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@ Saltstraumen Bridge, Norway
Belle begins its tour of "Norway". Wrap up warm!
Saltstraumen Bridge, Norway
The Saltstraumen Bridge has been in use since 1978 and is one of four bridges built in the 70s to connect the islands to each other.

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@ Lysefjord, Norway
"Why is there is statue of a tiger outside Olso Central Station, Fluffy?" queried Belle.
"It refers to its nickname, the City of Tigers, Belle!"
"Cool nickname!"

Lysefjord, Norway
Our airborne pets would like to show us the view of Norway they see every day, all day. You can be certain they never get tired of gazing down at the spectacular Lyesfjord. Not to leave the land-dwelling pets out of a breath-taking experience, this area offers a hike to the top of Flørli via 4,444 wooden steps that just happen to be the world's longest wooden staircase!

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@ Sætre, Asker, Norway
"It explains here that Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist who bequeathed his wealth to create the Nobel awards," remarked Belle.
"So why did he choose Norway to be the Peace Prize venue?"
"No one knows, frosty!" said Belle.
Sætre, Asker, Norway
The name Sætre is derived from the Norse word which literally means 'place to sit' or can be understood to mean 'place of residence,' However, only 3796 Norwegians have decided to do that. Sætre is also home to the Sætreelva (Sætre River) which is an important breeding ground for sea trout and many species of seabirds.

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@ Kirkenes, 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, Belle?" observed Angel.
Belle 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, it quickly offered Angel a square of delicious Freia Melkesjokolade.
Kirkenes, Norway
This small group of cabins in Kirkenes featuring large windows is often used by travelers who hope to get a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis while staying warm. Another fun attraction besides aurora viewing is the Kirkenes Snowhotel which is rebuilt from fresh snow every year. This small town is located in northeastern Norway, close to the borders of Finland and Russia.

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@ Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway
Queenie was carefully studying the map of Norway. "Well, fancy that, Belle! 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."
Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway
Saint Olav’s holy shrine in the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim has been an important pilgrimage site ever since the former Viking king Olaf II was canonised in 1031, and it is still a treasured destination for pilgrims from all over the world. Before you enter as a pilgrim, you should perform the old ritual of walking around the cathedral three times."

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@ Snowy Evergreen Forest, Norway
Snowilicious settled back in her coach seat and turned to her neighbour. "Would you like a potato crisp, Belle?" she asked, opening the bright blue packet.
"Mmm, yes, please!" responded Belle, and helped itself. Some happy crunching by both pets ensued.
"These are really delicious!" enthused Belle. "So what does Potetgull on the packet mean?"
"I asked our tour guide earlier. It means "gold potatoes". The maker is Maarud, who make most of the crisps in Norway."
Snowy Evergreen Forest, Norway
Time to go on another winter adventure. This time it's an exhilarating snowshoe or cross-country ski trek through the pristine evergreen forest. The air is fresh and crisp and the fresh;y-fallen snow on the branches of the evergreen trees offers a beautiful image of peace and serenity.

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@ Whale Watching, Norway
"Would you like to share my elevenses, Max?" invited Belle, when it encountered its friend in the park. "It's called Kvikk Lunsj—it means Quick Lunch!" Unwrapping the chocolate wafer bar, it broke it in half, and offered it to Max.
"Thank you, Belle!" said Max, taking the proffered sample. "Mmm, that's very nice indeed!"
"Apparently it's customary when you go skiing here in Norway to take a Kvikk Lunsj along with a thermos of hot chocolate and an orange!"
Whale Watching, Norway
The Norwegian Sea is a perfect place for whale watching all year long. Sperm whales are the most common whale spotted in the summer months. In the winter months, orcas and humpbacks can be spotted in the fjords. If you are lucky, you may also see pilot whales, minke whales, fin whales, dolphins, and killer whales.

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@ Norwegian Sea Coastline
Belle unwrapped the Freia chocolate bar, offered a few squares to Drozan, then thoughtfully munched a couple of squares itself. "This is delicious, Drozan! Now on the wrapper, it says: Et lite stykke Norge. I wonder what that means?"
Another pet leaned over the back of its coach seat. "It means: A little piece of Norway, Belle!"
Norwegian Sea Coastline
One can easily get lost in their thoughts while gazing out onto the waters of the Norwegian Sea. It's easy to picture Viking ships sailing throughout and wonder what it would be like to be aboard one of them.

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@ Northern Norway Flora
"Wow!" exclaimed Velveteen. "Hey, Belle, did you know it was Norway that introduced salmon sushi to Japan? It says here that while sushi is of course a Japanese thing, they did not use salmon in their sushi until it was suggested by a Norwegian delegation in 1980s. Seafood is now one of Norway's biggest industries."

Northern Norway Flora
The cloudberry is a fruit native to cold climates. These are just beginning to flower and will develop into a delicious amber-colored berry, similar to a blackberry.

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@ Hike to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)
"More trivia, Belle!" announced Molly. "What gift does Norway make to Britain every single year?"
"Ooh, I know this!" responded Belle. "It's a Christmas tree!"
"Correct!" said Molly. "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."

Hike to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)
Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) is one of Norway's most visited and photographed locations. It towers 604 meters above the Lysefjord.

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@ How Far From Norway?
Belle and Ladybug stopped at a confectioner's to buy Norwegian chocolate for pets back home. "This one looks lovely, Ladybug," remarked Belle. "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, Belle!"
"Yes, that's what I meant!"
How Far From Norway?
These signs are always fun for the traveler to see no matter where they wander. World travelers can reminisce about their recent vacation to a place on a signpost or daydream about a place they hope to visit in the future.

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

Idyllic Norwegian Fjord
Fjord cruises are very abundant and an excellent way to immerse oneself in the spectacular beauty of the fjords of Norway.

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@ Vøringsfossen Waterfall, Hardanger, Norway
"Would you like to share my elevenses, Smoki?" invited Belle, when it encountered its friend in the park. "It's called Kvikk Lunsj—it means Quick Lunch!" Unwrapping the chocolate wafer bar, it broke it in half, and offered it to Smoki.
"Thank you, Belle!" said Smoki, taking the proffered sample. "Mmm, that's very nice indeed!"
"Apparently it's customary when you go skiing here in Norway to take a Kvikk Lunsj along with a thermos of hot chocolate and an orange!"
Vøringsfossen Waterfall, Hardanger, Norway
Vøringsfossen Waterfall has a fall of 182 meters and cascades down from the Hardangervidda mountain plateau down into the Måbødalen valley. This waterfall is considered to be one of the most beautiful and is a popular place to visit in the Hardangerfjord region.

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@ Bryggen, Bergen, Norway
"Did you know that Norway has a 120-mile land border with Russia, Nermal Stingray?"
Nermal Stingray pondered. "I didn't know that, Belle! Aren't Sweden and Finland sort of in the way?"
"Look at the map here. It's at Kirkenes. It says here that it's very common for Norwegians to cross over into Russia to buy cheaper fuel for their cars, while Russians cross over to Norway to buy better quality goods in Kirkenes."
Bryggen, Bergen, Norway
The historic harbour area of Bergen, and one of Northern Europe’s oldest port cities. In 1350 the Hanseatic League established a “Hanseatic Office” in Bergen. These German merchants lived and worked in these long narrow rows of houses that face the harbour. The rows of houses are separated by narrow wooden passages that run parallel to the dock.

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@ Andoya, Vesteralen, Norway
Oh look ... you won a pet!
Andoya, Vesteralen, Norway
Andøya is as far north as you can get in Nordland and Vesterålen and is the 10th largest island in Norway. Andøya sits on the edge of the very deep ocean, no other place in Norway can make this claim. Just south of Andenes, the administrative center is Andøya Space Center, where they launch rockets and satellites.

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@ Ålesund Harbour, Norway.
Belle put down its copy of Speak Norwegian with Nonchalance looking flummoxed. "It says in here there are two versions of the Norwegian language, or rather, two written variants."
FLAPPY glanced up from her study of Norwegian Without Nerves! and nodded. "Yes, my book says Bokmål is used by the vast majority of the country, while Nynorsk is more popular in rural areas. Never mind, Belle, we can still learn the basics and some phrases—I'm sure we don't need to worry!"
Ålesund Harbour, Norway.
Ålesund is a lovely small port in Norway. The city is known for its art in Nouveau Architecture. Ålesund is the 13th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 66,258.

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@ Suitor Waterfall, Geirangerfjord, Norway
"Tell me some more Viking words, Belle!" invited Kia.
Nothing loth, Belle summarised from the brochure. "Obviously they left a mark on the English language with several rather, um, violent words. For example, 'berserk' comes from berserkr, which was a 'bear-shirt'—a Viking warrior entered battle wearing no armour, just an animal skin. 'Club' from klubba, a blunt weapon. 'Gun' from the word for 'war'—gunn, 'scathe' from skaða, to injure, and 'slaughter' from slatra—to butcher. Then 'ransack' is from rannsaka—to search a house."
Kia sucked in a sharp breath. "Ooh! I'm assuming it means to search a house somewhat enthusiastically, Belle?"
"I think that's a safe assumption, Kia."
Suitor Waterfall, Geirangerfjord, Norway
Are you ready for an exhilarating excursion? Then this kayak trip with an experienced guide will be perfect. You will paddle the Geirangerfjord until you reach the place where there are not one, but two, majestic waterfalls, one of which is the Suitor Waterfall, On the opposite side of the fjord is the Seven Sisters Waterfall. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the amazing beauty of the Geirangerfjord.

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@ Fiske, Norway
"Hey, Belle, 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!"
DaiDai 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!"
Fiske, Norway
Fiske is a locality in Rogaland, Norway, 33 miles south of Oslo. Fiske means, to fish, in Norwegian. Mist rises from one of the many waterways that dot the area.

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

Spotted Nutcracker
One of many birds you may spot around Norway. Pine seeds/nuts are the most important food source. Nutcracker couples stay together for life and both parents feed the babies and teach them how to store extra food.

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@ Kristiansand Container Port
Bess settled back in her coach seat and turned to her neighbour. "Would you like a potato crisp, Belle?" she asked, opening the bright blue packet.
"Mmm, yes, please!" responded Belle, and helped itself. Some happy crunching by both pets ensued.
"These are really delicious!" enthused Belle. "So what does Potetgull on the packet mean?"
"I asked our tour guide earlier. It means "gold potatoes". The maker is Maarud, who make most of the crisps in Norway."
Kristiansand Container Port
This colourful scene shows the Port of Kristiansand, one of Norway's largest and most important container terminals, located in the south of the country. The terminal is located in the very heart of the city centre of Kristiansand, and is open 24/7, 365 days a year, handling containers being transported to key European markets and worldwide. It is southern Norway`s most important transportation hub. In 2020 the port handled nearly 50,000 containers.

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@ Bjørnhollia, Rondane, Norway
"Did you know that Norway has a 120-mile land border with Russia, xiaolu?"
xiaolu pondered. "I didn't know that, Belle! Aren't Sweden and Finland sort of in the way?"
"Look at the map here. It's at Kirkenes. It says here that it's very common for Norwegians to cross over into Russia to buy cheaper fuel for their cars, while Russians cross over to Norway to buy better quality goods in Kirkenes."
Bjørnhollia, Rondane, Norway
Bjørnhollia lies south in the Rondane range. The Rondane is the oldest national park in Norway and is an important habitat for wild reindeer. The Park has ten mountain peaks over 2,000 metres (6,560 ft) and is a very popular place for hikers to visit.

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@ Torghatten, Norway
"Today's quiz question, Sly!" announced Belle. "How many times has Norway hosted the Winter Olympics?"
Sly pondered. "Well, I would say more than once, at any rate!"
"Correct, Sly! The answer is twice: in 1952 in Oslo, and in 1994 in Lillehammer."
Torghatten, Norway
A stunning granite dome on the island of Torget in the municipality of Brønnøy. This dome has a natural tunnel that visitors can walk through. The tunnel is 160 metres (520 ft) long, 20 metres (66 ft) wide, and 35 metres (115 ft) high and was formed during the Scandinavian Ice Age.

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@ Panorama Of Lofoten, Norway
Belle put down its copy of Speak Norwegian with Nonchalance looking flummoxed. "It says in here there are two versions of the Norwegian language, or rather, two written variants."
Balthazar glanced up from his study of Norwegian Without Nerves! and nodded. "Yes, my book says Bokmål is used by the vast majority of the country, while Nynorsk is more popular in rural areas. Never mind, Belle, we can still learn the basics and some phrases—I'm sure we don't need to worry!"
Panorama Of Lofoten, Norway
Dramatic mountain peaks, sheltered bays, and untouched land make up this archipelago in the county of Nordland, Norway. For more than 1,000 years the islands have been the centre for cod fisheries.

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@ Hadsel Bridge, Norway
"Would you like to share my elevenses, Patches?" invited Belle, when it encountered its friend in the park. "It's called Kvikk Lunsj—it means Quick Lunch!" Unwrapping the chocolate wafer bar, it broke it in half, and offered it to Patches.
"Thank you, Belle!" said Patches, taking the proffered sample. "Mmm, that's very nice indeed!"
"Apparently it's customary when you go skiing here in Norway to take a Kvikk Lunsj along with a thermos of hot chocolate and an orange!"
Hadsel Bridge, Norway
The Hadsel Bridge has been in use since 1978 and is one of four bridges built in the 70s to connect the islands to each other. It was initially a toll bridge but is now there is no charge to cross.

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@ Souvenir Viking Ship
As Belle's tour of "Norway" comes to an end, it receives a seasonally appropriate gift!
Winter Sky, Day
The blue and white sky of winter reminds us of the snow and shadows on the ground. A wonderful backdrop for any winter scene, or any season that calls for a delicate sky. You can fill it with birds and trees can stretch their branches outward. What wonderful scene will you create?
Souvenir Viking Ship
Don't forget to stop in the gift shop and pick up some souvenirs of your Norwegian travels. There are many to choose from, including this whimsical replica of a viking ship.
Belle has completed its tour of "Norway"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour Scandinavia!