Went back to Norway to celebrate Oli’s 4th Birthday. Had a fantastic time with a ‘Sing’ movie theme. After the celebration, my friends took me on a mini hike to Ormhilleren, near the Rongesundet Bridge in Øygarden, not far from Bergen.
It offered a quick escape into nature. We walked along the rocky trails surrounded by heathlands. The picturesque views of the rugged coastline stretching into the sea was absolutely beautiful.
A trip to Bergen wouldn’t be complete without hiking Fløyen, because of my friend Fredrik! Lol! This time, we took a different trail (Stoltzekleiven) and another mountain (Sandviksfjellet) before ending at Fløyen. Both are part of the iconic Seven Mountains surrounding the city.
There is a yearly mountain run on the Stoltzekleiven. Contestants can finish the race in 15 minutes, and the record is a little over 8 minutes. It is steep, narrow, rocky, slippery, and has uneven steps – definitely not easy for me. Especially after sitting all day for 2 years (WFH) and having no exercise or warm-up before the trip (I only did 30 days yoga with Adriene during the pandemic 😅). To make it harder, I was wearing jeans and I didn’t bring a bottle of water. I was super thirsty and had to drink from a small waterfall. Obviously, I didn’t prepare for this. I thought it was an easy hike like the one before. I paused countless times, gasping for breath and wanting to give up and just go back down. But Fredrik, ever patient, encouraged me to continue. So I made it to the top! I think it took 30 mins, not bad right? Once there, you forget the pain you endured on the way up (yep, it was painful in my condition, I even had to take a pain reliever afterward lol). It was all worth it.
From Sandviksfjellet, we walked to Fløyen. It was literally a walk in the park – very flat, very easy, very cutesy lol. It was still the same as I remember it – the stunning panoramic views of the city, the harbor, and the mountains! Since I had a train to catch and with my pace, I was sure I would miss it. I decided to take the funicular while Fredrik merrily sprinted down. I was worried at first because I didn’t have mobile data. How could I contact him if I got lost? But to my surprise, he reached the city center first. The funicular ride was about 6 minutes, so he took the same amount of time going down the mountain. That was lightning fast! Thank you Fredrik. I hope he would warn me next time, or I should probably make exercising part of my daily life 😅
Thanks to the funicular, I’ve got extra time to walk around Bergen, retrieve my belongings from the locker, and buy some food for my next trip.
When I first visited Norway in November 2015, I took a scenic train ride from Oslo to Bergen. It was late autumn, the landscape was a picturesque scene tinged with shades of yellow and orange. The train departed in the afternoon, the journey lasted about 7 hours.
7 years later, I took the same route, but in reverse — from Bergen to Oslo. This time, it was in August, and summer was in full swing. The fields and forests offered a lush green landscape, a stark contrast to the autumn hues.
As the dark skies enveloped the vibrant foreground, it was time for a nap lol. I had the same train schedule so I arrived in Oslo late at night.
During my first trip, I didn’t get the chance to explore Oslo. The only plan was to visit friends in Bergen and to hunt the auroras up north. Now, I made time to finally see what the capital has to offer, in 24 hrs 😅
Since I was only staying in Oslo for one night, I stored most of my things in the locker area at the train station so I didn’t have to tire myself carrying them. I then bought a tram ticket from 711 and made my way out. Unfortunately, I took the wrong tram. I got off as soon as I realized I was going in the opposite direction. I had to wait for the right tram which gave me the chance to see what Oslo was like at night. It was alive with many people, mostly youngsters, still out. There may be a bar or party place nearby.
Surprisingly, and thankfully, the hostel had a fan in the room. It was too hot for me, and I’m a tropical girl lol. I got up at noon and headed back to the central station, which was actually just a short walk away (about 15 minutes), and began wandering around the city from there.
1. Karl Johans Gate – Oslo’s main street. Filled with shops, cafes, restaurants, cultural landmarks, historical sites, etc. I liked strolling here. Had Subway for dinner and met fellow Filipinos.
2. Oslo Cathedral – Third cathedral built in Oslo. Its most notable feature is the grandeur and intricate ceiling painting.
3. Christian Frederik Square – There was a fountain (but not in use during my visit) with the “Sun and Earth” statue
4. Oslo Opera House – Situated on the waterfront, it stands out for its pristine white appearance and unique sloping marble roof where you can literally walk over and soak in the views of the city and the fjord from different angles. Without a doubt, this was where I spent most of my time – watching people and ducks lol and admiring all the details – the various patterns on the walls that resemble Morse code, the sleek geometric shapes and lines on the marble floor (or roof), and the glass windows that span from floor to ceiling, giving you a sneak peek of what’s inside. Its modern architectural design exudes simplicity, elegance, and timelessness.
- Oslo City Hall – Red brick building with two towers and many sculptures outside depicting historical stuff.
6. Pier – There’s a shiny silver scuba diver statue. It was also nice to spend some time here.
7. The Royal Palace – Official residence of the Norwegian monarch. It is surrounded by a beautiful park with majestic trees, also perfect for a stroll.
8. Other sights along the way include a charming park, architectural gems, trolls, and a WC lol.
It was indeed a long but fulfilling half-day. I had a flight to Barcelona at 9AM. I didn’t want to spend another night since I would be checking out super early, so I booked the last train at 12:24AM to the airport. I went back to the hostel to get my things and since I had plenty of time and didn’t have all my stuff with me, I decided to walk to the train station.
I got there around 10:30PM and went toward the locker to get the rest of my things (I paid NOK 80 for 1 day). I stayed for a while as there were vacant seats around. Before midnight, I started to walk very slowly to the platform (also because my things were heavy lol), as if it would make the time fly by faster. There was a staff assisting passengers. I just asked if I was at the right track but she let me board the earlier train, instead of waiting half an hour for what I originally booked. It wasn’t really a train to the airport, but due to railroad construction, it will stop at the airport.
It worked to my advantage as it was more convenient to wait at the airport. I arrived at 12:17AM. Unfortunately, it was deserted! While the airport was open, access beyond the check-in desks was restricted. I didn’t realize there were like operating hours (probably for security). I thought it was always open. Or maybe I forgot because it’s been a long time since I had an early flight. Definitely, a lesson relearned. So, I just sat on one side, next to a power outlet. I couldn’t find any chairs. There was Starbucks but they didn’t have sandwiches anymore and all seats were taken. Thankfully, it started to open at 2AM. I proceeded to the first convenience store that I found to get breakfast before my flight and finally got a proper seat.
Overall, it was an enjoyable trip. I had a wonderful time exploring, hiking, and spending time with friends and the kids❤️
