14 days of unlimited Oxygen, 3800km Drive thro Nature…beautiful but  scary landscapes… honest and friendly people…spectacular waterfalls and Majestic Fjords…Mother Nature at her fullest Glory.

Like we got tired of counting the waterfalls, Norwegians seem to got tired of naming them.

Trip started from Hirtshals, Denmark to Kristiansand by Ferry. Continued to Røldal, Odda, Voringfossen, Gudvangen, skolden, sognefjellet on the way to Lom. Then started return journey via Flam, Hovden to Kristiansand and Hirtshals.

We had been to Norway once before in 2010, but only for 4 days by flight. We had flown to Oslo, then train Journey to Bergen, on the way the spectacular Flam railway from Myrdal to Flam and Boat trip to Bergen. Few more boat trips in Sognefjord, Train back to Oslo and flight back to Germany. Just 4 days were not sufficient to experience the Nature. So were eager to go again. In fact the wish became stronger and stronger after seeing the video of  Atlantic highway during Storm. Wanted to drive on that Road and that’s why we decided to go by car. But when the planning was complete, we realized we won’t be able to make it till Atlantic Highway as we needed whole 2 weeks to travel till 2/3 distance to Atlantic highway.

As always, planning took a lot of time, almost 6 months. I had never studied Geography during school days with so much interest or dedication!  To know the untouched nature treasures, not knowing their names is the most difficult part. Then to find the mode of transport whether to use our car or public transport or ferries. Depending on mode of transport, distance, timetables, place to stay overnight all have to fit together and all these have to fit within the yearly budget for travel.  Thanks to Google maps and Google earth and fellow travelers who share even street views of some of the destinations and for not sharing some of the scary parts of the destinations and make us experience them afresh!

Day 1: Leverkusen(Germany) to Dyrehaven (Denmark)

We started around at 8am and the song “yoon hi Chala chal rahi ” was playing in the car. It was a long continuous journey through the autobahns of Germany and Denmark. It took almost 8 hours to reach Dyrehaven. Kids were sleeping most of the time and at times we had to sing funny songs with them to keep them engaged. Hotel was located in an isolated area. There was a lake behind the hotel. As it was raining, could not explore the place much except for a short walk near the lake.

Day 2: Dyrehaven to Hirtshals  (Denmark )

Started around 7AM and it took around 2.5 hrs to reach Hirtshals. Had a delicious breakfast with Danish delicacies. Butter Croissant was really tasty. And we went to the Port to get into the ferry as we were not sure about the waiting time required for checking into the ferry. We had to wait 2-3  hours, but as the time passed, port was full of cars and caravans and we felt it was a good decision that we came early. It was a nice experience to drive the car on the portable road which lead us into the Colorline ferry.

Hirtshals( Denmark)  to Kristiansand( Norway)

Though we had booked seats in the Ferry, we spent most of the time outside on the deck. It was so cold and windy on the deck , we were feeling as if we will fly away. Every few minutes went inside to warm up a little so that can go out and take some more photos.At kristiansand we stayed at hotel Radisson Blu. We went out for a small walk near the shore as it was already late evening when we reached Kristiansand.

Day 3: Kristiansand to Røldal, Norway

Next day we started early from Kristiansand and drove towards Røldal where we were going to have our next halt. Our first stop on the way was at Setedal.The place was so serene and there were not many people around. Reflections in the water were clear like a mirror. And it was time for photo session.They were not meditating. They were just posing for the picture…as the Yoga day was just  over.

Continued taking few breaks here and there to take pictures or to have food. It was very foggy near the area of lake Stavatn. Scenery on the left side of the road was very beautiful with ice floating in water. We saw a couple taking photographs on the other side of the road. We too stopped the car beside the highway, went to the other side of the road and started taking pictures of ice covered lake and mountains. Suddenly  saw vehicles accelerating on the way we had parked our car. Then we realized it was the highway acceleration road where we had parked our car & not the parking lane. We hurried up and started our drive ahead.

Once the foggy area was over, after crossing few tunnels road started  descending to Røldal Valley.Around noon we reached the Røldal and our guest house was booked at Røldalsterrassen. At the reception got access to Wifi and were so happy to call up home and talk to parents. Got keys and bedspreads for the guesthouse and as we were to halt here for next two days, it was time to unload our luggage. Staff at the Guesthouse Reception were friendly and helpful.Guest houses had entrance from behind. We got a house on the first floor and nobody seemed to occupy the other 5 houses in the building that we stayed. It had 4 bedrooms, a BIG hall + Kitchen, Dining table for 10 people. We really started feeling lonely and missing our family and friends. We had some light snacks and went to explore Roldal valley.

This was the view from the Windows of the Guest house. The colors were changing as the Sun was going down.

Røldal Stave Church:  This Parish Church dated between c 1200-1250  is a preserved historic museum. Entry costs 25NOK and we did not have Norwegian currency. Credit card/Euro was not acceptable and we could not enter the Church.

Our little one was moving around the gravestones around the church and I was warning her not to touch any stones. She was obedient. She did not touch any, but went and Sat on one which is seen behind her in the above picture and the Stone fell down. We hurried up and somehow made the stone straight, meanwhile scolding her as it was so embarrassing. Luckily there were not many people around. But it made us remember English Horror movies and when we returned to our Guest house, we started expecting some unexpected Guests at night. As in the whole building with 6 houses, only ours was occupied, even a slight sound outside made us being alert and bit afraid. May be the ghost knew we did not know Norwegian language and hence decided not to visit us and we had a relaxing sleep even though we were in a new place far away from  our home and so remote that there were not even strangers around to talk with.