Scandinavia

6 September 2022

Scandinavia. I always like the north of Europe. I couldn't even dream to go there one day. However, today is the day. Time is 9:49 and I'm waiting for my plane. First destination is Gothenburg, Sweden.

I'm drinking americano while watching planes that are taxi around. At the same time I’m reading "Tour the Force" Mark Cavindish.. 11:50.

Flight delayed for 40 min. I feel stress to miss my flight. I really would not want to miss as you know. We'll see. 12:56.

You know what, it's not fun to wait in front of gate 119. I genuinely bored. I'm little bit sleepy. I'm in airport since 9 o'clock. Pfff...13:25

I finally sat on my seat. 14:03. It's raining on Dublin. Partly sunny in our destination Gothenburg. My seat is located on the beginning of wing, left side. I can clearly see the left engine. Trip is officially started now!

Plane moved little bit forward and I found myself as sleeping. I don't want to sleep now!!

Take off 14:45.. I was sleeping while we are on taxi. I woke up with full throttle for take off. It's good to see sun light. It is raining below clouds. Also good to see Ireland from above. This is feel right. I feel good. Delighted.

We about to land to ground. It was not comfy but I managed to sleep. Anyway I can see Sweden Islands and probably mainland in the horizon. Pilot decreasing the height (we are going to touchdown) 16:20

I jump on a bus for city centre. 140 Nok roughly 13 euros. 18:09.

Nils Ericson Terminal is both a bus and a train station. It looks old building. What a definition, Right? Keep continue.. I followed signs to Nordstan. I looked for place for eat something. Couldn't found.. Actually I found but I thought I can find better. I start walking through Majorna area. I passed Haga area too. Then finally spontaneously I found a place called Moreno Pizza. Looks like expensive place. Maybe it is but comparing to Dublin. It's sort of cheap! 20:13

7 September 2022

I can't sleep well these days. I believe it's related to night shifts. I woke up around six. After seven I had breakfast at hotel. It was included to price. There were lot's of meat option. Anyway, I started walking through Skansen Kronan. It's located top of the little hill. On the hill you can see the city. Absolutely must to do thing.

Minimalist, plain, stylish. There are small details on every building. These details are not tire your eyes. Swedish design.

After lovely little walk I headed to cafe Husaren. I read one of the blogs. I don't remember clearly. I'm here because one of the blogger said that you have to try cinnamon buns in this cafe. It is perfect. I'm not food critic. I never good with foods but this is really good. Funny thing is I ask for I would like to try cinnamon buns please. She brought a huge one. Same size a plate. I said is this for one person?? She smiled "No usually for 4-5 people". Sorry, I did not know that could you give me just half of it? "Yes of course" She even gave 35 kron refund. 9:17

I headed to Angaard Mountains. There was also botanic garden. The beginning part of park is botanical garden. I started walking through mountain. They say mountain but it is not. It was a hill. I started walking but I had to turn back to the restaurant to get some water. After 15 min later I was on same location. There are not many details. Basically walked inside trees and lakes. Then I headed to Poseidon Statue. I didn't like. Really. I even not gonna take picture. I writing this while sitting left side of the statue. On my right side there is the Art Gallery. Maybe I could go to the Archipelago island. Time is 12:42. In fact there are lots of time. It will take 2 hours to go to the island. I'll try to go there. If is not possible then I'll come back for art gallery. Let's go!

I Iearnt that it was possible! I've got this information from tourist office. He wrote me a recipe(!) I bought a zone A ticket via västtrafik. Trams are everywhere. Even there were traffic for trams. I used 11 to Saltholmen then 282 ferry. I've reached the biggest island in the Archipelago. First walked anti-clockwise the whole island, started from north east. I facinated. The landscapes were fabulous. I gladed that to decide to go there. At one point I stopped. Just stopped for few minutes.

That was the peak moment of the Göteborg trip. Tomorrow, I'll going to Oslo by train. I'm so excited. There will be guide for everthing about the train trip in this route.

8 September 2022

I am going to OSLO!!! I feel super exciting!! I don't even not know how to describe my feelings!

As I mention before this is going to be a guide. Firstly, you need to decide that you want to use train or not. It is a big step. First step is the most difficult one, don't forget. I always liked trains. I believe that trains are the easiest transportation method. I will tell you the reason very soon.

I stayed in Majorca district which is right after Haga district. My train was on Göteborg C at 10:15. I walked about 30 min for the very last one on the city centre. There is a huge shopping mall in the centre. Nordstan. This mall is connected to train station. We can say that it's part of station. When I arrive Göteborg C, there wasn't any information box for VY company. So this is important. You have to find your train on your own. There is not english option on the information screens. Which makes even more stressful. Don't worry I'll help you. Buy a ticket via VY app. Do not use Ninja Rail website! I'm serious. They sold me bus ticket! So be cautious. Use VY app. Then find your train on the screen. It must say VY. Use your VY app to find your train code. Mine was 394. Also this route called by R20. These must be enough to get train. Find your carriage. Mine is number 1 and seat is 8. There are plugs for charge devices. Seats are comfy. Leg space good. I booked the window side so I have good view. Lastly enjoy the Swedish and Norwegian landscape. Have a safe trip.

What a city! After arriving Oslo S, directly went to tourist information point. I've got my city pass and fjord sightseeing tour. Then headed to Holmenkollen Ski Jumping Ramp. There was a beautiful landscape. I've seen whole city even beyond. Fascinating. I like to watch ski jumping. Did you surprise? I assuming you surprise. It was so steep! How are they jumping I don't know. On tv looks less scary. I was there top of the ramp and was so, so scary. Also Windy, obviously. I was like OK, Kerem that’s it. This is it. This is what you came for here. Stop, it's not over yet!

I've taken to tram 1 to go Oslo S again. I stepped out there. Went for Munch Museum. Do you know Munch? Alright, alright you don't even know that you know. The Scream. See you knew it. By the way background of The Scream was Oslo fjord. I did not know that.

I always liked Scandinavia. Now I like even more.

9 September 2022

I'm sitting on Starbucks and watching information screen which is located in the middle of Oslo Sentralstatsjon. I'm thinking what was the yesterday. It's already become yesterday. I've started a day with Oslofjord sightseeing tour. It was lovely. It was cold. It was FREEZING. No, not that much it was just cold. It is also good to feel that Scandinavian cold. After that I had to drink coffee so I found Espresso House next to the National Museum. As you can assume, right after that I entered museum. I am not going to talk about what's inside. So I continue..

Before continue, I want to add something. While I was waiting in queue. A woman ask me are you in queue in Norwegian I smiled. English please. Are you in queue. Yes I am. Don’t tell them but they are slow. (It was exact true. THEY WERE SLOW!) She replied that this is Norwegian attidue. They are relax and calm. No rush. And I replied with smile, yeah I see…

The Royal Place. There was a black ribbon on Norway flag. I sat on bench to watch other tourist who are they have taken photo of everything. I was wondering what they were thinking.

I walked in the city centre for very last time. I lost in Oslo streets. I really liked Oslo.

10 September 2022

Oslo to Bergen by train. Unbelievable. Beautiful. Legendary. I couldn't believe my eyes that the landscapes were real. I was like is.. Is it... Real!?? What a train journey!! About a 7 hours. Wonderful. It was top moments of my trip. In fact I plan whole trip for this route. After flight tickets first thing I bought was this train journey. Göteborg was plus. Oslo was plus and Bergen also plus. Everthing about was this this route. It was fucking awesome!!

11 September 2022

I am feeling absolute satisfaction. I have seen dozens of landscapes. I've putted the bar high. Very high. I am feeling tiredness. I am feeling powerful.

I was on top of Ulrinken. There was 360 degree view through Norwegian fjords and lakes. On other side you can see the Norwegian Sea on the horizon. On the back side there are dozens of rocks lying. It's... It's mind blowing. I've closed my eyes... Then opened again. It was real. I.. Was.. There!

That's all. This night is going to be my 6th night on Scandinavia. I will be on Dublin sky tomorrow.

11 Sept 22

Osman Kerem

Göteborg, Oslo, Bergen.