«Our Scandinavian August» (the notes of an adventure seeker)

When we woke up it was raining. Having a lack of time the students cleaned their rooms up as good as they could, and after that left the camping. It was 8.00. Early time is explained by the fact we had to cover around 500 km and watch our major object – the dam on the Namsen River.

As we went a kilometre to the south-west from Korgen the bus passed through the 9 km long tunnel, the biggest one we had met since the entering Norway.

The group made a little stop in Mosjoen. It doesn’t much differ from other small towns of Norway. Unfortunately the local info-centre was still closed and the students were walking along the streets over 20 minutes. Then we continued our travelling.

After 150 km separating Korgen and Namsskogan the group approached the Namsen River. There is a dam crossing this powerful stream that gives to birth a strong waterfall. And of course, surrounding territory is nicely arranged for tourists.

First we visited the entrance building where everybody could buy a souvenir. Then we moved to the bridge across Namsen. In front of it there were info-boards with the scheme of the dam and the system of tubes, reservoirs and turbines that help to produce electricity.

When we crossed the bridge, we reached the so-called salmon studio. There were several pools with holes (“gates”) for salmons on different levels coming down. I was watching as hard as I could but failed to see even one salmon. It was the upper part of the ladder (90 meters), which is visible. The rest (200 meters) consists of a tunnel blasted through the rock in the waterfall. It is the longest (291 m) salmon ladder in Europe! It enables the fish move across the dam in this place.

Then we visited the Salmon Museum with fascinating collection of old fishing tackle and photos. I could see real salmons in the aquarium. Two fishes looked very angry with something (or may be with us). We were also shown a film – the presentation of salmon on DVD. But it is on the second floor. Downstairs there was a restaurant where visitors could taste salmon.

Near the entrance of the Namsen Laksakvarium there was a big figure of Norwegian troll with a rod. It is the famous personage of the country’s myths and legends. Everyone took photo with this guy.

However we should have moved further to come Trondheim before 18.00. And the trip went on.

Perhaps we spent too much time in Namsskogan that the group arrived in Sandmoen Camping (that is 12 km south from Trondheim’s centre) after 18.00. But we faced unpredictable problems. The receptionists of the camping reserved accommodation only for one night although I applied for 2 nights. They said: “misunderstanding!” I knew that it really was. Anyway we had to submit to new circumstances. That is why next night the group spends inside the bus, while going to Uppsala - as we decided.

So we are in Trondheim. It is the third largest city in Norway (the city’s population is about 160 000 people). It is also a major centre for high technology, research and education.

After breakfast the group went sightseeing. We stopped our bus near the Student’s House. The group leader determined time limits for the students and let them go. I also decided to discover the city for myself.

First I crossed the Elgeseter bru (bridge) that links opposite banks of the Nidelva River and went to the city centre – the market square. There is an info-centre that provides tourists with brochures about Trondheim and Trondelag fylke (region) for free! The market square is famous for its statue of the Viking king Olav Tryggvason who founded the city in 997. Trondheim was the ancient capital of Norway.

Then I went to the embankment of the Nidelva River. There are some riverfront warehouses. The majority of these buildings have changed its functions lately, and now they are settled. The past reminds about itself in the old hooks fixed on the roof level. I think it works even today to lift some loads. But these houses are very attractive mostly due to the fact they were built on the stilts. To sum it up the buildings stand wall by wall very densely. And I remembered my friends told me they had seen such houses in Holland. And it is easily explained by the high prices of the land.

I walked along the Gamle Bybrua (the Old Bridge) and started climbing to the hill on which the Kristiansten Fortress was set off after the great city fire in 1681. This fort saved Trondheim from conquest by Sweden in 1718. The Kristiansten Fortress is surrounded by stone walls. Its main building also has big 1 meter wide walls, which is unbelievable. But you can overview the whole city from this site.

The next place of my interest was the Nidaros Cathedral. Nidaros is the former name of the city. Viktor Mikhailovich, Alexandr and I bought the tickets and came in. What a beauty! I have seen interiors of several protestant cathedrals, but this is the most exciting one. That is why it has been a place where kings of Norway are crowned.

The story of the Cathedral is tragic. Originally it was built over the tomb of Saint Olav. Building began in 1070 and completed in about 1300. Most of the Cathedral is built in the Gothic style, but the earliest parts are Romanesque. It had been destroyed almost completely by fires (because it was mainly wooden) by 1537 in the time of the Reformation. An extensive restoration took place in 1869, and after more than 100 years of work the Trondheimers gained old new Cathedral.

There is a sculpture of a man keeping a stone in his hand on the west front of the building. This stone corresponds to the hole in the Cathedral’s wall just opposite the statue. According to the local legend, if the reconstruction of this church is fully completed, the building will sink in the Trondheim fjord! I do not know how it is possible, but the statue will never put the last stone into the hole in the Cathedral’s wall that means the restoration of the building will last forever.

After such a tremendous excursion Viktor Mikhailovich, Alexandr and I decided to go to the University museum of Natural History. One exhibition displayed collections of minerals and rocks; another one showed the stuffed animals of Norwegian North. These exhibitions looked much worse then those in Oulu. So we didn’t spend much time there.

We returned to the bus soon. As all the students and teachers came back, the group continued the journey. We left Trondheim and turned to the road E14 that connects Norway with Sweden. After crossing the border we made a stop for supper. It took us around 30 minutes. We had to eat much to face such a hard night. Many of the students fell asleep soon in the bus.

We arrived in Uppsala at 6.00. The reception of the Fyrishov Camping had not been opened yet. We could enter it only in 2 hours. But I suddenly realised that another one “misunderstanding” took place, similar with that our group faced in Trondheim. Nevertheless we overcame this problem and got accommodation also for tomorrow night.

I was said the keys from cabins are given to us at 15.00. That is why after breakfast we decided to take a walk around the city.

Uppsala is Sweden’s fourth largest city, with a population of 180 000. It is a big cultural and scientific centre. Uppsala is famous for its University with 40 000 students.

First we went to the info-centre where got all the brochures that could be interesting for us, of course for free! Our group leader said such amount of tourist materials in Scandinavia was the biggest he had ever seen in the countries he had visited.

Then the students got free time for their own walking. I went to see the Cathedral. It is the largest Cathedral in Scandinavia! It took over 175 years to build it (1270-1445). Many famous Swedes are buried here, including King Gustav Vasa, Carl Linnaeus and others.

I continued my journey along the Fyrisan River and turned to Stora torget (Big Square). The main pedestrian streets are crossed there. I was admired by their cleanliness.

After walking I came back Camping. I did not see the majority of sights of Uppsala, because it was planned to visit it next day.