Infrastructure

During the Mayer's visit, the long days of rain did not stop us from trekking up to Norway. We also challenged Robert’s driving endurance when after two hours into our road trip Chris and I realized we forgot our passports at home so we had to turn back. Double the bridge tolls and double the gas later, we made it on time for the ferry that takes you across the North Sea to the southern tip on Norway. The ferry was incredibly fast, and flew like an airplane just over the water. We took the time to relax and re-charge after a very long driving day.

Pics below, entrance to the ferry, us sitting on the ferry, and the airplane-like seats on the ferry.

This was the first ferry but not the last, I lost track after the 5th ferry that we took to get to our final destination of Balestrand. We became experts at loading in and out of the ferries. For most we arrived with only a minute to spare, once a girl in the ticket kiosk just stuck her head right out and waived us in yelling "Just pay on board!" That was not the last close call. I can't imagine living in the south west of Norway. You really have to have all the timing right in order for it not to take 5 hours to drive 200 kms. This is the biggest challenge in Norway, it's not the distance, it's the logistics!

It's not only about the ferries. There are countless bridges, which on a windy day will make even the most confident drivers nervous, and there are tunnels. Oh joy! The tunnels are not for the claustrophobic because they can be many kilometers long. Thank goodness we were able to avoid the longest one (30 km) but we did travel through dozens of tunnels that were anywhere from 2 to 11 km in length.

The other threat of travelling Norway are their roads. Why didn't anyone warn us?? No wonder most towns in Norway are dry towns. Yes, that's right, no booze. How else can they control people on their crazy single lane roads made for two way traffic?? See for yourself: