Slartibartfast’s Masterpiece
There is nothing new in stating that Norway is one of the most spectacularly beautiful countries on the planet. Fans of the Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy will know, of course, that Norway was in fact designed by the Magrathean engineer Slartibartfast, who won an award for it. I can confirm that the award was well deserved.
There’s not much more to say about our short trip to Norway’s western fjords in July, except that the photos and videos we made don’t do the landscape justice. And it’s important to note that it’s not just the fjords that are beautiful – the drive there and back from Oslo was equally spectacular.
On the way north, we drove up through Hagafoss and over the Route 50 to Aurland – one of the most scenic drives I’ve ever done. And on the way back (via the Lærdal Tunnel, the longest road tunnel in the world at 24.5km), we crossed through the equally beautiful Hemsedal, over 1000m plateaux that reminded us of the central North Island or the McKenzie Country in New Zealand.
It also helps that Norway is ridiculously prosperous thanks to offshore oil, a small population and wise investment. The Scandanavian social model of high taxes, state-supported infrastructure and generous welfare system finds its apogee in Norway. It also has some of the lowest speed limits in the world – all the better for enjoying the scenery!
If you’ve not been to Norway before, save some money and make the time. You will never regret it.
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The train between Oslo and Bergen remains one of the most visually astonishing trips I’ve ever taken. Eleven hours and worth every second of it, even if your seatmates are Italian tourists with squabbling kids and an unpleasant old woman who wants the shade down most of the time.
I completely agree Ed – I did that trip in 2001, and it’s stunning. This time around, flight scheduling didn’t allow us to take the train, so we drove instead.
Also worth doing is the train trip northwards across the Arctic Circle from Trondheim to Bodø… another 8+ hours, and as you head north, the landscape becomes more and more lunar.
I totally agree on the sheer beauty of Norway. I spent the summer of 2000 mostly in Nord Trøndelag, mostly Verdal (famous only for being where St Olaf was killed), with a couple of trips to Trondheim and a few other nearby towns. And it’s not just beautiful, the people are awesome, too.
Heh, “save some money and make the time”. Save bucketloads of money, or do as I did and make friends with Norwegians with whom you can crash and who may be able to get you some under-the-table work while you’re there.