"My Secret Paradise"

"My Secret Paradise"," When I met Merilyn to hear about her Nordic adventures, she spoke about Bergen and Norway with such passion and excitement that I understood this place is very special to her. How did you first decide to visit Norway? 'During my design studies in San Francisco, I got to know a Norwegian graphic designer who invited me to visit him and his family in Bergen and celebrate Christmas there in 2005. I was also very excited about having a white Christmas for the first time in my life'. Since she stayed with a local family, she got to experience the real Norwegian culture and customs. The first times I heard people speaking, I thought it sounded like they were singing!' She has been able to learn the basics of the language quite well and impressed me with some very well pronounced sentences. (The population is only 250,000) Everything is within walking distance and not spread out like in other cities. Merilyn points out how colorful the houses are and how this helps brighten up the dark winter months. The windows can be seen as framed pictures or paintings'. Her favorite time of the year is definitely spring. It is so beautiful to see the lake lined with pink cherry blossoms and to smell fresh flowers that grow everywhere. Bergen International Festival is one of the events, which consists of music, dance and theatre performances happening all over the city, and also in unexpected places. Spring is also a great time for hiking in Bergen and exploring the seven mountains that surround the city. This event has become a popular attraction and involves a 35 km trek with a total ascent of 2,300 meters. Another popular hiking activity is climbing the 801 steps of Stoltzekleiven, which is a path up one of the mountains called Sandviken. The current record is 8 minutes and 13 seconds! Never-ending summer days The main tourist season in Bergen is during the summer months of June, July and August, when the city can become quite crowded by travelers. Amazing seafood and exotic meats One of Merilyn's best memories from summer in Norway was staying at a friend's cabin on a small island near Bergen called Upsøy. 'It was so fresh and tasty', I've never had fish that tasted so good' she says. They are very different from the Asian variety as they have a stronger fish flavor and are therefore tastier. Other Norwegian dishes that Merilyn has tried include elk and reindeer. There is also the brown cheese ('Brunost') which has such rich flavor that you can simply eat it on its own or on plain bread. The rain Bergen is the place where it rains most in Norway, which is a nuisance to many people. Merilyn however, has no complaints about the weather. She fondly recalls watching small children dressed in their cute rain coats, playing with the puddles on the streets. 'They know how to dress to cope with the wet conditions and sometimes freezing temperatures'. They work with nature instead of against it, and make sure that buildings and houses blend in with the surroundings. Standard office hours are usually from 8am to 4pm which means that people have more time to spend with their families. She adds that the Norwegians like to party hard as well; 'It was fun to watch all the lively people during weekend nights as they were drinking and enjoying themselves in the bars. There is a good range of places to choose from such as casual cafes, wine bars, clubs and places with live music (see Merilyn's recommendations for more details) My secret paradise Merilyn likes to think of Bergen as her own secret paradise, since not many people she knows have been there and it is not a common travel destination from Singapore. 'If you like mountain hiking and appreciate fresh air and cooler weather, you will definitely enjoy Bergen and its breathtaking natural scenery'. bergen-guide. This tram takes you to the top of the highest mountain 'Ulriken', where you'll get a great view of the city. This was the home of the famous composer Grieg which is now made into a museum The Fish Market and Bryggen in Bergen. Street address Olav Kyrres gate 33 Havfruens Hemmelighet. Street address: Skostredet 12 Godt Brød- bakery serving fresh, delicious sandwiches with whole meal bread Skostredet 12 and Vestre Torggaten 2, Kjøttbasaren - new café with wonderful sandwiches and cakes Street address Vetrlidsallmenningen 2 Upscale restaurants: Bølgen og Moi Lysverket - located at Bergen Art Museum Street address: Rasmus Meyers allé 9 Kafe Krystall - only by appointment Street address Kong Oscars gate 16 Søt+Salt - you're basically sitting in the kitchen while the chef makes food for you Street address Villa Skjoldnes, Skostredet To Kokker - located at Bryggen in truly old surroundings Street address Bryggen 29 Places for drinking: Landmark - a cafe by day and bar by night. Street address Rasmus Meyers Allé 3 and 7 (In the Bergen Art Museum) Kafe Kippers - Great place to have drinks and watch the sunset in the summer. Street address: Strandgaten 81, Hulen - an old bunker in the mountain which is now used for concerts. Visitors can appreciate art from the Renaissance to the contemporary era) Festivals Bergen Fest: 28th April - 2nd May. 

THIS COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND GIVE YOU PEACE OF MIND

  

Tags

BERGEN, NORWAY

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