A Norwegian Christmas is filled with many celebrations and traditions, old and new. As the snow falls, the white landscape is the first sign of Christmas and Norway starts to prepare for their long season of juletid.
November
As the snow comes, Norway enters the Christmas season early with a series of Christmas parties. Work, clubs, schools [...]

It is surreal to live according to nature.  In big cities and average climates humans make their own times and their own lives but in dynamic places of the world, like Northern Norway, nature makes all the rules.
Instead of living the same day-in and day-out, we live by the seasons and move with nature.  [...]

Many Norwegians know what they are doing when they pick wild mushrooms. This knowledge is passed down the family during mushroom hunting trips. The hard-core mushroom hunters go into the mountain wilderness for days to get the best finds.

Norwegians have the best sense of humour.  I thought this was just a boat shed and the local fishermen were ‘having a go’.  But as it turns out this little seaside shack is actually the home of a special exhibition detailing the history of fishing in Northern Norway.  The life, tradition and adventures of local [...]

Plane landing in Tromsø at sunset
Living in Europe, it doesn’t take long to get anywhere.  Even being so far north, we get to enjoy weekend trips to Venice, Prague, Athens and Budapest.  Flights from Oslo to London are just two hours.  From Arctic Tromsø to London it is only a three flight.  We sure have [...]

With cosy lounge chairs scattered throughout, an art and activity floor for the kids, a cafe area to read todays regional and national newspapers, extensive language courses and materials, free wireless and access to over 600 full content international newspapers, spread over four floors in an award winning architectural building, it’s no wonder Tromsø Library has been voted the best in Norway!

Australians grow up with the idea that the great Aussie barbie is a true blue tradition that distinguishes us from the rest of the world.  We (used to) get a kick out of our Australian icon Paul Hogan (aka Crocodile Dundee) trying to teach the Americans how to put on a ‘real’ BBQ.

When I came [...]

Alta’s highpoint is Komsa Mountain.  It may not compete in height or size with Bergen’s Seven Mountains or Tromsø’s Mount Storsteinen – well, in fact, in the post There is a Hill in Alta I thought Komsa was… you guessed it – a hill!  but apparently standing 203 metres above sea level still classifies it [...]

The Sami Easter festival has something for everyone.  Not only can you get up close and personal with the reindeer but there is a whole array of activities that showcase Sami life and culture.  The festival also includes the Reindeer Racing World Cup, the Sami Film Festival (which is held in an ice-cinema), the Sami [...]

Norwegians know how to make the most of a mountain.  From snow sports (skiing, snow boarding etc) to summer sports (glacier hikes, para-flying etc), leisure activities (sightseeing, sunbathing) to modern commodities (restaurants, tunnels).  Not a mountain is wasted.  In fact, nearly every city in Norway is surrounded by high places that give wonderful extended views [...]