Hallingdal, memoirs

By Oxana Andrienko

The schedule wasn’t so tough, therefore we had a chance to feel the true spirit of the country in the Hallingdal region.

The first stop let us feel a closeness to Norwegian wild life (and immerse into a mud, as well as get wet because of the heavy rain) – we visited Langedrag Wildlifepark. The mountain farm itself is located approximately 1.000 meters above sea level. The wildlifepark takes care of about 22 kinds of animals including bobcats, elks, wolves, deers, rabbits, polarfoxes etc. We could even feed some animals, however we abstained even though the desire to feed wolves and bobcats was really strong.

After a two-hour excursion hot chocolate and coffee in a typical Norwegian wooden cafeteria was a “must have” thing. Felt satisfied and warmer we went to Fagerhoy Mountain Lodge, a true Norwegian style hotel with a chimney in the lounge and a great cuisine, located in the middle of nowhere=)). As we were starving after such a difficult trip, the dinner served in the restaurant seemed to be very delicious – a salmon, lamb, potatoes in the cream sauce, covered with cheese, and five kinds of ice cream, yummy!

Once we have finished with the meal, and played pool a little bit, I have decided to go and have some rest. However I had no idea I would go canoeing in ten minutes - at half past ten! Anyway, 15 people, tired but still wishing to have more fun, had been canoeing until half past midnight – some of us still assume this experience to be the most memorable ever.

I can’t but mention that the most funny and also a little bit annoying kind of animals which was with us during both days of the trip, were sheeps – they were literarily everywhere, even in the middle of the road laying and being calm even though our huge bus was trying simultaneously to avoid sheep death because of car accident and not to fall into the abyss because the road was so narrow. But everybody survived!

The second day was warmer and full of activities – Hallingdal Museum and Villa Fridheim, also known as “Fairytale Museum.” The first one showed how Norwegian peasants had been  living during Medieval times, and the second one represented how rich Norwegian people lived in 19-th century. To clarify, the Fairytale Museum first was considered to be a summer mansion of a rich man, but after many years it was transformed into the Museum.

In conclusion I would like to point out that the trip was really interesting and exciting, a little bit thrilling, and at the same time very calm.

We keep exploring Norway!