Where did that holiday go?

After a week back at school, the five week summer holiday is already feeling like a distant memory but it was absolutely fabulous and I arrived back in Saigon feeling relaxed and refreshed.

First stop was Adelaide, to celebrate my father’s 80th birthday. Dad was not aware that I was coming and it was a great surprise to him when I arrived at the front door. It was a terrific week catching up with family and friends and celebrating this milestone - so the trip was well worth it.

Of course, I also enjoyed the cold weather, the fresh air, the opportunity to eat my favourite foods and to sit by an open fire.

As it was so close by, I then headed to Scandinavia for three weeks, after a 40 hour stop over back in Saigon.


Copenhagen was my introduction to this part of the world and what a fabulous city it is. It has so much character, and I was glad I arrived on a sunny afternoon and could see the city and its inhabitants in all its glory.

The rain then set in, but this did not dampen my enthusiasm for getting out and wandering the streets. The blending of the old and the new is paramount and it is done very well. The old is well preserved and the new shines with sleek design. The bikes, in all shapes and sizes also bring a different feel to the city as do all the parks and the greenery.


A $500 lunch at Noma, the world’s top restaurant, was not a part of my experience - but I did eat some fabulous modern Danish cuisine: Lobster with carrots, juniper and hazelnuts
Strawberries in honey schnapps. vanilla ice-cream and buttermilk.
Plus, the berries, cherries, peaches, bread, pastries and beers were enjoyed throughout the trip too.

I also saw the last couple of days of the Jazz Festival, so there were plenty of free gigs and around town and the World Cup final also took place.  I didn’t see much of the game, but the cheers were heard loud and clear. More photos of Copenhagen

I then spent the next 12 days in Norway - what an amazingly beautiful country. I saw Oslo in two very different lights, one day of rain and the other of sunshine, and it is understandable as to why the locals bake themselves when the sun does shine. This was summer after all and the next few days were considered a heat wave as it was about 28 degrees everyday. I loved it, as it was such a nice dry heat!

Apart from the weather, the other two highlights of Norway were:
1. The scenery
It is very difficult to select the appropriate adjectives to describe it: spectacular, magnificent, jaw-dropping, beautiful, unbelievable, majestic, lush, rugged ….

The fjords, of course, are absolutely incredible, as the sheer mountains rise up 1300m beside you. This was felt particularly on the day that I went kayaking - the scale made me contemplate my place in the world - a mere speck.

I am also sure that I appreciated the scenery so much more coming from Vietnam. The green paddocks with livestock, the waterfalls, the fresh air, the lakes and sparklingly clear glacial rivers, the silence of these spaces and just being able to lie in the grass.

2. Meeting the descendants of my great-grandfather’s brother 

I spent three terrific days in Randaberg, just out of Stavanger, staying with Rita and John Nybo, who made feel part of the family and went out of their way to show me around the area. I met numerous relatives, all lovely people of course, and saw where Bartel (my great-grandfather) grew up and the port from where he left as a 16 year old sailor. Another amazing experience. Photos of Norway

 

The final stop was Stockholm, another beautiful city with its islands, harbour and historical buildings but after being in the countryside, I found it a little difficult to adjust to city life again.

So, I particularly enjoyed the non-touristy parts of city, exploring the streets, parks and cafes.

Throughout the trip, there were more daylight hours than I was used to, and even then the sky merely became a dull haze, but it was very nice to sit in the parks, on the balconies or in the outdoor cafes enjoying the cool of the evenings.
Photos of Stockholm