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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 15.day
17.August 1997With glued eyes, but good rested I woke up. We are in Czech republic. Boundaries near Dubi i didn't registered today. Before afternoon we crossed boundaries to Slovakia in Teplice. We continued to Trencin, where we (Gabike, Lucia and me) had to leave our group. We were sad, because we knew that we have to divide in short time. We changed our address cards and managed our next meeting. It was not a big problem to find right term for 7 people. We wanted to change photos and Jaro promised to make video tape for everyone. In Trencin parents of Gabika welcomed us with home cakes. It took some time to unload our luggage. After our leave, car continued to Zvolen. We loaded our luggage to Gabika's car. Then we fastened our bikes. We had experiences with that from our way to Zilina and now we know how to fasten them well. We continued to Bratislava. Gabika took me to my house to Stupava. There I unpacked my luggage, took shower and went to sleep.
Aftermath
How we promised we met together more times. We also visited together KGB restaurant. Only our meeting in one bed (See previous posts) we didn't manage yet. Jarko made excellent video. Always when I am looking on it, I am back in Norway. I will return there, I know this. I believe that also another members of our group feel it similar. Once...
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 14.day
16.August 1997 At morning in Trelleborg we woke up sooner, to catch our ferry. We are going by ferry to Sassnitz. Weather is beautiful. We discovered a palm tree in harbour. It suits to this tropic weather and we made a leave photo using palm as background from Scandinavian Peninsula. We took aboard. We had 6 hours until we land in Sassnitz. On ship we wanted to shower, but after finding info that shower cost 10 DM, we managed to find other solution. Girls showered together in one cabin. I washed myself straight in washroom, dressed only into my scanties. Jaro and Peter used a mug to shower them in shower cabin.
City Sassnitz is not as smooth as Rostock. Everywhere we saw described blocks of flats. It looks like we were back from fairy tale to reality. In local supermarket we bought some cheap yogurts and other meal. I ate my yogurt on near filling station. But in next hour we had to stop on panelled highway, and I unfolded my yogurt in near forest. We continued, and after 5 hours was our car going out of fuel. And through last 100 km there wasn't any filling station. Without fuel we stopped on side of highway. Girls tried to stop some cars, and after short time they stopped some German man on Peugeot with diesel engine. He gave us 5 litres of oil fuel in exchange for chocolate and some money. Jaro spent some time to start car engine. But at last he started and we continued. Shortly we found a filling station. After scooping up we continued at home. We only prepared a dinner on bay. After dinner we got to car, to find best places for sleeping. Gabika chose place on luggage at the back, Lucia on back seat, and I placed myself in gap between back and middle seats. Olga and Hela also found their places for sleeping. Slowly I fell to sleep, while our car continued to our way at home.
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 13.day
15.August 1997 Only at morning I inquired that rest of group stay to sleep on a beach. I feel disappointed, because I went to sleep to tent so early. On other side I had dry sleeping bag unlike others. We continue today to Copenhagen. It was not in plans to visit this city but we spared some time. Our car stay in Helsingborg and we together with our bikes came over to Danish side. It took some time to find necessary money on ferry tickets, but after some mutual loans we found enough money. Ferry was full of people from Sweden with crates full of empty bottles. We didn't understand why. After a half hour we arrived on second side to Helsingør. There we sat on our bikes and went with good rate to Copenhagen. It was about 50 km from Helsingør, but we were good rested and we know that we do it without problems. Only weather was our enemy. It was too hot, and sometimes it was big problem to find place with shadow. When we arrived to Copenhagen, we decided to visit The Little Mermaid statue. Jaro declared that he knows place where is the statue situated. But his orientation sense failed and we found statue only after many bad attempts. We visited also other places in city. But in this hot weather we decided to find some shadow in local park. There we rested lying on a grass. Before nightfall we returned back to Helsingør. We were so surprised, because only we were sober from all passengers on ferry. Others changed their empty bottles to full bottles with beer and they were all drunk. Prohibition in Sweden is good business for ferry operators in Sweden. In Helsingborg we fastened all bikes on top of van, and we continued to Trelleborg. There we arrived at night. We built our tents in camping where we spend night before 2 weeks. We slowly evaluated our holiday. We all were dedicated and we didn't want to return back. But this our last wish was not redeemable. It was our last night on the Scandinavian Peninsula, that was so hospitable to us.
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 12.day
14.August 1997 Our morning is exceptional. Local farmer woke up us with a big noise. He was owner of land, where we have built our tents. Jaro, natural diplomat, solved this problem in short time. He shake hands with farmer, and he propitiated. We promised to return all to previous state and farmer was satisfied. He left us with a smile. Shaking hands is main rule how to propitiate nervous opponents. We packed all tents and made order as we promised. We continue to Sweden. Our target is Göteborg. In time when we visited this city, was also Michael Jackson there. At first time we thought that we have seen him in cabriolet, but later we were inquired that in the city was lot of doublers. I am not sure if I have ever seen Michael Jackson in Göteborg. Peter argued that it had to be Jackson, because he had also guards, but I think, that it is not important. We visited a harbour and drink some coffee and we continue.
All our wishes were fulfilled. It remains only last one. We want to try to swim in sea. It looks like a difficult wish, but Jaro want to fulfill it. It is not easy to find right camping place near of sea. At last we found nice camping near of Helsingborg. The excellent camping place with sand beach. Temperature of North sea 25 degree of Celsius. What else we had to wish? We built our tents, made some meal and in short time we swimmed in sea watter. Especially Olga was satisfied. She spent in water more than hour, swimming in long distance from beach. In free time we bury Gabika into sand grave. We make also temporary ceremony. At last we released her and we helped her to leave her temporary sand grave. It was too late, I was tired and I go to sleep.
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 11.day
13.August 1997 We wake up, wash, eat some meal, pack everything and we continue today to Oslo. It is a quick change from wilderness to a big city full of people. But Oslo at last captured us. At the beginning we visited Museum of Vikings. It is a building in shape of cross. In each side there is one viking ship. When we realized that in this small ships Vikings discovered a lot of far places, it looks like impossible. Then we visited museums FRAM and Kon-Tiki. In Fram you can see a ship of Roald Amudsen. It is also possible to visit this ship. When you are in underdeck, you can hear a recording of yelling cold wind sound. It is a really realistic experience of capturing South Pole. We were also informed about struggle between Scott and Amudsen. In Kon-Tiki we moved to warmer area. There is also ship Ra II, that was made from papyrus by Thor Heyerdahl group of fun of history. This group of scientists also sail on this ship across the Atlantic from Morocco.
 I was really delighted at Vigeland Park. There is 197 sculptures from this Norway artist. In middle of park is "Monument" sculpture, near of it is "Circle of life" and on second site is "Fountain". I am not big fun of art, but these sculptures are really nice. Our next surprise was visit of Olympic ski jumping ramp Holmenkolen. Landing place was filled with water and you can swim there. It was hot and we took advantage of this offer. In short time we wear our swimsuits and we dive into water of this temporary pool. At last we made individual program and we split. After short city examination we meet together in local Woodstock pub. After some drink and cake we go to our car and continue to Sweden. Today we also sleep in wilderness, on small meadow near of forest. To go there with car we must move 2 stems from pathway. We built our tents and ate something. It is a beautiful clear night. We lie down on our sleeping underlays and summarize our holiday in Norway. It was fulfilled everything what we expected. We saw about twenty of falling stars, and nobody want to go to sleep. At last we go to sleep, when it start to fall moisture.
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 10.day
12.August 1997 We are in Flam. We wake up early at morning. It is necessary to catch train to Myrdal. From there it is possible to return on bike or by foot. At last only Gabika, Olga and Peter choose bike. Peter also wants to go on bike to Myrdal. We others prefer going back by foot. In near train station we buy our train tickets. We have also bikes for Gabika and Olga. When we are near of train, a local trainman without words take Olga's bike. Olga is surprised but we understand soon, that he is is responsible for giving bikes to special train wagon. Soon he takes also bike from Gabika and we go into train. There is clean everywhere. In short time train leaves Flam. We are going up, and from window is a beautiful view. On halfway between 2 tunnels train stops. Doors are opening, and voice from speaker invite us outside, to make some photos. And there is really beautiful waterfall. We are a side of falling water and fog from it is around us. After making some photos we continue.
 We are in Myrdal in short time. Train continues to Bergen but we finish here. We bought some baked specialties in local buffet and we ate them together with coffee. Peter arrived, when we finished. We split on bikers and tourists, and we go back to Flam. First tourists, then bikers, but bikers outrun us in a short time. Gabika was concentrated on her way, and after Jaro's attempt to stop her, she scored him. There is a lot of stones on way, and they must be very careful to avoid them. After some speaking, we make photo of all us, and we split second time. Way down is really nice and there is lot of excellent views. Before one bridge we must go through a special gate. It is not so easy, because there is a lot of goats and sheep. They don't want free their places near a gate. We must move them with gate doors and slowly we cross that place. We see a lot of waterfalls. I am together with Jaro a little bit before Lucia and Hela. Before us is German mam with 2 daughters and they are singing. They are really good singers and we approach to them, to hear them better. In short time Lucia and Hela join to us. We must explain them, that we follow German women because of their beautiful voices and not because of their beauty. They don't believe us. Jaro start to recite speech from well known Slovak poem "Marina" from "Andrej Sladkovic" and they forgive us. Hela and Lucia together with me were surprised. We don't know that Jaro is a such good presenter. In Flam we make photo of beautiful wooden church. Nothing excessive, only small church with simple ornaments and excellent feeling. Camping we reach on late afternoon. Bikers were waiting us. We packed all tents and continue through "Gold Way". It is really good mood in car we together sing songs from tape recorder. It won hit from Slovak singers with name "We all meet in KGB and in one bed". Today we have problem to find place for sleeping. At last we stay on rest place near of route. Dinner is also not very good, Peter gave in it a lot of salt. But he retrieves it with special bonus, oatmeal. We are sitting on bench, speaking about everything and watching meteoric shower. Our tents are built on stony pathway, near of rest place. We go to sleep in our standard time, long time after midnight.
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 9.day
11.August 1997
Morning is beautiful again. Peter promised us excellent downhill run. First part of way we spend in car, next part on bikes. Gabika, Lucia and I decided to use our new crash helmets. But before we go down we must go up to top of the hill. We have enough time, and from my previous experience from Trollstiegen, I am biking slowly without problem and in good mood. From time to time we eat blackberries from near forest. There are thousands of them. On parking place near of top, I lost small part of my glasses. Only with effort of whole group and with help of Hela I finally found it. On the top of Mel we rest next time. Peter make photos of Gabika and Lucia for next year travel magazine. When I offer myself as model I was declined. I really don't know why :-). We eat some cakes, check our helmets and brakes, and we are going down. Fiiiiiiiiiii, this is biking for me, go down without effort. But in one turning I have a good luck. I started to brake so late, and I found out that there is also some sand on road and I finished on ground only a little bit from low wall, that separate round from deep gap. After this experience I was really scary. Also Lucia biking beyond me was scared when she see my fall down. From this time I go down more slowly. After going down we continue to Sognefjord. In cold air it smells sea water. Now I feel in my legs the way to top of Mel. On next uphills I use only light gearings. We group altogether in port.
 From there we use ferry to Vangsnes. Here some from us with enough energy, go to visit a giant sculpture of William the Conqueror. I prefer to stay in port and buy some ice cream. When others returned I eat some big yellow berries, that they gathered near of sculpture. Today it was our last biking day. We attach our bikes into bike holders and we continue by car to Flam. Main topic of our dialog turned to reindeers. We are on north, but we still didn't see one. But today it was our happy day. We find nomad reindeer's farm near of our way. And before this farm was attached an alive reindeer. We make some photos of course. It looks not very happy. Another reindeers feed in near fence. Inside the big tent before fence it was possible to buy everything related to reindeers. Furs, antlers, souvenirs and special meals, everything from reindeers. Here we realised that reindeers are here for meal and other products. Peter at last bought sausage from reindeer. We eat it on next parking even though our frustration from bad life of these animals.
 We are going to Flam with help of 12 km long tunnel. Our driver Jaro, always very communicative, is so quiet. We are discussing, how to help people with broken cars if they stay in tunnel. A little bit after tunnel our car make strange noise, engine stopped and our car is going slowly down to near camping without engine. Now Jaro confess that we are without gas. He was very happy that we didn't stop in tunnel. In camping we make necessary activities to improve our appearance after 3 days in wildlife. I showered myself in hot water, and it was fantastic feeling to feel like civilized person once again. I wanted also wash my clothes, but I give it up, and I help with preparing meal rather. In Slovak language flam means to spend time with drinking in pubs, and we decided to follow name of this place. We found some local restaurant in near port. But we didn't drink so much, because after studying drinking menu we recognized, that we can afford only one bottle of good red wine. We ordered also 7 glasses and we share our wine between us. We discussed about an expensive alcohol in this country. While we return to our camping Peter give us instructions to tomorrow. It is time to go sleep.
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 8.day
10.August 1997
At morning are sky blue without clouds, and everything looks better than yesterday. Only English fisherman has a problem to go cross pathway with our tents and he is speaking something under his mustache. Temperature is increasing, we pack all tents and continue. I feel more better and i want to bike today. One day without biking helped me very much. Peter give us headstart, he will come in us later. We all feel like contestants and we pedal in excellent temp. But we missed right turning and we must return back. Lucia has problem with leaving her bike and she finished in ditch near of route. Fortunately without any wounds. We found right turning in short time, but Peter is still not there. We must think what to do. We don't want to make some panic and we decided to stay near of some lake. Jaro is going to look after Peter with car. After a hour he left together with Peter. Peter at first made only some jokes from this story, but he looks happy now that we are all together and nobody lost. Temperature reaches 30 degree of Celsius and it is really hot. We thought about Corsica before, but it looks that here in Norway is also hot enough. We all continue. I have my good day and I bike without problem on head before others. From time to time I stop to eat some blackberries. After short uprise we turn to lake in mountains. It will be our camping place for today. Short time after our arriwal, some group from Polland arrived on motorbikes. They also want to stay here. We were afraid that we will not sleep well. But later it looks, that more problems with sleeping have they. We built tents and prepare some meal. It is late but ther is still enough light and we decided to make some walk. We bike to nearest tourist pathway point. We left our bikes near of small farm and we continue by foot. Route is marked with small colored sticks. Soon sticks dismissed and we must continue without them. I don't know if we reached some important or interesting tourist point, but before 11 PM we return down to place with our bikes. I have some problems with my glasses. Especially with "Heliovar" slides in them. They have special feature to darken in sun. But due to some for me unknown reason, they stay dark also there in dark. Sometimes it looks, that I must use my other sense to safely continue. After short rest we continue on bikes to our lake. I feel, that I need to wash myself, and I realized to do it in lake water. At first, water reach only my knees, but later I immerse all my body into water and I swim. Only here in Norway I become hardened my body under pressure. Later, Gabika and Olga, did the same. Before midnight we found some bottle with alcohol and we decided to make some fire. The bottle we empty soon and we realized to prepare some meal on fire. We didn't have no bacon neither sausages and we must improvise. As best solution we find out baked apples. They were really excellent and I can only recommend them. After singing some folk national songs we go to sleep. Motorcyclists had really bad night.
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 7.day
9.August 1997
 Morning is for me really hard. Only very slowly I leave tent. Outside is strong wind and sun is hidden somewhere above dark clouds. I make decision to spend today in car. Other people want to make some easy route. On the "Eagle route" they are struggling their fight. Strong wind is dangerous enemy. I speak with Jaro about their conditions. It is not bad thing to spend some time in car, but from bike you can see much more. We stop near of Geiranger Fjord and we are looking on really colossal "Seven Sisters Waterfall". Later we continue with making photos on the best place for making photos in Norway. Peter found this excellent place, well known from all travel prospects, last year. Place is an overhang with excellent view on fjord. The point is that you don't know this, when you are staying there. You must also find right place for camera. Peter obtains all cameras and we together with Gabika's bike change to models. Of course, every camera is specific, and we must yawl on Peter instructions how to use it. This grotesque screams engage near tourists from France. They with consternation on faces look on strange couple of people screaming each other. I understand them, from their place is not possible to see this interesting view. At last we make one group photo on each camera. One from French tourists be a push-over for and go on Peter's place. With scream "Fiiiiii" (in french language of course), shortly he interprets others what it is all about. We are going to eat something, and French tourist repeat our previous activities. It is going to rain and we attach all bikes on car, and together we enter into car.
 With car we reach Dalsniba. Here we make some photos of near iceberg. Gabika with Lucia also tested their raincoats bought in Rostock. Later we continue to Stryn, where we visit local pub. I ordered some German beer there. After paying bill I was surprised with very high price. Alcohol in Norway is not very cheap. We build tents wildly, somewhere in near forest on footpath. We didn't have time to look for camping in this rainy weather. We also build tent bower, which we use as our kitchen. After eating, we play cards in one from tents together with Czech liqueur "Becherovka". Gabika together with Lucia present themselves as excellent masseuses. My eyes reveals me and in short time I sleep like a top.
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 6.day
8.August 1997
 It is morning and I am going out from tent very slowly. All my body is weary of yesterday route. After a small time I feel more better and I decided to pass next route. Today we have prepared beautiful track to Trollstiegen (Troll way). After a few kilometers of easy ride I warm up. We are in beautiful valley. Place with promised gradient we didn't see and we are making hoots from Peter, that he surely he underestimate our abilities. This track is no problem for us. We stop and make some photos near of open-air museum. All way is bordered with marks "Attention troll". Weather is good, only sometimes in shadow it is a little bit cold. We force us with hot chocolate, to increase our energy on near parking place. At that time we didn't suspect, how much we will need this energy later. In short time, after first curve, we are surprised with unlucky view. We see very steep uprising in switchbacks to a far top of mountain. Only from this view our enthusiasm together with our jokes fly away. Peter had a true, unfortunately. I change my gearing on easiest degree and with speed of turtle I go to my first serpentine. It must be possible to do it. I only must save enough energy for next serpentines. And really it looks much more better, after first serpentine. It is possible to do it. Very slowly, but it is possible. With each serpentine my energy and enthusiasm decrease, but still I am able to continue with energy from my hidden backlog. Slowly I reach a bridge somewhere in half of our way up. Here is Jaro waiting us with hot coffee. I change my shirt because it is vet from my perspiration, and it is not very comfortable now. After changing it, and good coffee I feel better. I decide to continue but my legs don't want to continue. In my mind I order to my body to continue. Surrounding drivers greet us and are very regardful, especially in curves. Together with us they must be careful on sheeps and cows on road.
 Some time later we slowly reach an observation point on top. There I sit down on bench together with others. I did it at last. Gabika has legs in unbelievable cold water of small river "brrrrr", and other are eating and sunning. I am doing the same. After half hour rest we are going to observation point. In souvenirs shops around way there, are trolls of all sizes and shapes. This is the right place to buy troll at home. We also built our troll from stones for happiness. It is a difficult thing, because all stones are used for other trolls, and take stone from another troll means accident. We finally found enough free stones for our troll. Near of observation point are Japan filmmakers and they are recording advert on Subaru and some kind of tea. Actress in Norway national costume is drinking tea from pot with words "teaaaa" with smile on face. When she did it 20 times, she looks so bored from this role. We lean against barrier railing and take a pleasure in beautiful view down. Now we really see how difficult was our way up. Way was going up in steep long serpentines and its start is boundless. We make some photos for our families and friends in order that they can admire us for this performance. Then suddenly Jaro begin to hassle. He bought emblem with reindeer and he pinned him to peak of his cap. But cap unfortunately fall down 20 m under observation point with help of strong wind. Jaro without speculation skid down. And Peter everything record on camera. Terrain looks very dangerous and Jaro's way down looks very risky. Everybody on observation point is looking on this crazy man, but Jaro fortunately take his cap and he returned back without wounds. Our bikes stay abandoned near of our car. Here it is possible. We are careful only in big cities.
Slowly we sit on our bikes and we continue. We are near of top, and after it we have only meed in form of downhill run. But before we fight small snowball war on top only in shorts. After long downhill run we ship on ferry from Ligne to Eidsdal. There we have only a few kilometers to camping, but only now I understood what does it mean absolutely worn-down. My legs are stoned and only with enormous effort I reach our camp. Here I fall down to grass and long time I spend on ground without any move. Today it was heroic achievement, and I know that tomorrow will be very tough for me. Later I only sit on near stone and I write my letter to my ... Only my hand are able to move now. Our driver Jaro decide to make his own trip on bike. Peter is preparing meal and in short time we eat big serving of risotto. This day I went to sleep early, maybe before midnight. A spent some time to find good position for my painfull body and my eyes slowly fall down...
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 5.day
7.August 1997
This morning I woke up as second. Olga didn't sleep all night, because camping was near of railway, and Olga whole night listened sounds of trains. After washing and breakfast, we left Olympic city Lillehammer.
 Our next target was Romsdal. Part of way we spent in the car, but next part, more interesting, we spent on sits of our bikes. Why more interesting, we recognized in a short time. In valley, near of road we found our first waterfalls. We made a lot of photos. At that time we didn't know that we will see much more waterfalls. My physical condition wasn't still good. But I wasn't alone and we wheeled bikes in a group. Together we reached our camp near Romsdalen hills. Camp was situated to mountain valley, near a small lake. But watter was such cold, that nobody try it. But it didn't discourage local boys from jumping in it from near bridge. Together we prepared our meal and built our tents. Then on bikes we visited near village. No pubs was open there, and we returned and in camp we drank tea with plum brandy. It was present from foreign friends of Jarko. It wasn't bad, but Slovak plum brandy used to be more better. At being expected of difficult route we went to sleep rather.
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 4.day
6.August 1997
 I am first up at morning. Weather is beautiful. My stomach and my head reminds me alcohol orgy from yesterday. But socialization is also necessary on this kind of travels. I am walking slowly, and sun is shinning on my face. Sooner than others wake up, I wash myself and I make small excursion to near village. When I returned others were also up. We are a little bit nervous, today is our first bike trip. I am curious on Olga, because yesterday she confessed, she is doing triathlon with good results. After unmounting bikes from car, checking their status, we must prepare us, bikers. After preparation we start our trip. We form a small ruck. Today it was only small trip, for warming up our bodies. Peter supervises us, and it looks like we are going without problems. Driver Jaro, round around us with car in half hour after our start.
Near of turning to Lillehammer he is waiting to us, to show us where to turn. Lucia, Gabika and Olga wait on me near a car, but Peter and Hela is still not there. Jaro starts the car and he go to find them. Nothing important happened. Only Hela need to repair her flat tire, and Peter helped here. In full formation we continue to Lillehammer. Our first stop is ski jump at Lysgårdsbakken Stadion. Here I recognized that my condition is very poor this year. I finished last part of way up to hill wheeling my bike. There after small rest I feel more better. We put aside our bikes and we are go up the stairs to top of ski jump. We were looking on jumpers in leather overalls, training their jumps on artificial snow. Our body were sweating, and we don't envy them their overalls. After short rest stops we reach top of hill. We were looking for some souvenir shops, but unfortunately we don't find any. But we find there open air museum and we go there. In addition we find a lot of bilberries there. Together with Hela we eat most of them. We also make some photos of beautiful sceneries around us. Going down was much more easier than was going up. We also look at figure skating stadium, where young girls were skating. Each of use choose his/her favourite and we encourage them. Outside of stadium we try skiing simulator. We hide to cabin and in small time we experience our first virtual downhill run with screaming.
 Later we visited center of Lillehammer. Lillehammer is a small city with wooden houses and with nice surroundings. It is a few year after Olympic Games, but they atmosphere is still there. Souvenirs of all types from T-shirts to books and sculptures of trolls are everywhere around us. We were really surprised with quality of tourist information bureaus. Their services are excellent. After city exploration we go to near camping on bank of of Mjosa lake. We build our tents near of volleyball play-ground. At reception we lend volleyball ball and we prepare our sport evening. First of all, braver of us try the water. It took me 10 minutes to dive in such cold water. Slowly after me go Gabika and I try to splash water to her. I was surprised with her bad reaction. After swimming we start our volleyball match. Together with Gabika and Lucia we lost, because Olga as physical training teacher disrupted us with her funny speaking and advices. We play only to entertain ourselves, and result wasn't so striking. It was funny improving of our evening. We know with two young Slovaks crossing North Europe by trains. Peter helps them with possible interesting places here in Norway. We decide to visit Lillehammer in the night. We wanted to visit some local pub, but all pubs were closed at this time. In Norway it is a big problem to find open pub after 10 PM. I think they have some law, that pubs have to be closed to 10 PM. But on the other side night streets of Lillehammer were also beautiful. We wrote some postcards and sent them at home. When we returned Peter was already sleeping. We as a good team followed him in a short time.
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 3.day
5.August 1997
 At morning I get up as first. I am slowly leaving tent. We are still in Trelleborg. It is sunny morning and it is excellent feeling to feel sun on my face. After short walking around I recognize that at lake near of us is a duck with ducklings. There are also swans at sea, and they try to beg for some meal from me. Shortly also others leave their tents. We wash in wash basin at gas station toilet and eat something. After packing our tents we continue to North. On the way there are a lot of wind-power plants. Everywhere is clean, everything is tidy. Afternoon we are going through suspension bridge over valley. This bridge is boundary between Sweden and Norway. No custom-officers, no pike. Only people and cars crossing imaginary line between Norway and Sweden. Our first stop in Norway is at petrol station. Ten minutes later is coming there bus from "Čedok" travel agency from Czech republic. World is not big enough. Everywhere you can find your neighbors.
 We continue on our way. Flat is slowly changing to mountains. We are inGjovik now. Here we look the biggest in-stone building, olympic hockey stadium. We have luck, because we can see training of local hockey team. We also look on wall paintings that are similar to paintings our prehistoric ancestors. Some of us also try to climb on vertical wall.
 As rest place we choose place near of biggest lake of Norway, Mjosa. Using repellents is really necessary procedure here. First night in Norway we want to celebrate. At first we settled bottle of "Demänovka" looking at our fire, later we settled next one. Our driver, Jarko, presents yourself as a good entertainer, and in short time we shocked Norway people camping near of us with singing of our Slovak nationals songs. Here we define new comparison. "Norway people are entertaining in full swing" means "They are silently looking at a fire". After a long philosophy disputes, 2 hours after midnight we are went to sleep.
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 2.day
4.August 1997
 I wake up at 3:00 am. We are staying. Jarko tell me that we are here in Rostock on parking place near the port. I a little bit walk around, because my legs are stony-hard. At last I take mattress roll and sleeping bag and I lie down on parking place, near of car. Finally I am going to sleep.
 After good rest I wake up at half past 5. Near of me is sleeping Peter and on other side also Olga. About meter from me is on the ground used napkin a some fag-ends. It is OK, more important for me that I am good rested. All of us get up and we are preparing to go board to ship. But we come to know that departure is moved to afternoon. We have a lot of time now. We only wash in near toilet. As breakfast Peter prepared sausages with mustard and bread. They looks very good, and Lucia, vegetarian in normal life, eat also one of them. We have still enough time and we are going to walk to city. To city we are going by car, it is about 3 km from port. Rostock is a very nice city with nice architecture and clean environment. Most of older houses are build here from wood timbers and concrete walls. Lucia, Gabika and me go to city center. Later we encounter with Jarko and Peter in local coffee-bar. After cup of coffee we continue to walk in a city. From time to time we make some photos. We visit local church with very spiky tower roof from where is excellent view to a city. In Edusho shop we bought fleece jackets only for 10 DEM (German Marks). Gabika and Lucia also bought good biking raincoats. As we negotiate we meet at near of our van and we are going back to port. Our departure time is getting closer, and after arrival we only make some photos before a ferry.
In a short time we are in internals of our ferry, together with van. Our ferry is a very big ship. It is a 3:00 PM and ferry is getting up anchor. We all wave from deck to going away ground. On Peter's we are going to shop to duty free shop. Prices are not as low as we expected. After long consideration I bought a bag of drops from Turkey. We all meet on deck, only Jarko lost somewhere. We are offering each other with our bought things. I open my drops and I offer all of them. Together with me, of course. But after couple of seconds I recognize that taste of drops is a very strange. They are very hot and salted. A am looking on others, and they are also surprised with strange taste. We all run to guardrail and our drops are falling down to sea. When I look on cover of drops now, I see words like Hot and Chilly. But Jarko is coming with smile. I want to be polite and I offer him from drops. Jarko tries one of them, and we all look at him waiting for his reaction. But Jarko doesn't look to be OK. From time to time he change position of drop in mouth, but nothing more. After 5 minutes and our question how tastes he discloses that it not so good. But he doesn't want to hurt me. After this small episode we found good places on we all relax. It is sunny day and I am reading some book. When it starts to darken we are getting closer to ground.
 We land to Trelleborg without problems. We spend some time on boundaries to Sweden, but after question about money and fast answer from Jarko that we have around 10 000 DEM, customs officer it gives up and we cross boundaries.
2 km from boundaries we build our tents. We have 2 tents from travel agency, but after short training are tents built in 10 minutes. In the meantime Peter prepared meal. After eating we tired go to sleep to tents.
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Labels: my travels, no, Norway, Norway 1997
My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 1.day
3.August 1997
Day "D" is here and we are going. We are waking up so early, last checking of our equipment and we quickly everything move to our car. Luggage is necessary wisely insert into car and bike state fasten on car. And on the state our bikes. State is connected to car back and it is suitable only for 2 bikes. But we have 3 bikes. After first attempt wheels of bike are very near of ground. We need to go more than 200 km on highway and this not a good idea. At last we removed some wheels from bikes and it looks better. After a few km we stopped and I removed rest of the wheels. Next stop and we are checking states of bikes. Now everything looks fine and we can continue. We are going to "Trencin", where we have to pick up Gabika's father. He must drive with car back to Trencin. And later, after our journey go for us to Zilina. But it is far future for us now. Way to Trencin we manage without problems. Only Gabika's father was surprised how we fasten up bikes on car.
 To Zilina we arrived short time before time of our departure. After quarter of hour we found departure place. But we don't see no bus not even other people. Only empty square. We phoned to travel agency, and they informed us with actual situation. They go with van on gas station. What, van? We know that it was signed on 15 people on this travel. And 15 people plus 15 bikes plus big amount of luggage is impossible to transport with van. Square was situated near a travel agency office and in short time come some people from travel agency. We got to know that from 15 people we reminded 5. Plus our guide and driver. 7 people is good count for van, not for bus. We weren't very happy from this info, but later we were very satisfied with this situation. Van arrived and we are quickly became acquainted with rest of our group. Our next members are women Olga and Hela. We are also welcomed with our guide and driver. Our driver Jarko together with our guide and me lodge in our luggage into car. We don't have so much time, because we must catch our ferry in Rostock from Germany to Sweden. We fasten all 8 bikes on top of van, last leave-taking and finally we move off.
 Our situation is next: We are going via Czech republic to Germany. Morning at 6:00 we must be in Rostock from where is going our ferry. During our way we become acquainted all together. It looks like, that here meet together a good group. And that was confirmed also many time later. We continue with comparing our previous experience with biking and I my optimism is decreasing. Our guide Peter compete on bikes. Olga, physical training and russian language teacher, took part in many triathlon competitions before. And Hela is also experienced biker. Opposite of me, because I spent a lot of time in my work and now my condition is very poor. We crossed Czech boundaries, and our driver Jaro is fast as wind. A few hours later we were in Prag, capital of Czech republic. Slowly is getting dark an we are near of German boundaries. We are going on E55 way to Dubi passage. We are together watching on poorly dressed girls(prostitutes) near a road together with shops full of gypsum dwarfs. Boundaries crossed without problems. Some time we were watching out on country of capitalism. We had only short stops for our necessary needs. First night we must spend in a car. Gabika lay down between seat rows and Lucia together with me sleep on back seat. Hela and Olga also settled to sleep. I am very tired and in short time I sleep. From time to time I am trying to change my position and my eyes are going down. Around us is a darkness and we are driving quickly to our next target, Rostock.
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Labels: my travels, no, Norway, Norway 1997
My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - Preparations
How it began? in 1995 I bought a mountain bike. I recognized after 2 years, that I want to try other places for biking than biking in mountains "Male Karpaty". My colleague Gabika was the same. Later we talked head off Gabika's friend Lucia. Together we started to find some good biking package tours. We moved across many offers and later we reduced them to tours from adventure travel agencies "Kudrna Brno", "Bubo Bratislava" and "Cyklo Tour Zilina".  I wasn't easy to find right tour. We thought over Netherlands, Corsica and Scandinavia. But at last won Scandinavia from Cyklo Tour travel agency. At that time we didn't sense how good choice it was. As we got closer to our day "D", we must to prepare more and more things. It was necessary to buy wanting equipment. And it was also necessary to pack all wisely. But what to bring and what not? What it will be weather like? We have never been in North Europe countries before. Packing our rucksacks was so complicated thing. It was also necessary to solve our transport from Bratislava to Zilina, where started our journey. That problem at last solved Gabika and she decided to transport us with own car "Lada" with her father help. She also borrowed car stand for bikes. Evening before departure we grouped in Lucia's flat. Lucia was only packing this evening and I stared at her with bugs in my head how much things I forgot to pack. We listen news that in Poland are floods, and a lot of roads are closed. Our stress was on top and everything melted in our heads. Was it a good decision? Do we have enough power to manage such difficult journey? We were going to sleep with heads full of questions. Simply travel headache.
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Labels: my travels, no, Norway, Norway 1997
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