TE 2009 – Day 9 (Aug 20)

Sunday, 13 September 2009
Jakarta, Indonesia

The Gang of Four bade farewell to Ellen and took the subway to Oslo central railway station at 06:57, and afterwards a train to Trondheim; departure 08:07 and arrival 14:48. An excellent train (one of the best I have seen), which was exactly on schedule too. We had paid 289 NOK each for the tickets in advance.

In Trondheim, Uno picked us up at the train station and drove us to his residence, where he served fish soup for dinner. It was the first time for me to visit Uno’s residence, an opportunity I missed two years ago, when Uno had just moved in.

After dinner, Uno took us out for a walk around the city, doing well as a tour guide for the Gang of Four. We catched a bus back to Uno’s residence at 20:55.

Uno, Saras, Astrid, Caecil

Uno, Saras, Astrid, Caecil.

Manhole cover, Trondheim

Manhole cover, Trondheim.

TE 2009 – Day 8 (Aug 19)

Saturday, 12 September 2009
Jakarta, Indonesia

After breakfast we bought day tickets on the public transportation for 65 NOK each and took the subway to Oslo downtown. I needed another social visit visa for Indonesia, so we walked to the Indonesian embassy first. It took only 10 minutes to get the visa, which costs 270 NOK.

Thereafter we climbed (or walked) on top of the new opera building, it is the first time I visit it after it was completed last year.

Lunch inside the old railway station building, where I had chicken curry for 59 NOK, which is surprisingly cheap for Oslo.

After lunch we walked up Karl Johan street (the main pedestrian street), and thereafter met Jørn at Aker Brygge (wharf). Ferry to Bygdøy, where the 3 other members of the Gang visited the tourist shops, while I and Jørn waited outside. Bus back to the Royal Palace at the end of Karl Johan street, and subway back to Ellen’s residence after parting with Jørn.

Ellen had prepared a dinner of moose meat, and also invited Eva, Astrid (another Astrid), Tore, and Marianna (a Russian).

End of day 8.

Oslo

Oslo seen from the Opera building.

TE 2009 – Day 7 (Aug 18)

Thursday, 10 September 2009
Jakarta, Indonesia

Not much time in the morning for anything; we just bought some pastry for breakfast at a nearby bakery before taking a pre-booked taxi to the airport around 11:00. We catched the 12:45 Norwegian flight to Oslo (NOK 705) after checking in with the unfriendly airport staff.

Ellen picked us up at Gardermoen airport north of Oslo and drove us to her residence, where we were served a troutfish dish for dinner before washing clothes and went to sleep.

Alex

Alex at the breakfast table.

TE 2009 – Day 6 (Aug 17)

Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Jakarta, Indonesia

A day with very long walks around Budapest, including a trip to the other side of Danube river, to Buda (we stayed in Pest). We crossed the Danube by subway. Thereafter we took the subway back across the Danube to Keleti railway station to pick up Caecil, who arrived 18:50 by train from Vienna. Caecil had made a trip to Graz and Innsbruck to attend a wedding. Again, the Gang of Four was complete, and returned to the hostel.

Alex, the Hungarian guy running the hostel, made a dish consisting of catfish for us, and then took us out for a walk to show us Budapest by night, including a stop at a bar, where we (except Saras!) tried the local brandy Palinka, a rather stong experience. Back 02:30 to the hostel. There was also a Finnish guy (Chris), also staying at the hostel, who joined us on all this.

Keleti train station

Keleti train station.

Feet

Feet.

GPS track log.

TE 2009 – Day 5 (Aug 16)

Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Jakarta, Indonesia

After another mediocre breakfast at the hostel, we went to see The Blue Church (from outside only) before catching the 11:50 train to Budapest. The train ride took around 2.5 hours and cost €13.80 per person. Nice train. Taxi (HUF 2300) from train station to Origo hostel, where we arrived 15:30.

Now the fun began. We had originally booked a room at Friends hostel, but due to renovation, the management had booked us into Origo hostel instead. But when we arrived at Origo, the woman in charge said it was full(!), and instead tried to get us a room at BC hostel, a block further down the street. However, the responsible person at BC hostel didn’t answer the bell nor the phone, and the door was closed. So the woman in charge at Origo told us to wait. And so we did for 3.5 hours. I killed time by enjoying two beers at the cafe downstairs, while Astrid and Saras waited inside Origo. Finally a somewhat drunk guy (Alex) turned up and was very sorry, and promised to make good by offering dinner the next day. We was finally able to check-in to BC at 19:00. Not much time was left of the day, however, and we just went out in search of food, and strolled a bit along the Danube River, before calling it a night.

We paid €11 per person per night at BC, which was the original price agreed with Friends hostel. Shared bathroom outside the room, which was nice enough. The city block looked pretty rundown and there were even bullet marks in the concrete, but the hostel property itself was renovated.

Bridge across Danube River

Bridge across Danube River.