2023! Wow, you went fast! Blissfully, this was the year Luis and I continued to grow our relationship and travel together. We had most of our travels in Norway, and I’m grateful for all the great places we go to see together.
January & The Rose Castle
January is a miserable month in Norway. Cold, Dark, and gloomy (at least in Oslo). However, we did have an honored visit to the Rose Castle, an outdoor art project created in gratitude to democracy. We learned about the importance of not forgetting the fight for democracy. Many of those fighting for freedom and democracy were women, and the reason why we have not heard about this was that many of them did highly classified work that required silence for 30 years, which means most of the women died before they were allowed to talk about the work they performed.
February & Lenton Bun
The sun has turned, and we can suddenly feel the change of the lights. Most happily, we indulged in a great Lenton Bun in the Urban Neighborhood of Tøyen. We also have an introduction course for cross-country skiing for two Cubans enjoying Norwegian cabin life.
March & Arctic Winter Adventure
One of the benefits of working at Up Norway is that you have a field trip each year, where you go out and explore some great adventures for future travelers. I went on an Arctic Winter Expedition Cruise with Up Norway and Nansen Explorer from Tromsø – Lofoten Islands – Senja – Lyngen Alps to Alta Sorrisniva. What an incredible adventure!
Classic Easter Holiday in Norway
It was time for Luis to immerse himself into Western Norway, Ålesund, and my family. So we went to Ålesund. We had the most breathtaking flight into Sunnmøre, having a panoramic view of the Gerianger fjord before touching down at Vigra Airport in Ålesund. Then, to ensure our adventure started with success, we had one night of luxury at Storfjord Hotel, so Luis is now used to luxury travel. Luis soon returned to reality when he realized we had to take two ferries to get home to my tiny village, Åheim. He still fears my mum’s driving and tried to say we could catch the next ferry—a proper crash course into the Western Norway ferry culture. Visiting Ålesud, the Western Cape in Norway, and Hoddevik Beach seemed to begin Luis’s amusement of Sunnmøre.
Kvikk Lunsj & Cross-Country Skiing
Moving on, we drove to the family cabin for some proper cross-country skiing and a classic Norwegian Easter holiday. Luis even deserved a diploma from my dad for his cross-country skiing in easter, which means everything in Norway. It means you can return the next easter and still be allowed to cross-country skiing with the family.
April with Havana & Cuba
As a good girlfriend, I’m happy to return the experience. Now, it was my time to see Luis’s neighborhood, roots, family, and friends in Cuba. How is Cuba? It’s complicated, as we all mostly know. There was a fuel crisis when we arrived, which meant almost no cars on the streets and limited food. We used two days to find fresh eggs on the streets because, in Cuba, you don’t have a supermarket; you have the right person in the street telling you on which corner to turn right, and then a little house on the corner you can find eggs if they are not sold out yet. However, as a visitor to Cuba, everything can be solved because you most likely have money to pay for it. The lives of Cubans in Cuba are very complicated.
Fun Fact in 2020, We Were Both in Havana
Anyway, we loved being back in Cuba. It was a delight to see Luis in his element of Havana. Luis grew up in Centro Havana but now has houses in the Vedado Neighborhood of Havana, and even so, is two blocks away from the Norwegian Embassy. Also, we were both in Cuba in 2020, in the same neighborhood at the same time, but we did not cross paths then. I returned home right before COVID-19; Luis stayed in Havana for six months during lockdown.
Salsa, Cuba Libre, Havana Vieja & Varadero
What we love about Cuba is that you don’t need much to have fun; dancing is free, walking the Malecon is free, and smiling is free. Most have time for a party or two to forget their problems for a moment.
May & The National Custom
Celebrating the 17th of May, Independence Day in Norway, is always a pleasure. It is one of the best days in Norway, where we honor Norwegian culture and celebrate the democracy and peace we live in.
Mum in Oslo & Cherry Blossom
In May, Mum visited, and we enjoyed the Cherry Blossom at Inkognito gate in Frogner at Åpent Bakery. Also, we went to Tøyen to explore the Botanical Garden in Spring Bloom, such a delightful thing to do in May. We went to the Rose Castle, as well, because Mum was intrigued by the art project about democracy. After walking around the Rose Castle, we walked from Frognerseteren to Ullevålseter and then down to Sognsvann, a long hike but a stunning day to walk and enjoy the forest of Oslo.
June & Slow Life Living
I am mostly staying in Oslo and enjoying the beginning of the summer. We had a short escape to the cabin and a road trip through the famous scenic route of Rondane and onwards to Trondheim, the culinary capital of Norway. Luis’s first time being so far North in Norway as Trondheim (as Norwegian, we know it is not even that North).
July & Summer Life in Oslo
We love Oslo during the summer, and when everyone goes on holiday, we explore the city with delight and ease. Luis and I even ended up at an undiscovered restaurant that has shifted to a new location, Babbo Collective Parkveien. Mum, Lena, and Tico visited us for some low-key Oslo life; we had great days together. However, Tico would not understand why we should do busses, elevators, and office dogs when he prefers to be at home. Luckily, he approved the Royal Garden and the sniffing around on every corner.
August with Hans (the storm) & Up Norway Adventure
Who loves a challenge? With an international travel group, we tried to get from Oslo to the Western part of Norway on day 1 after Hans. I can rest assured this was a challenge involving local partners on so many levels that I’m grateful that we managed to get through from Oslo to Hemsedal and stayed at FYRI resort, from there to Stryn, and Hotel Union Øye. What an adventure. Best of all, I was returning to my childhood favorite Kntholmen in Kalvåg.
Friends visiting Oslo
I reunited with my one and only Malin, my Adventure partner in our 20s. We had so much fun traveling together in Rhodes & Sri Lanka. It was lovely to meet her family and get to know her son. I wish we lived closer.
September & Crisp Air with Fall Colors
I was lucky enough to be invited by dear friends to go to their family cabin in Ål in Hallingdal, where we stayed in an original Ål Cabin. They are famous for their architecture, keeping in mind the view’s layout when building.
In 2023, the summer was in Northern Norway, and Lofoten had the best summer. It was needed for a 7-day summer adventure to Gran Canaria, to rest, soak in the sun, go swimming, read a book, and once again get sunkissed by the sun.
October Was the Summer We Did Not Have
However, the sun is not warm in October; it was a delight to have the sun hanging low, slightly warming and giving the most radiant colors on the trees, from crisp yellow to vibrating orange and red as an apple.
Trust the Magic of the New Beginnings?
We went to Lofoten Islands for my second job interview with Destination Lofoten. Luis needed to come with me even further North than Trondheim to truly understand the beauty of the Lofoten Islands and see that there is so much more in Norway than just Oslo. Also, to understand, when I talk about Mountains, I mean mountains that you find in Lofoten Islands and Sunnmøre – A hill is not a mountain.
November & Up North to Vesterålen & Narik
One last adventure with the Up Norway team. We had a very own tailormade journey curated by our CEO, Trounn, to deepen the team into Vesterålen and Narvik.
Kvitnes & Farm-to-Table with Locavore Dining
Firstly, we were spoiled with an overnight stay at Kvitnes farm, where we were introduced to farm-to-table and locavore dining with 17 dishes to demolish and taste all the local divines. The halibut is a signature dish to remember. Most of all, I loved the service, the elegance of serving all the dishes with low shoulders, and the welcoming atmosphere of being home on the farm.
Andenes & Andøya with Marmelkroken
The next day, driving the scenic route of Andenes, I got immersed in the Whale project, Science Space Center, and some strolling at the undiscovered beach of Bleik. Before turning towards Marmelkroken, where hostess Elisabeth meets and greets us, Marmelkroken is all about slow living, perfecting the art of doing nothing. Watch the weather, watch the birds, and get intrigued by the Biotope Birdboxes and the species living in them.
The Battle of Narvik
Did you know that Narvik had the most significant sea battle in Norway during the Second World War II? Did you know that you can go on a rib tour to see the remains of some ships? If you can’t travel to Norway, you can watch the movie Narvik immediately. I highly recommend visiting the war museum in Narvik because we are still at war. Even though Norway is a peaceful country, we still participate by producing weapons used in several wars, some of them more questionable than others.
If you need a travel curator for a tailormade journey in Norway, I highly recommend the Up Norway team for creating that memorable adventure for you.
November is Birthday Month, a Luxury Getaway to Sunnmøre
So, I turned 32 years old and am celebrating another year on earth. It was only right to do so with a mini weekend getaway to the magnificent Art Nouveau town of Ålesund, one of my home places in the world. We splurged away at Hotel Brosundet, enjoying Nordic wellness by using the sauna and swimming in Brosundet before listening to local artists performing Christmas carols. We even tasted the fish and chips before dinner at Sjømagasinet at 21.00 on their opening day! What a gem of a jewel. Sofiticasted, rustic, and welcoming. The lobster Bisque was as close as possible to heaven one night in Ålesund.
Sunnmøre & the Stunning Hjørundfjord
I truly wanted Luis to see and understand where I was coming from and to see the greatness of Sunnmøre’s nature and hospitality. We had to go to Hotel Union Øye, which lies at the bottom of the valley of Norangsdalen, right by the fjord of Hjørundfjord. If you ever want to live the Norwegian fjord life, this is the hideaway you should discover. We stayed at the lovely Jr. Suite nr 53 in the garden, with breathtaking views of the peaks above, a bed for royals, and a fireplace to enjoy when wanted. We had a divine dinner, a storytelling about the hotel, and an introduction to some characters you can meet if you are open to energy levels. Another highlight was some Nordic Wellness in the sauna on the Hjørundfjord, stunning views, pristine air, stillness, and wild swimming in the fjord in November.
December & Christmas Celebration
It is so lovely when December arrives. However, it went so fast this year, and most of the time was spent with family and friends. I was preparing them for my next year’s adventure. I spent Christmas at home in Åheim. Tico was relentless regarding his Christmas presents. However, we did have some great winter hikes in the winter wonderland of the Norwegian coast.
Horseback riding in Tretten & New Year’s Eve
Julie, Wenche, and I wanted a fairytale adventure on horseback in Tretten. So we met up with some lovely local girls who took us into the forest of Tretten for some more winter wonderland adventure, trees covered in snow, and horses happily working out in the winter landscape. Then, on New Year’s Eve, we picked up Luis and were ready to celebrate another year together. 2024: Let the magic begin.
2024: A Magic Year with Power, Changes, & Opportunities
I now live in Svolvær Lofoten Islands after 14 years in Oslo, the capital of Norway. What a change, but also, it feels very satisfying. We all need to do things that align with our purposes and desires. So, that little Facebook post I saw was the right nudge of the universe to put me on my next adventure. I will work in Destination Lofoten as a sustainability and development coordinator. I’m honored to be part of a team that will do its very best work to preserve the Lofoten Islands for everyone now and in the future.
Let the magic of 2024 begin. If you are in the Lofoten Islands, feel free to reach out for a coffee, hike, or insider tips about the Lofoten Islands.