Decision
I need to face reality now and think rationally. If I continue, I might pass out in the middle of nowhere and nobody might discover me. If I don’t pass out and manage to reach there safely, I still would have used up all my remaining energy by then…Then what? Call a taxi? Ask the owner of the farm for help?
What if the farm is closed? I have barely eaten anything too. If the farm is closed or the restaurant at the farm is not opened, how do I replenish my energy to go back to the town centre? ……
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
After taking every possible outcomes into consideration, it seems the best way is to use my remaining energy to return to the village centre. Sadly, I turn around, walk down the hill then pick up my bike that I left aside the road earlier.
Take a moment to appreciate
On the way back to the village centre, I can’t stop thinking that it is such a pity not being able to get to the Otternes Farm. Well, it’s for the best. I shake off my thoughts and look around instead. Suddenly, I pause and crack a big smile.
I was so engrossed in reaching my destination earlier that I didn’t realise the beautiful surroundings that I was in. This is such a stunning view……. Suddenly, I can feel my exhaustion flushing away.
Sometimes that’s just how life is, right? You work so hard trying to achieve your goals that you forget to take a moment to appreciate what you already have. Also, there are always better things waiting ahead of you for the ones you let go. So, I no longer feel that it is a pity that I didn’t get to the farm because in return I gain an amazing view.
There is also a mini fountain along the way.
Fresh air, gorgeous view and quiet place. Seriously, what more can I ask for? =) Life is great!
Village centre
After I return the bike, I walk around the village centre looking for food. OK, I see a cafe restaurant straight ahead.
There are some food stalls and trucks near the cafe shops. *sniff*sniff* Hmm….I smell something nice. I walk towards the food stall (the one with the red sun shade) beside the food truck. I read the menu and it says bergen fish soup with fish of the day (NOK 100). Knowing fish soup is one of the must try Norwegian food, I decide to give it a try despite the fact that I am actually going to Bergen tomorrow. LOL.
They serve it in a cup for me. Ok…… it doesn’t look very appetising. I put a spoon full of soup in my mouth. Hmm… to the contrary of its look, it is actually good! The soup is creamy and contains pieces of salmon, some white fish and fish balls. It is also hot which warms up my cold and empty stomach. Yummy, I love hot and tasty soup. =)
Coop Marked
It is now 5:15 p.m. after finished having the soup, only 45 minutes more before the supermarket closes. As a budget traveller, I am going to save money by buying some food from the supermarket for my dinner today and breakfast tomorrow. There are a lot of other travellers here who are shopping for food too.
When I am paying at the counter, I find it really efficient that they split the packing compartment into two unlike the usual ones. In that way, the cashier can continue to scan the items of the subsequent buyer and you take your time to pack your things.
Back to the hostel
When I reach my room, the door is opened and there are 3 girls unpacking their stuff in the room. Yay, I have roommates! I happily introduce myself first to break the ice. Coincidentally, they are all from South Korea. Two of them are friends and the other one is travelling alone like me. Her name is Jae Rim. We chat while we unpack our stuff.
Then, I take out my instant Shin Ramyun cup and show Jae Rim. “I am having this for dinner. Haha”
She looks surprised and show me hers as well, “Me too.”. We both laugh and she asks, “Do you want to have dinner together?”
“Sure, of course. “
“What time would you like to have dinner?”
“May be in about half an hour’s time? I need to rest for a while first.”
“Ok.” She nods.
The other two seem really tired too as they are taking a nap so I stay quiet to avoid disturbing them.
The kitchen
Half an hour later, Jae Rim and I go to the kitchen to prepare our dinner. The kitchen is very spacious and clean. There are many people especially families in the kitchen busy preparing their dinner too at this hour.(Kindly note the photos above are taken before the crowd came)
It does not bother me because all I need to do is boil some hot water. However, a problem arises for Jae Rim as she wants to heat up her instant white rice packet to go with her instant noodle (yes, just like what you see in South Korean TV shows) but there is no microwave. Another South Korean family is also there and kindly offers to help her out as they also need to heat up their instant white rice.
While waiting for the hot water and Jae Rim’s white rice, I feel slightly envious watching the families cooking up a storm. I am sure their table will be filled with delicious food. *Mouth watering*
Dining in nature
Once our food is ready, I tell Jae Rim, “There is a table and bench outside our building. Let’s eat there and enjoy the nature. ”
We sit down at the table and enjoy our hot and spicy Shin Ramyun. For the first time ever, I am going to reveal my AWESOME secret recipe on how to make it tastier, and that is to add slices of ham! Trust me, it is GOOD. I used to eat like this all the time back in university days but not so much now since they are unhealthy.
I share the ham I bought with Jae Rim so that she can try it with her noodles too. Well, from her expression, I think she seems to enjoy it. Hehe. After all, HAPPINESS WHEN SHARED, IS DOUBLED. =)
I am surprised that everybody eats in the kitchen when you have a wonderful opportunity to dine in such beautiful nature with such fresh air. Anyway, it’s their loss and my gain. =)
Bonding with my new friend, Jae Rim
After a satisfying dinner, I am all re-energised now and ready to do some sight-seeing again. During dinner, I told Jae Rim about my cycling story and the beautiful view that I saw which have piqued her curiosity so I suggested to go there for a stroll.
Honestly, it is much easier to walk here than cycle here and the distance somehow seems shorter than before too. LOL. Therefore, if you guys are not fit enough to cycle up hill for a long period of time, just walk here and save all the trouble. Haha.
We have a great time chatting while enjoying the sceneries. Although Jae Rim’s english is not as fluent, we do not have any problem communicating. We exchange stories of our travels and cultures. I learnt that Norway is her second last stop before her solo travel ends and we are both back in Oslo on our last day so we plan to meet again in Oslo.
This is one of the best things about solo travel, you get to make new friends especially foreign friends. =)
This is the view from the bridge which we have to cross from the village centre to get back to our hostel. Overall, the village is beautiful wherever you go.
Next morning
At 9 a.m., I visit the Flam Railway museum which gives you an insight into the construction of the Flam railway, one of the steepest railway journeys in the world, the technical development and the people responsible for the impressive undertaking. Then, I browse around for souvenirs.
Flåmsbana
It’s time to say goodbye to Flåm. I board my 9:45 a.m. train and happy to find that it is rather empty. I suppose the tourists don’t take early trains which is good news.
This time, I get to move around freely on the train, checking out the views from both sides.
Flåm Church, a wooden church constructed in 1667 (open to public during summer)
The train moves pretty quickly so I didn’t get to capture many nice shots. The above are just some of them.
All right, next stop is Bergen! Here I come! =)
Travel tips in Flåm:
- Take flamsbana train early in the morning to avoid crowd so that you can enjoy view from both sides of the windows. If the train is full, sit back on the same side of the train when going back from Flåm so that you can see what you didn’t get to see during your trip to Flåm.
- Remember to purchase NSB train tickets at least one month in advance depending on availability of the tickets to save almost half the price.
- Pay extra NOK 90 to get Komfort seat on NSB train and you get to enjoy unlimited cups of hot beverages such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate. A cup of coffee normally costs around NOK 40 so if you drink more than 2, it is well worth the money. The seats are also spacious and reclinable.
- You can buy groceries from Coop Marked. It usually opens until 8 p.m. except for the weekend which closes at 6 p.m.
- You can rent a bicycle beside the yellow building (i.e. the Flamsbana musuem). Please check out the rate here. However, please note that the distance to Otternes Farm is definitely walkable.
- The kayaking tour in Flåm has very good reviews but it was already fully booked so I didn’t get to try it. You can check out their website here :http://www.njord.as/
- Flåm youth hostel is a great place to stay at if you wish to make new friends. Choose the new building as it has ensuite bathroom whereas the other two buildings only have shared shower and toilet facilities.
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