July 15, 2019

Throughout Norway

adventure, travel, personal, Norway

The water in Norway has taken my breath away and stolen my heart.

Stunning turquoise waters of a fjord reflect steep mountain cliffs and glaciers under a blue summer sky in Norway.

The depth of the fjords, the translucence of the streams, the aquas and turquoise of the rivers and lakes. Not to mention the pale blues of the glacier lakes and the frothy, turbulent whites of the waterfalls. From the outset of our journey into Norway, and consistent all the way through, this element has had the ability to stop me in my tracks and make me gaze at it in admiration and sometimes awe.

Parent and child enjoy ocean view from ferry deck railing as boat creates wake in blue waters on sunny day.

The colours of the water change with the light and depth. Like changing moods, they can reflect and effect how you see the landscape around; a very dramatic landscape. Whether the water comes as a large body or narrow strip, is still or moving, frozen or suspended in the air, you can tell that it has shaped this country and perhaps even the people who live here.

Father and daughter sitting on a rock overlooking a scenic fjord with mountains and boats in Norway.
Scenic mountain lake view with small village nestled along the shoreline under dramatic evening clouds in Norway.

We have stayed parked by fjords and watched the water change from a deep blue to an inky green as the sun gets lower and casts it’s golden light on the houses, small in the distance on the opposite shore. Below the surface of the water, you can still clearly see seaweeds of various purple hues swaying with unseen currents.

Hiker stands with toddler on her back on metal walkway overlooking scenic mountain valley with glacier and forest views in Norway.
Rugged mountain landscape with rocky outcrops against cloudy sky and snow-capped peaks in the distance.

We have climbed towards glaciers with their blue veins, awesome to see how their slow moving strength carves the landscape of rock. With the glaciers comes the melt water, feeding into pools that are a pale, nearly electric, blue.

Scenic glacier lake surrounded by rocky mountains with snow patches and green vegetation at the shore.
People standing on wooden pier overlooking serene mountain lake with green forest reflections in calm water.

We have ventured to swim in the cool glacier pools, with water as still as the surroundings. The reflection like a mirror until a splash from a pale body causes ripples to distort the image. Likewise we have swum in fjords as the sun has progressed towards the horizon, dipping below the darkening water only briefly to then cast light again a few hours later.

Misty mountains and low clouds reflect in the calm waters of a dramatic Norwegian fjord on an overcast day.
Pine trees line a tranquil beach shoreline at sunset with calm waters and distant hills in the background.

At first you think the water divides Norway; the fjords cut their pathways far inland, the edges of Eastern Norway is made up of many islands, even waterfalls cascade along roads and so have to be accommodated to allow their course to continue.

People enjoy the scenic view of a powerful waterfall cascading down rocky cliffs surrounded by green vegetation in Norway.
Twin waterfalls cascade down moss-covered rocky cliffs in Norway under blue summer skies with misty spray.
Dramatic waterfall cascades down steep mountain cliffs alongside a stone bridge and winding road in Norway.

But then, after many twisting and winding roads, and many, many ferries,

A white camper parked on a ferry deck with mountains and water visible in the background.

you realise it is part of this land. Like a circulatory system; it brings life to the landscape. From the melting snow at the top, to the trickles of streams, to the rushing rivers over white stones, through the calm majestic fjords, right out to the ever changing sea.

A motorhome with bicycles drives along a scenic mountain road in Norway with peaks and a winding valley in view.
Traveling van life family driving across Norway, child getting to play in the snow in July.
Small waterfall cascades near an alpine lake surrounded by mountains and green slopes in a scenic wilderness landscape.
Clear mountain stream flows through rocky terrain with dramatic peaks rising in Norway's rugged landscape.
Lush green mountain valley with snow-capped peaks in Norway's fjord region on a sunny summer day.
The Atlantic Ocean Road in Norway curves over blue waters on a stone causeway connecting small islands on a sunny day.
Scenic ocean view with deep blue waters and distant mountains under bright sunny skies along the coastline.
Tranquil blue ocean meets clear sky at horizon line on calm sunny day.

It feels like we have experienced all four seasons here. The weather, the landscape, and the water changes so dramatically from one day to the next. Rain and wind, with seas of grey.

Wind blows through the blonde hair of a child on a rocky beach in Norway.

Clouds heavy around tall peaks we hiked for amazing views.

A person stands on Preikestolen cliff edge overlooking the misty Lysefjord in Norway.
A family relax on beach towels at a scenic coastal shore with calm blue waters and sandy beach.

And other days full sunshine illuminating waves and distant shorelines.

Rocky shoreline along a calm blue lake with snow-capped mountains in the distance under clear skies.

By traveling in our van, we have spent nearly every night in Norway with a view of some form of water. Calm, dramatic, reflective,

Camper van at scenic coastal overlook with blue ocean waters and mountains visible in the background inn Norway.
Metal bridge in Norway near peaceful lake reflects in calm water under dramatic sky.
Scenic overlook of blue ocean and islands through hyper camper van  windshield with rearview mirror visible on a sunny day.
A tranquil marina with colorful houses and boats reflecting in calm water at sunset, with a lone swan swimming.

Norway’s water makes you stop and reflect.