Living my Norwegian Dreams in Stavanger

As the light dimmed and I relaxed into my seat, I was ready to start dreaming. However, excitement got the better of me and I could barely sleep; travel does this to me, it often brings out the child in me. This was my first visit to a Nordic country and I was ready to be surprised. My love affair with Geography started only after school, but I did remember Nordic stories of the midnight sun, the gorgeous fjords, the unusual rock formations, the freezing arctic waters and many such natural wonders. I could also faintly remember the folklore from there, especially stories around king Thor.

This was the first time I was flying with KLM, and I didn't quite realize when I slept off after a generous helping of some delicious white wine. For those who do not travel as much, KLM is one of the few airlines which take you to Scandinavian countries (and much of the rest of Europe as well) from India, and in my experience, also offers the best flying experience for travellers. Formed in 1919, KLM is today the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name!

Stavanger Norway dreams KLM airlines godutch
Here is me on a street in Stavanger

Coming back to the story - as the golden sunlight filtered through the my window, I got up just in time to witness sunrise just before we landed in Stavanger, Norway. This was the closest I had ever come to the Arctic circle and I could feel goose bumps just thinking about it. I had done some preliminary research before coming to Norway, but still was not quite sure about what to expect when I stepped out of plane. Would it be freezing cold? Will I see everyone looking like gold walking round? Would it be freezing cold and white all around even in summers?

It was late July and when I came out I realised that the weather was shockingly good! What happened - I felt a little cheated that things would be much less extreme than I imagined. In my heart I wasn't complaining and nor were the Norwegians, who welcome summers every year with open arms and most even go on a month long vacation across Europe during July. Some stay back in Norway as well and spend time at their mountain cabins or simply go hunting, fishing or sun-bathing!

I spent a little over a month in Norway and kept dreaming more, but also managed to live some of those. Sharing a few of those here. Who knows, maybe these will also help you dream and make you pack your bags and go out to live them :)

Diving into the Fjords

This was perhaps the craziest thing I did in during the entire trip! My friend Paulina was perhaps a fish in her previous life because she has this close affinity to water unlike most other people I know. She can also be held responsible for making this insane plan to swim in the fjords at the break of dawn. We were living in the countryside and the fjord was right next to the house, so all it needed was to get up and jump. The next morning, I was shaken out of bed with groggy eyes and I followed her and jumped into freezing cold water. For the first few seconds I didn't even know what hit me - I was just numb! I quickly came out and jumped right back in. Only cold could fight cold and after a few more dives it actually became fun!

Stavanger Norway dreams KLM airlines godutch
Diving into frozen water!

Sailing in a real sail boat!

It is not uncommon for Norwegians to own a sailboat. In fact every Thursday there is a boat race and many locals take part in it. Frode is also one of them, and one day when he invited me to join him for a boat ride in the fjords, I readily agreed. It wasn't a race day so water wasn't crowded at all and we had the entire fjord to ourselves. We had carried some food with us and needed that and more soon as the cold arctic air started blowing right into us. We not only survived, I also got to steer the boat for a while. It is not easy, but once you get a hang of it, you can manage. We came back tired and I had a huge dinner that night to regain all the lost calories!

Stavanger Norway dreams KLM airlines godutch sailing fjord
As we returned back, the sky was awash with golden light

Sitting on the edge of the world at Preikestolen

If you have never been to Scandinavia, chances are that you would not have heard of Preikestolen or Pulpit Rock. It is basically a huge rock which is shaped almost like a square with sharp and deep edges which can take you straight to the rocks and fjord below. A visit to Norway is incomplete with a visit to Preikestolen, and a visit to Preikestolen is incomplete without going to the edge and sitting with your legs dangling. It's scarier than you can imagine and quite full of risks. The first time I went there, it rained constantly and the rock was barely visible due to fog. However, on my second visit, I saw the rock in its full glory and also sat on the edge. So how was the experience then? Exhilarating!

Stavanger Norway dreams KLM airlines godutch pulpit rock
Sitting on the edge!

A countryside weekend with with my Norwegian friends

TI and his family (his wife, kids and parents) invited me a few more friends to their ancestral village Garvik far from the Stavanger. A boat ride followed by a car drive took us there and the place completely stunned me. It was unlike any other village I had seen before - it was straight out of a fairy tale! Now I can imagine why fairy tales must be so relatable to all the Scandinavian kids - they live in fairyland! Over the next three days, we cooked together (including an Indian meal), trekked together to a Viking village, did boat rides and I ate the best waffles of my entire life!

 
Stavanger Norway dreams KLM airlines garvik village
Our weekend home from the Fjord...
Stavanger Norway dreams KLM airlines garvik village
Girls took the bedroom and the living room became my cozy bedroom :)
  
I fulfilled many of my Norwegian dreams but a few still remain, and one of them is to see the Northern Lights (possible only during the winters). Maybe I will visit the beautiful country again to fulfill that dream, maybe I will dream of something else and chase that down somewhere else. Hmmm...

So #LetsGoDutch with KLM!

When it comes to travel, we all have dreams - some insane and some rather sane. Do you also have some? If your answerer is yes, then there is some cool news for you. KLM has come up with a unique campaign where they will help you fulfill your travel dreams by ‘Going Dutch’

What does it mean? As a part of #LetsGoDutch campaign, KLM will Go Dutch (share expenses) with you on your dream vacation. They have amazing offers of discounts, free stay, vouchers, event passes etc and fun contests based on your travel dreams (read more). Based on your entry, you might be able to win the contest and fulfill your travel dream :) 

Intrigued? Do watch the video below!



Follow KLM India on their Facebook and Twitter pages for more contests over the next few days. All the best :)

Comments

  1. For people here, Nordic countries are always the other world. Nice experiences.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You have cropped hair in these pictures! :-O

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your 'read more' doesn't link anywhere.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sitting on the edge of the rock and posing.Simply superb.

    Cheers,
    Sriram & Krithiga

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow.Thanks a lot for sharing the So #LetsGoDutch with KLM!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome! Do participate in it...two more competitions are coming up soon :)

      Delete
  6. loved that sitting on the edge picture :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Seeing you sit on the ledge, I just had to come with a big WOW !!!...you have done it again...making us wish to visit these beautiful places..Beautiful people visit beautiful places !!! Cheers Sid.........Deepa

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hari OM
    ....Midnight sun is in summer months Sid... don't want you to arrive mid winter and be disappointed! You'd have difficulty getting any light at all midwinter. Definitely Norway is on my bucket list - I have a good blog pal there who has stayed with me so need to return the visit! YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are the best Yamini! Thanks so much for the correction :) I meant the Northern Lights and ended up writing something else!

      Where in Norway is your friend based?

      Delete
  9. Just Marvelous, The beauty of following people like you is to dream for myself.
    So beautifully written, I can well imagine the wonderful time that you have had. Was it a Holiday?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sudhir :)

      Holiday is never quite a holiday now, it's always some work as well, especially travel work :)

      Delete
  10. Me ha gustado mucho este reportaje!!!...me resulta muy interesante, pronto espero visitar ese país nórdico, sigo tus pasos, jajajaaaa!!!

    Muy buenas fotografías para ilustrar el reportaje...felicidades por el viaje y por tu trabajo!!!

    Un gran abrazo, amigo!!! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A big hug to you too Ignacio :)

      Which country are you planning to go to?

      Delete
  11. Wow! Those are some great experiences! Great pics.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This surely is a exciting trip, especially the swim.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was totally awesome Rajesh! The swim was fun but I would be more careful before I jump next time :)

      Delete
  13. I love KLM's food and beverage. Your photos are, as usual, outstanding. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great story as always with awesome pictures. So hairwise, you are back to your past.

    KLM hmmm.... what's cooking? ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Nisha! Always a pleasure to see your comment here...the pics are a from a while back, so the hairstyle is different. I am still growing my hair :)

      Delete
  15. Hi Sid..sitting on the edge - literally :)

    When i was in school, I had never heard of the midnight sun..so I must have been really bad at geography..

    The whole concept of a 24 hour 'day' is intriguing..had no idea KLM still operates under 'KLM'..i thought they were part of North West now.

    Keep sharing your awesome stuff :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Pragati...no worries about the midnight sun :)

      KLM still operates under their name for sure. In fact, they are working on building the brand even more now...

      Delete
  16. Lovely photos.
    Have a happy summer time.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wonderful trip, Norway is a beautiful country.

    Congratulations for your report.

    Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Enrique! Norway is indeed a beautiful country...

      Delete
  18. Love the boat picture with the golden glow....amazing experience

    Rathina's View Space

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment