Julia's Travels: Near and Far

taking a break from photos on the blog

2006-06-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

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....

2006-06-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

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

2006-06-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-06-14T15:47:00.000-07:00

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.

2006-06-14T15:35:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-06-14T15:25:00.000-07:00

'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!

2006-06-13T15:35:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-06-13T15:14:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-06-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

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.

2006-06-13T14:02:00.000-07:00

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...

2006-06-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

2006-06-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

Cod drying in Svolvær.

2006-06-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-06-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

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

2006-06-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

Outside Reine on the island of Moskenesøy.

2006-06-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

me at Nusfjord.

2006-06-12T16:46:00.000-07:00

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

2006-06-12T16:43:00.000-07:00

2006-06-12T16:38:00.000-07:00

From the beach next to an artisans shop, Lofoten.

2006-06-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

Fields of FISH HEADS!

2006-06-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

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.

2006-06-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-06-11T16:19:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-06-11T16:12:00.000-07:00

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.

2006-06-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

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

LOFOTEN!

2006-06-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-06-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-06-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

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.

2006-06-08T08:02:00.000-07:00

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

And we're back!

2006-06-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-05-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-05-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

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...

2006-05-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-05-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

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...

2006-05-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

More Røros.

2006-05-30T08:35:00.000-07:00

Røros.

Røros!

2006-05-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

Here I am with another new friend. Karen and I took a weekend trip to Røros, a little mining town that's a UNESCO world heritage site. It was freezing cold there, and unbeknownst to us we arrived during the off season so all the museums and sites were closed. So we wandered around the whole town, ate baked goods, and visited every store in town in order to get out of the cold. Yes, it was snowing there that day...

2006-05-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

Karen took this photo in Lade, one of the beachside neighbourhoods in Trondheim. Our wonderful preceptor, Tove, lives nearby and took us on a walk one evening. It was spectacular. What a great place to live.

2006-05-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

Here I am FINALLY getting home from Tiger Tiger - at 5 in the frickin' morning! Fredrik put us on a Nattbus (nightbus) back to our apartment at 4, but little did we (or he, that drunken bum) know, he put us on the wrong bus. We ended up 1/2 hour outside Trondheim in a little place called Heimdal. Luckily, the bus driver took pity on the poor international students and drove us all the way back to our area of town.
FYI: the driver had an excellent moustache, very long and curly.

2006-05-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

I guess Norwegian boys like their lip gloss too...

2006-05-23T14:26:00.000-07:00

Fredrik's party trick.

2006-05-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

Me trying to phone home while tipsy. Everyone at the party wanted to go to the clubs but I was convinced that going home was the best idea... but they wouldn't let me go! This was the result - me laughing and weeping and drunk, all at the same time.

2006-05-23T13:34:00.000-07:00

Fredrik and I making funny faces. Whose is more hideous? You be the judge.

2006-05-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

Fredrik, who is proud he can curl his tongue. Notice Karen keeps making nice poses throughout all of this...

2006-05-23T13:23:00.000-07:00

Fredrik, the spazzy monkey.

2006-05-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

Fredrik, the serial killer.

2006-05-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

Norwegian and Canadian OT students, together at last! Sten's to the left, Fredrik took us to his apartment for a party. We're drinking champagne because it was Sten's friends' birthdays. The champagne made me tipsy, we drank more karsk, and then they dragged me out to the bars. Bad dancing ensued.

2006-05-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

2006-05-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

Fredrik. We met him through his girlfriend Nina, a Norwegian girl who was visiting Halifax during our school year. I was lucky enough to get to spend a little time with her and her classmates Line and Marie before heading overseas. Anyway, Nina was kind enough to put us in touch with this nutcase, who has given me way too many tummy aches from laughing too hard.

2006-05-23T12:55:00.000-07:00

Torkel playing the drinking game. There's a deck of cards - pick a card and count the number on it. Go clockwise and whoever it lands on gets a ladle full of beer. Some cards mean more ladles than others... and the person who receives the final card dealt has to finish off the bowl. As you can see, we wear snazzy toilet paper ties. Classy!

2006-05-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

Torger. Yikes!

2006-05-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

Me with my buddies Torger (left) and Torkel (right). We met at the good ol' diving club. Torger hails from Bergen and has insisted we pronounce what little Norwegian we have in his dialect. Torkel is yet another RA in Moholt, is a world traveller, and is a superb photographer.

2006-05-23T10:38:00.000-07:00

Karen making new friends. On the left is Tobias, another one of the super responsible RAs here in Moholt. Next to Karen is Robert (?). They're drinking 'karsk', a norwegian drink: coffee and moonshine. Yummy and gut stripping. I was under the table in a few sips.

2006-05-23T10:08:00.000-07:00

This is Klas - we met him picking up very old school computers from the student residence assistants. He's been very kind to us - taking us out to diving club meetings, having us take part in Norwegian drinking games (I folded after a while) and inviting us into saunas with half naked men. Wait, is that being kind? ;)

2006-05-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

A very poorly lit photo of Karen and I drinking together (not the last one you'll see!). Seems that Norwegians are super hard drinkers on the weekends and at parties - a blessing or a curse for me, since I'm allergic to alcohol! Good thing this is such a bad photo or else you'd notice I am red as a beet.

2006-05-20T15:03:00.000-07:00

Snow! This isn't what I expected coming to Norway! Joking of course. But I was surprised by the snow in the mountains and was worried that there would be snow in Trondheim during our stay. None yet!

2006-05-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

Karen on the train from Oslo to Trondheim. The 61/2 hour trip became 9 hours in the end, after the train broke down. This was taken while we were waiting for buses to come get us. But then the train worked again, and off we went. Good times (sarcasm alert!).

2006-05-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo. Got a free poster there (the only free thing in Norway, land of millionaires!).

2006-05-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

From inside Akershus Fortress.

OSLO!

2006-05-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Oslo on a very grey day. This is an image of Akershus Castle and Fortress overlooking the harbour.

2006-05-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

The view of Champ-de-Mars from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Supposedly, on a clear day you can see as far as 80 km in the distance.

2006-05-20T14:22:00.000-07:00

Looking down from atop the Eiffel Tower. Makes my stomach cringe. For this photo, I stuck my hand through the wire mesh - thought I would drop the camera, I was so nervous being close to the edge!

2006-05-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

Karen and I on top of the Eiffel Tower. Can you tell how freaked out we are? Neither of us can stand heights! The children were taking it better than we were!

2006-05-20T14:12:00.000-07:00

Napolean's Duds.

2006-05-20T14:03:00.000-07:00

Napolean's Tomb. It's absolutely massive in real life. You can look down at it from above from the main floor of Hotel des Invalides, or see it on level from the basement. Around the base of the tomb are written all the famous battles that he'd participated in, and on the walls are frescos of Napoleon being crowned as Emperor and winning military campaigns.

2006-05-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

Me outside Hotel des Invalides. It was built for wounded soldiers back in the 17th century, and now houses Napolean's tomb. His body rests in a crypt below the golden dome in the background.

2006-05-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

Okay, this picture is a little hard to understand since you can't zoom in... But if you look closely, you can see 2 figures standing together on the bridge (middle left). This barf-inducing couple stood there for over a half an hour kissing and making out. They'd take turns pushing themselves against the side of the bridge. How do I know this? Because Karen and I were sitting on the side of the river below, trying to enjoy our French pastries (I ate 4 all by myself, yes I am a glutton). Anyway, we surmised that these two sickos are paid by the ferry boat companies to portray Paris as the city of Love by trying to maul one another. Can't people just be happy holding hands in public any more? For shame!

2006-05-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

Karen and I standing on a bridge behind Notre Dame. We were really lucky to have such a beautiful day during our visit. Behind us you can see the famous flying buttresses - what a great word, buttresses... What does that style of architecture have to do with butts?!

2006-05-20T13:32:00.000-07:00

Eating a delicious Nutella and banana crepe outside Notre Dame. I ate way too much food in Paris, including a waffle covered in whipped cream and Nutella and a dinner out at a little Parisian bistro. I will never be skinny. ;)

2006-05-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a menacing gargoyle looking over Paris. You can see the Eiffel Tower in the distance. From this vantage point, the whole city is visible - it was really great to see how it is organized from above.

2006-05-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

The gargoyles watching guard over Notre Dame.

2006-05-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

An excellent photo of tired Karen climbing the stairs up to the top of the towers at Notre Dame. Doesn't she look like she's having fun?!?

We climbed over 400 stairs to see the view of Paris - if I don't come home with thighs of steel after this trip, I'll be furious. My legs actually trembled for a full 1/2 hour after coming back down...

2006-05-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

Me in front of Notre Dame in Paris.

2006-05-18T13:18:00.000-07:00

Me outside the Louvre. Frig this takes a long time...

2006-05-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

Eiffel Tower at Night! It lights up and shines - looks like there are millions of fireflys resting all over it.

2006-05-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

First view of the Eiffel Tower! Karen and I ran through the streets all day trying to find it. Guess we'd never heard of maps... The painful feet were worth it though - seeing the Eiffel Tower made it really sink in that we were really in Paris.

2006-05-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

The Champs Elysees from afar...

2006-05-18T12:43:00.000-07:00

So many stairs in Montmartre! I thought my feet were going to fall off... The people in the background think I'm a wuss. Which I am.

Next stop: PARIS!

2006-05-18T12:37:00.000-07:00

The Sacre Coeur Cathedral in Paris. This beautiful building is located in Montmartre, on top of a large hill. The view of Paris from Montmartre was spectacular...

2006-05-18T12:35:00.000-07:00

View from the London Eye.

2006-05-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

London calling! Even though it's my second time around in London, I still love the city. The people were very friendly and I loved the hustle and bustle. Not sure I could live there though: too dirty and the ocean and beaches seem too distant... But still, LONDON!

2006-05-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

Karen and I in London, outside Westminster Abbey.

2006-05-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

Karen, Sandy, and I on a misty day in Chatham Maritime, Kent. It was really great of Sandy and Colin to have us stay with them during our time in London.

2006-05-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

Here I am with my great friends and fellow OT travellers Kelly, Lori Beth, and Karen as we say our goodbyes in London Heathrow. Karen and I will stay in London for another few days, then hit Paris, but Kelly and LB are off to have adventures in Ireland, Scotland and England. I sure will miss those two!

2006-04-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

A photo of the wharves, in Trondheim, Norway. I'll be there in just a few days!

My friend (and fellow OT student) Karen and I will be doing an international placement in pediatrics there for 2 months. But before we arrive in Trondheim, we're doing a whirlwind trip of London, Paris, and Oslo. Can't wait to see the fjords...

2006-04-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

My cat, Cabot, on the front carpet. He likes to stretch out and pretend he's flying...