Everything is relative

If there is anything I pushed the last eight years as a teacher, it’s source criticism. How is it then possible that I totally ignore the source when I search for the most beautiful train rides in Norway, and… choose VisitNorway.com ? I’m totally clueless. Never the less, slipping on a banana peel is always a learning experience.

It’s not that VisitNorway is beautifying their country, Norway IS for sure beautiful, if not amongst the more beautiful countries I’ve visited.

But Flåmsbanan isn’t only expensive (and propably worth it), it’s also a tad bit overrated in my view. One hour steep downhill and through many many tunnels. If you don’t want to stand pressed against the train window through all of the hour to get some beaultiful shots, you’re likely to miss most of them. As soon as you’ve unlocked your camera mobile, you’ll dissapear into a tunnel. Regardless, nothing beats reality. As usual.

The ride IS for sure beautiful, but you’re likely to enjoy it with more realistisc expectations.

If you’re into the unexpected, spoiler alert!

It’s great that the train takes the exact same route back, cause if you miss the dancing little red elf in a shower of refreshing mist and beautiful music you get a second chance on your way back up the fjords. All accompanied by chattering tourists.

I’m sure this stretch is magic dusing the winter. Very unlikely you’ll see or hear the elf piece. But still.

Like the Swedish public tv would have put it “There are also other beautiful routes” 😊

And some dissapointments

I happen to be a house nerd. Almost like a “house spotter”. I will most likely make an extra effort, or possibly an effortless attention to spot buildings. I’m not into architecture per se, it’s just an observing intrest I have. Niether do I make loud complaints when I see an ugly, or what could be percieved as an ugly building. Att the fact that we all have varying preferences regardless of wheather we’re educated or not in the matter of… buildings.

However, there are limits to how ugly houses can be in amazingly beautiful surroundings. How is it possible that someone came up with the idea of building these houses HERE? For me it would be like a slap in the face to enter a house like this in these undescribably beautiful scenerys that the fjords offer. I’m actually really curious about the thought behind these houses.

What makes it worse is that 92% of the houses in Flåms are ugly. Sugarcubes with cheap windows painted with plastic paint.

Band Aid on everything but the house wounds

Moments like these makes me miss a human travel companion. Don’t get me wrong, I love the amazing company of Sally the bike. But still, we canät really stand and wow wow wow It’s sooooo beautiful with all the green fjord mountains. The turqoise water is always envigourating to our souls. Swimming..? If you’re into cold water, this might be a perfect place. I don’t really see anyone swimmig though… 

Sometimes the impact of ones experiences from travelling becomes more grand if expereinced with other people. Of course this is a very individual reflection. I very often prefer travelling solo, still this would have been amazing together with someone.

Since I wanted to bicycle around, meaning finding… a stream, I didn’t take the first train back. Bicycling around and hearing the water as an audio backdrop is absolutely fantastic, and a spiritually cleansing. But in a while I got bored, and couldn’t wait to get on the next train back.

There is also another thing with… too much of everything. Beauty included. It’s the variation, or diversity that makes it ❤️💪.