View from a train window in Norway
While traveling in Norway last year, we were impressed by the amazing views and luxurious nature that Norwegian people could enjoy daily. And the best part was that they weren't moving from home, but just by sitting in the comfort and warmth of their houses, they could stare outside at the magnificence of Mother Nature. During these moments I was recalling the view that I'm used to see from my parent's apartment in Rome, not the worst of the city actually, but still just a never-ending series of buildings; the same from the window of Oti's house in Romania with other communist blocks just a few steps in front to obstruct the view. The following is just a small selection, since only the one with the window frame visible were chosen, but it's probably enough to give an idea of the Norwegian spirit.
The first image is showing the landscape also from a moving point of view: the window of a train. Traveling by train in Norway is like watching a National Geographic documentary, with the difference that what you are experiencing is real. Fjords, forests, rivers, snow, sun, mountains, sea: just a few of the beauties you can see directly from your seat.
In the next photo is shown the apartment where we were hosted in Øverbygd. In the living room there was a huge window covering almost all the surface of the wall: the feeling was like being in the nature, even if we were indoor. You can sit on the couch and enjoy the river flowing through the snowy forest. Not bad isn't it?
Outside view of the river in Øverbygd
In the same place we also used the family sauna, located outside of the house and even closer to the river. It was amazing staying in this steamy room and sweating like being in tropical climate, while enjoying the icy landscape outside separated only by a piece of glass. And of course at the end of the treatment we dived naked on the snow !
Also the sauna is immersed in nature and visually connected to it
And also while moving from one location to the other by train, ferry or hitchhiking a car, in Norway we had plenty of views opening over the landscape to enjoy! No ride was boring if we were just looking out of the window.
Snowy road in Norway seen from the car window
This is the scene that was visible from the window of our hosts in Hol i Tjeldsund, very close to Lofoten Islands. We were invited by a nice couple that picked us up while hitchhiking to stay at their house, and we had a great experience. More details here about this hitchhiking story.
View over the fjord in Hol i Tjeldsund
And in the next image we are moving not too far away, still in Hol i Tjeldsund, in a recreational area built over a rocky cape. The view is from a hut built to shelter the visitors, with the possibility to make a fire inside. The structure is right on top of an old military bunker, still partially visible through the window. During the right season it might even be possible, if not probable, to spot killer whales in this stretch of sea.
View from the visitors' hut in Hol i Tjeldsund
By moving further and further north, we are arrived with our photo story in Olderdalen, Lyngen Fjord, where we saw the best Northern Lights of our lives. Right in front of the window are the Lyngen Alps, one of the most famous Norwegian mountain chains, not far from Tromsø. Being right outside of a small village almost in the middle of nowhere it was the perfect location to see Aurora Borealis. And when a strong one was coming, it was possible to enjoy it directly from the window!
Lyngen fjord and mountains seen from a house in Olderdalen
Going a little bit to the west we reached Svolvaer in Lofoten Islands. Right outside the window is still nature to dominate with the snowy peaks dipping into the water. It looks like in Norway to have an amazing view out of the window, is the rule rather than an exception: this is part of the Norwegian spirit.
Backyard lake in Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands
And to finish, the view from another bunker, this time in Kristiansand, in the very south of Norway, the only picture not taken over the Arctic Circle. As you can judge by yourself, also Norwegian soldiers were able to enjoy, even while in duty, a quite remarkable landscape that we would dream of in our gray, busy cities!
View through the window of a bunker in Kristiansand
Davide Vadalà
