Rotary World Service - District 5950 Group Study Exchange 2003

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Mike Morris
John Hobday
Margit Karkela
Lynn Keillor
Alanna Simone Tyler

THE TRIP
April 22-23 - Days 1-2
April 24 - Day 3
April 25 - Day 4
April 26 - Day 5
April 27 - Day 6
April 28 - Day 7
April 29 - Day 8
April 30 - Day 9
May 1 - Day 10
May 2 - Day 11
May 3 - Day 12
May 4 - Day 13
May 5 - Day 14
May 6 - Day 15
May 7 - Day 16
May 8 - Day 17
May 9 - Day 18
May 10 - Day 19
May 11 - Day 20
May 12 - Day 21
May 13 - Day 22
May 14 - Day 23
May 15 - Day 24
May 16 - Day 25
May 17 - Day 26
May 18 - Day 27
May 19 - Day 28
May 20 - Day 29

May 6, 2003
West Coast Tour
Margit Karkela

Today we started our West Coast tour. It was a busy day. Our tour guides for the trip were Birger and Ove. They got us off to an early start at 8am. The trip started off in Gol and from there we went to Hempsdahl. (Photo Right: We enjoyed skiing on the closing day of the season at Hemsedal. This is one of Norway's most popular ski resorts and extends far above this view into the high mountains.)

Next stop was the Stave Church. Built all of wood, it is one on the oldest structures in Norway, and one of the most unique.

After the Stave Church we drove through Lærdahl, where we entered the longest tunnel in the world. At 25 kilometers, it took over 18 minutes to drive through and also features several large rooms that are lite with a blue light to make you feel you are outside.
(Photo Above: The Borgund stave church, built in 1180, lies deep in the Laerdal river valley. Photo Right: The small outer ring outside the church was for parishioners who were sick and not allowed inside.)

On the other side of the tunnel, we came to the Songefjord, our first fjord of the trip. Birger was kind enough to stop for some picture opportunites. Mike, John, and Lynn hopped out of the car and were busy taking pictures when Birger commented to Alanna and I that they go "beserks" with the camera. We had a good laugh, but warned Birger, it will probably not be the only stop we will make!

After a nice lunch, we took the Flåmbane (Flam train) up into the mountains. It overlooks these beautiful valleys. The views were absolutely magnificent! The tourist season has not started in Norway in the summer, and that was to our benefit. On this big train, we were the only passengers, and we were able walk freely in the train car so we could catch the best views.

(Photos top left: GSE team celebrates a great trip on the Flåm railway, one of Norway's many visual delights. Above Right: Alanna enjoys the view from Flåm railway. Above lower left: Descending on the Flåm railway over 850 meters from mountaintop down to the valley floor.)

After the Flåmbane, we made a stop at the Wild Salmon Center in Lærdahl. Salmon is an important part of industry and nature here in Norway. We watched an interesting documentary on Salmon and toured the rest of the exibits.

Our final stop of the day was the Hofslund Fjord Hotel in Sogndahl. It is this cute hotel on the fjord. We enjoyed a nice dinner overlooking the scenic views, and proceed into the lounge area were we spent the rest of the evening visiting and again taking in the wonderful views.

(Photo above: Dinner in Sogndahl. Photo right: Evening stop at Sogndal, a prosperous town of 5000, lying along the Sogn fjord, which is the longest in the world.) Since it was a packed day with many stops, I asked everyone, what was your favorate part of the day. Here is what they said:

Lynn’s favorate stops for the day were a tie between going inside the stave church and coming out of the tunnel and seeing Aurland and the Aurland fjord.

Mike enjoyed decesending on the Flåmbane railroad into a sun filled valley located 2400 feet below the train in the valley.

Ove agreed with Mike, the Flåmbane railway was a treat.

John had two favorates. First, sitting at the hotel and looking out at the moutains. The view was incredible. He also enjoyed decending the mountain on the Flåmbane while listening to Nora Jones.

Alanna really enjoyed the trainride as well. She described it as a treat, a real treat!

Birger enjoyed going up the Flåmbane. He was a kid the last time he took the ride up there. I think he enjoyed as much as the rest of us.

I would have to agree with everyone, it was a great day and I enjoyed every part of the trip. I would also like to add that I am enjoying getting to know everyone on our trip. We are having a great time as a team and again our hosts have been a pleasure to get to know as well.

(Photo left: Host Birgir Rustberggard served as our guide on the Vestland tour of the fjord country. Right: John overlooking Aurland in western Norway fjord country.)