Farewell Iceland, Velkommen to Norway! A day of rest does these two bodies some good. We spent our last day in Iceland leisurely making our way back to Reykjavik, touring the Dyrholeay natural cliff rock formation, plus the Seljalandfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls. Both were impressive and we walked right up to the waterfalls without hesitation. Korey even ventured into and behind one of the waterfalls, with about 100 middle-school aged British schoolchildren (Ines watched from the car, warming her fingers and toes).
The next day was supposed to be our first laundry day, but we quickly discovered that laundromats cannot be found in Iceland, and hotel laundry service runs about $40 US per load! No fuss, after getting into Oslo, Norway the following day we were able to find a University area laundry where Ines stayed nice and warm flipping through a stack of traditional Norwegian cookbooks while Korey melted in the heat of a million dryers going at once.
Off to the Fjords in western Norway we went the next morning, this time in a fancy Volvo that only used a third tank of gas over a 7 hour drive (had us thinking this MIGHT be Ines’ next car until Korey pointed out it isn’t made in Michigan). Ines gives her Hyundai, Talulah Rose, six months before Korey exchanges it for a Jeep! Sorry Talulah! The Fjords were amazing. Truly. Norwegian houses scattered through the rolling hills landscape and up into the heights of the rocks. Clouds hanging so low you can see both the tops and the bottoms of each cloud hanging just above the rooftops along the villages. We also passed underneath, and I truly mean underneath, mountain after mountain, through tunnels each one with their own unique name, and some miles long, all evidence of the careful Norwegian engineering. There was one where we went over a huge bridge, directly into an 8 km long tunnel, and then there was a roundabout deep in the tunnel itself that split off into more tunnels! It was truly amazing landscape and highly recommended. A bit scary along the way (although Ines slept through the scary parts, including the signs that warned of falling roadside rocks and miles long tunnels). A must see for anyone planning to travel to Norway in the future.
Things we learned along the way; 1) If you travel to Iceland, bring plenty of clean clothes! and 2) Korey may not like heights, but Ines definitely does not like miles long enclosed spaces in the heart of a mountain; 3) Norwegians are very nice and we picked out some nice places to return to ski.
The winds coming off the ocean near Vik made it so Ines could barely stand!
Dyrholaey was a spectacular site. This picture doesn't do the size of it justice
Skogafoss waterfall, and Korey. The waterfall is cooler
Ines playing in the caves formed by Skogafoss
The view from behind Seljalandfoss waterfall
Yep
Coming out of one of the tunnels in western Norway, with another mountain staring you in the face
A beautiful bridge, then right into a mountain for 8 km. Quite the driving experience
Hi you two! Glad you're having so much fun. The pictures are great! Hope you have safe travels to Norway. I was on a flight a couple of weeks ago, and the in-flight magazine had an article in it about a new national park in Patagonia that is not officially open yet but that can be accessed by the public. I know that part of your trip is a ways off, but here is the link: http://www.conservacionpatagonica.org/buildingthepark.htm. The article made it sound like you could get in before the crowds if you go soon. Could be fun! I'll send some Turkey suggestions soon. Matt and I loved honeymooning there. Big hugs and bon voyage. xoxo Monica
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