Oslo to Malmo, Sweden September 1, 2006
We had a train to catch at 1PM as we head south today for the Swedish city of Malmo. We spent the morning packing and researching the UK leg before starting our walk to the station. We took our breakfast ham and cheese sandwiches that the hotel had provided as breakfast for a ready made lunch on the train. Holly had picked up some jalapeño potato chips to spice them up a little so we were set. We caught our train, had lunch and settled back to enjoy the trip.
This was the fastest train we have been on and it appeared to reach speeds of around 150km (90 MPH), but the tracks were in good shape and the ride was smooth. The routing today had us stopping in Goteborg and then switching to a Swedish train and continuing on to Malmo. Everything was moving along nicely until three minutes out of Goteborg station our train stopped and an announcement was made in Swedish. (We have found this to be a somewhat common theme wherever we have traveled; when it’s good news translate it, when it’s bad news make it short and sweet and only in the local language.) Holly found out later that a train in front of us had caught fire and had to be dealt with. We were delayed about 45 minutes. We reached Malmo around 9PM and with the information office closed and the hotel phone number not answering, we had no idea how to find our hotel. It was also dark so we caved and took a taxi. Five minute ride, PRICELESS, or at least they must think so as it cost us about US$30. We later walked the same route in less than fifteen minutes. Knowledge can be very valuable!
Our time in Norway has been both eye and wallet opening. Norway has some of the most amazing scenery we have yet seen but you definitely pay for the privilege. I would like to come back again, staying away from the cities and enjoying the outdoors backpacking or kayaking. The people here while not unfriendly are a little more distant than the people we met in Sweden. They are helpful when you ask for information but we found the questions must be detailed and pointed.
(Holly here with my brief comments on Norway: they have bad coffee but make up for it with delicious sweet treats. The pecan pie pastry is to die for and they also serve lots of Daim Cake (from Sweden). You can get Daim Cake from Ikea if you are fortunate enough to live near one. There are beatifully tended flower gardens that soften and contrast the ruggedness of the mountains and fjords. Since there are so many mountains in the path of roads, there are many, many tunnels. The Scandinavians in general have the queue system completely under control. Every service counter you need, you simply pull a number from the ticket machine and patiently sit on a bench and wait for your number to be called. No need to jockey in line, tapping your foot, thinking someone might get the jump on you. A very civilized process that many countries could adopt. We spent the majority of our time in Scandinavia in Norway for good reason. Photographers and artists flock to Norway, as well as outdoor enthusiasts who come in summer and winter alike. You must see it to believe it.)
This was the fastest train we have been on and it appeared to reach speeds of around 150km (90 MPH), but the tracks were in good shape and the ride was smooth. The routing today had us stopping in Goteborg and then switching to a Swedish train and continuing on to Malmo. Everything was moving along nicely until three minutes out of Goteborg station our train stopped and an announcement was made in Swedish. (We have found this to be a somewhat common theme wherever we have traveled; when it’s good news translate it, when it’s bad news make it short and sweet and only in the local language.) Holly found out later that a train in front of us had caught fire and had to be dealt with. We were delayed about 45 minutes. We reached Malmo around 9PM and with the information office closed and the hotel phone number not answering, we had no idea how to find our hotel. It was also dark so we caved and took a taxi. Five minute ride, PRICELESS, or at least they must think so as it cost us about US$30. We later walked the same route in less than fifteen minutes. Knowledge can be very valuable!
Our time in Norway has been both eye and wallet opening. Norway has some of the most amazing scenery we have yet seen but you definitely pay for the privilege. I would like to come back again, staying away from the cities and enjoying the outdoors backpacking or kayaking. The people here while not unfriendly are a little more distant than the people we met in Sweden. They are helpful when you ask for information but we found the questions must be detailed and pointed.
(Holly here with my brief comments on Norway: they have bad coffee but make up for it with delicious sweet treats. The pecan pie pastry is to die for and they also serve lots of Daim Cake (from Sweden). You can get Daim Cake from Ikea if you are fortunate enough to live near one. There are beatifully tended flower gardens that soften and contrast the ruggedness of the mountains and fjords. Since there are so many mountains in the path of roads, there are many, many tunnels. The Scandinavians in general have the queue system completely under control. Every service counter you need, you simply pull a number from the ticket machine and patiently sit on a bench and wait for your number to be called. No need to jockey in line, tapping your foot, thinking someone might get the jump on you. A very civilized process that many countries could adopt. We spent the majority of our time in Scandinavia in Norway for good reason. Photographers and artists flock to Norway, as well as outdoor enthusiasts who come in summer and winter alike. You must see it to believe it.)
posted by Gary and Holly Davis @ 1:21 AM
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