TRAVEL WRITING CHALLENGE
Sunsets of Oslo
The A to Z of my favorite travel destinations
It was winter 2013. Almost ten years ago, which made me realize once again how fast life moves, however, the year before my grand African adventure and a trip that changed the direction of my life forever.
Together with a friend, I decided to head north and experience New Year’s in the capital of Norway. Visiting Oslo was a first for both of us and we were excited about getting some real cold and snowy winter experience.
Little did we know it would be my warmest New Year’s as we hit 15 degrees (Celsius) with no sign of winter.
We flew on my birthday which is just a few nights before the end of the year. I remember arriving during the afternoon and being surprised by the sun being so low on the horizon. Just past 3 pm and she was gone. This was part of the winter experience in Scandinavia that we didn’t think of.
We had short days. A short time to explore the city and its surroundings. I remember visiting a museum showcasing traditional Norwegian homes and other buildings. It was very interesting to see different buildings and how people used to live up there.
I didn’t write a travel journal or document my journey in any other way than a handful of pictures. Going through the folder now, I’m trying to recall memories but all that comes up are these sunsets.
I must have taken a dozen sunset shots every night. Or afternoon. As one calls it when the sun sets at 3 pm.
I do remember, however, visiting an island off the coast of Oslo. We took a small boat alias ferry to get across and had a few hours before the return ride.
There was nothing to do on the island. We walked around, embraced nature, found some closed-off cafés and debated how bustling and full of life this place might be in summer.
It almost felt like summer only if that biting wind wasn’t blowing.
I remember vaguely something about almost missing the ferry back or maybe the boat came late and we started to think about what to do then. Or maybe we were just fantasizing about being stranded on that abandoned island.
Two fishermen were on shore and ensured us we’d get a lift back. And so we did.
I remember walking a lot next to the ocean. As Oslo is a harbor city, we did spend hours wandering along its shores.
The city was shining brightly in the twilight.
Another museum offered insight into the Vikings life’s and their protective measures.
We didn’t go out as we couldn’t afford the Norwegian prices as students. We might have had one cocktail during the entire stay. Instead, we bought supermarket food and dined in our hotel room.
I was really looking forward to visiting the ski-jumping hill. However, we were unlucky as we visited the place on a day the weather wasn’t playing along.
I remember getting to the top of the platform and looking in the direction where one should have been able to see the city and we could barely see the end of the ski-jumping hill as the fog was so thick.
Back down to the city and I found more hues of orange in the sunset shots I took.
Of course, we are girls and we took plenty of photos of ourselves in the afternoon light. This was before selfie times. A tripod and a self-timer were all we needed to take these pictures.
I do remember some giggles in the making of the series.
It didn’t take long from the city to escape the tarmac and skyscrapers and all of a sudden we were surrounded by nothing but nature.
We chose to be in the city on New Year’s even though I remember we didn’t enjoy the setup. We walked past the town hall in daylight hours to scout out where we’d be celebrating later that night.
That evening we walked around and explored the streets on foot and by train. We loved the public transport system as it was easy and cheap.
The streets were still filled with Christmas lights. People were out and about but never got crazy busy.
Only once we reached the town hall square we saw the crowds. It seemed like everyone came here to celebrate the night.
At first, we enjoyed the people, chatted and laughed a lot. But once midnight was reached, it turned into a chaotic setting. Fireworks were shot in the sky right there. From the middle of the crowds. Rockets weren’t just going into the sky but many were fired and went left, right and center into the people.
I think we lasted only about ten minutes before we decided to escape the dangerous setting and headed to the safety of our hotel room.
This was it. My memories of our visit to Oslo. A much too warm December with almost no snow to be found. However, I enjoyed my first experience in the Norwegian country and know I will be back.
One day.
To see more memorable sunsets and other highlights of Norway.
This is a response to a writing prompt started by Sam Millichap and many have participated since. I’m so happy to see the community is growing. So many amazing destinations coming up. We welcome anyone to join the fun. Write your own alphabet of your favorite travel destinations.
Sam Millichap with “Discovering Orkney’s 8,500 Years of Human Occupation”
Adrienne Beaumont with “Ouarzazate”
Robert G. Longpré with “Nanning, China”
Darren Weir with “48-Hours On Oahu”
Michael Rhodes with “ Joshua Tree National Park”
Dan Carlson | Meandering Naturist with “G is for Gavdos, Greece”
Jerry Dwyer with “London”
Jillian Amatt — Artistic Voyages with “G is For Greece”
Nishan Fuard with “Anaheim: I Remember the Parking Lot from the Hotel Window”
Ronald Smit with “A is for … Ada Foah”
You can find the full series of the “A to Z of my favorite travel destinations” in the reading list here. And these are my latest ones:
J — “St. Jakob in Tyrol — Another Childhood Travel Destination”
K — “Sleeping in a Floating Cottage — Khao Sok National Park”
L — “Langbinsi — Where Donkeys Walk on Sandy Roads”
M — “Magnificent Moments in Mozambique”
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