Editor’s Note: Today Sandra shows us amazing photos of her recent trip to Norway, her husband’s country of origin. Thank you for sharing your impressions and beautiful pictures here, Sandra! I think I might be falling a bit in love with Norway as well just looking at these…
By Sandra
I have finally fallen completely and madly in love with Norway. It has not been an easy love affair as we have only met once before in the summer and far too often in winter when my toes and my nose used to freeze and the country seemed cold and univiting.
Don’t get me wrong I have always had a deep admiration for the raw beauty that is Norway. The winter light kissing the snowy landscape has given me glimpses of what is truly a breathtaking country.
This summer we finally made it up. Stunning beauty at every turn we made greeted us. The sky and the light are magical and made the ocean and the hills dance with glorious colour.
One day, we had the honour of having five wild horses strutting their stuff across our path. Being a city girl made me freeze with horror and I finally found the courage to pick up the camera and take a picture. When would I see horses like this in Vienna?
Our son had the experience of crabbing and fishing and had to even help look for bait for the crabs. He saw blue starfish as well as orange starfish, jellyfish galore, crabs and so much more. We gorged ourselves on wild raspberries, blackberries and blueberries on our daily walks. The berries really do taste better up there.
Watching the locals walk down to the ocean from their cabins in bathrobes and flipflops and just dive into the cold water made me gasp with admiration. My water needs to be at least 25 degrees for me to even consider swimming.
Now that I have fallen in love, completely and utterly in love, I am insisting that we go up frequently in the summers to follow. I have put an end to our trips up north in the winter. Now, I understand when my Viking husband declares that he is homesick for Norway. I agree with him. We are already looking forward to our next trip.
Olfactoria's Travels 
Very Grieg.
Summer Grieg – winter Munch. So true.
[ Smiles ] Lovely view!
Thank you!
It looks like a beautiful place. I get excited when I see wild turkeys or the occasional deer. Wild horses? Oh my goodness I would love that.
Not wild per se. Wildly running about. I would love to see a wild turkey!
They’re not gorgeous, but they are fun to watch. My parents have a large meadow ringed by woods, and there’s a flock of wild turkeys. This summer, one big hen has been walking around followed by 8 chicks, and it’s been fun to see them change as they get bigger. Seems all baby animals have their antics, even turkeys.
Beautiful pictures! I have been to Norway once, in the spring. It’s breathtaking for sure! I have always wanted to go back.
I live in Minnesota, and so many people here have Scandinavian ancestry – Norwegian in particular, as they were some if the first to settle here in our country’s early days. Even our Minnesota ‘accent’ sounds Scandinavian! Our Scandinavian heritage is everywhere in our state.
Thank you. I have family in Wisconsin and they too have many Norwegians. I love the Minnesota and Wisconsin accent. 🙂
I’m very fascinated by the Norwegian nature, but I love and need warmth and sun in the summer or. most of the time….but not from the fire in fireplaces and wool sweaters ;-).
Funny thing is that it seems to me that there is more sunshine in Norway than in Vienna. I find the sun after the snow spectacular. The cold would be a serious issue for me too.
I agree cities can be foggy and cloudy….
Oh, that magical combination of Scandinavian light and water! I’ve not been to Norway, but to Sweden in midsummer, and all I can say is … put me on a boat!
I’m glad you had such a lovely time, Sandra. That is one good looking horse you captured. And your son, as always, is one handsome little boy. Thanks for sharing your trip.
Sweden is also on my list of places to visit. I must see Tromso and the midnight sun. Lucky you with a boat- I could not wait to get off of the boat. Did not help that my son kept saying “woohooo we are going to flip over!”.
Beautiful photos. When I was in Europe I loved eating my Norwegian smoked salmon with a good white wine. Cheers.
Thank you. I must admit that Norwegian salmon is my favorite. You ate well! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your trip, your pictures are gorgeous! I would love to visit Norway and see the light. I found a Pinterest board with many beautiful photos of Scandinavian countrysides and I enjoy oohing and ahhing over the beauty of all seasons. The winter must be breathtaking, literally!
Scandinavia is gorgeous. The people, the countries and the culture. Winter is wonderful and you might get a chance to see the northern lights in March. Wonderful.
Oh these pictures are gorgeous. I really want to visit some of the Scandinavian countries sometime.
It is a special place. Thank you.
Oh and I forgot to say your son looks absolutely adorable! That smile!..:)
I’ve onkly ever been to the far north of Norway… The places where the world seems to end and the beauty is desolate and harsh. I love that part of Norway with all my heart, but I would love to see the southern parts as well.
Tromso is next on my list. It has been a dream of mine for 15 years now. Have you been there?
I haven’t been to Tromso, we never got that far before we ran out of time. But I have been to Alta, Kirkenes and to, what feels like the absolute end of the world, Vardo. Vardo is an experience not to be missed if you are ever in that part of Norway, Kirkenes is an absolutely charming little place! I don’t seems to remember much about Alta itself, but the road from Vardo to there was fantastic!! Fjords, mountain roads, waterfalls and clear green rivers!
Sounds lovely. The clear green rivers are a sight to behold. I will look up Alta and Kirkenes this weekend. Thank you for the tip.
Hi! So funny to come here and see pictures of my own country- the south coast, is it, Sandra?
Glad you had a good time,
Tjøme in fact! Lucky you for living in such a beautiful country. We will surely go back.
It’s a small perfume world, Sandra, as I had a post go up today as well about my family vacation, I guess even when we grow up and leave school there’s still a tendency to report on “What I Did Over the Holidays.” I’d love to see even more photo essays in the perfumista community. This was wonderful, and your pictures are stunning. If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought you’d been to British Columbia. Gorgeous.
I could not agree with you more! Shouting out – more travelogues please. B.C. is similar I am sure. Looking at pictures tonight. The lighting reminded me of Montana too.
Unexpected, but very nice, to stumble upon pictures from my home country here today. Nothing beats norwegian summer (in my humble but slightly biased perhaps, opinion). Glad you enjoyed your stay Sandra!
As I said, I finally get it – Norwegian summers are the best!
I’m glad you’ve managed to fall head over heels in love with Norway, Sandra. I enjoyed learning about it through your vacation. I can completely understand why you’ve fallen for it with that beautiful landscape and quality of light. Gorgeous pics.
Your son is super photogenic.
Thank you! The country is so photogenic – even the airport for crying out loud. Not to mention the landscape and the people.
Incredible pictiures! Looks like a truly amazing country. 🙂
Nice pictures! I was in Norway last summer and visited several fjords. The landscape was simply gorgeous and we were very lucky with the weather.
Norway sneaks up on you like that – I lost my heart to Alesund (circle over the ‘A’ not supplied). Even though it was November, and mostly dark with lashing rain. How I long to go back.
I fully understand your love for Norway, Sandra : I lived in Norway for a while, back in the late 80s. A beautyful country and lovely people.
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