Norway

I am very fortunate and thankful to have had the opportunity to travel to Norway with my grandfather via a cruise. I have always wanted to visit Norway as part of my heritage hails from Norway and have grown up hearing of Norwegian ways and traditions from "Uffda" to lefsa to geitost! We sailed from Harwich, England on a 7 day cruise of the Norwegian Fjords, stopping in Bergen, Geiranger, Alesund, and Eidfjord. 

Norway

The name Norway means "path to the north".

Norway has had an interesting history from the era of the Vikings to kings and unions with neighbor countries. The country is perhaps known best for being the motherland to some of the most notorious Vikings that raided and settled many countries from England, Scotland, Ireland, to as far south as Spain! It's also said that the royal line is descendant from William the Conqueror who invaded England in 1066! Imagine the Queen of England, a viking! 

After the Vikings, for a time (nearly 500 years), Norway was under the rule of Denmark until 1814. After the Napoleonic War, Denmark siding with Napoleon and Sweden siding with Britain, Sweden came out on the side of victory, decided it wanted Norway. To the victor goes the spoils of war! Norway went with Sweden, but only after the Norwegians drafted a constitution to be upheld by the Swedes. Norway remained part of Sweden until 1905 when it broke off to become its own country.

Between the late 1800s and early 1900s, Norway lost about 1/3 of it's population due to migration to the US and Canada! It is estimated that almost the same number of Norwegians live in the U.S. as there are in Norway (and mostly the northern areas such as Michigan and Minnesota). Norway has also become a very rich country since 1969 when oil was discovered and is one of the leading exports of oil, especially to the UK and European countries.

Other facts

Language: Norwegian

Capital: Norway has had three capitals, Trondheim, Bergen, and finally Oslo.

Population: approx. 5.5 million people (total population).

Unemployment rate: about 4%

Currency is the Krone (NOK).

Religion: Christianity/Lutheran, but some of the natives believe in the magic of Trolls!

Scandinavian countries include: Norway, Denmark, and Sweden

Nordic countries include the Scandinavian countries plus Finland and Iceland

Bergen

"Ha en flott dag i Bergen"- Norwegian for have a wonderful day in Bergen

Bergen is the 2nd largest city in Norway with approx. 285,000 people. The Oslo metro area is the first with approx. 1 million (approx 650,000 in just Oslo)! I was imagining all the stops to be small fishing villages, but Bergen was a rather large city! We took a bus tour of Bergen and got to hear lots of great information, facts, and tales about Bergen (and Norway in general). Did you know it rains an average of 260 days per year and accumulates about 3,000 millimeters of rain!

Bergen is the home of a famous composer and pianist in the late 1800s, Edvard Grieg.

There's a monument in remembrance of nearly 400 "witches" that were burned during Norway's own witch trials!

In WWII, Norway was occupied by the Germans when a fishing vessel confiscated by the Germans arrived in Bergen carrying a vast amount of explosives. It is said, resistance to the Germans decided to blow the ship and prevent it from reaching Germany (on Hilter's birthday, no less!). They were successful in blowing up the ship; however, the tidal wave that resulted leveled many of the houses and shops near the harbor and led to some fires spreading and destroying others.

After our bus tour, we rode the funicular (a vertical train) to the top Mt. Fløien for a panoramic view of Bergen. Mt. Fløien is 1,200ft. above sea level and offers some pretty amazing views. We then walked around the Bergen fish market before heading back to the ship.

photo credit: JAB

Geiranger

Unfortunately, I was sick the day we were to go ashore to Geiranger so there is not much information that I can offer on the town. However, it is known for its fjord and waterfalls De Syv Søstre, better known as the Seven Sisters. The Eagle Road in steepest stretch of road up the mountain side. My grandfather took a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) cruise and got up close to the Seven Sisters waterfall and another known as the Bridal Veil.

I am sad I missed some spectacular scenery, but the day did not spoil the trip and the very next day, I was all set and excited for our next port.

photo credit: JAB

photo credit: JAB

photo credit: JAB

photo credit: JAB

Alesund

Known as the answer to Italy's Venice, and one of Norway's most important fishing harbor, Alesund is a quaint city on the sea surrounded by small fishing villages on various islands. Rather than building numerous bridges, tunnels run under the water, some that are 200 meters below. We took a bus tour through Alesund as well as the Islands of Giske and Godøy, the little fishing village of Alnes, and up to Mount Aksla

The Island of Giske has a population of approximately 400 people! The Giske Chapel, partially built of white marble (also known as the Marble Church) was declared a pilgrimage by the Pope Clement around 1345. Crosses are etched into the east wall that visitors were to kiss in turn receiving penance. It is unknown when the church was actually built, but was documented in writings around the 1300s.

On the Island of Godøy, there is a mountain peak that up until 1640, was used to carry out death sentences. If sentenced to death, the person would be taken to the top and pushed! There is also a very nice looking lighthouse as well.

From the town center, one can climb 418 steps to the top of Mount Aksla, or one can drive up on a road built during WWII by Polish and Russian POWs. Amazing views are to be had of Alesund and the surrounding villages. On the drive up, there are still old WWII bunkers scattered along the road.

Eidfjord

Eidfjord welcomes close to 500,000 visitors each year though only approximately 900 people reside in the city. In my opinion, Eidfjord was the most spectacular port. We got up early and spent nearly two hours snapping pictures of our journey into the Hardanger fjord before docking at the small village. The scenery is spectacular and pictures and words would not do the gorgeous views the justice they deserve.

We took a drive through the Måbødalen Valley (and many tunnels blasted through the mountain rock) to see the Hardanger Mountain Plateau, stopping to see the spectacular Vøringsfossen Waterfall and the Sysen Dam. The Vøringsfossen Waterfall towers 597 feet from the top. The drive, for the most part, ran alongside a river stemming from the waterfall and controlled by the dam. There were so many picturesque views from the splendid nature to the farmlands and homes. From the dam, on a clear day, one can see a great glacier, the Hardangerjøkulen Glacier. Unfortunately, there were quite a many clouds that blocked our view, but I still don't believe the view to be less than mesmerizing!

Some of the houses still utilize sod roof which is a typical Scandinavian roof comprised of sod on top of layers of birch bark. Birch bark is very watertight. It's like a garden on the roof tops. I can just imagine someone talking to their husband, "Honey, the roof needs to be mowed! Please be careful, wouldn't want you breaking your other leg, or mowing over yourself over again!"

Norway is very steeped in tradition; very unspoiled in my opinion, and a true hidden gem from the world! I think I could live on a remote island only accessible by boat... While I do not think I would be able to handle the cold, the scenery would be worth moving for, or at least vacationing!

"God natt"- Goodnight

Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle

The site of Warwick Castle was first laid out by Ethelfleda, a woman warrior in 914, but was overtaken by William the Conqueror in 1068. William commissioned the beginnings of Warwick castle. Warwick castle was used as a stronghold until the earliest 17th Century when it was given to Fulke Greville by King James I as a gesture of friendship in 1604. It is said that King James wasn't well liked so he gave the castle to fortify Sir Greville's support.

The Greville family lived in Warwick Castle, gaining Earldom in 1759, until 1978 when it was sold due to the financial ruin of the Grevilles. The Grevilles were particularly known for their grand and expensive parties. Fulke Grenville spent approximately 20,000 pounds restoring the castle in his time. However, more emphasis was spending money on parties rather than the property.

In 1871, the castle caught fire in the main living apartments and reaching the great hall (the first room upon entering Warwick). The Grenvilles didn't have the money to pay for the repairs so they asked for donations from wealthier families and raised a pretty substantial sum. Instead of putting the money towards repairs, the Grenvilles had a week long party. Repairs, however, were completed slowly... and cheaply. Luckily for the Grenvilles, the Medieval period was popular so they were able to simplify the repairs and save money on decor by displaying their collection of Medieval weapons.

In Green Drawing Room, or the men's room, portraits cover the wall and are all just about the same size. On one side of the fire place, King Charles I hangs and on the other, his wife, Henrietta. While it may not seem strange, the two portraits in the same room, next to each other, it is! The two portraits, at one time, had been part of a single picture! The Grenvilles were so cheap as to cut already owned artwork down to size. Luckily, the pictures are not originals, but prints. There was even a room that was made up ONLY for the reigning King and/or Queen to stay.

Legend has it, Queen Anne was preparing to visit and sent her travel bed and furniture. The Grenvilles, of course, prepared a lavish party in honor of the queen. However, shortly before the expected arrival, the queen's servants returned to retrieve the queens travel things. The Grenvilles, out of anger locked the room and would not allow the queen's belongings to be removed. They believed it to be their compensation for the expenses they had incurred in the queen's honor. Or at least that's how the story goes. It wasn't until a few years that historians found out that the Grenvilles had FABRICATED the whole story.

However, unbeknownst to the Grenvilles, they unintentionally purchased what is now believed to be that Queen Anne's death bed! If only they had known, they would have had an even better story to tell their guests!

Unfortunately, when I visited Warwick Castle, it was rainy and slightly chilly. Most of the outdoor activities had been cancelled. Warwick did attempt the Birds of Prey exhibit, and for the weather conditions, I think the animals behaved pretty well. The grounds surrounding Warwick are beautiful, especially the Peacock gardens. The garden had many live peacocks roaming, and some were even in the trees!

UPDATE!!! MARCH 2016 UPDATE!!!

So, I returned to Warwick castle which proved to be just as good the second time as the first. What's more, I was able to see more of the shows, the bowman and the trebuchet. Both shows were great entertainment! I highly recommend taking the guided tour through the house and visiting the Time Tower. Again, the day was somewhat rainy, but not enough to ruin the shows. 

Stonehenge and Windsor Castle

I had a short visit back to to states which was great seeing family and friends! Had a wonderful time, but now I'm back in England and ready for adventures! I have a couple lined up so maybe I'll do better about posting more blogs!

Anyways, my first adventure was visiting Stonehenge and Windsor Castle. I got up SUPER early, or rather, I didn't even go to bed! My trip to Stonehenge started at 12am in order to get to experience the Inner Circle at sunrise, well shortly after. We arrived about 5:30am, all bright eyed and bushy-tailed, or as bright eyed as one can be at 5:30 in the A.M. Well, if we weren't awake, we certainly were when we exited the vehicle and the cool morning breeze hit, 54 degree! And here I dressed for the 90 degree weather we had just the day before..

Nevertheless, we were shuttled to the sacred rocks, and when we disembarked, we saw... NOTHING! The morning was typical of England weather, the good kind that I enjoy, a beautiful morning blanketed in dew; that light dew that just hovers over the ground and the early light just bounces off before burning it off. Now imagine that and being at Stonehenge, it just made the place look fantastical and even more mysterious.

As we started walking up the pathway to the stones, anticipation was building until we were close enough to see the stones through the fog. I, personally, thought the site was breathtaking. Maybe it's that Stonehenge is so well known you're in awe at finally being at one of the greatest wonders of the world, or maybe it was because I was on a private tour, and not subjected to being surrounded by thousands of visitors during the normal hours.

I didn't witness any druids, time travel gaps, Dr. Who, or any human sacrifices to my dismay, but I was able to get some pretty neat pictures. But first, some information on Stonehenge:

Stonehenge is estimated to be from about 3100 B.C. from the Neolithic era and consists of three different types of stones: Bluestone, Sarsen, and Welsh Sandstone. Construction is believed to have happened in three different phases and is estimated to have required the work of more than 30,000,000 labor hours! Stonehenge is not the only henge, yes, there are many more henge earthworks nearby. Speculation as to why Stonehenge and others were built range from human sacrifice to astronomy.

For some more history, check out these podcasts (you can get podcast on the Iphone, I highly recommend the following subscriptions, though I like the Stuff You Should Know best):

Stuff You Should Know: http://www.stuffyoushouldknow.com/podcasts/how-stonehenge-works/
Stuff You Missed in History Class: http://www.missedinhistory.com/podcasts/unearthed-stonehenge/

After our visit to Stonehenge, we stopped on our way home at Windsor Castle. 

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and has been the home of British Kings an Queens for nearly 1000 years!Windsor is still a working palace and is used for ceremonial occasions as well as hosting important foreign figures. 

William the Conqueror chose the sight of Windsor and began construction 1070 A.D. which was completed 16 years later. In 1100s Henry I, II, and III made substantial changes by adding on two sets of royal apartments as well as began replacing the outer timber fortifications with stone. The original Norman keep was rebuilt around 1170 as the Round Tower and a chapel was added. 

Edward III spent more than any other king, some £50,000 in the 1300s converting the castle to gothic. Queen Elizabeth I oversaw the major improvements of repair in the 1550s, and in 1660s, Charles II modernized the apartments to the become grandest apartments in England (probably didn't have much competition). George the IV added to the Round Tower as well as constructed the Waterloo Chamber in celebration of the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte around the 1820s. Recently, in 1992, a fire broke out in the Queen Victoria's private chapel and restorations were completed exactly 5 years after the fire. 

I was a little disappointed with the tour, NOT the castle. The grounds were beautiful and spectacular and all the historical undertakings have been carefully preserved. You can see the different improvements and additions as you wonder about. What I was disappointed about was that there wasn't anyone giving out this information, and I'm not overly fond of the audio headsets, maybe this information was on the audio recordings. I was also disappointed that the personnel on site was mainly concerned with moving people along, herding us like cattle through the inside staterooms (which are spectacular). There were so many people, I understand the need for constant movement, but it made it difficult to take everything in and you couldn't always stop and look at something because either people were crowded around the object or they were shoving you along. 

The Queen's Ball Room was by far my favorite and most exquisite! Chandeliers made of gold, gold foil (or maybe real gold) lining the walls. It was just beautiful. I wish I could have taken pictures, but they were not allowed :( The castle and grounds outside were very nice though. What was once the moat is now gardens. We also got to see the changing of the guard which was neat, but rather lengthy process.