Tips wanted for tourist in Norway (Page 2): I live in Norway but think you had someone else in mind. But I have alredy given my advice. There are not much choices to get off the beaten...

JPL

jerryc41 wrote:

We have an excellent photographer on UHH who lives in Norway. If only I could remember his screen name. :(

I live in Norway but think you had someone else in mind. But I have alredy given my advice. There are not much choices to get off the beaten track here for people on a cruise. Best to grab the opportunities that arise within walking distance from each harbour.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

JPL wrote:

I live in Norway but think you had someone else in mind. But I have alredy given my advice. There are not much choices to get off the beaten track here for people on a cruise. Best to grab the opportunities that arise within walking distance from each harbour.

:thumbup:

The member I had in mind has his picture (I assume) as an avatar.

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

Bergen, Norway, the birthplace of Edvard Grieg, one of the most popular classical composers. Check to see if your ship has an excursion to his home. It's up in the foothills and gorgeous. There is a performance A-frame building adjacent to his home where your excursion will book a concert for you. Oh, did I mention he lived on his private body of water too? And it's all so photogenic. You will love it.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

JPL wrote:

I live in Norway but think you had someone else in mind. But I have alredy given my advice. There are not much choices to get off the beaten track here for people on a cruise. Best to grab the opportunities that arise within walking distance from each harbour.

Akershus Castle and Fortress is within a short walk of the cruise-ship terminal in Oslo and it is well worth a few hours walking around it (and even into the nearby streets) with a camera.

A short stop at Oslo City Hall is also worthwhile for the impressive murals inside.

daplight Loc: Kansas

JPL wrote:

I live in Norway but think you had someone else in mind. But I have alredy given my advice. There are not much choices to get off the beaten track here for people on a cruise. Best to grab the opportunities that arise within walking distance from each harbor.

JPL-speaking of "get off the beaten track," what advice do you have for a tourist who won't be on a cruise? What is the best transportation in between towns, is renting a car feasible?

SwedeUSA2

Los-Angeles-Shooter wrote:

Norway has increasing numbers of virulently anti-Semitic Muslim immigrants. If you want horrifying action video and are willing to accept abuse and possibly assaults, wear a yarmulka and turn on your video when Muslims are around. A number of people have done this in France and Britain and the results are shocking.

I thought the OP was asking for photo opportunities.

jonsommer Loc: Usually, somewhere on the U.S. west coast.

photog11 wrote:

We are lucky enough to have some time in Norway in mid-July. We will have extra time in Oslo, Svolvaer, Rorvik, Trondheim, and Bergen. I am sure we will find the usual tourist attractions and photo opportunities on our own. Do you have any suggestions for photography that might be a bit off the beaten path? They would be appreciated. I will be taking a Nikon D7000, with a Nikon 24-85 mm f/2.0-4 and a Tamron 10-24 mm f/3.5-4.5.

Interesting, how many "knowledgable" people have responded to your request that have never even been to Norway, and are passing on bull shirt that they read 'somewhere' on the Internet, so it must be true. Ignore them all . . . please, their comments and caviotts are as worthless as other uninformed opinions. I'm sure that all the comments about lutefisk are all from people who have never tasted it. Ignore them all, they are not doing you any favors with their ill-informed 'recommendations'.

Norway is simply one of the most amazing places I have ever been, and I return there as often as the opportunity allows, here's why: English is a 2nd language for most everybody under 70, and they love to practice (and show off) their English with real Americans. But the people are shy and can be difficult to approach, and the loud, boisterous typically American personality is not one that is respected there, but is usually seen as vulgar, arrogant and rude - no matter where you're from, be humble, polite and not loud. The Scandinavians are EXTREMELY proud of their social democracy form of government, they truely believe that they "are their brother's keeper" hence their policy of easy immigration for the persecuted people of the world, but, unfortunately, there are those who have taken advantage of the Norwegians good hearts, and are abusing the Norwegians good intentions, with some relatively minor backlash. Be sensitive to the still prevalent "Ugly American" stereotype, and you'll meet some of the most extraordinarily kind, informed, well traveled and beautiful people anywhere in the world. If you like looking at beautiful women, imagine so many long-legged, blond, perfect figured women walking around that the local Scandinavian men are drawn to dark haired, olive skinned women as something truly exotic, because they are relatively rare. So, enough of a culture and history lesson, if spending a day in Oslo, no one has mentioned the Viking ship museum which has some amazingly well preserved and amazingly beautiful old ships from the Viking era (bye the way, the often seen in movies Vikings with horns on their helmets is strictly a Hollywood invention). Just walking around in Olso there are still streets that have the original cobblestone paving on the streets from hundreds of years ago, and the buildings to match, so the architectural photo ops are countless. Go visit the grounds of the King's castle, still inhabited by a real king so you can't inside, but it's interesting to see how easy the access is to the people of Norway. While there, walk straight down the hill to Karl Johan Gatten, there are scores of soap boxes set up for anybody that wants to climb on and attract an audience with their varied opinions, lot's of photo ops there as well. The sculpture park is a must see - read some of the history behind it and walk in knowing something about the era in which it was created will increase your understanding and enjoyment of the event. Also, don't be surprised at the liberal attitude towards nudity in public places in Norway, their opinion is that sex and nudity are normal, but violence is unacceptable. Naked (or almost naked) sunbathing in public parks is very common in the summer.

Well, if you do these few things that I have suggested, you will have spent several very interesting days in Oslo. Bye the way, renting a car at the airport is easy, but have reservations, and it isn't cheap. Fortunately, if you drive in the States, you'll do fine driving in Norway - but they do enforce their speed limits with vigor.

Enjoy, you'll never forget Norway or its people. You'll probably never see graffiti, or homeless beggars. Poverty as we know it in the States just doesn't exist. The country is clean, well cared for and the people are friendly as long as you are sensitive to their customs and methods.

If you'll pay my airfare and lodging, I'd be happy to come along and be your very own Norwegian speaking guide who has contacts on the 'inside' so you would see things that a visitor never would.

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

jonsommer wrote:

Interesting, how many "knowledgable" people have responded to your request that have never even been to Norway, and are passing on bull shirt that they read 'somewhere' on the Internet, so it must be true. Ignore them all . . . please, their comments and caviotts are as worthless as other uninformed opinions. I'm sure that all the comments about lutefisk are all from people who have never tasted it. Ignore them all, they are not doing you any favors with their ill-informed 'recommendations'.

Norway is simply one of the most amazing places I have ever been, and I return there as often as the opportunity allows, here's why: English is a 2nd language for most everybody under 70, and they love to practice (and show off) their English with real Americans. But the people are shy and can be difficult to approach, and the loud, boisterous typically American personality is not one that is respected there, but is usually seen as vulgar, arrogant and rude - no matter where you're from, be humble, polite and not loud. The Scandinavians are EXTREMELY proud of their social democracy form of government, they truely believe that they "are their brother's keeper" hence their policy of easy immigration for the persecuted people of the world, but, unfortunately, there are those who have taken advantage of the Norwegians good hearts, and are abusing the Norwegians good intentions, with some relatively minor backlash. Be sensitive to the still prevalent "Ugly American" stereotype, and you'll meet some of the most extraordinarily kind, informed, well traveled and beautiful people anywhere in the world. If you like looking at beautiful women, imagine so many long-legged, blond, perfect figured women walking around that the local Scandinavian men are drawn to dark haired, olive skinned women as something truly exotic, because they are relatively rare. So, enough of a culture and history lesson, if spending a day in Oslo, no one has mentioned the Viking ship museum which has some amazingly well preserved and amazingly beautiful old ships from the Viking era (bye the way, the often seen in movies Vikings with horns on their helmets is strictly a Hollywood invention). Just walking around in Olso there are still streets that have the original cobblestone paving on the streets from hundreds of years ago, and the buildings to match, so the architectural photo ops are countless. Go visit the grounds of the King's castle, still inhabited by a real king so you can't inside, but it's interesting to see how easy the access is to the people of Norway. While there, walk straight down the hill to Karl Johan Gatten, there are scores of soap boxes set up for anybody that wants to climb on and attract an audience with their varied opinions, lot's of photo ops there as well. The sculpture park is a must see - read some of the history behind it and walk in knowing something about the era in which it was created will increase your understanding and enjoyment of the event. Also, don't be surprised at the liberal attitude towards nudity in public places in Norway, their opinion is that sex and nudity are normal, but violence is unacceptable. Naked (or almost naked) sunbathing in public parks is very common in the summer.

Well, if you do these few things that I have suggested, you will have spent several very interesting days in Oslo. Bye the way, renting a car at the airport is easy, but have reservations, and it isn't cheap. Fortunately, if you drive in the States, you'll do fine driving in Norway - but they do enforce their speed limits with vigor.

Enjoy, you'll never forget Norway or its people. You'll probably never see graffiti, or homeless beggars. Poverty as we know it in the States just doesn't exist. The country is clean, well cared for and the people are friendly as long as you are sensitive to their customs and methods.

If you'll pay my airfare and lodging, I'd be happy to come along and be your very own Norwegian speaking guide who has contacts on the 'inside' so you would see things that a visitor never would.

Interesting, how many "knowledgable" peo... (show quote)

Thank you for what seems to be a knowledgeable and common sense answer. I hope you are right. Alas, cannot afford to bring a guide with me, but your answers are in my notebook.

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

rmalarz wrote:

Don't order lutefisk.

You should have plenty of daylight for photography, and the golden hour can be quite long, I imagine.
--Bob

I been eating lutefisk as long as I can remember . I stopped buying it years
ago , as it takes about $30 to make a decent meal for one person . My dad
Used to make it by the barrel full as his dad did . That was when you could
Get gray cod for next to nothing . Two cents a pound . Now you can't even find gray cod on the market . But I have made it from using golden eye ,
Ling cod , red snapper , halibut , and my grand father also used herring hake to make it. and you couldn't tell the difference from gray cod . With any of the others . don't for get the Rom Grot

wthomson Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Norway is shockingly beautiful, as well as shockingly expensive!

One Oslo museum not yet mentioned is the Kon-Tiki Museum, where you can see the original boat.

If you stay at any hotels, be sure and include the breakfast buffet. It is simply amazing, even in "budget" accommodations.

MCullen Loc: Encinitas, CA

I was in Norway last September. Absolutely loved the country. In Bergen, take the funicular and do some hiking up top. Beautiful view of city from up high but also great scenery if you spend a few more hours hiking the trails. Lots of great building pictures too and historic ones. Attached is a picture from the top after a few hours hike. Also, if time and money allow, look into going to Finse 1222. Can only get there by train and from Bergen it is about 2 1/2 hours. Stunning area if you like nature and glaciers. Aside from Oslo, I did not make it to the other places you mentioned but understand them to be beautiful as well. We plan to go back next summer and rent an RV to spend more time.

Bergen, hike from Funicular, Sept. 2014

(Download)

Finse 1222, Sept. 2014

(Download)

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

Bram boy wrote:

I been eating lutefisk as long as I can remember .... (show quote)

Breakfast buffet... noted. thanks

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

MCullen wrote:

I was in Norway last September. Absolutely loved t... (show quote)

I know some folks who did the RV bit in Norway for about 10 years (until they got too old). They never tired of it.

MCullen Loc: Encinitas, CA

We are in our RV now for past month traveling through BC, Canada and in a few days will be in Alaska,spending the summer and fall in our RV. We find it a great way to have a comfortable bed and is our preferred method when we can. We spent about 3 weeks in Norway and feel like we missed so much as the country has so much to see and is truly beautiful.

Bjorge

In Oslo Kon Tiki and early boats.
In Trondheim 12th century church.

The Lofoten Islands are of interest if possible.

The Northen Lights if you go far north. Check for correct Time in year.

Trip from Oslo to Bergen is a must if possible! (the Fjords)!

Check in on Tours.
Went there about 5 years ago. Bjorge