The journey, like most others- ended where it started. We were exhausted and tired of travelling. We had done enough and way too much of it. All we wanted now was to head home. I could not even spend one week more and was pining to go home. We cut short the journey to return to Oslo thinking that we will chill in last weekend or at max explore nearby areas. This is how it happened-Stavanger.
This place is not so popular in IIM students in Scandinavia community. Most only hear and visit Bergen. That is crazy why no one explored or went to Stavanger trekking. I had heard, looked it up and the more I did, the more I was intrigued to go. Hence I made plans, me and Tom – to go for the last trip- to Stavanger.
We left by late night train to reach in the morning. I did all homework. Train to Stavanger, then a ferry to Tao. From there, a bus that leaves at the foot of Pulpit rock-and then you begin a 3-4 hour hike to the top of rock to see undoubtedly the most beautiful view ever. The details clearly said that season fir hiking ends September and we were going in November- well, right season, as much as I knew, was always about the best time to go, not the only time.
We reached Stavanger early in morning and walked down in wee hours towards the ferry pier. There we took ferry to Tao. All was going planned so far. We reached Tao, as mentioned, there were buses in front. We asked a driver and sat hoping to reach foot of pulpit rock. We had not encountered issues with language so far in Norway but this was core of it, so we just couldn’t explain where we wanted to go. With some landmarks and signs, we managed telling him and were dropped off somewhere-which we thought was the way.
I would love to mention that the road where we were dropped had no one around. Just a speeding car every five minutes which would not stop at waving, a few of them with female drivers even gave an on-the-face teasing wave back saying-‘huh you guys are so stuck’ I’d also mention that the road reminded me of the chasing scene of Basic Instinct I. I’ve loved that road always. I got almost close to that beauty…
But we had no idea where we were headed…leave alone if right direction or place. We must have walked for about 2 kms. when we finally saw some signage saying Preikestolen. Finally after random walking we knew we were on right path at least. We kept on walking when suddenly a car zipped past us, it stopped a few meters and reversed to us. The window rolled down and there was Arjun inside…an Indian!
Arjun was from Bangalore, running own business in London. He had randomly decided to do a trek in Stavanger and was headed that way. He of course gave us lift till the base camp which was whopping 7 kms away! Long story short, since it was not the season for trekking, the bus services till base camp of Pulpit rock was discontinued, hence we had whole 7 kms. before we could have even started the actual trek. Arjun thought we were crazy… we were just unaware!
We reached base camp and started the trek- a trek that I will do again in life. It is my fantasy to do that trek with my husband and set up a camp overnight on pulpit rock. Of so many travelling fantasies, I think, Norway is first on my list- I would go to North cape, see northern lights and camp on pulpit with him some day. Fossure. Yes I do have such a list.
Anyway
Now it was three of us, me, tom and Arjun, we set out for the trek. It startd with a few steep trails, snow covered bridges but there was no trace of bad things to come. We kept on walking in inadequate clothing, inappropriate shoes and wrong weather, so what young blood, high adrenaline rush...we gave ourselves all that jazz and moved on. It started getting worse-actually bad.
We started slipping often, at times ice would crack from underneath our feet and our shoes would go deep in the slurry of mud water and ice. It would take 2 seconds to numb the feet and freeze them-and then pain. We went on with soggy feet, no heat and growing hunger. Every bite of whatever food we had was giving warmth and was a complete bliss. We moved further, from along bridge which led to a great stairs of rocks that looked like were leading to heaven – Only help and direction we had was signs reading ‘T’ in red. We went on. Now the fear had started looming since it was past noon and Norway sun sets by 3-4 p.m. and if we were stuck in dark, there was no way we could get back. We still went on. Then we reached that point.
No, not the final point, but the penultimate station. It gave a glimpse of final destination and that was enough to get one going again. We moved further, now the most difficult leg of journey. Finally we reached a point, like before, where we had to take a call if its wise to go further. So far we had a faint choice or scope at each crossroad. This time, there was none. A very steep curve, blind valley on one side, nothing to hold and bad slippery shoes on ice. We stopped. We must have had argument for some time. Tom was insistent on going. I was telling him it is mad. We could not go and there was no way we could make our way back the same day even if we did. Arjun had a flight in night on top of that.
Trust me it was very difficult. To reach THAT close to THAT place and be heading back. And then, who comes back to Norway in life? Who can tell with certainty? But it was rational to turn back. Yes we did.
Unfinished Business.
Descent was easier, faster. We could not believe at places that we climbed those steep rocks. At times we would forget. There was a bit of hurry to reach while there still was light. Sometime in middle, we got so frozen that we tried lighting such twigs too. Didn’t help much…somehow, we reached the base camp…and I have never appreciated coffee more in life. It got life back in me.
We took cab back to the ferry terminal and reached Stavanger. The way back was so funny. The cab guy had a drunk friend sitting with him who kept on cracking weird stuff. Says “can you speak Norwegian?’
“No” After two minutes, “Now can you speak Norwegian?”
And when we neared the terminal he says, seriously starting, “can you do me a favor, leave this little lady here with me” We were like God no more misadventures for the day. All in humor though… thankfully.
Arjun took bus to the airport for his flight while we waited for train. We went around and sat at Mc Donald’s. we were wondering how to take off our shoes as they were wet and soggy. That was a long wait and long night. Next morning we reached back Oslo.
I promised myself. THIS I HAVE TO DO AGAIN. Something to cherish for a lifetime, I tell you.
This place is not so popular in IIM students in Scandinavia community. Most only hear and visit Bergen. That is crazy why no one explored or went to Stavanger trekking. I had heard, looked it up and the more I did, the more I was intrigued to go. Hence I made plans, me and Tom – to go for the last trip- to Stavanger.
We left by late night train to reach in the morning. I did all homework. Train to Stavanger, then a ferry to Tao. From there, a bus that leaves at the foot of Pulpit rock-and then you begin a 3-4 hour hike to the top of rock to see undoubtedly the most beautiful view ever. The details clearly said that season fir hiking ends September and we were going in November- well, right season, as much as I knew, was always about the best time to go, not the only time.
We reached Stavanger early in morning and walked down in wee hours towards the ferry pier. There we took ferry to Tao. All was going planned so far. We reached Tao, as mentioned, there were buses in front. We asked a driver and sat hoping to reach foot of pulpit rock. We had not encountered issues with language so far in Norway but this was core of it, so we just couldn’t explain where we wanted to go. With some landmarks and signs, we managed telling him and were dropped off somewhere-which we thought was the way.
I would love to mention that the road where we were dropped had no one around. Just a speeding car every five minutes which would not stop at waving, a few of them with female drivers even gave an on-the-face teasing wave back saying-‘huh you guys are so stuck’ I’d also mention that the road reminded me of the chasing scene of Basic Instinct I. I’ve loved that road always. I got almost close to that beauty…
But we had no idea where we were headed…leave alone if right direction or place. We must have walked for about 2 kms. when we finally saw some signage saying Preikestolen. Finally after random walking we knew we were on right path at least. We kept on walking when suddenly a car zipped past us, it stopped a few meters and reversed to us. The window rolled down and there was Arjun inside…an Indian!
Arjun was from Bangalore, running own business in London. He had randomly decided to do a trek in Stavanger and was headed that way. He of course gave us lift till the base camp which was whopping 7 kms away! Long story short, since it was not the season for trekking, the bus services till base camp of Pulpit rock was discontinued, hence we had whole 7 kms. before we could have even started the actual trek. Arjun thought we were crazy… we were just unaware!
We reached base camp and started the trek- a trek that I will do again in life. It is my fantasy to do that trek with my husband and set up a camp overnight on pulpit rock. Of so many travelling fantasies, I think, Norway is first on my list- I would go to North cape, see northern lights and camp on pulpit with him some day. Fossure. Yes I do have such a list.
Anyway
Now it was three of us, me, tom and Arjun, we set out for the trek. It startd with a few steep trails, snow covered bridges but there was no trace of bad things to come. We kept on walking in inadequate clothing, inappropriate shoes and wrong weather, so what young blood, high adrenaline rush...we gave ourselves all that jazz and moved on. It started getting worse-actually bad.
We started slipping often, at times ice would crack from underneath our feet and our shoes would go deep in the slurry of mud water and ice. It would take 2 seconds to numb the feet and freeze them-and then pain. We went on with soggy feet, no heat and growing hunger. Every bite of whatever food we had was giving warmth and was a complete bliss. We moved further, from along bridge which led to a great stairs of rocks that looked like were leading to heaven – Only help and direction we had was signs reading ‘T’ in red. We went on. Now the fear had started looming since it was past noon and Norway sun sets by 3-4 p.m. and if we were stuck in dark, there was no way we could get back. We still went on. Then we reached that point.
No, not the final point, but the penultimate station. It gave a glimpse of final destination and that was enough to get one going again. We moved further, now the most difficult leg of journey. Finally we reached a point, like before, where we had to take a call if its wise to go further. So far we had a faint choice or scope at each crossroad. This time, there was none. A very steep curve, blind valley on one side, nothing to hold and bad slippery shoes on ice. We stopped. We must have had argument for some time. Tom was insistent on going. I was telling him it is mad. We could not go and there was no way we could make our way back the same day even if we did. Arjun had a flight in night on top of that.
Trust me it was very difficult. To reach THAT close to THAT place and be heading back. And then, who comes back to Norway in life? Who can tell with certainty? But it was rational to turn back. Yes we did.
Unfinished Business.
Descent was easier, faster. We could not believe at places that we climbed those steep rocks. At times we would forget. There was a bit of hurry to reach while there still was light. Sometime in middle, we got so frozen that we tried lighting such twigs too. Didn’t help much…somehow, we reached the base camp…and I have never appreciated coffee more in life. It got life back in me.
We took cab back to the ferry terminal and reached Stavanger. The way back was so funny. The cab guy had a drunk friend sitting with him who kept on cracking weird stuff. Says “can you speak Norwegian?’
“No” After two minutes, “Now can you speak Norwegian?”
And when we neared the terminal he says, seriously starting, “can you do me a favor, leave this little lady here with me” We were like God no more misadventures for the day. All in humor though… thankfully.
Arjun took bus to the airport for his flight while we waited for train. We went around and sat at Mc Donald’s. we were wondering how to take off our shoes as they were wet and soggy. That was a long wait and long night. Next morning we reached back Oslo.
I promised myself. THIS I HAVE TO DO AGAIN. Something to cherish for a lifetime, I tell you.
Comments
Post a Comment