Another weekend – another spontaneous cabin trip! On Friday morning my flatmates and I decided to go to a cabin, to any available cabin. The only thing we looked up was that it is easy to find.
On the night before the date of the trip, we found out that the school bus which drives directly to the cabin doesn’t drive at the weekend and we have to take another bus and then walk 5 hours hill upwards!
We went out this evening to a party and thought we will see what we do in the morning. We had a good and long night. We totally overslept the next morning! We got up at noon and didn’t think we will go at all. But as crazy as we are we packed our stuff, run to the bus and we really intended to walk THAT FAR!!
In the bus we didn’t think it is a good idea anymore. AND IT DEFINITELY WASN’T! So we tried to contact all the other People to ask them for a lift. And we got very lucky 😉
We found a group of 5 very nice guys with a big car. They picked us up from the bus stop in Hommelvik, we squeezed into the car, 3 people in the front, 4 people in the middle row and 2 people in the boot of the car with all the luggage of 9 people, and drove to the big cabin Heinfjordstua. The drive was very adventorous but really really funny.
When we arrived at the cabin we realized how unprepared we are! In all the rush we forgot the key at home, we didn’t have enough food or drink, we didn’t have enough warm clothes, we didn’t have candles or toilet paper or did know how to lit a fire or had any outdoor skills at all! We definitely would have died without them guys!
I am so thankful we met them. We found some good friends and had a great night with drinking, card games and sauna *_* The cabin was nice, but a bit dirty. It really has some simple charm, no lights, electricity, heat, water or phone service. We haven’t expected that. But it was fun, something new and after this experience you really appreciate what you have!
After a very cold night, we made a nice hike over a frozen lake, on top of a little island.
The Eskimo Crew on tour in Norway
After that, we cleaned the cabin and then drove back home in the same constellation as to the cabin 😉
It was a great weekend after all, and everything went out fine. We were really lucky. To hear one more crazy cabin trip story come back next week. Love,
this week was my birthday week! This means it is the week of my 23rd Birthday. I saw the idea of celebrating 1 week and treat yourself special for 1 whole week at the series ‘Gilmore Girls’ and I instantly loved it! That’s why I wanted to try it myself.
I started on Monday the 4th of March, I took the day of and did nothing else than Netflix! It was a great and really relaxing day! In the evening I went to a board game evening in Loftet, the library of Moholt, to meet some of my friends and play games. It was great fun and a good end of the first day.
On Tuesday I decided to go to Bymarka and make a hiking trip to the top of the hill. In the bus, I met one of the girls of my Norwegian class. We had the day off and both decided to go there. What a coincident! So we did the hike together. At Bymarka there was so much snow, that we had to make a new way up the hill, we stuck in the snow until our knees. We both didn’t wear any snowshoes or ski trousers so we were wet from toe to knee. It was a fun hike through the high snow! It was totally worth every effort, the view is just amazing up there. Especially at a nice and sunny day like this day!
Bymarka – Trondheim – Norway
My actual Birthday was on Wednesday. I am really 23 years now!! In the morning I had breakfast with a good friend from Chile. We went to a really nice bakery and had a good but fucking expensive meal. Afterward, we went shopping and went for a little walk. In the evening I had my Wednesday Photography Course, this day we went to a nice cafe with a photo gallery. We had good coffee and inspiring Pictures to look at. I got a lot of lovely messages, posts, and videos with congratulations to my Birthday. I was really moved.
Because I had classes on Thursday and project work to finish, I couldn’t do that much, but I went Salsa dancing in the evening like every Thursday evening. And I really love it!
For a perfect finish of my Birthday week, I went to a cabin trip Friday afternoon to the NTNUI cabin KÃ¥sen. Where I still am.
I tried the Birthday week now for the first time and I can highly recommend it. It is great to have one week of specialty in your life. I will definitely do this every year from now on 😉 See you next week. Love,
Today I
want to share my experience of my first cabin trip, I made in Norway, with you.
When I arrived in Norway I haven’t expected to do much, basically, I thought I
am busy with lectures and studying all the time and the weekends were planned
to be to relax from the hard week.
But I noticed very soon, that I have very little lectures and this means a lot
of free time, which I definitely want to fill with something interesting and
new!
On my second week in Trondheim I heard about a cabin trip for 100 nok, this is around 10€. In the cabin trip is already everything included, accommodation, food, and drink. We thought, that can’t be right this is a much too good deal for Norway, where everything is sooooo expensive! It was very suspect especially that they wrote in the description we have a traditional sacrifice. But we signed up anyway. Until the date of the cabin trip, we were still thinking if this is a good idea or not. We went and hoped for the best.Â
We took the public bus to an old school building. The cabin is only open for special events like that. It was a really nice place with lovely drawings on the wooden walls.
Cabin 1 – Norway
We all got a mattress to pump up and the food was already ready when we arrived there. We had very good Indish curry *_* After that we played card games until they gave us an instruction to dress up as Vikings and they provided garbage bags and aluminum foil for us. Then it was time for the Viking game Cantus, they opened the doors and inside it was all dark and they played Viking music. There was one guy in the middle of the room with a crone, he was our leader. We all got a Codex with famous Norwegian and English songs. It was a really fun drinking game, we had to speak some phrases in Norwegian and whenever the leader said: drikk opp, we had to empty our cup with self-made sangria, we had to do this at least 6 times! In between the drinking we had to sing, when we misbehaved or anything we got punished by the Punisher and had to drink more or had to eat disgusting things. After the game, all of us were drunk because we all had to drink. This game was great fun! After that, we opened the dance floor until we all fall asleep.
On the next day we all slept in and then we had a very late breakfast and went for a hike or cross country skiing. I tried cross country skiing for the first time, it was really hard at the beginning and I nearly fall all the time! It felt like I have never been on skies before!!! But after a while it was good and I got faster 😀 But it is really exhausting, after 2 hours I was dead. And my big toe was completely blue, I nearly couldn’t walk anymore… It really hurt! For the next time, I definitely need bigger shoes!
In the
evening we had THE SACRIFICE! Luckily no one tried to sacrifice us 😀 We had to
draw something valuable on a piece of paper and then we went outside and
sacrificed it into a little bonfire. Everybody had to explain why this is so
important to us. It was really a nice gesture. The second night was quieter
than the first one, we all were very dead from yesterday and the hike. In that
night we wanted to go home at 3 am. When the bus then arrived at the bus stop
he shot past us. He didn’t even look or stop! So we had to stay one more night
and walk 2,5km to the next bus stop on the next day because unfortunately, the
direct bus to the cabin don’t drive on Sundays.
On the next
morning, we had to clean the whole cabin. It was a mess from the last 2 days!
Because of my injury, I didn’t have to walk that far. They drove me to the bus
stop by car. I was so glad, they did, I didn’t know if I could have made it!
We arrived home safely this Sunday evening, we had a fantastic time and weekend at the cabin trip. It was really fun and I am glad I wasn’t too afraid to go. The only little thing was, that we had a bit too less food during the cabin trip. They haven’t expected so big eaters 😀 See you next week. Love,
My journey to Norway and study one semester abroad now officially starts! It was the 2.1.2019 when I left Germany. It was really hard to leave that close after new years day. Why are they starting with lectures so early?!
I was at the airport on time, said goodbye to my beloved parents once again and was ready to go. But my flight was delayed! I had only 45 min. to change flights in Oslo anyway and now that! 20 min. delay!
I was really worried if I can catch the next one. When we landed I nearly pushed everybody out of my way in the airplane to get out. Obviously I had one of the last seats in the plane. Luckily we didn’t have to collect our luggage in Oslo walk through toll and drop it off again. They transferred it for us to the second plane because of the delay.
I run through the whole airport to my gate. I made it! I was on the plane on time and everything was fine 😉 When we landed in Trondheim I waited in the pickup area but my luggage didn’t come. There were only a few bags on the belt at all. So I had to go to the counter and give my address and everything to get it delivered.
I was a bit anxious that they lost my luggage completely. So I had to go. It didn’t make much sense to wait. I had to stay my first night in Trondheim without my luggage! At least I didn’t have to transport 2 suitcases and a backpack through whole Trondheim. I went to my key pickup box and walked to my new home for the next semester in Moholt studentby.
I directly went to the store to buy some basics for the night. I met my new flatmates and I directly loved them. We have a good harmony and a mix of personalities in the group. I am so happy that I made my first Friends immediately! The next morning my luggage arrived and everything was perfect!
My adventure can officially start:) And it did! On my second day in Trondheim, the Orientation week of my Uni started to meet the other exchange students, the town and the Uni.
They provided a lovely program for us with Info Meeting, traditional music and dance, Trondheim games with questions and tasks, a movie, lunch, a quiz and a little hiking/cabin trip to Bymarka.
The trip was so cool! We did some outdoor games, a hike to the top of the hill, sadly without Fjord view due to the clouds, card games and a second breakfast in the cabin.
It was a great time and opportunity to meet people and make some friends. It was sad, that it only took 4 days and then the real life and lectures started on the 7th of January. To hear from my first cabin trips come back in 1 week. See you soon. Love,
During my weekends and on public holidays I had lots of free time and the possibility to go travelling.
Unfortunatelly I didn’t have a car, so I had to use the train or the bus. But the bus drive times are really long, that’s why I used the train as my main transportation. The Trains made my travel plans form September onwards really tricky because of strike days every Saturday!
One of my first trips was obviously Newcastle, the next big City. I was there during a Festival, this was really cool but it was very crowded also.
Newcastle – UK
On the same day, I visited Tynemouth, a gorgeous little town on the coast. In its priory was a historic Festival with a lovely program for the kids and knight fights to watch.
Tynemouth Priory Festival – UK
On another weekend I made a cliff walk with my flat mates at the Durham Heritage Coast and we tried to climb up the hill instead of using the stairs! I have no clue who had this stupid idea but it was great fun! AND VERY DIRTY! 😀
Durham Heritage Coast – UK
I walked the river walk through the Woods and next to the Tyne from Hexham to Corbridge and sat down for tea and scones on a nice, little, unique cafe there.
I also was in Edinburgh a couple of times. I was there for example during the fringe festival in August and for the light night at the end of November. There was a lot going on during these festivals, a lot of artists and dancers. It was a very busy but exciting time. In Edinburgh I visited the Castle, I only could go inside because I was an English Heritage Member, the normal tickets were already sold out. At noon!!! I climbed up the King Arthurs Seat and enjoyed the amazing view over Edinburgh. On my way down I took the wrong way, after a while there was no path anymore, so I had to climb up again. This was really exhausting!
King Arthurs Seat – Edinburgh – Scotland
In autumn I made a lovely hike to the Waterfall of Bellingham. My original plan was to go to the Kielder Park & Forest, but Bellingham was the last bus stop. I didn’t want to walk all the way neither wanted I to take an expensive cap, so I decided on my backup plan and this was a brilliant idea. The walk was absolutely stunning!
Bellingham Waterfall – UK
One of my favourite spots was the cliff walk in St. Abbs. It was so beautiful! But it was really windy, I really had to fight against the wind to not fall down! After that I visited Eyemouth and saw a lonely seal in the water. They told me this seal is there every day and its kind of their town pet.
In Glasgow, I was in the breath-taking University and in the botanical garden. The street art there was really nice as well.
Street Art – Glasgow – Scotland
Over the bank holiday in August I made a 3 day Scotland tour. I saw Loch Lomond, Ben Nevis, the Eilean Donan Castle, the most photographed castle of whole Scotland, the Isle of Skye and Loch Ness but without Nessi… It was a really amazing trip, I had perfect weather, a really funny bus driver/guide and I got a free upgrade of my accommodation. I only booked the cheapest option in a shitty hostel and I got a really lovely single room in a BnB with the best english breakfast of my entire life! Lucky me 😉
Eilean Donan Castle – Scotland
I saw the Cathedral and the Castle in Carlisle, the other bigger town next to Hexham on the opposite side than Newcastle. I burned myself during the Hadrian wall walk and visited all Forts and Roman Places next to it. The only really bad, rainy, typical English weather day was on Holy Island, where I was wet from head to toe all day long. Except for this fact it was a wonderful trip. The Island is really nice.
I also walked through the sand dunes in Seahouses and made a boat trip to watch dolphins, seals, and puffins.
Seahouses Boat Trip – UK
I climbed up the Cat Bells in the Lake District like a real English Person, that’s at least what they told me 😀
I visited a friend in Nottingham and made we walked in the foot steps of Robin Hood. I saw a deer in the Wollation Deer Park.
One of my last trips was to London with my best friend where we did all the typical touristy things like the London Eye and Tower Bridge.
London Eye – London – UK
During Christmas time I made a second 3 day tour through Scotland. I was in Stirling, Aberdeen and Dunnotar Castle. I also made a traditional Whiskey Tour. First, it looked like I can’t make it to the tour, I was at the bus stop for the bus to go to the distillery but the bus didn’t come. After the second bus didn’t arrive, over 1 hour later I tried to call the bus organization, but it was Saturday and no one answered. Then I asked a bus driver and he said they moved the bus stop for this bus number but they haven’t removed the sign on the bus stop. I sprinted to the other stop to catch the 3 bus and I arrived there just in time!
Dunnotar Castle – Aberdeen – Scotland
During the Christmas time I also saw Disney on Ice, was in the Christmas Pop up bar in Newcastle, was at the Light Night in Edinburgh, saw the Coca Cola Truck and was on so many Christmas markets.
I had a really amazing time in the UK which I will never Forget. I mad lots of good Friends, experiences and memories. I am very thankful for all, because I didn’t want to go there in the first place, but this was one of the best decisions of my life. Next week I will move on to my actual study abroad semester in Norway. See you soon. Love,
During my internship, I had two ‘major’ illnesses. Unfortunately, I had to go to work anyway because I had to have enough days at work for my University. You are never safe from diseases or anything so better be prepared with insurance or anything.
Once I had a cold or the flu for 1 week. I really felt like shit. After I survived that one of my colleagues got it and he blamed me for the whole stay that I gave him the sickness! But I got it from another colleague as well so I wasn’t the first one 😀
The second disease was first a harmless inflammation of the bladder. This was annoying but Nothing serious and normally it goes away from its own after a few days. But this time NOT!
The night before my trip to London I had really heavy pain on my sides and my back. I couldn’t stay like that anymore, so I called all my so-called friends to drive me to the hospital. But no one was available or were already in bed. The one time I need something, no one is there for me! This really hurt! I felt like shit and that no one was there for me didn’t make it any better. I had to walk to the hospital because not even the taxi driver wanted to drive me there. It was not worth it because it is not far enough… When I arrived there I couldn’t find the entrance, I had to walk around nearly the whole building before I could get inside. I arrived only 10 min. before they officially close. Luckily the still treated me. I had a kidney infection and got antibiotics.
After my treatment, they straight kicked me out without paying for the medication. I was with my head somewhere else so I didn’t realize. I had insurance so I could have paid for it 😀 This was not even worth it 😀
With the medication, it was instantly better and I could do my trip without any other Problems 😉 To hear about all the trips I made come back in 1 week. See you soon. Love,
One of my best nights in England was the bonfire night in Hexham. On the 05.11. the English people celebrate the Bonfire Night. The weekend before or after there will be a big event in the towns, with a big bonfire, music and a great firework.
It was really a great event. I really enjoyed myself there. The firework was just amazing! I think it was at least 10 min. long! I can highly recommend going there.
After that, I went into the local pub to finally find some friends around Hexham. I got me something to drink and sat in the middle of 2 groups. I thought maybe one of them would speak to me, but they didn’t…. After I finished my drink I moved my position to the bar to try again. And it worked 😉 A really nice guy spoke to me and took me to his table to meet his family and friends. This guy actually belonged to the Group on my right! What a coincidence! The bad thing is that one guy remembered me as the strange, silent and lonely girl. HOW EMBARRASSING!
Except that, I had an awesome night and found some really good friends. We did lots of things and made some nice experiences together for the rest of my stay.
After the pub, we went to the local club of Hexham. This was more a clubhouse than a club but at least there is one;)
When the club closed and kicked us out, one of these guys walked me home to make sure I get home safe. HOW CUTE IS THAT!! But on our way home the evening made a 180-degree turn, we saw a guy who wanted to jump off the bridge! My companion talked to him for over 1 hour and saved him. He went home safely. WOW, this guy is just amazing to convince him not to jump! This was really a life-changing night! Come back in around 1 week to hear more about my stay in the UK. Love,
On the 01.08.2018 I started my internship in a chipboard manufacturer in the glue department. I helped the Engineering Team with their day to day work, I did some PLC programming and lots of technical documentation stuff.
The Team was really great, I always liked to go to work, but especially the people of my office were great. I shared an office with 2 other student placements. We understand very well from the beginning, we had interesting and productive debates and supported each other in every possible way. These 2 guys also motivated me to start my own blog. They helped me finding a name and create a logo. They were a big help to me and were one of many reasons why I loved my stay in the UK so much.
Sometimes we had kind of a language barrier because I wasn’t used to Geordie. But they were very patient with me, explained everything 3 times and told me useful Geordie words and phrases. I thaught them a German word every day in return.
When one of them was missing in the office due to outside work, sickness or holidays, it was a sad, boring day and not the same.
They also had lots of good tips for places to visit or things to do or food to try. The biggest open secret abroad is, listen to the locals. They can show you the best spots in the surroundings. They know their country better than every guide book.
I am really glad I made such good friends in the UK. On my last day in the UK, we had our company Christmas party. We all met one last time in a nice restaurant with good food and free drinks 😉 We also made plans for a good and last student night out afterward to say goodbye.
Unfortunately, I got sick on this day and didn’t feel good at all. I went to the meal, ate and drunk nearly nothing, gelt bad and wasn’t the best company in the world… What a good timing… When I then got some shivers I decided not to go out and go home instead. This was very sad but I really couldn’t do it. I think it was maybe a bit too much for me, the sadness of leaving and too much sport the days before. At least I was fit for my flight the next day. To hear some more about the UK come back in around 1 week. See you. Love,
In July 2018 after my exams, I made a road trip with my parents through the UK. We headed off in the night of the 21.07, we took the ferry at 4 am. We had a fix and very strict route with a lot of visiting points every day, otherwise, we couldn’t see all. We slept in AirBnBs only, this was the cheapest option for 3 people and our dog Lilly.
From Dover, we drove to Rye and made a little Sightseeing round there. We saw the Castle, the church and the lovely little shops. After that, we went to the place of the Battle of Hastings where they live performed the Battle. The next point for this day was Brighton and his nice beach and pier.
Brighton Pier – UK
The last stop for the first day was Portsmouth and the big tower. On top of the tower, the floor consists of glass so you can see down to the ground. It was cool but scary at the same time! The first night we spent in Bournemouth.
Early on the second day, we went to Winchester. Due to the service in the church, we could go inside for free 😉 Salisbury was the next stop. The little town was really beautiful with colored umbrellas as decoration and the amazing church. But we were a bit scared to touch anything because of the poison attacks a few days earlier.
Salisbury Umbrellas – UK
After that we went to Stonehenge. The weather was perfect and there actually weren’t to many other tourists. Perfect to take some nice Pictures 😉 This evening we also went to Lyme Regis an amazing Little beach town.
Stonehenge – UK
The following day we went to St. Ives, St. Michael’s Mount, Land’s End, Tintagel and Wells. The night we spent in Bristol where we started our Programm the next day.
Tintagel – UK
From Bristol, we went to Oxford via Bath and Avebury. I was really disappointed by Bath, there was nothing special there and the entrance for the Roman bath Museum was much too expensive! In Oxford I bought one of these Oxford University T-shirts to make a picture in front of the Uni 😉
Oxford University – UK
On the next day we saw the birth house, the school and grave of Shakespeare in Stratford upon Avon. Then we went to Warwick Castle where we were really disappointed of the Castle. We didn’t know that it is only an amusement park. Luckily we could leave the car park without paying the daily fee. We found a really nice garden with an amazing view at this amazing Castle. We also visited Ludlow that day.
Warwick Castle – UK
The next day we made the city wall walk in Chester and visited all Beatles hot spots in Liverpool. When I saw a big Group of People in front of the Cavern Club, I found out that Paul McCartney is inside and playing a concert. He shortly came outside and waved but I didn’t recognised him so I couldn’t do a Picture of him. Typically me! 😀
The day after, we were in Brodsworth Hall and in the beautiful town York.
Yorkshire Terrier in York – UK
This evening we went to some other ‘sights’ of the English Heritage Book. The best one was Skipsea Castle where we had to walk through a field of cows and then there was a hill with a little sign on top. The sign shows a drawing of how the castle might once look. SUPER SIGHT!! 😀
After this flop, we visited Rievaulx Abbey, Scarborough Castle, and Whitby the next day.
On the first rainy day, we visited Stott Park Bobbin Mill just to be inside. We also got a private tour on a Buddhist Festival where one Buddhist blessed Lilly 😉 Then we saw Furness Abbey and Kirkby.
The following day we made a boat trip from Bowness to Ambleside on the Windemere. After that we drove through the beautiful Lake District.
On the last day of the trip, we saw the Roman town of Corbridge, Belsay Hall and Hexham, my home for the last 6 months. After our last sightseeing trip, my parents headed home to Germany and I had to start my internship. To hear about my time in the UK, come back soon. Love,
today I want to show you my travel route. In my 4 weeks in Ireland I’ve been in to many places.
My first stop was Dublin. There I visited the Botanical Garden, the Christ Church Cathedral, the City Hall, The Trinity College with the Book of Kells, we had a pint in the traditional Temple Bar and we’ve been in the Guiness Museum where I made a crafting certificate 😂
We visited Malahide Castle & Garden and walked at the cliffs of Howth, we climbed up the Killiney hill and stranded somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
We walked to the Powerscourt Estate & Garden and asked everyone to give us a lift to the Powerscourt Waterfall. We found a really nice german mother and son. They went to the waterfall with us and asked if we want to join to Glendalough as well.
One of my mates who was in Ireland at the time as well picked us up. Together we went to Kilkenny, Cork and Mizen Head. He left us in Killarney to continue his route. We continued our route to Tralee where we squeezed in a Spa day in a thermal bath.
The following stops were Adare, Limerick and then Doolin, the little village next to the Cliffs of Moher. We made a boat trip to one of the Aran Islands, Inisheer.
In Galway it was time to say Goodbye to my friend. From now on I had to continue alone.
My first night alone was first a nightmare. I checked the bus times online and booked myself a hostel. But when I arrived at the bus station the bus driver told me the bus don’t drive there today. The bus drives only to a city 35km from there. I couldn’t stay in Galway because everything was booked out, so I took this bus. I tried to book a hostel there but everything was full. But fortunately there is a camping area 4km from the town center.
So I started walking in the direction I thought it will be. On my way I asked some people on the street if this is the right direction. They offered me to drive me there later after their pub performance. So I watched their performance. They were really good. I had a great evening. My day made a 180 degree turn. After that they drove me to the camping area but everything was wet. So they offered me his hotel room and he stayed in the room with his mate. I was so lucky to find such nice people in this dreadful state. On the next morning I also got a nice hotel breakfast. Perfect start in the new day 😊
Then I went to the Connemara national park and climbed up the Diamont Hill. In the park I met a german couple, with them I went to the only Fjord in Ireland, the Killary Harbour Fjord.
My next stop was Westport and the pilgrim walk up to the top of Croagh Patrick. This evening I met a really nice Irish man at the camping area. He made us dinner and offered me a trip to Achill Island the next day. We had a good day out on the Beach and Deserted Village. He is a very funny man and lyed down in the middle of the street for me to make more pictures for my photo album.
The next day he took me off in Sligo. There I climbed up the Knocknarea. I had an amazing view over Strandhill, my next destination for the day.
With another backpacker I made my way to Donegal and Slieve League. The cliffs there are stunning and so much bigger than the Cliffs of Moher. If you like to see non touristic nature you should go definitely there.
After that I was in the Glenveagh national park and Derry. On the way to the Giant’s Causeway I stopped at Dunluce Castle.
My hostel there was located directly on the Causeway. Perfect location but it was really dirty! I had lots of bites on my body the next day!!! So disgusting! Remember to always bring desinfection spray and desinfect your bed. When I arrived at the Causeway I didn’t know that my hostel is located that close, so I carried my heavy backpack all the way down and up the stairs at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Sadly I couldn’t walk over the bridge because the tickets were sold out…
Belfast was the last official stop on my tour. I was in the City Hall and made one of these free walking tours. The thing I always wanted to see is the Titanic Museum. It was really expensive but as a real Titanic movie lover totally worth it.
My last few days I spent in Dundalk with my self-called ‘holy’ friend I met in Westport. He showed me lots of interesting places in the surrounding like Newgrange. I won a really good friend. We are still in contact since over one year now.
I had a real great time. I really enjoyed Ireland, the people, the beautiful nature and the mentality.
Come back next week to hear from my internship in the UK.
Jenny's Travels 