Norway

Rare sunny day in Nordkapp, Norway (13 June 2010)

Nordkapp, Norway, one of the northernmost points in Europe, alternating between sunny and stormy. On the way here, we experienced sun, snow and rain. That was how fast the weather changes in this area.

Sea eagle with locked on target at Svolvær, Norway (14 June 2010)

This was shot 169 of 173 of sea eagles during a sea eagle safari tour! It took me that many shots to time it right with burst function. It was really hard cos their flight route was so unpredictable; at times hovering high over our heads, and at times swooping down to hunt. All the earlier photos either lacked a wing or a head... or worse just complete blue skies, no eagle in sight! A trick I learned was to click on your camera trigger just 2 seconds before they fly into your camera view! After 2 hours of looking up at the sky, you could imagine how strained my neck was!

Holding the brightest jewel of all...

After the high from our sea eagle safari, we headed back to land to Svolvær, Lofoten Islands, Norway (14 June 2010). With the sun in our eyes, we played with the idea of photographing the sun and ended up almost burning our corneas just to fit the sun between our fingers. It was entertaining yet tricky at the same time cos of movement from our fast moving ferry, the coordination of our fingers and the fact that we could not stare too long at the camera LCD screen.

Norwegian version of Kelong...

It was on the tip of everyone's tongue why all fisherman's cabins (known as rorbu) in the Lofoten Islands are painted red. The answer that comes to everyone's mind is that it looks nice! TEH! Wrong answer! =D  The tradition started with fishermen using blood from the harvested fish to paint the houses as it was the cheapest method. Guess you can say that there is something fishy about these houses. =D

Svinøya Rorbuer, Svolvær, Lofoten Islands, Norway (14 June 2010)

Hurtigruten in a puddle...

There are many beautiful sights in and around the Lofoten Islands, Norway but strangely it was the reflection of our Hurtigruten ship, Nordnorge, in a small puddle of water at the harbour of Svolvær that caught my eye the most!

Svolvær, Lofoten Islands, Norway (14 June 2010)

Lighting the lighthouse...

Even the lighthouse needs light from other sources to be seen.

Vikasjøen, Norway (15 June 2010)

Playing tour guide on my birthday, I came out with my own version of the Trondheim walking tour instead of joining the 40 pounds per person tour organised by the Hurtigruten. No crowds, no noise to distract me from taking this photo of the picturesque old wooden waterfront warehouses along River Nidelva with Gamle Bybro (Old Town Bridge) and steeple of Nidaros Domkirke in Trondheim, Norway (16 June 2010)

Gloomy reflections...

Picturesque old wooden waterfront warehouses against the stark sky and river.

Trondheim, Norway (16 June 2010)

Dark water...

Dark clouds were gathering as I took a shot of the old wooden warehouses, which have been converted to residential units and shops in Trondheim, Norway (16 June 2010). Although the dark mood of the sky was similarly reflected in the water, I was in my best mood cos it was my birthday! =)

Norway's Engineering Feat of the Century...

If I were to re-do my Norway itinerary, I would have done a road trip instead, and The Atlantic Road would be one of the roads I would be driving on instead of just admiring from a distance, and letting the bus driver had all the fun!

Storseisundet Bridge, Atlantic Road, Møre og Romsdal, Norway (16 June 2010)

Just 1 of the 275 rainy days in a year!

Bergen certainly lives up to its reputation as one of the wettest cities in Norway... the day we arrived was another rainy day in Bergen! These colourful houses form part of the Bryggen waterfront. There is nothing wrong with your eyes... the houses here are indeed slanted and look like they have been jumping all over the place. This was due to the impact from the Bergen harbour explosion in 1944.

Bergen, Norway (17 June 2010)

This is Bubbles the Penguin (haha this is what I think he should be called)...

As you can see, Bubbles' favourite bathtime activity is blowing lots and lots of bubbles underwater! =D

Bergen Aquarium (Akvariet i Bergen), Bergen, Norway (18 June 2010)

Learning the basic survival skills...

Look... Bubbles the Penguin is learning how to swim... just look at those cute little ring floaties around his wings! =D Bergen Aquarium (Akvariet i Bergen), Bergen, Norway (18 June 2010)

Knock, knock... "Is anybody home?"

Curious Bubbles the Penguin was probably checking out my camera, and wondering whether that was some new tasty tidbit.

Bergen Aquarium (Akvariet i Bergen), Bergen, Norway (18 June 2010)

Peering into the secret realm of a great composer, Edvard Grieg.

This was his composer hut at Troldhaugen, with things left as they were. Makes you wonder what was the view he saw on the other side that inspired his many beautiful compositions.

Hop, Norway (18 June 2010)

Tinkling the ivories...

Pianist giving a mini piano recital in Troldsalen, a concert hall built in the Troldhaugen compound of the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.

Hop, Norway (18 June 2010)

Just 1 of the 90 sunny days in a year!

Was really lucky to see Bergen in bright sunlight after a day of rain. What a big difference a little bit of sunlight makes! =)

Bryggen waterfront, Bergen, Norway (18 June 2010)

Mirror effect...

Whitewashed wharf houses and Valberg Tower in Gamle Stavanger (Old Stavanger), Stavanger, Norway (18 June 2010).

Shadow stencils!

Saw this "Preikestolen" (Pulpit Rock) word "imprinted" on the wall as I entered through the doorway of the building at Preikestolen Fjellstue... this is actually the shadow of the stenciled wording from the sign above the doorway. I think this shadow would be interesting to watch from the time the sun rises to the time it sets. Forsand, Norway (19 June 2010)

The view that made my hardship climb worth it... Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Norway (19 June 2010)

After a super tiring 3-hour climb (experts would take only 1.5-2 hours), we were rewarded with this beautiful view of Preikestolen, overlooking Lysefjord. We would not have taken this pic if we had not been blur! At one point, there was a fork in the route, so we anyhow chose a path cos both signs p...ointed to the Pulpit Rock. Really an anti-climax when we reached "what we thought was the Pulpit Rock". It looked so normal until we looked over the edge. There it was more than 50 metres down!

It was already lunchtime when we reached the Pulpit Rock... while other hikers took out their tupperwares of food, what we had between us was just 1 small bun that I saved from our hotel breakfast. Barely substantial to replenish our energy used in the ascent, not to mention the return 3-hour descent, It was memorable though to have lunch in one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! =)

Standing at the Pulpit!

Overshot our target, the Pulpit Rock, by more than 30 metres in elevation! I was so exhausted when I reached the top, and I thought I had finally reached the rock but there was no pulpit rock in sight. When I looked over the edge, I then realised I overshot. Going the extra mile definitely helps in getting a very nice viewpoint!

Preikestolen, Norway (19 June 2010)

O Hallelujah!

This guy looked like he was giving praise to the Lord for the beautiful sight before him or preparing to do a 15-and-a-half somersault dive into Lysefjord below. =D

Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), Norway (19 June 2010)

Scandinavian blues...

It was a perfect day, seeing the beautiful Art Nouveau houses at the waterfront and the boats sailed past under the clear blue sky.

Ålesund, Norway (20 June 2010)

My legs could only climb so high with the limited time and strength!

After the previous day's strenuous 7-hour hike of the Pulpit Rock, I only managed to walk up about 300 out of the 418 steps of Aksla (Hubby gave up 50 steps ago!). So this is the 300-step view of Ålesund and the surrounding islands.

Right after this photo was taken, I had to run all the way down the steep stairs to catch a bus at a bus stop near the tallest building in this photo, and I only had less than half an hour remaining! Those were the days!

Ålesund, Norway (20 June 2010)

River valley...

Scenery of a river nestled in the arms of the valley taken from a moving train along the Rauma Railway line from Åndalsnes to Dombås, from where I continued my train ride all the way to Oslo, Norway (22 June 2010). This was taken when the sun was at its highest point, maybe about 3 p.m., and around summer solstice, so everything looked really bright.

A river runs through it...

Myrdal, Flam, Norway (23 June 2010)

Energy drink!

The thundering waters of Kjosfossen waterfall would be a good energy drink, I think. =)

Enroute on the Flåm Railway from Myrdal to Flåm, Norway (23 June 2010).