Have you ever been on a road trip with 5 Europeans?

...trust me - its quite an interesting experience....

The weekend started early Friday morning when Katja and I met up with Christoffer, Ulrike at BI and were soon met by Karin and Nina who had gone and picked up our rental car. We loaded up the car and set off for Western Norway. The loading itself was an interesting operation - 6 people in a 7 passengar car - apparenlty 7 very short and skinny passengers, but luckily we had a ski compartment on the luggage rack and we were able to put all our bags and stuff up there. Nina was first to drive and Christoffer navigated...and 45 minutes later, we had successfully left Oslo, and had returned again...but we were able to figure out where we went wrong and then we set off again. Once we got out of the Oslo area, we really got to see "true" Norwegian countryside - mountains, wild animals, snow, and just wide-open space.

We pulled off the road for lunch, which we had packed and brought from Oslo. THIS was the first ADVENTURE of the trip! First off, there are 6 of us, 2 loaves of bread, a block of cheese, orange juice, and COLD hot dogs (I don't care if they Europeans call them sausages- they were HOT DOGs!)

After lunch we drove and drove and drove until we got to Geiranger, which is in a valley accessible only by very steep and windy roads, and found our cabin *pretty* easily (just right down the hill!). While we were getting settled, Christoffer and I roamed around the cabin (hytter) area and took some pictures but it started raining so we went back in and helped with dinner. After dinner (spaghetti- nothing too out of the ordinary for me!) we sat around talking, drinking boxed wine and eating ice cream.

Early Saturday morning we decided a *hike* would be a good idea. Let me just say something about this- Europeans and I have a DIFFERENT idea on what a *hike* is! First off, I REALLY need to figure out exactly how far a kilometer is! "Oh, it's just a few kilometers..." And it was cold, and it was rainy, it was steep, and we were using spray painted rocks as our guide posts! Many times during the hike the only thought that crossed my mind was that I'd better see a damn cool waterfall at the end of this! And, well, I didn't! And when we got to the end, I was SO convinced that I should be at the foot of a beautiful waterfall that I left the group and walked into the woods to find something! I did find a small little, peaceful waterfall, and thought this would be a good spot for Dad :) Then it was time to walk back to the cabin, this time the hike felt shorter and less dangerous- no one tripped and fell that I know of going back.

After checking out of the cabin we went down into the center of the town - to the 4 touristy shops. Katja and Christoffer found a coffee shop and we all migrated towards it. After everyone enjoyed their hot beverages (Nina and Karin found hot - actually semi-warm- chocolate), we piled into the car and drove up the twisty road to an overlook of the fjord for some pictures. But this apparently wasn't the focal point Karin had read about so we decided to go even further up the road, but being with Europeans, we walked! (Forcing me to rename the "Oslo Diet" to the "Norway Diet"!) The view was worth the uphill climb and I took MANY pictures!

Next we drove back into Geiranger and caught our ferry/fjord cruise. We saw many beautiful waterfalls (including the one we DIDN'T see that morning!), cliffs and old farms. Then it got too cold and too windy to sit out of top (when the chairs started flying we took it as a hint to move inside). We sat inside next to the heaters only to warm up a little then it was time to pile back into the car and drive again. Soon we found ourselves waiting for yet another ferry, this time only a 15 minute ride, and then we came to then driving again, and waiting for TWO more ferries!

In between the driving and the waiting for ferries, we did come across Trollstigen; one of the most visited attractions in Norway - also known as a "very steep and windy road". The mountains which encircle the Trollstigen road are enormous. The Stigfossen waterfall gushes down the mountainside towards the luscious Isterdalen valley. In the middle of all this, Trollstigen road winds it's way up the mountainside... We hopped out of the car to take pictures and to switch drivers...a 10% grade road with hairpin turns? Sounds like a job for our resident Swiss driver!

Several hours later, we finally made it to Krisitansund. Found our hotel *fairly* easily, had some dinner and then it was bed time for us all. After our complimentary breakfast, we wandered around the city for a bit, but on a Sunday, during the off season, it was boring and dead. So we piled back into the car and started yet another long day of driving...

We drove along the scenic roads on our way to Geiranger and decided to take the *highway* back to Oslo. Problem is- even the highway had a speed limit of 90 km (56 mph)- so it was VERY slow! Felt bad for Nina and Uli due to them being Germans and accustomed to autobahn driving!

We stopped for a few minutes in Lillehammer just to stretch our legs and see the site of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Then it was back in the car for the remainder of the journey to Oslo. We arrived back at the Europcar place around 10ish and after orientating ourselves we found the subway and went home.

It was a LONG, fun, exciting, enjoyable, funny, adventurous, tiring, educational journey across Norway. Made all the better by the wonderful group of friends I had with me!

Be sure to check out my photo gallery for pictures from the trip!