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@ Norwegian Museum of Cultural History
Dreamer begins his tour of "Norway". Wrap up warm!
Norwegian Museum of Cultural History
This old farm homestead, typical of many found in Oslo, Norway countrysides is one of 160 buildings on display at one of the world's oldest and largest open-air museums, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. This open-air museum focuses on the time period from 1500 until the present time but also has a stave church from 1200. Indoor exhibits feature Norwegian folk costumes, folk art, church art, toys, and Sami culture.

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@ Mosfjell, Birkeland, Norway
"Hey, Choose a name, it says here, 'Norway's oil and gas industry has powered the economy, but it doesn't power the nation's homes. Around 98% of Norway's domestic power usage is drawn from hydroelectric power plants.'"
"That's good going, isn't it, Dreamer?"
Mosfjell, Birkeland, Norway
A scenic sunset brings a day of adventuring through Mosfjell, Birkeland, Norway to a close. Rest up because there will be more spectacular places to see tomorrow!

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@ Rural Norwegian Landscape
"Talking of Norway's coastline," remarked Hyacinthie, "I always remember that bit in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy where Norway's creator reveals he won an award for its design, and dwells fondly on its 'lovely crinkly edges'."
"Yes!" exclaimed Dreamer, and he and Hyacinthie chuckled together at the memory.
Rural Norwegian Landscape
Time to bundle up! The horses are hitched to the sleigh and pets will get to experience a real sleigh ride through the wintry Norwegian rural landscape.

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@ Colorful Shops, Bergen, Norway
"Did you know that Oslo, the Norwegian capital, has been the venue of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony almost every year since 1901, ****?" queried Dreamer. "The other Nobel prizes in science and literature are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden."
**** grinned. "Yup—well, I know the physics prize ceremony is in Stockholm. The last episode of the Big Bang Theory was unforgettable!"

Colorful Shops, Bergen, Norway
Colorful wooden shops beckon travelers to stop by and see what goodies they can't live without. The bright yellow one is a souvenir shop. Every pet needs to visit that one.

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@ Ice Sculptures, Kirkenes, Norway
"Today's quiz question, Icicle!" announced Dreamer. "How many times has Norway hosted the Winter Olympics?"
Icicle pondered. "Well, I would say more than once, at any rate!"
"Correct, Icicle! The answer is twice: in 1952 in Oslo, and in 1994 in Lillehammer."
Ice Sculptures, Kirkenes, Norway
The famous Snow Hotel in Kirkenes is built with fresh snow every winter and is a popular tourist attraction. How do you stay warm in there? You are just going to have to do a little research to find out the answer to that question and any others you may have.

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@ Frozen Fjord, Norway
"Next quiz question, Sunshine!" announced Dreamer. "What is unusual about the Colonel-in-Chief of the Norwegian King's Guard?"
"I don't know, Dreamer. Is he very young to have been appointed, or something?"
"Ooh, you're almost there! He's actually a Scottish penguin!" responded Dreamer. "Brigadier Sir Nils Olav has held the title since 2005, but the involvement goes back to 1972 when the regiment adopted a penguin from Edinburgh Zoo."

Frozen Fjord, Norway
The ice is beginning to break up signifying that the winter's grip on the land is loosening. The ice and snow will soon melt, giving way to the many fjord cruises that immerse travelers in the spectacular beauty that is Norway's famous fjords.

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@ Lofoten Fishing Village
"Did you see in our tour guide that the world's most remote island is in Norwegian territory but it's actually on the other side of the world in the South Atlantic Ocean!" said Dreamer.
"I guess that means we won't be visiting it!" remarked Queenie.
"Correct! Because of Bouvet's remoteness and the lack of an airport, visiting the island is impossible unless you're on a funded scientific research expedition."
Lofoten Fishing Village
Many rugged fishing villages can be found among the picturesque Lofoten Islands of Norway. They are a popular destination for both professional and recreational fishermen.

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@ Soaring Sunset
"Did you know that Oslo, the Norwegian capital, has been the venue of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony almost every year since 1901, Mr C?" queried Dreamer. "The other Nobel prizes in science and literature are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden."
Mr C grinned. "Yup—well, I know the physics prize ceremony is in Stockholm. The last episode of the Big Bang Theory was unforgettable!"

Soaring Sunset
Two large aquatic birds soar serenely in the sunset in Bergen, Norway.

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@ Foggy Fjord, Norway
"It explains here that Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist who bequeathed his wealth to create the Nobel awards," remarked Dreamer.
"So why did he choose Norway to be the Peace Prize venue?"
"No one knows, Penelope!" said Dreamer.
Foggy Fjord, Norway
This idyllic little fog-enshrouded village welcomes a boat into the fjord. I'm sure the travelers will receive a warm nordic welcome.

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@ Røldal, Norway
"Gosh, NUTTER, look at this snippet from our brochure! 'Income and wealth of all residents is on public record.' I'm not sure I'd want everypet knowing how wealthy or otherwise I was!"
"It must make it awfully difficult to fiddle one's tax return, Dreamer! Not that one would ever dream of doing so, of course!"
Røldal, Norway
No matter what your idea of fun is, Røldal offers something for you to do. Attractions include skiing, hiking, and sightseeing. If you are a history buff, there are plenty of interesting places to explore.

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@ Jotunheimen Mountains, Norway
"What Norwegian Christmas tradition centres around Bjørnøya, or Bear Island, Nemo?" asked Dreamer.
"I don't know, Dreamer!"
"Every Christmas the nine staff at its meteorological station, Herwighamna, undertake a broadcast on the radio, as one of the many far out places in Norway. It says here that amateur radio enthusiasts occasionally conduct DXpeditions on the island during the summer months."
Jotunheimen Mountains, Norway
Once upon a time, according to Norse mythology, Jotunheimen was the place where the Jötunn – the trolls – lived. These were feared as superhuman, similar in power to gods but more chaotic in nature and best avoided. “Giant” or "Troll" are common synonyms for Jötunn. It is also used in Scandinavian folklore and popular culture. The word is related to modern Scandinavian words for magic or sorcery. Prepare yourself to be spellbound as soon as you set foot here.

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@ Norwegian Fjord Rainbow
" 'Norway is the name of the country in English,'" read out Dreamer. " 'In Norwegian, the country is called Norge. In the lesser-used nynorsk variety of Norwegian, the spelling is Noreg. In fact, the full name of the country is the Kingdom of Norway. In Norwegian, this is written as Kongeriket Norge, or Kongeriket Noreg in nynorsk. Meanwhile, the Norwegian language is known in Norway as norsk.' Got that, Solo?"
"Got it, Dreamer!" replied Solo. "When I used to collect stamps when I was young, I remember the Norwegian ones had 'Norge' printed on them."
Norwegian Fjord Rainbow
They say treasure is to be found at the end of the rainbow. That is definitely true here in Norway where they have an abundance of some of the most spectacular scenic fjord views. Norway truly is a treasure for the eyes.

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@ Trolltunga, Norway
unie started chuckling. "Norway is home to Hell, Dreamer! It's the name of a small village here!"
"Goodness! Do we go near it on our tour?"
"Mmm, not sure. It's near Trondheim Airport, according to this. It also says a short distance from the station there's a forest trial where you can find some crude rock carvings of reindeer, believed to be around 5000 years old."
Trolltunga, Norway
Trolltunga (Troll Tongue) is a very popular tourist attraction, rapidly increasing in popularity since 2010 with more than 80,000 hikers completing the very challenging 27 kilometer (17 mile) hike, which takes more than ten hours, over rough terrain, to complete.

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@ Piggy Bank
"Today's quiz question, Majestic!" announced Dreamer. "How many times has Norway hosted the Winter Olympics?"
Majestic pondered. "Well, I would say more than once, at any rate!"
"Correct, Majestic! The answer is twice: in 1952 in Oslo, and in 1994 in Lillehammer."
Piggy Bank
Piggy banks are usually associated with good luck. Perhaps this sweet little piggy bank painted with the Norwegian Flag will help the owner save.

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@ The Trolls Road
Oh look ... you won a pet!
The Trolls Road
The Trollstigen or Trolls Road is a very windy road that travels up steep mountainsides in Rauma, a municipality in Norway. The road was opened on 31st July 1936 by the then King of Norway Haakon VII. Each of the bends has its own name, most are named after the foreman who led the work crews for that section.

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@ Village On Fjord, Norway
"It says in our tour guide that no-one knows exactly how long Norway's coastline is! They just know it's very long!"
"Well, it depends what size, you know, ruler they use, doesn't it, Dreamer?" observed Elsa.
Dreamer sniffed disdainfully. "They don't crawl all round the coast with a six-inch ruler, do they? I expect it's all done electronically." Sensing argument, he quickly offered Elsa a square of delicious Freia Melkesjokolade.
Village On Fjord, Norway
Norway has over 1,700 named fjords, and there are many small villages with colourful houses dotted along many of the fjords. Norway is the second-largest exporter of fish and seafood so people want to live as close to the water as possible.

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@ Sognefjord, Norway
"Hey, Dreamer, when we're in Oslo we're going with a tour guide on a Jo Nesbø Detective Hole walk! I've been reading The Bat and it's unputdownable!"
Christy was excited. "I bought The Snowman when we arrived here. It's really awfully good!"
"Well, a lot of places in his books are real-life locations. This will be a great tour!"
Sognefjord, Norway
In the Sognefjord area of Norway you will enjoy many picturesque vistas. The Sognefjord is Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, According to UNESCO, the landscape around the fjord is among the most scenically outstanding in the world, which is why it has a place on the World Heritage List.

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@ Troll Tongue
"More trivia, Dreamer!" announced Edwina. "What gift does Norway make to Britain every single year?"
"Ooh, I know this!" responded Dreamer. "It's a Christmas tree!"
"Correct!" said Edwina. "It's a 65 feet (20 m) tall Norwegian spruce from an Oslo forest, usually about 50 to 60 years old. The cutting ceremony is attended by the British Ambassador and the Mayor of Oslo and after shipping to England is placed prominently in Trafalgar Square. The tree, decorated in a typical Norwegian style with white lights, provides a focal point for the carol-singing festivities that take place on the square throughout the Christmas period. After Twelfth Night the tree is converted into compost."

Troll Tongue
Trolltunga, Troll Tongue is a rock formation situated in Ullensvang Municipality, Vestland County, Norway. The cliff juts out horizontally about 700 metres (2,300 ft) above Ringedalsvatnet lake. This has become a very popular hiking area in recent years.

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@ Old Town, Bergen
Dreamer and Lucy stopped at a confectioner's to buy Norwegian chocolate for pets back home. "This one looks lovely, Lucy," remarked Dreamer. "Freia Melkesjokolade Firkløver—hakkede hasselnøte. So we know it's milk chocolate, and taking the pictures and text together, it's called Four Leaf Clover with hacked hazelnuts!"
"I think "chopped" hazelnuts would be more accurate, Dreamer!"
"Yes, that's what I meant!"
Old Town, Bergen
Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway and was the first capital city, in 1299 Oslo became the capital. Bergen was founded by King Olave Kyrre in 1070 and became a major trading and seafaring port. The very first buildings in Bergen were situated at Bryggen (the dock).

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@ Snowy Road, Norway
"'Norway is the world's most successful nation at the Winter Olympic Games'," read out Dreamer from the itinerary. "'Despite having only around 5 million residents, Norway has won more medals than any other country in Olympic history'."
"And there's me tumbling head over paws on that icy path this morning!" remarked Khisanth.
Snowy Road, Norway
The snowplows have just been through so the roads are clear... for now. The well-prepared pet knows to make sure they have emergency supplies in their vehicle anytime they leave home in the winter as the weather can change quickly.

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@ Storseisundet Bridge, Norway
"What Norwegian Christmas tradition centres around Bjørnøya, or Bear Island, Coal?" asked Dreamer.
"I don't know, Dreamer!"
"Every Christmas the nine staff at its meteorological station, Herwighamna, undertake a broadcast on the radio, as one of the many far out places in Norway. It says here that amateur radio enthusiasts occasionally conduct DXpeditions on the island during the summer months."
Storseisundet Bridge, Norway
The Storseisundet Bridge is a cantilever bridge and the longest of the eight bridges that make up the Atlanterhavsveien or the Atlantic Ocean Road. The bridge is 260 metres (850 ft) long and with a maximum clearance to the sea of 23 metres (75 ft). It was opened on 7 July 1989.

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@ Houses in Winter, Norway
Tullius was carefully studying the map of Norway. "Well, fancy that, Dreamer! Kirkenes is farther east than all of Finland! It's just 9 miles (15 km) from the Russian border. It says in our tour guide that the Russian influence makes it a very interesting and bilingual place."
Houses in Winter, Norway
The owners of these little row houses are making sure that even in winter there are vibrant colors to contrast the predominant winter hues of whites and grays.

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@ Norwegian Autumn
"More trivia, Dreamer!" announced Rhim Frost. "What gift does Norway make to Britain every single year?"
"Ooh, I know this!" responded Dreamer. "It's a Christmas tree!"
"Correct!" said Rhim Frost. "It's a 65 feet (20 m) tall Norwegian spruce from an Oslo forest, usually about 50 to 60 years old. The cutting ceremony is attended by the British Ambassador and the Mayor of Oslo and after shipping to England is placed prominently in Trafalgar Square. The tree, decorated in a typical Norwegian style with white lights, provides a focal point for the carol-singing festivities that take place on the square throughout the Christmas period. After Twelfth Night the tree is converted into compost."

Norwegian Autumn
The sounds of gently trickling water are the only sounds heard during a moment of no traffic on the quaint stone bridge. Take this peaceful moment to feast on the autumnal beauty of Norway as well.

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@ Snowy Trek
"'Tromsø has The Arctic University, which is the northernmost university in the world, with 16,000 students,'" read out Choose a name from the brochure.
"They also have the Northern Lights Observatory in Tromsø, don't they, Dreamer?" remarked Choose a name. "That must be a cool place to work!"
Snowy Trek
If you love hiking through the snow you will find it aplenty here in Norway. Some pets have already struck out on their winter adventure and have left a trail to follow.

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@ Flåmsbana, Norway
As Dreamer's tour of "Norway" comes to an end, he receives a seasonally appropriate gift!
Sleeping Winter Grass
I am tired after a long year of growing and putting forth vibrant green colours and making seeds. Now is my time to rest and gain back strength for when spring comes again. Even in this form, I add texture to the landscape and a touch of subdued yet warm colour.
Flåmsbana, Norway
Even though the population is around 400, the tiny town of Flåmsbana receives over 450,000 visitors every year! The main attraction to the area is the Flam Line, a railway route between Flåmsbana and Myrdal which is not only one of the steepest railway routes but is also undeniably one of the most magnificent train journeys in the world. The town harbor also offers approximately 160 cruises every year, taking passengers through the spectacular fjords and the encircling waterfalls.
Dreamer has completed his tour of "Norway"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour Scandinavia!