Bali Bound

Day 5 Today the group is heading to our third destination, Stockholm.  I'd say it's the third country but were in Sweden for awhile to get to Oslo.  I'm curious to see how many Ikeas I will see going through Sweden this time.  Current Ikea count: 3. One of my favorite things to do on vacation is to check out grocery stores.  The mall we stopped at in Sweden has a few grocery stores.  And a giant candy store, that was even open at 9 in the morning unlike all the other stores in the mall aside from the grocery stores.  One had what they called the USA aisle.  Which consisted of Minnesota pancake syrup and some very strange Kraft dinner knockoff.  And next to that an entire asile of Mexican stuff, all old El Paso brand and knock off tortilla chips.  And the smallest bottles of Garnier shampoo and conditioner I've ever seen. Current Ikea count: still 3, now I'm a little disappointed. I've learned that Norway isn't a part of the EU, howev...

Giant Flag in hotel Today is Oslo day!  We're starting the day with a city tour that includes Frogner Park, which my travel agent tells me is amazing. The weather yesterday was fabulous and now today it's rainy and a little cold.  All those capri pants I packed are just a space waster right now :(  I am amused that I've had the same umbrella since around high school.  But realistically I only use it on holidays as at home it's usually more of a heavy rainfall that is steady, whereas so far it is usually just little showers that pop up and are gone right away. The hotel I'm staying at is really big.  All the rooms are around a giant atrium that currently has a giant Norwegian flag, to commemorate their national day I suppose.  I have learned that the Danes were the one who spent all their time conquering the the other Scandinavian countries.  Denmark was actually the largest European country at one point.  So the Norwegians are excited to ...

Day 3 Wow, how is it already day 3 and a new country?  It really feels like this trip is flying by already. Hamlet castle in Denmark, viewed from ferry Today we're leaving Copenhagen behind and heading to our next destination of Oslo, Norway.  Norway isn't actually attached to Denmark so we will be driving through some of Sweden along the way to get there.  And while they have the very exciting Oresund bridge, that starts as a bridge and then goes underwater as a tunnel to cross from Denmark to Sweden, we're taking the ferry because it's far cheaper and probably just as fast. The ferry is really fast, only 20 minutes.  Barely enough time to get upstairs and get comfortable before you head back down. We've made it to Sweden, and it is actually the 4th largest country in Europe which I did not expect.  It's actually just a little smaller than Alberta, with over twice the population.  I am only seeing a very small part of the country as the Scandi...

It has been a few days since I blogged.  Due to the hotel wanting a blood sample and toe (it feels like that!) for free internet I am using the computer downstairs.  The keyboard is a Nordic one with the æ and å keys, so do not mind any weirdness. I am in Oslo today.  I depart in the morning for Stockholm.  I cannot believe it is already the third country tomorrow.  Travel day yesterday was okay.  The scenery on the drive was quite amazing.  And amusingly I saw 4 different Ikea stores along the way.  3 of them were in Sweden.  Way to hold the stereotype true.  And there is one in Oslo as I saw people carrying bags with new purchases... It has been a rainy day today.  But I am only here for the one full day so I made the best of it and saw a huge part of the downtown area, where most of the sites are. I did spend a good chunk of time on the Oslofjord.  Also, fjord is a fun word. But I will save the good stories for the ...

Yes, it is holiday time again.  And yes, it has only been 6 weeks or so.  Just the way things worked out this year.  And happily, by the time I get home spring should be fully here and that will be fabulous. I am heading on another bus tour.  There is really something about the bus tour that I enjoy.  It's well organized, I see a lot and I put in little effort and have a good time. Scandinavia will be 6 countries (I hope) in a little under 2 weeks.  Yikes! I start out in Copenhagen, Denmark; travel to Oslo, Norway; head to Stockholm, Sweden; take an overnight ferry cruise to Helsinki, Finland; a day trip to Tallinn, Estonia; and a stopover courtesy of Icelandair in Reykjavik, Iceland on the way home. I have high hopes for this trip.  It'll be a lot of adventure and I think a nice mix of city with a bit of nature.  And I should get a bit more of a break from my fellow passengers with more free time in the cities. Stay tuned for the adven...