Norway to Estonia

21^st July

First day on the trip and we have a day to explore Oslo city. We are first driven to a sculpture garden where there are lots of naked statues and a water feature. The weather is not that great, but interesting enough to keep us out for a while. After this was a drive to a Viking museum where there were a few old ships on display. No one was really interested in more museums so we were dropped off in town and could do whatever until 8:30 when we could get picked up, or simply catch the city bus back to the camp whenever we pleased. After a decent wander around seeing what there was, including the changing of the guards, we had a bite to eat before heading back to camp.

We both had a bit of a sleep before wandering over to have dinner with Robyn at a food place by the entrance to the park. The chicken and chips was fairly good value compared to other things so enjoyed that as a meal. Everyone else arrived back around then so had a chat for a while before going back to bed. Didn’t sleep that well, and Chris was awoken at 4am with a sore stomach – bugger.

22^nd July

Chris doing ok, not sure what upset the stomach but at least it was only for a few hours before we got on the bus. We leave Oslo and head for Lillehammer, once in Lillehammer we walk around the town and get some food for lunch. Just outside of the town is where the 1994 winter Olympics were held and we head for the bob sledding arena. We have been paired into teams for the Viking Olympics, Sandy is in Norway, Chris is in Finland and Robyn in Denmark. There are four teams in total of 10 people representing Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark. I get to go first before Chris and in an all girl team – really good fun we reach about 120km/h. You get flicked about in the car a bit but loads of fun and you want to go again. Chris’ team eventually comes second overall. Robyn is in a team that will not count for points but could mess up the leaders. Our tour crew get to go last and on the final bend one of they tyres blow ! A really fun time and lunch is waiting for us at the bus. Back on the bus and we head for Andalsnes for the night. Our teams have to come up with a national anthem and a skit for their country so a lot of planning on the bus. We make another stop at the Ringebu Stave Church we have the opportunity to go inside but decide to stay outside and take photos, a gorgeous church and amazing blue sky. We arrive in Andalsnes and apparently 8 of us will be staying in a hostal for the night, we aren’t too fussed and land up going to the hostal which is about a 5 min drive from the campsite. We land up having a really cool group of people in the hostal. We put our washing in the machine hoping to get it done in time but not really it is still wet and we have to go to camp for dinner so we hang it up in the drying room downstairs. Off to camp and we land up walking most of the way as the bus is late and we feel like we need a walk. At camp and we have dinner before starting the Olympics. Norway is first and we have a hilarious time changing the words of YMCA. Also do a skit of the three billy goats gruff. Next is Sweden which is all about the meatballs, pretty girls and Volvo’s. Chris’ team does a rendition of mickey were so fine, really funny with the girls being cheerleaders. Although the skit didn’t go down to well with pulling other teams up to do a competition of air guitar which Finland is well known for. Next is Denmark with some strange crazy going’s on about hippies and mermaids. The funniest bit is the old guy behind us in a caravan that is so drunk and keeps chirping in about Norway being better – really funny. Norway is in the lead at the moment but all that changes over the next couple of days! The hostel group decides to head back and we take in the gorgeous sunset outside our hostel. We all get to know each other over a few drinks and then head to bed.

23^rd July

This morning we wake up for our full day trip around the area of Andalsnes. We take three ferries today and do a full loop. We head for the Geiranger fjord first which is via a very dangerous looking road in a big bus called the Troll pass. Everything in Norway relates to trolls and today we spot our first sign at the beginning of the troll pass. Near the top of the troll pass is an opportunity to stop and take photos of the pass and the Stigfoss waterfall. We approach Geiranger fjord and get another photo op from the top of the mountains looking down on the fjord and the little town. There is a cruise boat in the little town and it looks huge in comparison to this little town. Arrive in Geiranger fjord town and get to go for a walk around and find some fruit and biscuits for snacks. While waiting for the public toilet Sandy spots a real life troll – very scary. A very scenic day which just keeps getting better we catch a ferry which takes us through the fjord. It takes almost two hours but the time passes quickly as there are lots of waterfalls around. The most spectacular of these is the seven sisters waterfall. We travel a bit further and take a second ferry which is much shorter. Once across we drive a short distance to a spot which use to be a town but during a flood the river changed course and the water is now covering the old town. You can still see the stone houses submerged below the water. We stop for lunch here and enjoy the scenery surrounding us. After lunch we go for a quick walk to find the old road which is also submerged below the lake. Back on the road and across another ferry ride. We stop at the Gudbrand juvet waterfalls which are gorgeous lots of ferns and greenery with the waterfalls a gorgeous aquamarine colour. Robyn finds some strawberries at a local vendor which are delicious so sweet! Onwards we go and during our way back to the troll pass we stop to play in the snow. This is actually a first for some of the people on the bus! So lots of fun to be had throwing snowballs at each other. Back down the troll pass which is now completely fogged in and glad I don’t have to try and drive it, Craig does a great job and gets us down safely. We drive to Steinjker were we are staying the night. Nearly all the couples are in one house except Kaz and Clint after a paper, rock, scissors event. Yay we have a shower we don’t have to pay for, they normally cost us about a pound for 6 minutes. Tonight we are having a soccer match for the Viking Olympics. We have the initial matches before dinner and then the finals after dinner. The finals land up being with Norway versus Sweden for third and fourth place, and Finland versus Denmark for first and second. Sandy manages to score a goal during there match and Norway has a convincing win for third. Chris is goalie for Finland and seriously kicks some ass does so well ! Unfortunately though Denmark wins, and Robyn plays really well too.

Time for bed a quick shower and then sit down with all the couples chatting away, we land up staying up quite late talking to Jimbo and Jeni.

24^th July

Next day we travel on and stop in a little town with this huge cathedral across the river. Neither of us can remember the name of the town J We walk around the town and find a much needed toilet in the central square. Unfortunately it won’t shut so after pushing the buttons to make it lock. I give up and go to the loo then get a brain wave that maybe I need to unlock it to lock it again and do this while on the loo – just my luck the damn door opens for the whole world to see and then slowly closes again. I give up on this idea after being completely embarrassed and luckily no one outside to see. Find everyone again and walk down to the water to have our packed lunch. After lunch we walk to the riverside that we saw when coming into the city. Lots of women topless on the grass and the boys are loving it. But before you know it we have to go again and back on the bus. Next stop is Hell and I had bought some postcards in the last city. It is a train stop but great for photo opportunities and everyone has fun calling home from hell and sending postcards. Back on the bus and some more travelling before getting to our destination for dinner and sleep.

25^th July

On the road again and our first stop is at Bolareinens rike which is an area where they have found some really old rock paintings. We went for a walk to have a look and some of them are quite hard to identify, quite a lovely spot in amongst the trees and waterfalls. On we go and we make a stop near a hydro station for lunch. There is the option to go and see a salmon farm but the salmon aren’t running so we decide against it although the hydro station has built a ladder for the salmon so could have been interesting. During our lunch Sandy somehow manages to twist her ankle by falling in a hole. Not so good and it really hurts. On we go and make a stop near some waterfalls which cascade down the river. Not much further on we stop again for a bigger waterfall where we get a bit more spare time and are able to go down to the water and drop our feet in for a while – the water is very icy but feels good on my ankle. Once in Korgen we were sharing with Jimbo and Jeni another couple from NZ. In a little chalet called China. A really nice spot with a view of the river. Everyone opts out of doing poetry tonight as we are all tired and just want to relax.

Some of the group go for a swim in the river including Robyn.

26^th July

Today we left early to catch the ferry, then drove to catch another boat which took us to the glacier. The boat drops us off with a 50minute walk to the glacier. Unfortunately it takes us a bit longer due to Sandy hobbling with her sore ankle. We eventually get there and most people have already gone for a glacier swim including Robyn. Chris carries on walking closer to the Glacier but Sandy stays behind and watches the swimmers. Sandy decides to go for a swim and hides behind a rock to get changed before hobbling down to the water. Has to ask someone to support her but manages to get in the water. Never ever felt such cold in all my life, I couldn’t actually breathe and everyone is yelling that you have to put your head under for it to count. Somehow I manage to do this but I still don’t know how, it’s a struggle to get out as I can’t use one of my legs to well but get a hand from Graham. Out of the water and feeling a lot warmer, wow I have just swum with icebergs and the water is such a milky colour you can’t see the bottom. Robyn decides to go again so I can take photos, she is nuts and already has a really bad cold. Chris comes back but he didn’t make it all the way to the front of the glacier and could see me swimming from the distance. I get dressed and we walk back slowly before everybody else leaves. Make it back to the boat in time before it arrive I even have time to soak my ankle in the cold water yet again although it feels good the foot goes numb and very red. Back on the boat and Chris spots a reindeer in amongst the trees, its suppose to count for points towards your team but eventually they give up on this idea as it is too difficult to keep count. Back on the bus and we head for the arctic circle! Yay we are at the arctic circle and set up for lunch first before we go exploring. We go and get our postcards in the little shop, also manage to get a certificate and our passports stamped J After the shop we walk around the area, quite barren with lots of rock sculptures similar to what we saw in Peru. Take lots of photos of us at the circle and Sandy gets a jumper, post the postcards after writing something on them rather quickly. Our next stop is in a little town called Fauske where we stop for supplies and we try and find a pharmacy. Unfortunately it closed ten minutes before we got there, so will have to borrow some strap tape from someone. Tonight we are staying in Tysfjord which is gorgeous and situated next to the sea but surrounded by mountains. Chris helps out in the kitchen and I decide to go for a sauna with Jeni. A few others are in the sauna and we decide to go for a swim as we are above the arctic circle anyway. So we do our arctic circle plunge a day earlier J Lots of fun and then warm up before going to dinner. Dinner and then it is suppose to be poetry night but people take forever to get ready. So Chris still misses out on his sauna as others have gone after dinner even though they shouldn’t have. Poetry night goes really well and Chris poem is a hit! Can’t remember who wins but it was a lot of fun. It is about 11:30pm when we finish and there is a gorgeous sunset so we all wander down to the waters edge to take photos, then off to bed.

27^th July

Brekkie at 8am and left shortly after on a ferry crossing. To pass some time the debating started on the bus today, a really good laugh with Dave giving us some stunners. Overall another day of beautiful scenery with perfect weather. We stopped for petrol in a small town which had a “Kiwi” supermarket so a perfect photo opportunity. All the kiwi’s huddled together under the sign for a photo J

We get to the polar zoo for lunch just before the animal feedings. So after lunch we head into the zoo to see lots of elk, moose, arctic fox, bears, wolves and wolverines.

After a bit more driving we arrived in Skibotn and some pretty skanky looking beds but great company of Kaz, Clint and Penny although missing Mike. Decided to do the official polar plunge and hopped into the traditional wood fired sauna. After sweating it out a quick dash to the water or in my case a slow walk due to my ankle still not being right. We have to walk a fair way to the river to find a deep enough spot to swim in a bit of a dunk and Robyn playing with our underwater housing. Some cool photos though of great expressions. Dinner in camp before heading down to the river for a camp fire with marshmallows.

28^th July

Another travel day this time to Olderfjord at the northern point of Norway. One of our stops is in the mountains at Gildetur for photos and the toilet. Really quite cold but we all get out and wander around. Sandy, Robyn and Sheree all climb on the the Gildetur sign that looks like a tree and also indicates that there are only 300km to Nordkapp. Arrive in the camp and have a bit of a snooze before our evening trip up to Nordkapp. It’s a bit of a hike up to Nordkapp and we see a number of reindeer as well as a fox. To get to Nordkapp we have to go through a number of tunnels but the last one is great. It’s 6870m long and goes 212m below the sea as Nordkapp is on an island. We finally arrive in a very fogged out Nordkapp at 71°10°24 North.

A very good night anyway with lots of drinking and fun. A 2 hour trip back to camp which Chris manages to sleep – very unusual. Lots of reindeer on the road including another two foxes. We finally get back to the camp at about 3am and into our little chalet which has a fantastic lean J A lot of very sick people on the way home, may have something to do with the amount of alcohol consumed.

29^th July

Everyone sleeps in and generally only surfaces at about 2pm for lunch. A general chill out day and a few drinks and snacks while chatting after dinner.

30^th July

An interesting morning where going to the toilet had my sister rolling around in tears. She had stayed up all night because her and Sheree had placed mannequins in the toilets. They waited all night for people to go and have the fright of their life. Back on the road and we travel over the border to Finland today. A lunch stop before we get to the home of Santa Claus in Rovaniemi. The home of Santa Claus is also on the arctic circle so plenty of photos. We all go into Santa’s house to line up to meet Santa and get our group photo, for some reason Robyn and Sheree don’t make it to the photo. My sister and I go back for another photo of just the two of us to send to my gran for Christmas as it will only be sent on Christmas day. Also sorted out a letter from Santa to arrive on Christmas day – just a novelty really J As we are on the arctic circle again we decide to do a big group photo of us.

We arrive in Rovaniemi in Finland and are bunking with Kaz and Clint, manage to get our laundry sorted at the camp. Starting prepping for dinner, Sandy chills out with a couple others with a beer, while Chris is off playing ultimate Frisbee. The weather packs in incredibly quickly and a huge thunderstorm rolls in, we can’t find our room mates and they have the key so we go and chill out with Jeni and Jimbo for a while. Kaz and Clint arrive back and we run across to our chalet for a good nights rest.

31^st

Today is our drive to Jyvaskyla. Lunch at another petrol station before some more driving and we arrive at the campsite. The campsite is a bit of a surprise to all of us as it is still an hour out of Jyvaskyla. This is due to the Finland rally being on, so Craig arranges for those keen to go and look at the showroom.

Chris, Robyn and I decide to go, really cool event and lots of cars out on display. Apparently we didn’t get to the main showroom as we only had an hour to explore but was still worth the trip.

Stopped at McDonalds for dinner as it was 9pm and was going to take another hour to get back. First time Chris and I have had McDonalds in about 6 years! Get back to camp and everyone is slightly sloshed so we decide to go and have a cider with a few of them at the camp bar before heading to bed.

1^st August

We left Jyvaskyla and headed south to Helsinki, the capital of Finland. We were a fair distance from Helsinki so it took around 3 hours to get there. Most people were asleep so we didn’t stop along the way. We checked into our hostel which was a school where they added beds in the holidays as a way of raising money. We ate lunch before getting back on the bus for a highlights tour. We passed by the churches and stopped at the Olympic stadium. After a short walk we went into the entrance to the stadium where a way onto the grounds was found. Was quite cool being inside a stadium with only a few people around. We didn’t have long as we were soon asked to leave as it was not actually open to the public.

Back on the bus and off to a monument to honor a composer Jean Sibelius. It is a very impressive sculpture looking like a pipe organ modelled as the aurora borealis. Back on the bus to a church made from rock. Rather different but certainly did not need the 30mins allocated to it. We wandered the streets and got some more post cards instead. The last stop was the city square where the tour finished and we were left to wander ourselves and catch a train back later. We wanted to post some DVD’s home and a couple of extra things we have collected along the way. It was now 5pm but were told the post shop was still open till 7, so decided to head there first anyway just in case. It meant we go to see the main street along the way. The post office was an interesting place and initially looked closed. After asking a lady there we found we could send stuff so another job off our list.

We made our way back towards the area where dinner would be, stopping at a few shops along the way. We found Robyn some jandals and got ourselves an umbrella as it was raining again. Shortly after we bumped into Kaz, Clint, Mike and Penny who were off for some dinner. We joined them and had a great meal before making a stop at an ice-bar. It was not really what I was expecting as it was very small. The 8 of us pretty much filled it, however it was still a good laugh and the martini was enjoyed. Sandy and I were finished with looking around so headed back. The train station was a little confusing at first but we managed to find the right train line and get a ticket. We jumped on a train and soon realized that it was not quite the right train as it diverted to a different line 2 stops short of ours. No worries, we thought the next train after was the correct one, so simply jumped off at a stop a few along and waited for the next train. The next one wasn’t correct either, however we jumped on it anyway and got off at the main station where the trains split. As we got on the correct train we saw a large group of other people from our tour so we all cheered when we figured we were all doing the same thing!

2^nd August

This morning we had to leave the hostel at 6 in order to catch a ferry across the Baltic sea to the city of Tallinn in Estonia. The ferry was amazing! The entire front area was windows making a giant atrium enabling everyone to see where we are going. Most of the group found some food and then simply lay down and slept! The ferry was only 2hrs so we must have travelled fairly fast. They even had free wireless onboard! This ship was almost better than the cruise ship – except for the food as the ferry food was crap.

The hotel we were staying at is literally across the road from the ferry terminal. On the walk off the ship we saw the front of the ship open up and Craig was the first vehicle off in the Topdeck bus! There were no rooms ready so we left our gear on the bus and went for a walk around while Justin found some new members of the group joining today. We wandered up to a mall where we had a hot chocolate and chatted with Jenny and Jim.

Back to the hotel where the introductions were taking place with the newbie’s. It was then off on foot for a walking tour around Tallinn with Justin. The city still has city walls and a number of medieval buildings to see and explore. We saw the main attractions before coming to a street parade where most people dispersed ending the tour. We headed back up the hill to find a lookout point over the city. Sandy found some Russian dolls that all fit inside each other so bought that with some postcards. Then back walking around until 2pm when we had to be back for check in. The room we were given stunk so bad of smoke we asked Roby to swap – thanks Robyn!

As we had covered most of the city this morning we decided to have a sleep before dinner. We met at 6 and walked into town to a restaurant close to the city square. There were nearly 60 of us in the group as 15 more had joined us today before 18 of us leave tomorrow. We had a good choice to choose from, as there was an option for beef, chicken, pork or fish. However it took until after 9pm for us to get fed, so there had been a number of drinks consumed by people and the group was rather loud. All was in good fun and there was lots of dancing and taking photos. Facebook will be interesting when they get uploaded! Around 10:30 there was some fireworks going off as the conclusion to the street parade which had been going on all day so this seemed a good point to leave the restaurant. Once the fireworks finished no-one was up to much so we headed back to get some sleep.

3^rd August

We managed to get up at 7 to go and say good bye to Robyn and the rest of the group. There were a few people a little emotional but at 7:30 the bus rolled away with everyone waving. The group left behind all went back to bed until 11 when we thought we should finally get up and pack again. 8 of us were needing to get to the airport at similar times so we grabbed a maxi taxi. It cost only 300 Eek instead of 150 per cab, so saved a lot of money. The airport is only 10mins away so were soon checked in and eating lunch. Chicken schnitzel was the best choice with an orange juice to finish. We then said “till next time” to Kaz and Clint as they had to board their flight, and we went for a quick look at the shops before heading to our lounge to wait for our flight. A bit more photo sorting took place, but still a way to go!

Our flight left on time at 3:40 and it was only a 20 min flight over to Helsinki. A short wait there before on another plane to Barcelona. The flight was around 4hrs so not too bad, pretty much we both read our books to pass the time. Landed in Barcelona at 8:30 and decided to simply grab a cab to the hotel rather than figure out the buses late on a Sunday evening. Taxi’s over here charge for luggage which is a bit different to what we are used to. The hotel is small and we would have missed it if the Taxi driver had not pointed it out to us! Still a very comfortable room with WiFi. A note was left for us saying that we would be leaving at 5:30 the next morning! Bugger, but we should be fine. After just getting into bed the phone rang and Axel, our guide, wanted a quick catch up to ensure we knew what we were doing. The usual stuff was repeated before heading back to bed. A quick Skype chat to Dominic as he was online was great to catch up on the gossip at the office finished the night around 12.