Prisoner of Hopes

Category: Nature

  • History and other Unexpected Encounters: Travel Goals Norway

    History and other Unexpected Encounters: Travel Goals Norway

    Travel brings many joys, but for me finding new (to me) and unexpected experiences is what it is all about. In the University of Oslo’s history museum, we encounter a lot of surprises. For example, did you know that Viking weapons were painted with bright enamel? The spear shafts were actually ornately patterned. I never…

  • Viking Venture: Travel Goals Norway

    Viking Venture: Travel Goals Norway

    Sometimes I just wake up feeling like a kid. On these days I forget the scholarly pursuits and the to do lists and just look for pure fun. We decide to check out Viking World. This small attraction behind Oslo City Hall is a series of video and vr experiences. Interactive computer simulations explain the…

  • Ekeberg Park: Travel Goals Norway

    Ekeberg Park: Travel Goals Norway

    I love the great outdoors. Find me a forest and l am one happy girl. So when I read that Ekeberg Park has sculptures in a forest, I am intrigued. It is a beautiful sunny day in Oslo and it is unusually warm for the season ……so it seems like a great way to spend…

  • Forest Bathing: Travel Goals Norway

    Forest Bathing: Travel Goals Norway

    Nothing seems as good for my soul as a long walk in the woods. The sun is shining on the frozen lake. The water is warming and thawing slowly. But the forest calls me to its shadows. Buds are appearing on the branches. Crocus and bluebells make their colorful entry to the forest floor. The…

  • We were In The Neighborhood: Travel Goals Norway

    We were In The Neighborhood: Travel Goals Norway

    When the day’s agenda only involves walking across the street, you can afford to sleep in. This is why retired individuals should consider a long stay in a destination. We can linger over coffee and pastry. We can sleep in if we want or spend an hour talking to strangers. Today, we move slowly after…

  • Ferry and Fortress: Travel Goals Norway

    Ferry and Fortress: Travel Goals Norway

    It is a lazy Saturday in Norway and the sun is shining. Each morning I thank God for the health and ability to travel and experience a new life style. Our day starts slowly. I have some muesli and coffee and catch up on some reading. Eventually we leave the house. We are in no…

  • Parkering: Travel Goals Norway

    Parkering: Travel Goals Norway

    Norway is full of surprises. Everyday we find something strange (to us) yet wonderful. Brown cheese is the best! Skiing to town! And amazing public transport….America has a lot to learn from our Scandinavian friends. On almost every corner we find a sign that reads “parkering forbudt” which means parking is forbidden. Because public transportation…

  • Chasing the Northern Lights: Travel Goals Norway

    Chasing the Northern Lights: Travel Goals Norway

    One of the best reasons to come to Norway in winter is to see the Northern Lights. We brave the cold and the snow. We take a boat up the coast far beyond the arctic circle. We encounter six nights with low clouds and wind and snow. With only one night left, we sign up…

  • Into the Arctic: Travel Goals Norway

    Into the Arctic: Travel Goals Norway

    I wake up quite early and realize it has been snowing throughout the night. Steady sleet pounds the windows and I smile. Just as dawn breaks, I emerge onto the upper deck. Today we cross the artic circle and venture far beyond. We entered the boat in Bergen and will not disembark completely until Tromso.…

  • Alesund is Closed: Travel Goals Norway

    Alesund is Closed: Travel Goals Norway

    The Hrtigruten ship, Midnatsol pulled into the port of Alesund, Norway in early morning for an 8 hour stop. We disembark onto a rainy dock and navigate toward the city center. To get out of the cold rain, we walk to the Alesund museum. After walking up the steep hill in the wind and rain….…