Good morning .. today is Monday and I have been a little busy trekking along without much reliable internet service..  so now working on pictures..  oh my how do I select a few..  that is the hard part - but will work on them and post later.

Saturday, May 27 — “Norway in a Nutshell” - a term used to describe the sights of this trip.. Not my words but known around the world as this…
5:00 am - wake up alarm
5:45 am - lobby for some coffee /cheese roll up
5:50 am - head to tram stop
6:15 am - on the tram heading into town 
6:54 am - arrive at departure point 
08:10 am - board train to Voss 
Holy moly it is cold / windy/ wet here 😜
10:10 am - depart train for bus to Gudvangen 
11:30 am - arrive in Gudvangen to board Fjord cruise — all I can is wow— startling views .. waterfalls .. .. not raining right now waiting in line 
12:00 pm— all aboard for the Fjord cruise (and my friends.. what a cruise— definitely did not disappoint - the pictures and words cannot do this justice-stunning and beautiful - breathtaking, the cliffs/waterfalls
14:00 pm-off the Fjord cruise and now off to the Flam Railway 
16:00 pm—train ride from Myrdal to Bergen..
—met some nice people on the last leg of the tour — train ride …One was an NP from Cleveland Clinic - both knew an acquaintance- Nancy Albert, NP who came for research day a few years ago .. and another retired woman from Asheville, NC.

A little background…Bergen in Western Norway has a marine climate, with comparatively cool summers, mild winters, and nearly 90 inches (2,250 mm) of mean annual precipitation. This in comparison to Oslo in Eastern Norway, sheltered by the mountains, has an inland climate with warm summers, cold winters, and less than 30 inches (760 mm) of mean annual precipitation.
Bergen, Norway is number one spot as the rainiest city in Europe is Bergen in Norway! Topping the data table for being both the city with the highest average rain days per month (12.7) as well as the highest average daily rainfall (0.4 inches), Bergen is the outright rainiest city in Europe.  And it didn’t disappoint— when I awoke on Sunday am — the sun was shining — by time I showered and ready to leave here came the rain… 
I wish I had the words to describe this part of the journey — but only pictures will do.. Norway has always been one o those enigmas and I didn’t appreciate the beauty described.. while I have had an amazing travel schedule these 2 weeks — Norway is close to the top (Denmark was also beautiful)…

Good morning .. all today is Friday and now at Copenhagen airport preparing for flight to Bergen— one of my most anticipated places to visit..  Since arriving in Copenhagen — I trekked around for the better part of 2 days — seeing so much ..  pictures will tell the story..  I have conquered another public transport..
On my journey from Gothenberg to Copenhagen via train ride ~4 hours ..
Saw plenty of energy generating windmills and these ‘yellow fields’ —Canola, or rapseed, is a very popular crop grown in southern Sweden.  The oil is also used to power buses ..
Copenhagen is very architectural — plenty of old buildings — warehouses converted to housing..  shipping containers converted to housing.. took a beautiful 1.5 hour tour of the canals— absolutely stunning sights seeing the national library (black diamond), the opera house, the street where Hans Christian Anderson lived..  learning of his aspirations to be a ballet dancer — but too tall and awkward so he let his talents become a writer.  Then off to Tivoli Gardens which pened in 1843 in and is one of Europe’s most famous—and one of the world’s oldest operating—amusement parks, and served as a model for Disneyland in the United States. Tivoli offers a lively mix of attractions, gardens, and restaurants, and maintains a traditional feel and quaint charm.  Also visited Lego — came into being around 1930, when a Danish carpenter near Copenhagen fell on hard times building houses. He supplemented his trade making wooden toys and was so successful that he was soon only making his wooden building blocks.
The name 'LEGO' is an abbreviation of the two Danish words “leg godt”, meaning “play well”.   Also went over to Copenhagen university.. Always important for an adventurous intellect..
What I learned about Copenhagen —Alcohol - esp beer is very common here .. technically no drinking age 😜.. lots of vino spots .. beer choices are limited but popular overall.  And very common is champagne bars..You don’t hear sirens (though I did see Polis stop a car — looked like they were in jeans or plain pants with a uniform top— see picture) — fortunately because what you need to pay attention to is the bike warning bell .. there is thousands upon thousands of bikes .. I really wonder in the winter what it is like ?  They call it the bicycle capital of the world.. and trust me I believe it.   The parents bike their bebe’s as well..  as opposed to the US where they put a buggy on the back.. the Danes have an attached buggy (see pictures) on the front..
They seem to like Burger King and McDonalds — there are plenty of them..
Dress is casual and the guys pants are short (well the Danes are very tall averaging 6’0”- while America is 4-5 inches shorter) - not sure if height or riding the bike? Copenhagen is not as clean as Stockholm - but orderly overall..
Ate some interesting food— Red currant — yummy — a little sour but a lite snack feast from the market - the most perfect and sweet tasting strawberries.  This am for breakfast before heading to the airport had a “golden latte”— turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, honey, black pepper, coconut oil and coconut milk..  very tasty - but only drank 1/2 as I wasn’t sure how I would feel ..

SO FAR ..  nothing has disappointed-- love learning the history !!

Pictures to follow .. stay tuned.
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Hello and good evening this Tuesday from Gothenberg, Sweden..  I am on the west coast of Sweden.  All is going well with the trip.. going all too fast for sure.   
Today was quite wet with light to moderate rain...My jacket served me well to repel the water... Baleaf brand - and highly recommend-- so light and when not in use folds into a pouch.. has a nice hood that you can adjust ..  
Public transit was a bit more difficult to master here-- so a couple of non-planned journeys -- haha.. all in good fun when you have the day pass.  The city is growing with a lot of building going on.. but I trekked to Haga.. it is the oldest suburb of Gothenberg.  Has only foot traffic and cobblestone streets.  Many little shops -- so many teas here.  And some beautiful tea pots-- but traveling with them would be treacherous -- so I did have to resist..sadly.   Now chilling in the hotel - relaxing after a long hot shower.. off to Copenhagen in am via train..

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STOCKHOLM to GOTHENBERG
Hello.. and good day! Yesterday was a travel, laundry AND rest day overall…Nice easy train ride 3.5 hours from Stockholm to Gothenberg.  Relaxing with plenty of leg room— standing space and smooth.  So different from planes—haha..
Arrived to Gothenberg and checked into a modern hotel..  interesting bed with a twin setup.. one could say it is ideal as no battling over the bedding..  I do love the European bedding— it is so soft.. the duvets are light but keep you comfortable.
Out and about I took a walk around the surrounding area and came back early to relax.. there is seemingly a taste for spice in the form of Mexican food in Sweden.  I have seen more Mexican restaurants than Allentown.  Had some fish tacos, grabbed a protein drink for my morning coffee— though no coffee in room.
Today is Tuesday and I enjoyed an egg/cheese/tomatoes for breakfast.. some coffee with protein drink and off I will go for the day.. a little change of plans as there is light rain all day — and my water excursion was cancelled — so off to Haga I will go..

Leaving Stockholm for Helsinki
Yesterday  (Saturday) was a travel day.. up early and able to read ..then went out to look for a local breakfast.. successful with yummy avocado toast .. tomatoes and egg..problem is too much food ..no small portions (see photos)..along with a yummy smooth latte..after trekking around a bit.. retuned to hotel to pack and write a few words ..or many words as you likely will read… then off to the cruise terminal for an overnight cruise from Stockholm to Helsinki.  Will spend the day in Helsinki - today Sunday and then catch a late flight back to Stockholm..
what a lovely excursion for the evening..overnight cruise was very picturesque..it is amazing to see the archipelagos ( the island chains) here.. had no appreciation of the beauty.. although it was breezy on deck ..took a few photos..
Funny thing is sea legs..been forever since I was on a large ship and how the legs feel..
Can I say beautiful weather here..lucky so far avoiding rain.. a little breeze..but with the sun - not too bad at all!

Today — Sunday got off the ship at 10 am..  and headed out to trek a bit before getting on the canal cruise.  Nicknamed the land of a thousand lakes — upwards of 200,00 lakes here.  As you can see from the pictures.. it is surrounded by water.. interesting landscapes as it has a strong Russian influence seen in the buildings.  At one time — the area was part of Russia.  Very different from Stockholm — feels more industrial — more cars and less bikes.  I am glad I read about Helsinki before coming. . along with a canal cruise, did a bus tour of the city … getting off at the Olympic park area.   a day was more than enough time here..


It is so interesting to see small stadium — in 1952 summer olympics (the most north ever for summer olympics) only had 17 sports and 4500 athletes.. today it is double that.. you can see for sure.  Normally can tour the stadium - but they are setting up for the marathon next weekend— too bad I missed that..  lol..  but did take a tour via the tower— 22 flights of stairs and some awesome views of the stadium and Helsinki..


Another transit system — made only one misstep - going the wrong direction — lol.  They have mostly above ground transit — overall simple if you aren’t directionally challenged..
Made it to the airport for a late departure back to Stockholm where on Monday I will take a train to Gothenburg, Sweden.. plan for a day of rest tomorrow and some laundry.. then will be back it on Tuesday.

Out and about I went to adventure in this beautiful - blue sky day by a start in the Hop Hop off bus/boat .. walking over 8 miles today..  I have mastered the simple subways . they are multilevel - meaning you may get off subway and go up 3 levels of other subways to get to the street level.   The weather has been stupendous -- though as the day wears on.. it is chilly with a breeze..  not exactly short weather - but nice overall.. 
WHAT is the story .. this area is made of 14 islands and over 100K lakes..  Lake Malar feeds into Baltic Sea …founded in the 1330's..  yes old..they speak a dialect of German.  All schools are COED .. not single sex schools. 
Currently there are approximately 18 hours of sun..  yes, sunrise is around 4:20 am and sunset around 2130.. though it is easily light past 2200..  

Among the sights today-- besides the beauty of the buildings.. visited the Nobel Museum, VASA museum (viking ship--so amazingly maintained), Tivoli amusement park opened in 1883.   I visited only.. no rides -- but this one roller coaster was multi-loop (not for me for sure).  Found some good cod croquettes with manchego cheese.. and this is like a haven for the coffee drinker -- no shortage of espresso here.  And what is a visit to Sweden without a Swedish massage at the end of the day..  ahhh..  it was welcome relief to relax for sure.  

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Good day to all.  I arrived in Stockholm via JFK and LHR.. no glitches in flights overall after 28 hours - although I did catch about 4 hours of rest from JFK to LHR.  Arriving in Stockholm navigated my way to hotel via train and foot.  The latter not so easy as I did not think about stairs and cobblestone with a piece of luggage.. Chalk that one up to experience -- ha ha..  but the walk was a welcome as the weather was beautiful--sunny and the legs were ready for some exercise.   

Staying at Hilton Slusser on the water.. beautiful views for sure.  After checking in and refreshing ..  set out on short walk to grab some food -- finding a nice little side street restaurant Oliver Twist .. tasted some shrimp with chili sauce.  

With the night upon me-- although it is now 2200 hours and still light outside -- it was time to check out and get rest for the next day of adventures ahead.  

No slips or trips yesterday..  that in of itself it always success for me..  

Hello.. I have reached the day of departure.  Of course .. not without some wrenches.. Yesterday received email from British Airways that my departure had been rerouted to JFK.. no small issue-- but nonetheless-- ready - set!!
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Hello.. in less than 72 hours I will be on my way!  Ready, set....

I am delighted to invite you to my journaling of Scandinavia 2023.  I depart on Wednesday May 17.  My first stop is Stockholm Sweden.