NORWAY

Many unexpected things can happen when you’re traveling. Take, for instance, my trip to Rome several years ago, when my backpack along with my laptop was stolen on the train. I had a few miserable days in Rome, but decided to lighten the mood by taking an unplanned stop to Oslo, Norway, and stay with a friend. It was my first time in Norway at that time, but I fell in love with it despite the wintry weather. I continued to make stops in Oslo over the years, and also visited Tromso, located above the Arctic Circle, to experience another Norwegian winter and see the Northern Lights.

When my parents suggested taking a hiking/roadtrip in Norway, I jumped on the idea. My father planned out a 9-day itinerary to drive southwest of Norway from Stavanger to Ålesund in mid-August. We would drive through the mountains and make stops to go hiking or visit scenic spots. Organizing the trip and booking hotels was planned a few months in advance as some rural areas had limited lodging options. It was also important to prepare proper hiking shoes/clothing as precipitation is high and temperatures can drop in August. It was unfortunate that some hikes and scenic spots had to be cancelled due to the occasional inclimate weather.

Norway is, by far, one of my favorite destinations for outdoor adventures and stunning landscapes. Driving and taking car ferries to get around fjords was also an interesting experience. Although it’s quite expensive in Norway, I have high hopes to return and explore Senja, Lofoten, Tromso (again), and Svalbard.