It started late on a Thursday night. Three South African explorers ventured out into the streets of Oslo. Searching for an alcoholic beverage past 11pm. Some called us crazy, but we knew the truth.... We were thirsty, and our hostel smelt a bit funny. We managed to find an establishment equipped with the relevant necessities, and so began our venture into our Very Expensive (wow, it's crazy over there!) Norwegian Adventure.
We rose early from our bunks, and set off for Stavanger to begin preparations for our mission. We scoured the streets for artwork, and then set off to the beach for some Ben and Jerry's. Naturally, we couldn't go to just any beach. Only the longest stretch of sandy beaches in Norway would do for us.
After a quick nap (even explorers need naps) we took a drive to some of the connecting islands (via very long, underwater tunnels) where the three of us marveled at the sun set while we talked about our travel dreams and adventure goals, as well as the very distinct difference between being and explorer, exploring and adventuring. We then set out for a quick dinner and drink to revitalise our bodies and loosen up our joints, before fetching team member number 4, Jae "the ballerina" Lake (aka. the provider of the hilarious, yet valuable, Rules for Life, and our token Australian) around midnight, made possible by the 7Eleven Hazelnut flavoured coffee that kept our eyes alert and on the look out for Jae.
Two more team members joined us in the morning, Ken and Lisha - South Africans on exchange in Copenhagen, and then finally Murray "the Captain" arrived. Our team was now complete.
6 South Africans, 1 Australian, 2 cars and a whole lot of winding road ahead.
We reached the base site at about 10am, and so began our mission. Hiking up Kjerag.
We had been warned that it was tricky (Actually, about three people asked us if we were sure we didn't want to do an easier hike first) but we set off anyway.
It pains me to admit, but I was the lagger. Unfit, and hucking up phlegm, I maintained the rear position for most of the initial climb, but found my breath and climbing feet somewhere on the first downhill. Part mountain goat, part reverse spider, I persevered. We persevered. And with a little team work, and a whole bunch of water breaks, we made it. 6km there, and appox. 1km UP, we stood in line to have our photos taken on top of The Boulder, and Close To The Edge, before starting the 6km trek back to the base. Coming down was definitely easier, although some parts involved sliding down on our bottoms while pondering how we had actually gotten up there, but we did it. In a pretty good time too!
We piled our stinky bodies into the cars and made our way to the ferry that was to take us to our beds for the night, at the bottom of the hike up to Pulpit Rock. The ferry ride was quiet, most of us sleeping, eating hotdogs and enjoying the incredible scenery. After dinner, and a couple of bottles of wine (ok, more than a couple), we hit the sack. I'm pretty sure everyone fell asleep really fast, at least I did. Until I was woken up by the guy on the bunk below me, who was snoring so heavily that the whole bed was vibrating. It was then that I heard the rain. It was coming down pretty hard.
I lay awake for a while, listening while the wind picked up, waiting for the rest of the team to wake up so we could deliberate the days hike. After a shower and a much needed breakfast we made the call not to hike up to Pulpit Rock. Even though it is meant to be an easier hike, we didn't have the right equipment for this weather, so falling/ slipping would mean some serious injuries, and we were limited w.r.t. time. So we ventured back into Stavanger for a meander around the port, found an amazing coffee shop in what we've dubbed "the colourful street" and that's where we stayed until it was time for our flight back to Oslo.
A shower and sleep in Oslo and then back to the airport, back to Munich, and back to work.
And then our last weekend away was over, and the only things left to look forward to are our farewell and flights back to SA. Say whaaaat?
Our year couldn't have ended with a better trip. It was calm and serene and beautiful beyond any words I will ever be able to string together. The best I can do is say "Look for yourself."
A big thank you to the team for such wonderful company and spirit. Special mention must, of course, be made of The Beavs, our team mascot. I am well and truly Beaver Fevered.
Well, go on then...
My kind of artwork!!
These little piles of stones were all over, the whole way to and up the mountain.
I was approached by these sheep in the parking lot before the hike. I may have yelped a little, and I'm sorry for that, but I've never been approached by sheep before... what was I to do?
I added a stone to this pile. I'll have to go back and find it some day.
The Beavs after our post-hike wine drinking
The Beavs enjoying a little latte
Homesickness!
Next up is our farewell. SA vs Aussie rugby game at the Irish pub, back to our place for a BRAAI in the park (with wors, potato salad, pap and garlic bread nogal) and then out on the town. Time for us Saffa's to (finally) teach the rest of this bunch how it's done.
No comments:
Post a Comment