Image 1/25

@ Norwegian Museum of Cultural History
Bunton begins her 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.

Image 2/25

@ Mosfjell, Birkeland, Norway
"Today's quick trivia question, matty? What is the highest mountain in Norway?"
"I'm afraid I don't know, Bunton!"
"It's Galdhøpiggen, 2469m or 8100 feet. 'Gald' means 'steep mountain road', 'hø' means 'big, rounded mountain', and 'piggen' means 'the peak'. It's in the county of Innlandet, and is also the highest mountain in the whole of Scandinavia."
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!

Image 3/25

@ Rural Norwegian Landscape
"Hey, Kaycee, 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, Bunton?"
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.

Image 4/25

@ Colorful Shops, Bergen, Norway
"Tell me some more Viking words, Bunton!" invited ~smiggle~.
Nothing loth, Bunton 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."
~smiggle~ sucked in a sharp breath. "Ooh! I'm assuming it means to search a house somewhat enthusiastically, Bunton?"
"I think that's a safe assumption, ~smiggle~."
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.

Image 5/25

@ Ice Sculptures, Kirkenes, Norway
"You know the author Roald Dahl, Mike?" remarked Bunton. "He was born in Wales, but his parents were Norwegian."
"I didn't know that, Bunton!" said Mike. "I always enjoyed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
"Well, it says in our tour guide that he may have taken inspiration for the book from the Norwegian Freia chocolate factory. However, the BBC have claimed he was inspired by Cadbury running tasting tests at his school in Derbyshire. Who knows?"
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.

Image 6/25

@ Frozen Fjord, Norway
"Hey, Bunton, 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!"
Mimi 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!"
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.

Image 7/25

@ Lofoten Fishing Village
Wuzzy started chuckling. "Norway is home to Hell, Bunton! 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."
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.

Image 8/25

@ Soaring Sunset
wiggles settled back in his coach seat and turned to his neighbour. "Would you like a potato crisp, Bunton?" he asked, opening the bright blue packet.
"Mmm, yes, please!" responded Bunton, and helped herself. Some happy crunching by both pets ensued.
"These are really delicious!" enthused Bunton. "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."
Soaring Sunset
Two large aquatic birds soar serenely in the sunset in Bergen, Norway.

Image 9/25

@ Foggy Fjord, Norway
"Wow! Europe's biggest herd of wild reindeer lives here, Roxas! The herd roam in Europe's biggest mountain plateau. The number of wild reindeer in winter totals around 25,000, of which up to 7000 are found on Hardangervidda."
"Wow indeed, Bunton!"

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.

Image 10/25

@ Røldal, Norway
"Look at this in our tour brochure, Bunton! 'Andøya Space is a rocket launch site, rocket range and spaceport on Andøya island.'"
"Wow, sounds exciting, Blueberry!"
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.

Image 11/25

@ Jotunheimen Mountains, Norway
"Would you like to share my elevenses, VIOLA?" invited Bunton, when she encountered her friend in the park. "It's called Kvikk Lunsj—it means Quick Lunch!" Unwrapping the chocolate wafer bar, she broke it in half, and offered it to VIOLA.
"Thank you, Bunton!" said VIOLA, 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!"
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.

Image 12/25

@ Norwegian Fjord Rainbow
"It says here that Norway’s capital wasn’t always called Oslo. When it was founded in 1040, its name was originally spelt Ânslo or Áslo. However, in 1624, after a great fire destroyed large parts of the city, it was moved and rebuilt. So the capital city's name was changed to Christiania after the ruling monarch, King Christian IV."
"When did it become Oslo?" queried NightGhost.
"Well, first the name changed to start with a K instead of C-H, adopted at the end of the 19th century. Then in 1925 the city expanded to include the original 11th century village and was renamed Oslo. Phew! Today it ranks number one of all European cities in terms of quality of life."
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.

Image 13/25

@ Trolltunga, Norway
"More trivia, Bunton!" announced Iolanthe. "What gift does Norway make to Britain every single year?"
"Ooh, I know this!" responded Bunton. "It's a Christmas tree!"
"Correct!" said Iolanthe. "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."

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.

Image 14/25

@ Piggy Bank
"It says in our brochure that not only was skiing invented in Norway, but a development in Norwegian skis in the 1890s – the Telemark – directly led to the modern skis we use today," remarked Darby.
"Our guide was saying this morning that the words 'ski' and 'slalom' originated right here in Norway," responded Bunton.
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.

Image 15/25

@ 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.

Image 16/25

@ Village On Fjord, Norway
"Hey, PeeJay, have you seen what the hotel has included in our packed lunch today? It's these packets of Freia Melkehjerte—adorable leaf-thin milk chocolate hearts!"
"I'm looking forward to lunch already, Bunton!" responded PeeJay.
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.

Image 17/25

@ Sognefjord, Norway
"Hey, Tiana, 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, Bunton?"
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.

Image 18/25

@ Troll Tongue
"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 Bunton.
"I guess that means we won't be visiting it!" remarked Elvis.
"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."
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.

Image 19/25

@ Old Town, Bergen
"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 Bunton.
"I guess that means we won't be visiting it!" remarked Choose a name.
"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."
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).

Image 20/25

@ Snowy Road, Norway
"Quiz time, Milo! What invention did Norway give the world that has remained practically unchanged in almost a hundred years?"
"Goodness! Er ... something to do with skiing? Skating? Swimming?" ventured Milo.
"It was actually the cheese slice!" replied Bunton. "It was invented way back in 1925 by Thor Bjørklund."
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.

Image 21/25

@ Storseisundet Bridge, Norway
"Today's quick trivia question, Smoki? What is the highest mountain in Norway?"
"I'm afraid I don't know, Bunton!"
"It's Galdhøpiggen, 2469m or 8100 feet. 'Gald' means 'steep mountain road', 'hø' means 'big, rounded mountain', and 'piggen' means 'the peak'. It's in the county of Innlandet, and is also the highest mountain in the whole of Scandinavia."
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.

Image 22/25

@ Houses in Winter, Norway
"'Arguably the best way to enjoy the Norwegian coastline – if you don't have your own boat that is – is by taking the full Hurtigruten voyage on the Coastal Steamer from Bergen to Kirkenes and back again. On the 12-day voyage you'll get up close to some of the country's most iconic scenery with 34 ports of call northbound and 33 on southbound sailings'," read out Bunton from the tour brochure.
lily pondered. "It's been fabulous touring the parts we've managed to do by boat, Bunton. I vote we come back another time when we can afford our own private boat!"
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.

Image 23/25

@ Norwegian Autumn
"Look at this, Lady!" remarked Bunton. "It says in our itinerary that the world's longest road tunnel is in Norway. The Lærdal Tunnel is 15 miles (24.5 km) long and connects the small communities of Lærdal and Aurland. It cost 1 billion Norwegian kroner (about US$110 million) to build."
"That's amazing, Bunton!"
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.

Image 24/25

@ Snowy Trek
Bunton and Jasper stopped at a confectioner's to buy Norwegian chocolate for pets back home. "This one looks lovely, Jasper," remarked Bunton. "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, Bunton!"
"Yes, that's what I meant!"
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.

Image 25/25

@ Flåmsbana, Norway
As Bunton's tour of "Norway" comes to an end, she 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.
Bunton has completed her tour of "Norway"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour Scandinavia!