Norway’s Hurtigruten

by Neil Woodburn on

I’m always enamored by anything Norwegian ever since first visiting the country shortly after college graduation.  I can’t claim the Norwegian stock of fellow Gadling writer Erik, but I do feel a special kinship anytime I visit this fine place.

It was therefore with great joy that I ran across a piece in yesterday’s LA Times spotlighting a coastal cruise of Norway’s famous fjords. 

While I’m not a big fan of cruises, I did hop on board the Hurtigruten on my second visit to Norway.  The Hurtigruten is actually a handful of boats which ply Norway’s coastal waters delivering mail and cargo.  The boats also take on passengers.  But, keep in mind; this is not a proper cruise with pools, discos, rock climbing walls and a club for the kids.  This “cruise” is Spartan and simple and is all about the eye-candy off the bow: the phenomenal Norwegian coastline.

While it’s possible to jump on for just a few hours until the next stop, Times staff writer Beverly Beyette rode the entire 1,438 mile journey from Bergen to Kirkenes.  Take a moment to read her account of the voyage and the towns in which she stopped.  This is truly one of the greatest ocean journeys on our dear little planet.  And believe me, you’ll be very happy it’s not your typical cruise ship once you board and start chugging northward toward the Arctic Circle.

Norwegian Moon

by Erik Olsen on

And you thought it was just the Germans and the Brits who behaved badly at soccer games (the Americans would probably give them a run for their money if they cared much about soccer). This is not a World Cup story, alas, but one about a mere match in (of all places China). Turns out it was the Norwegians pulling off shenanigans.

A 25-year-old Norwegian student at the University of Beijing got a wee bit upset and showered both the ref and spectators with abuse. He was shown a green card (green for naughty) and then a red one (really naughty). Then he was ejected from the game.  Not one to go out peacefully, e ten pulled down his shorts and mooned everyone. Apparently, the Chinese are not used to seeing naked buttocks in public, a least not ones so lily white, and so the match was suspended with the student facing punitive action, perhaps even being deported. Ah, those mad Norwegians. I call them kin, you know.

Norway’s Amazing Bergen

by Neil Woodburn on

City with a Fjord Ability. 

I’m not sure if this wins the award for best or worst travel headline.  It is rather clever, though and nicely captures the point the author is trying to get across: Bergen, Norway sits on a fjord and is a more affordable alternative to pricey Oslo. 

I’ll take this a step further.  As much as I like Oslo, Bergen is a far better place to visit.  The weather is warmer, the scenery more beautiful, the town quainter, and the journey there (on Europe’s highest railway) is more spectacular. 

While Bergen can’t compete with the sheer number of Oslo’s restaurants and bars, the nightlife scene is active and engaging.  And the food, straight from the fjord, is amazingly fresh and delicious. 

Throw in a world-class aquarium, a klatch of beautiful art nouveau buildings and Unesco World Heritage recognition and you’ve got yourself a wonderful little Norwegian town indeed.  Given the option, I’d gladly skip Oslo in favor of charming Bergen any day. 

Word for the Travel Wise (05/14/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Word around town is it’s Mother’s Day and since we here at Gadling love mom’s worldwide I figured I’d provide you with a number of ways to wish your own mum the happiest of days. The New York Public Library online has a list of greetings and expressions for several holidays so use it today and then prepare for Father’s day just around the corner. Here’s a just few from their list:

  • Catalan – Feliç Dia de la Mare
  • Dutch – Gelukkig Moederdag
  • Hebrew – Yom ha’em sameah
  • Italian – Buona festa della Mamma
  • Japanese – Haha nohi omedeto
  • Norwegian – Mors dag
  • Russian –  S dnëm Materi

And again, Happy Mummies day to all the mummies of the world!!!!

Photo of the Day (4/13/06) Northern Lights

by Neil Woodburn on

Although I’ve never witnessed it, the Northern Lights are something which has mesmerized me for most of my
life.  I’ve posted recently
about it here on Gadling, but felt that the photo which accompanied the post probably didn’t do it justice. 
Well, along comes localsurfer with this fantastic shot from Norway.  He used
a long exposure to capture the whispy green lights and admits that it was very hard to stand still in the chilly
weather long enough for the aperture to click.  Well, I think you’ll agree that any cold he may have come
down with as result was definitely worth it.