Last full day in Norway, boo. Started my long drive back to Oslo today and then tomorrow I fly back to Iceland.
I had planned to do Andalsnes earlier in the week, but the weather didnt cooperate with the rain - if Im going to pay ~$65 for a cable car, I want to be able to see. Today was perfectly sunny and so made for a great time. Parking was fun lol the spots are free but require you to register your time bc theres a 2hr limit. Now, the english signage... does not really make that clear, it just says free 2hr parking lol. They must nab so many tourists - the only reason I knew about it was bc there was this weird logo I noticed a few days ago on some signs, I googled it and there you have it.
Anyway. Andalsnes. The cable car was fun as usual - I love a good sway when it leaves/departs etc. The view from the top is spectacular although if Im being honest (and I stuck up), Loen is much more beautiful. Maybe the clouds played a role in both - but here it was so sunny
I was going to walk down to Rampestreken (viewing platform) which is about roundtrip... but I just couldnt bring myself to do it for a few reasons.
1) the path is... rough lol. I was in hiking boots and had decent grip but theres a lot of smooth rocks (not much traction) and mud (which is too much traction haha) and then super steep stone staircases. While I was taking pics at the top I saw two people slip (like knee down) on the smooth rocks and Im just like... I dont want to die in Norway haha. To be fair, both people were in runners which is NOT going to cut it here.
2) watching people get to the top they were GASSED lol. Like huffing and puffing and just done. I didnt want to do that to myself before then driving 5+ hours and flying tomorrow
3) the views from near the top are perfectly lovely lol, I do not need to go down however many feet and stand on a platform for someone to
take a subpar photo (honestly, do people not know how to take good photos for other people?? Id say about (a generous) 25% of photos turn out decent.
4) and most importantly... my energy and my legs still dont feel right post covid. I dont trust that I would have been able back up lol and honestly its just as taxing to go down bc you have to squat and hold on to things to make sure you dont fall, lower your centre of gravity, etc. Ive been lucky with the car, I walk when I want to but otherwise do not need to carry my bag all over and fill my days with 3hrs hike bc busses dont go places, etc.
Ok enough about that. I started my long drive back to Oslo with a few pit stops. I stopped near Otta - theres a cute little waterfall beside this abandoned(?) building. I listened to the roar for a bit and continued on my way. I decided not to stop in Lillehammer - I was too tired and just wanted to get to the hotel. I did however stop in Ringebu to see the Dragon
sculpture, grab a late lunch and head up to see their stave (medieval) church. I love the design and I find it interesting (but, well, duh) there are no smoking signs all over the place... theyre made of wood after all lol.
The drive from Lillehammer to Oslo was beautiful but also back to reality if you will. Since its a proper main highway there arent many pit stop areas which is a shame bc the water in the surrounding lakes/rivers is that brilliant green turquoise. But, I also took great joy in the last part of my drive being able to actually go 110km/hr. It feels weird driving less than 80km/hr for 2 weeks lol.
The hotel is literally right back the airport (Im not driving in the city centre, no thanks) - like I can watch the planes take off from my window, but the soundproofing is EXCELLENT. You cant hear a thing with the windows closed.
