The northern lights are prominent under the dark clouds between the months of September to April. They are usually seen between 6pm to 3am. During this period it is highly recommended o be away from artificial light. The months between December to February offer the longest hours of dim natural lighting, whereas in the months of autumn and spring weather conditions are such that they offer aurora activity like no season.

What causes the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are basically the collisions between gaseous particles with the charged particles released from the sun’s atmosphere. The stark variation in color is due to the type of gas particles that are colliding amongst themselves. The most common northern light color is a pale yellowish-green which is produced by oxygen molecules located about 60 miles above the earth. Rare, all-red auroras are produced by high-altitude oxygen, at heights of up to 200 miles. Nitrogen produces blue or purplish-red aurora. It is basically the kind of gas particle involved that give out a particular color and a ultimately displays a unique show of lights. Sunspot are the dark areas on the sun’s surface that blurt out charged particles and this very activity reaches a the highest point of its range very 11 years. At this period of time the northern light sightings are super intense and easily visible.

At most times, these displays vary in intensity, from a shimmering illusion of multi-coloured artistic blend to greenish-yellow lights, dancing merrily and stretching out to new limits in the vast dark universe.

Myths associated with Northern Lights

Since times immemorial, the ancient communities gazed towards the glittering night sky with big, empirical questions. They had no fundamental understanding or knowledge of even the basic astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology and cosmology. Although, this misunderstanding came with a mesh of unrealized myth that spread like wild fire across multiple cultures and linked to what was collectively shared; the movement of the stars. From these myths came today’s traditions, a means of understanding, interpreting, simplifying and decoding the complex nature of mankind’s place in the universe. 

• In the North Eastern culture, it is still believed that is a child is born under the influence of Northern Lights, he/she will be blessed with astounding looks and good fortunes.
• It was almost considered a taboo to wave, whistle or sing at the Northern Lights as their beliefs confirmed that the spirits of the lights shall come down and take you away till eternity. Also, to relieve yourself from this capture, clapping your hands was the solution.
• It was strongly believed that whistling at the Northern Lights would make them come closer to mankind, henceforth they could whisper messages that would eventually be taken to the dead.
• In the south of Europe, the northern light sightings are mostly red in color. This rare occurrence terrified the locals and made them see this as a bad omen signifying bloodshed and war in the near future.
• According to an Icelandic fable, not looking at the new born while delivering will help ease the pain of childbirth. Also if by any chance the pregnant mothers happen to look at the Northern lights, it might result in giving birth to cross-eyed children.

Conclusion

Life is just simply too short to bicker and hold grudges against people. These true wonders of nature are sure to leave you awe-struck. These naturally dancing lights and colors will make you realize how beautiful our planet earth is and how lucky we are to have an opportunity to understand and witness these miraculous happenings around the planet.

Author’s Bio:
Yogi and Suchna believe in taking the road less travelled and stumbling upon some hidden gems along the way! For over a decade, they’ve mapped their way across various continents, sniffed out unusual routes, discovered new flavours and stayed at quirky hostels. TheVillaEscape is their expression of soul travel. To see Norway Northern Lights Tour you can catch up with them at TheVillaEscape.

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Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is without a doubt the single best wildlife experience in the world. Seeing the critically endangered mountain gorillas up close with your own eyes is like living in a nature show but finding them isn’t always easy. It can take hours of trekking through dense vegetation on difficult terrain and the right gear can make all the difference. Below are my 11 essential pieces of travel gear for anyone getting ready to cross-gorilla trekking off the bucket list.

Manfrotto Active Camera Backpack II – $135.00 If you travel with a DSLR and don’t want to lug a separate camera case, this bag is for you. It’s bisected in the middle so that the bottom is a protected area for camera and lenses. The top is an open space for everything else. It even has a laptop slot in the back and lots of small pockets for all the little things that never have a home. When trekking, a porter will most likely be carrying your bag. This bag allows for easy access to your equipment especially when the bag is on someone else’s back.

Astra Depot Zippered Waterproof Gaiters – $5.00 This tiny inexpensive piece of equipment is essential for any gorilla of chimpanzee trek. The terrain of the gorillas can get extremely muddy. These zippered waterproof protectors keep your socks dry, your boots clean and make sure you don’t get any insects anywhere they shouldn’t be.

Magid Bella Comfort Flex Coated Gloves – $8.00 They say gloves are optional but don’t make that mistake. Once you get into the dense vegetation you’ll be relying on passing branches and trees for support. These gloves will protect your hands without adding too much weight and make sure you don’t touch anything you wish you hadn’t.

Rockport Storm Surge Water Proof Boots – $80.00 A comfortable, waterproof boot is probably the most essential of all. Rockport is known for making comfortable shoes and they over deliver when it comes to boots. These will keep your feet completely dry and comfortable no matter how long you have to trek. Just be sure to pair them with some Smart Wool socks.

White Sierra Men’s Trabagon Jacket – $40.00 Hopefully you don’t need this but the weather in the forest can change in an instant and rain is a near everyday occurrence in some form. What’s great about this jacket is it packs up into a tiny pouch so you have it if you need it but if you don’t need it it’s out of the way.

Nikon 55-300mm Vibration Reduction Lens – $396.00 You probably think you need a good zoom lens to photograph gorillas but in truth, you may end up so close to the animals that a zoom lens won’t work effectively. This 55-300mm lens accommodates all scenarios. A zoom for when you need it and wider aspect for when you don’t. The last thing you want to be doing is changing lenses with a family of wild mountain gorillas around you.

ExOfficio Men’s Air Strip Long Sleeve Shirt – $56.97 It might be warm out but long sleeves are a must. Once you’re in the forest you’ll be passing insects and plants that can cause you real problems if they come in contact with your skin. This shirt offers button-up sleeve rolls so you can roll them up before reaching the tree line and a vented air strip in the back to keep you as cool as possible otherwise.

Country Archer Beef Jerky, Sweet Jalapeno – $5.82 After trekking for awhile, you’ll need a protein boost. Country Archer is by far my favorite widely available beef jerky and the sweet jalapeño flavor is delicious, if you like some spice. I shared it with all the porters and everyone agreed.

Neosling Adjustable Neoprene Bottle Holder – $10.99 Even if you end up hiring a porter to carry your bag you’ll want to have water on you for easy access. This neoprene bottle holder makes it easy to hold water without stuffing a plastic water bottle in your pocket the whole time.

ExOfficio BugsAway Ziwa Convertible Pants – $68.13 Long pants are a must and these allow protections from plants and insects without being too heavy or warm. When not trekking they zip off into shorts and the coolest part is they have an integrated chemical that keeps away insects.

Outad Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover – $8.99 If it does start to rain, you’ll need protection for your backpack. This simple nylon cover packs up small but can be whipped out and wrapped over your camera bag to protect your equipment from even the hardest downpour.

You’ll notice one thing I don’t have on this list is a walking stick. Although highly recommended, it’s best to rent one from your porters. The hand-carved sticks they have are better than anything you’ll bring from home and if you really want, you can buy them from them afterwards for about $10. Interested in arranging a gorilla trekking trip to Uganda or Rwanda? Let us hook you up with Great Lakes Safaris. 

Disclaimer: Although none of these products have paid me to write about them, some of the links I have provided go via my Amazon Affiliate program account.

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My friend Andrew and I did a quick zip thru much of the former Yugoslavia, 7 cities in 2 weeks. We had a rather tedious/grueling drive into town from Belgrade (and going from Sarajevo to Montenegro was even worse). Lots of animals meandering along, crappy roads, funky GPS, etc. Thankfully a few high points on the radio like “She Bop” and even Bruno Mars helped with the drive (I do a punk rock show every Thursday morning so those aren’t my usual go to’s). As you can imagine, we spent a lot of time driving on this trip, not surprisingly.

A friend had recommended the Hotel Michel so I went with that  it was about $100/night thru booking dot yeah! Cute place, a couple blocks removed from the main drag. We arrived around 3:30 and they told us to park the car on the street. While walking to town, we passed an argument a few doors down between a big strapping guy and someone we assumed was his mother who was in the window of her house. I don’t know what pissed him off but he comes back from his car with a bat and smashed her window. Welcome to Sarajevo. There’s our rental parked 3 doors down, we hoped for the best as we walked straight ahead (well I had to kind of peek). The reception and housekeeping women at our hotel were super friendly and felt bad that that was our first experience in town so they brought us a nice pot of tea with honey when we returned. The hotel was pretty comfortable with large rooms, lots of antiques and a gorgeous dining area where they provided a large buffet breakfast.

We first visited the Markale market, famous for being bombed during the Bosnian War. We then saw the Latin Bridge which I didn’t know was where WWI started until I read the Style Hi article. Piddled around the old town and then while trying to decide our next move, I accidentally banged a man’s arm and immediately apologized but he gave it to me (probably saying “F’n tourists go home”). These two big Bosnian dudes thankfully were the exception to the friendly folks we met on the trip. That evening we had an excellent dinner at Dveri, great traditional cooking in a funky atmosphere. After walking around some more, we ended up at the bar Marquee, which wasn’t as rock as metaltravelguide.com led me to think it would be, maybe on other nights.

Even though I was aware of the strife going on in the early-mid 90’s, I was woefully clueless about it. Still am actually, it’s a confusing story and I think the participants were equally confused about it. I feel a bit more educated after taking a Sarajevo Funky Tour with our excellent guide Dado (and a van filled with nice people from all over). This brought you down “sniper alley”, a route constantly bombarded by snipers in the hills, to the “Tunnel of Life” (or Tunnel of Hope or Sarajevo War Tunnel), a tunnel that was dug from the airport to transport food being flown in to avoid yet more snipers. They showed a video of the constant shelling and sniper shots and you wonder how people lived through that. We walked down a bit of the tunnel, where people regularly carried 50 lbs of supplies on their back. Also drove to the site of the ’84 Olympic bobsled, a mostly graffiti filled hangout for kids drinking. We saw some Sarajevo roses (mortar shell scars in the sidewalk) around town and many buildings had hunks taken out from the war. Later we stopped at “Kultura Sjećanja: 1991”, a very heavy exhibit about the Muslims killed in Srebrenica. It was an insane war (and they still don’t like each other much). I read a book on the plane called “Goodbye Sarajevo” that also gave some background.

Other random notes during our 36 hours in town: We noticed the prayers happening here and there during the day. Almost bought new boots on Ferhadjia St., a shopping street filled with newer stores but mostly did souvenir shopping in the Bascarsija Old Town section. I somehow forgot to check out the one record store I had on my list (Kibela Vinyl) and the club we tried to go to was closed that evening (Kino Bosna). We did have fun, excellent cocktails at the super funky Zlatna Ribica, this place is worth a stop with its old style furnishings and interesting drinks. We had more modern drinks at Nivea with a snack of homemade potato chips which seems to be a thing in Sarajevo (also got them on the street). While the
other cities on the trip were filled with stray cats, Sarajevo had tons of dogs. This roving pack late at night was a scene but they were well behaved.

We could have easily spent another 24-36 hours in that city and I’d go back to any of the seven places we visited. It’s always good to visit these off the radar spots before they’re on everyone’s radar.

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Step 1: Leave your existing MetroCard in your pocket and go to the vending machines at the entrance to the AirTrain. Instead of selecting that you want to buy one AirTrain ride, select “MetroCard” instead. This is counter-intuitive because the machine is making you think that it offers two services. One being AirTrain rides and two being regular MetroCards. Don’t fall for its deception!

Step 2: Once again, the machine is making you think that it’s going to sell you a regular MetroCard like any other MTA vending machine in the network. It’s tricking you into thinking that AirTrain rides are now off the table. Don’t be fooled. Select that you want to buy a new MetroCard. Don’t let that $1 fee scare you.

Step 3: Now the secret is revealed and we see a AirTrain 10-Trip option that doesn’t exist on normal MetroCard machines. Since the AirTrain costs $5/ride, you’d think that given typical MTA bulk discounting a 10-trip would cost $50, right? Go ahead and select it and let’s see what happens.

Step 4: BAM! Look at that! Your AirTrain 10-trip isn’t $50 after all. It’s only $25! Even with the $1 fee for a new card you’re coming out way ahead. Pay for the card however you wish and enjoy your half-priced AirTrain fare!

IMPORTANT: Your new 10-trip can be used for 365 days after it’s first use so you may be laying out some cash now, but you’ll enjoy half priced rides to the airport for up to a year!

REALLY IMPORTANT: Obviously this works best when you’re traveling as a family or in a small group. If you are four people, you can knock out four rides from your 10-trip in one shot. BUT, be warned that after every fourth swipe, there is an 18-minute waiting period before the card be used again. So don’t think you and your nine friends can share a 10-trip unless you don’t mind waiting around at Jamaica station for 36 minutes.

For all the details straight from the MTA source, click here. 

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People seem to enjoy letting us plan their trips. This works out well since we kinda love doing it. Trip planning isn’t for everybody so we’re happy to put this skill set to use for others. Honestly, there’s nothing more rewarding than bringing someone to a new place and watching them experience it for the first time. For that reason, we have begun running our own exclusive small-group trips to select destinations around the world.

Group Tours

We know Southern Africa. Really well. So it makes sense that we began our group tour program with our first ever group to South Africa. Since then, we’ve brought people to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana as well and have now begun expanding outside of Southern Africa to other regions we know well and feel people could benefit from a helping hand.

Dave with a group on the Chobe River in Botswana – home to the largest concentration of elephants on the planet!

Our groups are always small (8-10 people max) and we try to attract individuals with a similar mindset. Our groups usually skew on the younger end (think 30’s and 40’s)  of the spectrum and our participants are typically professional with a desire for adventure but preference for luxury accommodations and transportation. We take our name to heart when we plan a group tour and all of our experiences are “Style Hi”. Interested in joining? Sign up for our Tour Mailing List here or check out the list of upcoming tours below.

Un-Escorted Tours

In addition to escorted group tours, we are happy to help you plan your own individual or group tour anywhere in the world. Of course, we specialize in Southern Africa and we especially love to plan honeymoons. If you’re looking for an experience you’ll never forget and don’t want to have to worry about anything, contact us and let us create the perfect itinerary for you.

Recent Testimonials

“I would consider myself a savvy traveler, but after taking a tour with Style Hi, I realize I’ve been doing it all wrong. There is no better way to see a new city, town, country than doing it with a jam packed, high adventure, young and exploitative group of like minded new friends – and that’s what Style Hi provides!” – Hally C.

“We had never worked with a travel planner before and Dave exceeded our expectations. He balanced our needs for luxury and excitement and was easily accessible with prompt responses throughout the planning process and while in Africa which made our trip delightful and stress free. The Birkenhead House was the perfect choice (absolutely amazing!!), along with shark cage diving and safari at Kapama. The trip was even better than we imagined and definitely the best vacation we have ever taken! We can’t wait to go back to Africa and hopefully we can tag along in one of his future trips!” -Jenny L.

“Style Hi Tours seriously made our South Africa & Mozambique Honeymoon one of the most unforgettable trips of our lives. From pre-planning preparations, visa applications, hotel & activity deposit interactions etc. Dave and Chandra were there for us at every given moment. They had a unique knowledge of each of the destination and each activity/excursion. They werent just regurgitating information that they had read in a pamphlet, they had actually gone to all of the places we went to and lived it themselves. From advice, questions, suggestions etc…these guys are a legit authority on trip planning. I highly highly recommend Style Hi to any traveller trying to do something “different” while still trying to get in a trip to a popular destination. Their passion & hobby is travel…and it is truly reflected in any trip they prepare for anyone.” -VJ

“Since the first social media photo was posted, friends were asking me how to be a part of the next trip. A must-do, must-experience once-in-a-lifetime adventure provided only by Style Hi Tours. I would recommend Style Hi Tours to anyone who seeks adventure, new cultural experiences and global travel.” – Hollie S.

“When I thought of a trip to Africa, I always thought it would be a once in a lifetime kind of vacation. Having just returned from my StyleHiClub trip throughout much of Southern Africa, I can safely say that I was wrong on the once in a lifetime part, I will most certainly return because this trip was so incredible it shouldn’t be relegated to just once in a lifetime. I can’t thank you enough StyleHiClub, I will follow you anywhere!!” – Jamie D.

“This was one of the best trips I have ever been on. Saw so much, had great experiences and the accommodations were lovely. Very well organized and my fellow travelers were so much fun and made me feel like I was part of the group even though I was traveling alone. I will be on all future trips for sure.” – Jessica K.

“The Southern Africa trip was one of my best travel adventures yet! Our 10-day itinerary was jam packed with great activities and the logistics were seamless. It was the perfect way to maximize what South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana have to offer in a short amount of time.” – Michelle W.

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Watching TV as a child and teenager, I can remember a backdrop of both violence and positive change across the world: the end of apartheid, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Oslo accords and the Good Friday Agreement. These resolutions seemed to halt the stream of images and reports of terrorist attacks that began generations before. Growing up, it had seemed “business as usual” for places like Northern Ireland to be violent each and every day. But then Clinton came along and it was all over, right?

Well I cannot speak for the residents of Belfast, but I did find it hard to believe that the Troubles were a thing of the past while looking at the physical barriers that still separate Catholic and Protestant sides of the city in 2014. Yes, in parts of the city there are gates and there are walls. Some gates are locked just overnight while others shut on Friday and do not re-open until Monday.

Peering through the locked gate from the Protestant side of the city. This land is a buffer zone between Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods. You can see the entrance to the Catholic side in the left of the photo.

A Political Tour of Belfast

Right up until we loaded ourselves into Stevie’s blue taxi, we thought that our Political Tour would take us to historical sights. This was, of course, true, but we had no idea that the Troubles were still very much a part of day-to-day life in Belfast.

The walls and gates that separate the city are actively enforced and welcomed by the city’s residents.

The Peace Wall. It is not to commemorate peace, but rather built to enforce it.

Belfast is a safe city, as Stevie explained, but the residents are quite content to live separately. In parts of the city this may mean segregated neighborhoods with no clear delineation but in one specific part of the city, physical walls divide the two sides.  Catholics on one side, Protestants on the other. More accurately, those who consider themselves to be Irish on one side (nationalists), and those who feel loyal to the crown on the other (unionists). Residents work alongside one another in the city center. At night, they retire to their own communities. Over 90% of schools are segregated, passing the division line down to the next generation.

Shankill Road

The first stop on our tour was to the Shankill area of Belfast, a loyalist (unionist, Protestant) neighborhood just a short drive from our hotel, the Europa, located in the city center. The look of the area was working class, with row houses and few trees, only made more dismal by the grey sky and threat of rain. It was late afternoon on a Sunday, so there were not many residents walking about.  Stevie parked the taxi and we began to walk around the neighborhood. Along the way he explained the murals that covered each and every one of the buildings.

If these images don’t terrify you, you are much braver than I! Along with the glorification of fallen heroes (remember, one side’s heroes are the other side’s criminals), the images are meant to spark fear in the very core of anyone walking through this neighborhood – fear of a transgression against the loyalist agenda and of collaboration with the other side.

I cannot imagine that any healing or forgiveness can begin to happen unless these images are removed. But as Stevie said, the residents of these homes have virtually zero chance of that happening. If you aren’t happy with a mural on the side of your house, you should probably just move. The images are created by convicts who were freed as a contingency of the Good Friday Agreement. They have perfected their art while serving time at The H Blocks – a high security prison used during the Troubles.

 The Peace Walls

Peace Wall is quite a misleading term. These walls, also called Peace Lines, do not commemorate peace. They aren’t there as a historical artifact of times gone by. They have been in existence since the start of the Troubles and have only ever grown taller and more numerous across Belfast and other cities in Northern Ireland. They exist to keep the neighborhoods safe from attack from the other side by dividing the city. They indeed serve their purpose, and for that reason they continue to exist. This does not mean that the walls can serve as a replacement for integration. I know that sounds extremely naive, but I believe walls are notoriously on the wrong side of history.

The thing to do in Belfast…sign the wall! Hope for peace!!

The Peace Wall as seen from the Catholic side. Homes are also fenced so as to minimize the effects of potential molotov cocktails that may be tossed over should the peace suddenly deteriorate.

It is certainly worth noting that although the number of walls has almost tripled since the start of the Troubles, there is a plan to remove all walls by 2023.

Falls Road

As we crossed over to the Catholic neighborhood in West Belfast via a road not blocked by wall or gate, we entered the “other side” so to speak. Again, we were in a working class neighborhood. The homes were small, closer together, although the lack of barren land between buildings made things feel a bit more like an actual neighborhood. We drove along Bombay Street, which was burnt to the ground at the start of the Troubles in 1969.

A memorial on the side of a row house in the Catholic section of Belfast

Holding a British Forces rubber bullet. This type of bullet killed many a civilian during the Troubles due to misuse.

The general feeling of this neighborhood was markedly different from that in the Shankill neighborhood. The nationalists/Catholics are a people who feel oppressed. They remember their deceased, they side with the “underdogs” of the world. They have the advantage that their cause was started in the 1960s on ethical, moral grounds. They began by fighting for their civil rights, and not by defending their position as the ruling class. From the early days, atrocities have been committed on both sides, but the feeling in the air on Bombay Street still holds those early goals of equality.

In the end, Stevie told us if he was Protestant or Catholic. I won’t spoil it here. I will tell you that he lives in one of the very few integrated neighborhoods in the city and sends his children to an integrated school. He doesn’t want the walls. It is probably too late for much of the current adult generation, so the hope no doubt lies in the city’s children. Hopefully they can see a picture larger than that which is painted onto the side of their homes.

Overall, we loved our time in Belfast. We came to learn about the city’s tumultuous history and left with a far more interesting experience than we ever anticipated having. It’s also worth saying that at no time did we ever for a minute feel unsafe and honestly consider the Northern Ireland capital to be one of the most interesting cities we have ever visited. Belfast also made a great jumping off point to explore the Causeway Coastal Route and Giant’s Causeway!

**We highly recommend booking this tour while visiting Belfast. Stevie is an exceptional guide and we were captivated by the sights and by his stories. http://belfastblackcabtours.co.uk/  Ask for Stevie **

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#14. Brown Cheese
Brown Cheese, or Brunost, can be found almost everywhere. It stands out because it looks like cheese but is unsettlingly brown. You won’t find a Norwegian breakfast buffet without sizable quantities of brown cheese seemingly setup as some sort of alter that the Norwegians flock to and foreigners dismiss with a raised eyebrow. Why is the cheese brown? It’s because the milk is caramelized in the cooking process by converting the milk sugar with heat. The cheese has an unexpectedly sweet taste that  isn’t bad at all but completely doesn’t match what you are expecting when you put it in your mouth.

#13. Red Fish
I’m a big fan of fish and shellfish in particular. This probably comes from a lifetime of our family business in the seafood industry. Fish quite literally put me though college! I’d never heard of “Redfish” though. The reddest fish I knew was salmon. Over lunch at Fisketorget Restaurant in Stavanger I got to experience this delicious fish which was lightly grilled outside on the barbecue. It was the most delicious fish I’d ever eaten.

#12. Hotdogs Wrapped in Bacon
Nothing special about this, right? I mean America isn’t really short on hotdogs. These hotdogs are over a foot long though, not made of artificial fillers and served in a sesame seed bun. Oh, and did I mention that they were being served on a ferry boat crossing a fjord? Gotta be the best ferry food ever. There’s a lesson in this for you, Cross Sound Ferry.

#11. King Crab
Who doesn’t love king crab? They are the king of all crabs. As tall as a toddler and even more delicious. I was under the false impression that all the world’s king crab came from Alaska. I blame Discovery Channel and its Deadliest Catch. Turns out, king crab come from Norway too. You can even go on a “king crab safari” and catch them yourself – without potentially drowning 150 miles north west of Dutch Harbor.

#10. Lingenberries
Lingenberries aren’t only for IKEA cafeterias. They aren’t even only for Sweden. Turns out, they are everywhere in Norway and so popular it’s not unusual to get a bowl of them on your dinner table in a restaurant without even asking. That’s right, they are up there with butter, salt and pepper.

#9. Smash!
Chandra actually discovered this salty snack online before I even went to Norway. They appeared to be Bugles covered in milk chocolate. It seemed almost too good to be true so I sought them out when I arrived in Oslo. Turns out they are everywhere and way more delicious than you imagine. The combination of salty and sweet with chocolate of far better quality than anything we see in the States makes it the perfect snack. Seriously, I brought home like five bags and am eating one as I write this.

#8. Fish Cakes
You see these things everywhere. They kind of look like English muffins, or maybe potato cakes but like most things in Norway, they’re actually made of fish. Unlike crab or fish cakes you’ve probably had before, the consistency of these are smooth and not like shredded meat pushed back together. Like the brown cheese, the first time you put one in your mouth they don’t really make sense but they just kind of work. You’ll see people walking around eating these from paper cones like french fries in Amsterdam.

#7. Stone Crab Claws
At home stone crabs are a delicacy. Unless you live in Miami, you probably aren’t used to eating them on a regular basis. In Norway, they are absolutely everywhere. We would go to buffets with literally piles of stone crab claws – some already cracked with the meat sticking out ready to be dipped in butter and devoured.

#6. Fish Soup
After a few days in Norway fish soup becomes a bit of a joke. It seems that every soup is fish soup and something about the words “fish soup” just sound so unappealing. Maybe it’s because fish already come in liquid so fish soup sounds like someone just ladled out a bit of the ocean and put it in a bowl. Of course that’s not the case and fish soup is awesome. The best I had was at Fisketorget Restaurant in Stavanger which had some sort of combination of spices that I can’t describe but pleased my brain in ways I could not imagine. Is that nutmeg?

#5. Salmon, Salmon and WAY More Salmon
I have never seen so much salmon in my entire life and you remember I mentioned earlier that my family is in the seafood business. Driving along the water you can see salmon farms in the fjords. At buffets and restaurants salmon isn’t just always an option, you usually have about four or five different types of salmon to choose from. Smoked salmon, pepper salmon, raw salmon, salmon salad, whole salmon, poached salmon, I feel like Bubba from Forest Gump talking about shrimp. Fun fact, did you know the word salmon in Norwegian is “laks”? It’s all starting to make sense now.

#4. Five Animals on a Plate
At the Fretheim Hotel in Flåm they have an epic dinner buffet that’s great for an adventurous carnivore such as myself. Here I was able to accomplish a goal I don’t think I’ve come close to anywhere else. Five different animals on a single plate. Look at the majesty below. There’s salmon (of course), lamb, pork, stone crab and that mysterious looking black one which we’ll touch on in a minute…

#3. Whale Meat
While walking through the Bergen Fishmarket I came across something I had never seen before. It looked like a roast beef in with the fish. Turns out, it was whale meat and you’ll find it everywhere in Norway. Don’t worry, the mink whale is not even remotely endangered and tastes delicious. Walking around Bergen you’ll even see signs promoting whale-burgers and other such monstrosities. You can’t go to Norway and not try whale. It’s a must.

#2. Endless Dessert Buffet

Perched on the edge of the stunningly beautiful Sognefjorden fjord in Balestrand is the historical Kviknes Hotel. Here you’ll find not only one of the most impressive selections of salmon, but also the most impressive dessert buffet I have ever encountered. Look at all the options! I couldn’t even fit everything in the shot. There’s an entire second table adjacent to this one!

#1. Reindeer Steaks
By far the most exciting thing I ate while in Norway was reindeer. If you go to Bergen a meal at Bryggen Tracteaursted located in the historical area of Bryggen is an absolute must. The restaurant dates back to 1708 and you can really feel all those years of history when you walk in. When I heard reindeer was on the menu I was almost giddy. Sure I like Rudolph and the rest of those guys as much as anyone else but for some reason I really wanted to eat one. It did not disappoint. 

Have you been to Norway? Did you get to eat anything interesting? Let me know about it in the comments. 

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The Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock, is one of the most recognizable spots in Norway and often graces the cover of guidebooks. This image courtesy of Visit Norway.

The trek to Pulpit Rock begins just outside the Norwegian city of Stavanger and is easily accessible by car. The hike itself it supposed to take two hours but of course can be longer or shorter given your level of physical fitness. I didn’t have high expectations for myself. When we started it was raining pretty hard and there I was wearing the exact same rain jacket I had worn in Nepal.

This way to Preikestolen!

I decided I wasn’t going to let myself be pressured by the pace of others. It wasn’t long before I had broken away from the group and was hiking on my own. The hike had its hard parts but it also had its extremely easy parts. The terrain seemed to alternate between piles of boulders and totally flat boardwalks stretched out in open fields. After the first 25% of the hike I decided I was fine by myself and stopped rushing. After 50% I picked up the pace a little bit as I got more comfortable and by 75% I had caught up with our group’s leaders and we ended up finishing the hike together.

This diagram gives a rough idea of just what the ascent is like.

Although primarily uphill, the alternating terrain keeps the trek interesting and stops you from getting too tired out. When you do need a break, there are plenty of places to stop without being in the way, many with incredible views. The unusual boardwalks seem to offer the perfect cool down just when you really need a break.

Sometimes the terrain is like this…

…sometimes like this…

…and unfortunately sometimes like this.

The rain made for a lousy ascent but as I reached the summit it seemed the Norse Gods were rewarding me for my effort. Grey skies slowly cleared and as we walked out onto Pulpit Rock the view of the fjord nearly 2,000 feet below and surrounding mountains was nothing short of spectacular.

It’s hard to appreciate just how high and how sheer this 2,000 foot cliff face really is.

Celebrating our successful trek to Pulpit Rock

In Norway, respect for nature and personal responsibility are of paramount importance. Norwegians don’t tarnish their natural landmarks with a bunch of safety barriers or sacrifice their authenticity by making them overly accessible. There’s no alternate way to reach Pulpit Rock, no cable car or funicular. To stand on that precipice you need to have earned it. In exchange for that effort, the experience of being there becomes far more rewarding than simply stepping out of a tour bus, admiring the view and being on your way. I can’t wait to do it again.

Victory photo just as the sky was starting to clear.

One without me ruining the view.

Have you ever hiked the Preikestolen or anywhere else in Norway? Tell me about it in the comments.

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I made it! The PEZ Visitor Center and Factory in Orange, CT

Most of the PEZ distributed in the United States comes from the PEZ factory in Orange, CT. Orange is located just an hour and forty minutes from where I grew up but until recently, visitors were never allowed. I remember as a kid reading accounts of the lucky few that had somehow received a private tour. My years of plotting to achieve the same never yielded any results.

This is really it. The place where PEZ comes from!

In December of 2011 PEZ opened the PEZ Visitor Center on the site of their Orange factory. Visitors were now not only welcome, but encouraged. While on site you can not only see PEZ being made right before your eyes, but also learn about the history of the iconic candy and browse some of the historical memorabilia. I needed to go but by this point the idea of stopping to spend time in Connecticut while driving between New York and Boston was not very appealing. Finally, we carved out some time and made a plan. I would finally get to see where PEZ comes from.

The PEZ Visitor Center and Shop from the Mezzanine Level

The PEZ Visitor Center is geared towards kids. Fortunately, I have one of those! So with my little girl in tow we went on a pilgrimage to this cathedral of candy excellence. The visitor center is attached to the factory and allows guests to watch PEZ being made while simultaneously browsing memorabilia. Unfortunately, it was a holiday weekend so the factory wasn’t running. This didn’t stop me from enjoying seeing the machines that churned out my childhood cavity makers.

She may not have ever had PEZ before, but she knows she wants some

A comprehensive timeline of the history of the candy spans one large area of the visitor center. Of course, I knew most of the history by heart but this was an opportunity to obnoxiously parrot useless facts to Chandra that she cared little about – and I never miss such an opportunity. Our daughter, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy the pretty colors and spinning some wheels around.

A timeline of PEZ

Embarrassingly, I own nearly everything in this display case. Yes, really.

Besides boasting an impressive collection of PEZ memorabilia, you can also buy nearly everything PEZ in the store. For me, the highlight was the PEZ “pick-and-mix” where you can fill a bucket of PEZ for just $4.99. Turns out, you should not buy PEZ by the bucket. This led to a stomach ache for the next several days and I’m sure yet-to-be-realized dentist bills.

This is entirely too much PEZ

The PEZ Visitor Center and factory is a welcome distraction in an otherwise excruciating state. Admission is only $5 for adults and free for kids under three. Each admission comes with a voucher worth $2 in the store which you will absolutely make use of. You also get a super-cool lanyard to wear around your neck. Kids can even have birthday parties on site. Click here for more information and be sure to stop in the next time you’re passing through.

Look how happy my daughter is to visit the place where something she’s never heard of comes from! This trip was all about her.

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