Tag: Canada
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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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Decoding ‘Uff da!’: Unraveling the Nordic Expression
In a recent chat with my almost 8-year-old granddaughters, I casually dropped an “Uff da!” prompting them to question its meaning. Attempting to define this age-old Norwegian phrase proved challenging, as it’s a bit like saying “Oh dear” or “Oh my.” Intrigued, I delved into the depths of the internet to unearth the origins and variations of “Uff da.” Discovering multiple spellings like Uffda, Ufda, and even Oofta, I learned that in Danish and older Norwegian, it’s often spelled Uf, while in modern Norwegian, it’s Uff. Regardless of the spelling, its essence remains the same—an exclamation conveying irritation, surprise, discomfort,…
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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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Discovering Family in Norway
“I hear you are looking for your relatives in Norway. Well, here we are!” Those were the words that brought so much emotion to me when I received an e-mail from someone in Norway. How did I realize who he was? In my previous writing, I wrote about a lady, Jan, who gave me so many interesting facts about my family and told me that her dad was the keeper of all the family history and would love to talk to me. She asked if she could pass on my e-mail, and she gave me her dad’s. His e-mail address…
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Tech to the Rescue
Computers can be a source of frustration in our lives at times, but they can also be a wonderful tool. I realize how fortunate I am to live in a day and age where I can find out all kinds of information and connect with people that, in years gone by, I would never have had that opportunity. The Quest Begins Since Jason and I decided to travel to Norway next summer, I have been trying to find information about my family, the Lokkes and Klokstads, who came to Canada in 1929. I typed in the name of my grandpa…
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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…