Ion Ciorici

Exploring Norway, part 2 of 6

Route: Ålesund, Norway – Geiranger, Norway
(via Åndalsnes, Trollstigen Road)
Distance: 200km
Ferry: Linge – Eisdal (65NOK)

Highlights:
– Ålesund – aka the most beautiful small city in the world, according to the exploring team
– 5 drunk Norwegians singing Norwegian national anthem
– How many Romanian/Polish immigrants usually are playing music at nighttime in Ålesund
– How to panic when you catch your first fish in less than 10sec.

Ålesund
I believe Ålesund or more exactly the below photo with this city was the primary reason to organise a road trip around Norway. I came across this photo about 2 years ago and since then I was really looking forward to climb on top of Aksla, a hill that overlooks the town.

Source: smp.no

Continuare »

Exploring Norway, part 1 of 6

Route: Ringebu, Norway – Ålesund, Norway
(via Dombås, Åndalsnes, Kårvåg, Atlantic Ocean Road, Molde)
Distance: 460km
Ferry: Molde – Vestnes (120NOK)

Highlights:
– Free drive on the Atlantic Ocean Road
– My camera falling from the roof of the car and still capturing the most important scene
– I touch a Yamaha bike
– A +60 years old caravanner with a smoking pipe
– No helicopter trip with +60 years pilot

Atlantic Ocean Road
The primary reason for visiting the Atlantic Ocean Road or the Atlantic Road (Norwegian: Atlanterhavsveien) was because we knew that this is probably the only place in Norway where there is no toll collection 🙂 .

Since it was opened in 1989 we monitored carefully how the total investment for the road of 122 million Norwegian krone (NOK) was being covered by the collection of tolls from rich caravanners from Western Europe. Actually collection of tolls was scheduled to run for 15 years, but by June 1999 the road was paid off and the toll removed. Yes, indeed caravanners from Western Europe rushed to see the Atlantic Ocean Road and I guess this could be one of the primary reason for EU bankruptcy 🙂 . Enough of EU scepticism, we have experts in this area.

I guess the primary serious reason for visiting the the Atlantic Ocean Road was this photo:

Continuare »

Route: Stockholm, Sweden – Ringebu, Norway
(via Gävle, Falun, Mora, Älvdalen, Lillehammer)
Distance: 700km
Highlights:
– Unplanned grilling with +60 years old caravanners
– Helicopter trip with +60 years pilot
– 30 min. introduction to camping regulations in the region Älvdalen (don’t click on the link, there is nothing interesting there)

Important question to be answered:
– What is the Moldovan magical trick to get a free helicopter trip in a Bell 206L-1 LongRanger ?
– Where you can find a pair of spare skis?

The idea of driving as much as possible in Sweden was connected to the below facts:
1. Sweden is the most beautiful country in the world (or at least this is what it’s stated in this book)
2. No Tax Free refund on the petrol bought in Norway
3. If we get a speeding ticket/or we lose our driving licence in Sweden, train tickets/taxi in Sweden to Stockholm are slightly cheaper than from any point in Norway
4. Sweden has a Chinese castle, Norway doesn’t
5. …and seriously, Swedish country roads are definitely wider and with less caravans than in Norway

– Unplanned grilling with +60 years old caravanners

Caravanners were very entertaining. The most entertaining part was the introduction to camping regulations in the region Älvdalen. If you have problems reading the below attachment I can send you the original full size photo 🙂 .

Here you can see the Chinese Castle which currently is used as a hotel for reindeers.

Continuare »

It’s been a few hours since I returned from Norway and I’ve still barely gone through all of the photos (approx.3000). But I wanted to get a post up with some of my favorite shots so far.

Norway is, hands-down, so far the most beautiful place that I’ve been. All I can say is NORWOW!

We were quite lucky with the weather, the people were great, and the scenery was stunning. I already want to go back.

In the next 6 posts you will find out more:
– what color is recommendeded for your shoes and backpack when hiking to Pulpit Rock

– what is the most appropriate dog to take when hiking to Pulpit Rock

– where you can find a pair of spare skis

– how the largest glacier in Europe tastes like

– how drunk Norwegians were when they built the Atlantic Ocean Road

– what kind of pampers you need to wear when driving on Trollstigen road

– if this moustache is real

– how to catch 8 fishes in less than 8 minutes

You will also find out in the next 6 posts on exploring Norway:

– what is the Moldovan magical trick to get a free helicopter trip in a Bell 206L-1 LongRanger

– why Moldovans shall never say “probably we are the only Moldovans at this time in Norway”

– what nationality holds the best chef on a Fjord1 ferry

– until what time Norwegian shops sell light alcohol and will this law be applicable for Moldovan tourists

– how a porpoise (mini dolphin) looks like

– how many tourists were using their ipads to snap Norwegian scenery

– how to break your front windshield with a Swedish krona coin

Beside the above important facts 😀 , I will write as usually about accommodations and dining tips and what is the best route from Stockholm to Atlantic Road and then down to Stavanger.

Exploring Norway, part 1 of 6

Exploring Norway, part 2 of 6

Exploring Norway, part 3 of 6

Exploring Norway, part 4 of 6