When I moved to the northern hemisphere nearly three years ago I decided to start a new yuletide tradition. Instead of a kilo of prawns and Christmas on the beach I decided to embrace the inclement weather of my new home and spend time in December in places that fit my clichéd idea of a White Christmas.
In 2004 I spent a weekend in a snowbound cottage in the Scottish Highlands. Last year I spent a week drinking glogg in Stockholm. This year I’m going to Bergen. In Norway.
Being the cosmopolitan well-travelled bunch that you are I hoped that you might have some tips on the must-sees and the rarely-seens in this neck of the woods.
Frank Wathne, a reader who lived in Bergen for four years, has given me a few pointers – the club in an old WWII bunker with graffiti written by aliens over the urinal sounds most intriguing. And the Official Bergen Tourist web site has pointed me towards the largest gingersnap city in the world.
Anyone got any better suggestions?
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The only thing I know about Bergen is the ferries to Shetland, I am afraid!
I’ve never been to Norway but I’ve heard that the beer is even more expensive than it is in Sweden, which in turn is more expensive than London.
You looking forward to the Ashes Peter? I neverly started celebrating prematurely yesterday when Radio Five Live said that Shane Warne was ‘doubtful’ to start. Turned out I’d misheard – they’d actually said Shane Watson! I’ll be tuning in tonight…
Not been to Norway Peter but can’t wait for the Ashes to start tonight……Got my matchsticks ready to keep me awake!
Peter are you not suppose to support England now? Seeing as your wife is English and you now live over here, perhaps its time to switch the ‘baggy green’ for the blue of England…….haha, sorry couldn’t resist.
Come on England!!
Nick,
Can’t wait – I’m actually looking forward to the odd hours of coverage here in the UK. It’ll remind me of lying in bed as boy with the radio on listening to Australia play in the UK and the West Indies. There’s something exciting about listening to cricket in the dark when it’s cold outside. Hmm, I just realised how weird that makes me sound.
Anyway, what’s your prediction for the series. I’m thinking 3-1 to the Aussies …
Hi Peter,
Haven’t been to Bergen yet but am going for a weekend in January so will be waiting your blog of what you did for ideas for myself!
Adam
Hi Peter
Not to break you dream, but Bergen is not the place to go if you are going for the cool winter landscape of Norway. It is on of the rainiest places on the planet. It rains average 300 days a year, the temp in December is around 5 degrees, they have 22 days of rain and they get 5 hours of sun.
So I suggest bringing an umbrella and a rain coat.
Sorry if I’m destroying you trip, but the city and people is nice.
Anders
You’ll wanna take a buttload of booze with you as it’s ludicrously expensive in Norway. If you have any left over, the locals will be grateful recipients.
There’s lots of really good music coming out of Bergen:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_of_Convenience
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%B6yksopp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Lilia_Berge_Strand
Hey Simon (Shermozzle),
Thanks for the tip on booze. Wasn’t planning to write myself off but if the weather is as bad as Anders says I might have to!
Thanks for the tip on bands. I’ve loved Kings of Convenience for years. In fact one of the best concerts I have EVER seen was KoC down in Queen Elizabeth Hall in Southbank. Just 2 blokes, a piano and an acoustic guitar and the place was spellbound. Brilliant.
Will check to see if my Russian friends have any Anne Lilia Berge Strand now.
Dear Peter,
Bergen is an indeed lovely place to spend time at… in summer! Well, Anders already said it – the weather might be quite the spoiler to your otherwise brilliant idea. But then again, you never know how the weather will turn this year, can you?
Just another thing: Even though I NEVER drink alcohol and don’t require any other tax-loaden consumer goods than food, I lost 6kg in 2 month while studying in Bergen. The reason not being a diarrhea or the stressful schedule (nah!), but much rather the incredibly high prices for such simple things as food or a bus ticket! We “poor” non-Norwegian students ended up walking the 90 min from our hostel to town and eating cheap soups… simply couldn’t afford much else!!
Enjoy – and please don’t forget to report back!
Veni (huge fan of Swahili For The Broken-Hearted)