Ahhh Norway, Norway, Norway...I can't put into words how insanely beautiful this country is, it completely took my breath away and it all started with an Instagram post of this stunning, infamous swing...
So!...Yet again I got inspired by another Instagram post! The majority of the people I follow on Instagram are travelers & photographers who inspire me, therefore pretty much every day I add yet another destination to my never ending bucket list.
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I first saw a picture of this swing a few of years ago on @beautifuldestinations page (give these guys a follow when you’re tired of seeing selfies, memes & bags) but they didn’t add the location and back then I was only really interested in spending my money on 'stuff' rather than experiences, so couldn’t have imagined going somewhere like this! Fast forward 2 years or so and it popped up on my feed again, so surely this was a sign that I needed to go here...right?
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The FBI cap went on and some intensive research went down to find out that is was in the Sunnmøre Alps of Norway, in one of the Fjords that starts with a 'H' (I wont even try to pronounce it). The swing sits by the Fjord in the garden at the Christian Gaard Pub in the remote, road-less village of Trandal. To get there, you must either come over the mountain or arrive by sea.
I was sure fate was on my side when I then found an Air B&B that was in Trandal itself! So what now? Crazy flamboyant texting to Ryan and Harry asking, *telling* them to come with me and of course they were both up for the adventure (thats why I luvvv them) so we got Ryan's best friends, Matt & Jess on board too and booked it, all within 24 hours of seeing the swing post!
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Upon arriving in Oslo, we picked up the rental car and drove the 7 hour journey to Trandal over 2 days, which was a mega adventure in itself. Driving in Norway was exactly as you'd imagine; mountains, waterfalls, twists & turns, snow, sun, sheep and more sheep.
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20th June 2017
We arrived in Saebo and hopped on the ferry over to Trandal...and then I saw it! I saw THE swing as we came in on the ferry. After settling in, we went straight to the pub and I literally took a b-line for the swing *limbs flying everywhere* I hadn't realised before, that it was quite a drop, one wrong move and you'd be amongst the 20 (cute) goats on the hill below but maybe that's why they where there? To distract you from the fall? Anyway! I sat there for a moment and took in all the beauty that surrounded me and then pushed myself back onto my tip toes and let go... Imagine the silence, the Norwegian breeze in your hair, and the arctic sun slightly warming your cheeks whilst all the weight gets lifted off your shoulders. It was a perfect combination of peace and mild adrenaline.
Enough of my babbling now! Here's a few highlights:
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We went on the most treacherous hike, 1000x worse than Yosemite, YEP I said it. We hiked the mountain thats opposite the swing, on a rainy, cloudy, muddy day. The only help we had were red dots on rocks and trees leading us in (sort of) the right direction, but no, we couldn't see them could we because we were lost in the thick cloud!!
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Each day we took a little boat out to get around the area, which was a real experience! However on our last day, the water was surprisingly choppy and we ended up getting absolutely soaked whilst holding on for our lives and erupting in some kind of nervous laughter / muffled screams.​
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I went on the swing for soooooo long at one point that I felt extreme motion sickness. I didn't throw up though! Not to worry.
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There was an electric fence that protected the goats, so the guys decided to touch it (after about 15 minutes of faffing and whimpering before doing so)
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We found it hard finding the Air B&B in this tiny village (I know right) and we ended up pushing the car up this crazy steep hill only to found out we had already passed the apartment.
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I hope you enjoy the below pictures of this incredible country. Please go and see this place for yourself, you wont regret it, I promise.
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Alex x
I also filmed this whole trip, so keep an eye out for the video coming soon! Filmed in 4K with the Mavic Pro & Panasonic GH5.
