Category: Norway Life
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Seven Summits of Norway, Peak 3: Skardstinden – Norway’s Fifth-Highest Peak
After a failed attempt on Surtningssue the weekend before, we headed back to Jotunheimen to tick off the next mountain on our list: Skardstinden. At 2,373 m, it is Norway’s fifth-highest peak. The route is mostly a long, demanding hike, but it finishes with four roped scrambles in a row along an exposed ridge. The…
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Seven Summits of Norway, Peak 2: Surtningssue – First Attempt
Surtningssue is the seventh and lowest of the seven highest peaks in Norway, and the one we had marked as an early-season objective. At 2,368 metres, and without glacier or rope climbing, it is the least technical of the seven. Yet this doesn’t mean it is a walk in the park. Gjendesheim Gjendesheim sits at…
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Packing for Surtningssue: What I Bring on a Norwegian Mountain Hike
This week I’ve been planning our upcoming trip to Surtningssue, peak number two in our Seven Summits of Norway project. Getting into packing mode got me thinking about what I actually bring on a hike here in Norway, and it seemed like a good moment to write it down. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this.…
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Seven Summits of Norway, Peak 1: Glittertind on Ski’s
Glittertind is the second-highest peak of Norway, and therefore part of our plan to climb the seven highest peaks of Norway. The initial plan was to organise the trip ourselves, heading up in late spring or summer. But then we came across a guided DNT ski touring (randonée) trip over Easter. It would mean an…
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Norwegian Skiing Terminology Explained
They say Norwegians are born on skis. And honestly, after living here for a few years, I believe it. Even Norwegians who say ”oh no, I don’t really ski” will outrun any foreigner who dares to consider themselves an intermediate cross-country skier. What Does “Going Skiing” Actually Mean? In the Netherlands (and much of Western…
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Ferry Review Oslo – Kiel with Color Line
Last year, I took the Oslo-Kiel ferry for the first time. With my blog post on the ferry between the Netherlands and Norway being one of my more popular blog posts, it only makes sense to write about the only ferry that currently sails between the European mainland and Norway. I am a bit of…
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The Trumf Bonus: A Way to Save on Norwegian Groceries
Groceries in Norway are expensive. So it is worthwhile to take a moment and look into the loyalty programs of different supermarkets. With Trumpf, you can save 1% on all you buy at the supermarkets owned by NorgesGruppen.
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Climbing the 7 Highest Peaks on Norway in 2026: Costs, Planning and Preparations
For many, January is the month when summer holiday planning begins. The same applies to us. We started looking into when and how we can best climb the seven highest peaks of Norway in 2026, and what equipment we need to do so.
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Blogpost På Norsk; De Rare Nederlandere
I am currently enrolled in a B2 Norwegian course. And now I have to put what I’m learning into practice. So here it goes, a blogpost in Norwegian explaining some of the stranger Dutch habits, at least, from a Norwegian perspective that is.
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Open Source Geographical Data in Norway: Essential Knowledge for Professional and Personal Use
When I moved to Norway three-ish years ago, I quickly learned that understanding geography here means more than just looking at the distance between two points. Because of fjords, mountains, ferries, and tunnels, the shortest distance between two points is rarely a straight line. It makes sense that Norwegians measure the ‘distance’ between two places…
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Live music in Stavanger: Where to find it
I’ve been looking around for bars with live music. It’s challenging to locate these spots when you are not ‘in the scene’. These small live acts will often be published only as a Facebook message, if published at all, and the rest is typically spread by word of mouth. I can’t be the only one…
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Vacation and Productivity: Lessons from Marrakech
Introduction We’re waiting for the train to Gardermoen Airport. The Oslo sky is autumn blue, warm enough for just a light wool jumper. I can’t quite believe that this afternoon we’ll be in 30-degree heat in the bustling medina of Marrakech. I’m mentally reviewing my packing list, but not the usual holiday checklist. I’m thinking…
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Book Review: The Paradox of Svalbard
After spending seven weeks on Svalbard, I thought I had a good understanding of what life was like in Longyearbyen. I’d experienced the midnight sun, navigated the rules about polar bear safety, and observed the unique dynamics of this remote Arctic community. But it wasn’t until I read The Paradox of Svalbard by Zdenka Sokolíčková…
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What Does It Cost to Study in Norway?
After completing my degree in Risk Analysis at UIS in Stavanger (2023-2025), it’s time to make up the balance. I’ve kept records for most of the months I studied, so I’ll be able to provide you with a reasonably accurate picture of what you can expect to spend if you plan to pursue studies in…
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1000 Days of Norwegian On Duolingo; The Strangest Sentences
Duolingo is known for its somewhat strange sentences. Scentences that make you question, when will I ever use this? Because they are so strange, you do tend to remember them. But then again, will you ever use them? questions questions… Here are the eight strangest sentences I’ve encountered or found on the web during my…
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Why Results Matter More Than Degrees in 2025 Job Applications
Here’s an uncomfortable truth about today’s job market: your degree is worth less than it was a decade ago. Look at the numbers. In Ireland, 63.9% of 25-29 year-olds hold tertiary education. In Luxembourg, it’s 61.1%. France sits at 54.3%, while the Netherlands and Cyprus both exceed 55%. Across the Euro area, we’re looking at…
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The Seven Summits of Norway: My Next Challenge?
I’ve been looking for a new fitness challenge. After six rounds of the Nijmeegse Vierdaagse (the four day marches), I’m ready for something different. Don’t get me wrong, walking 200km in four days through the filled streets of Nijmegen has been amazing, but living in Norway now, the logistics of getting back to Nijmegen each…
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Exploring Norway on a Budget: A Complete Guide
I knew Norway was an expensive country before I moved here two years ago, but I was still surprised when I did my first grocery shopping. I was standing in an REMA 1000 (looks a bit like an Aldi for those of you unfamiliar), staring at vegetables that cost three times what I’d paid in…
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Test Your Norwegian! Similar Sayings in Norwegian and Dutch
It has been fun learning Norwegian. Sayings I think are especially fun, and there are plenty of similarities between Norwegian and Dutch in that respect. Here are some of my favourites. Do you know the meaning?
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My SAS EuroBonus Credit Card Application: The Expat Credit Conundrum
I recently cancelled my Dutch American Express Platinum card and mentioned that I was planning to switch to the SAS EuroBonus Mastercard as my primary travel card. Well, things didn’t go quite as smoothly as I’d hoped. The Application Process After weighing my options (which you can read about in my Best Norwegian Credit Card for Flight Bonuses post),…