fat here...

Preben, Andrea, and Fredrik. I love National Day - everyone gets dressed up and looks great... sort of. Even though I didn't bring any fancy clothes with me, I tried my best and wore a skirt and nice top (which you couldn't see under my sweater). But I couldn't compete with the ladies in their bunad and the guys in their suits...

National Day!

My friend Preben and his perfect daughter Andrea on National Day (May 17th). She got to wear her first 'national dress' this year and looked so beautiful in it. I have a soft spot for her because, like me, she can eat truckloads of candy and not get sick. We had cotton candy, licorice, ice cream, 2 pieces of cake, and hotdogs that day. And she had a slushie on top of that! She beat me this time, never again...

More Røros.

Røros.