Author: Jason Hafso
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When 200km Takes All Day
Remember last night when I said we had an easy, short, 3-hour drive to our next destination? Boy, was I wrong! We left our hotel at 10:30 am as Jason wanted to catch up on the blog. I took the time to walk around the breathtaking grounds of our motel and sit and relax at our outdoor table. We had about 200 km to travel today—not far by Alberta standards, but it’s a day’s journey in Norway. Not if you are driving from point A to B with no stops, of course, but the awe-inspiring scenery they have here makes…
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Arriving in Oslo: Day One
Greetings from Oslo! Today marked the beginning of our Nordic adventure, and while the trip here was long, it was smooth sailing (or, I mean, flying) the whole way. Departing from Edmonton yesterday afternoon, we headed through airports with no delays or luggage mishaps to report. The only minor complaint for the trip here was during the flight from Seattle to Reykjavik, where I found myself seated next to a young man who seemed to have brought along a persistent hacking cough and an aversion to personal hygiene. Hopefully, he wasn’t contagious! After making it through Seattle and Reykjavik airports,…
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Elevating Our Adventures
I recently bought myself a drone and I’m looking forward to taking it with us to Norway. It will allow us to get a fresh perspective, so to speak. I’ve wanted to get a drone for a while now. I use them regularly for real estate listing photography and videography, but until now I’ve always hired someone for the service. Moving forward, however, I’ll be able to do my own. With our trip less than two months away, this seemed like a perfect time to get some practice in before we leave. And I do need practice! This thing may…
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I Found My Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather
Yes, you read that right… Tore Klungland was born circa 1495, 15 generations back from me! In planning for this trip, my mom and I have connected with some long-lost relatives in Norway. And, so, we have also been exploring our family’s roots, reaching as far back as the 1400s. We’ve discovered all sorts of historical gems, fascinating characters, and unexpected connections. Thanks to the absolutely staggering wealth of online historical data, what once would have taken months of painstaking research can now be done in just a few days. The Family Tapestry I’ve managed to completely trace back every…
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Canadians in Oslo for Norway’s Constitution Day
Because we leave for Norway on May 15th, we’ll be in Oslo just in time to take part in Norway’s Constitution Day on May 17th! It’s a national celebration that, in a lot of ways, mirrors the spirit of our very own Canada Day, with parades, flag-waving, and an atmosphere filled with joy and unity. Norway’s Constitution Day is a vibrant and colourful celebration of the country’s history and independence. I can’t wait to experience it. What makes it even more special is that our relatives in Oslo have generously offered us tickets to the celebrations at the Royal Palace.…
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Volcanic Vibes 🌋
Another round of volcanic eruptions in Iceland and more warnings issued yesterday! It’s not like I’m losing sleep over Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula drama. Our trip is still months away, so there’s little chance it will affect us. But it definitely is interesting to watch and see how all of this plays out. Fiery Facts 🔥 Unlike the Eyjafjallajökull eruption that turned Europe into a no-fly zone in 2010, the Fagradalsfjall volcano near Grindavik isn’t covered with an ice cap, so even if there is a major event, experts don’t expect the same apocalyptic ash clouds. Close Enough to Toast Marshmallows…
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Twenty-two hotels!
I think we’re pretty much all set for the trip! Got every hotel booked (yes, twenty-two of them!), covering four countries. We’ll only stay a night in most places, but a few spots we’ll stay two or three nights. It was a bit of a puzzle sorting out locations and timing, but I think we nailed it. Unlike my last month-long trip which was completely planned for me, this one’s all on us to plan. Flexibility is going to be key; there are so many things that could throw off our schedule (weather, road conditions, ferry schedules, etc.). Good thing…
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Our Travel Route
Here’s a map outlining our approximate route through Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, which may be subject to change.
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Making a list, checking it twice
Embarking on a journey like this requires careful attention and thorough planning. I am typically a ‘figure-it-out-as-I-go’ traveler. However, in this case, we have planned each step of the trip to ensure ample time for all the sights we wish to see. While unforeseen circumstances like weather or other factors may disrupt our plans, we have allowed for plenty of flexibility. We’ve purchased our flights to Oslo with a short stop in Reykjavik on the way back to Canada. We’ve also arranged transportation by renting a car and obtaining an international driver permit. We plan to explore and having a…
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Here we come, Norway!
In May 2024, my mom (Cheryl) and I have an exciting adventure planned as we embark on a month-long journey to explore the landscapes and cultures of Scandinavia. Our first destination will be the city of Oslo, Norway. We’ll be sure to visit landmarks such as the Royal Palace and the Oslo Opera House (where we already have tickets for a show). But our exploration won’t be limited to Oslo alone, as we have an entire region of Norway to discover. From Norway, we’ll journey to Denmark, a country famous for its castles, coastlines, and the capital city of Copenhagen.…