The reason why there are plans to ban cruise ship w/o “zero pollution” in Geiranger:
Originally planned from 2026, but now delayed until 2032:
Originally planned from 2026, but now delayed until 2032:
Meh. They will just go to Hellesylt and take “excursions” to Geiranger.
That is already happening. Some cruse ship no longer just stop at Hellesylt to drop off cruisers for overland trips to Geiranger, but actually spend the whole day there, while many pax make the trip to Geiranger and back by local cruise boats and ferries, (or by couch one way, ferry the other way.
In preparation for a total ban on polluting ships entering the World Heritage Fjord, a local entrepreneur has started hydrogen production in Hellesylt to fuel the fleet of boats and ferries required to cater to the ever increasing tourist traffic in the Geiranger fjord:
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Norwegian Hydrogen chairman Knut Flakk talked about more than hydrogen when they met last week.
Photo: Nils Harald Ånstad
Source: Dette blir ikke lett. Bare spør Erna - smp.no
Speaking of Geiranger; this tiny village is home to less than 300 inhabitants in the winter months, but visited by thousands per day during the summer.
Now they are looking for ways to attract more people to settle there, temporarily or hopefully permanently:
What is included and expected in return?:
More on the three places that participate in the project:
PS> Sorry, in Norwegian (Nynorsk). Translation may not be very accurate.
Maybe you would like to live with a view like this:
How to get there:
The tram derailed and drove straight into the Apple House in the centre of Oslo.
I know the tech industry have got some bad press lately, but to rum a tram into an Apple Store is a bit much:
Luck the target wasn’t the crowed McDonald’s on the opposit corner:
Photos: Tom Balgaard / NRK
Fishy story:
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From the sea to the “gold of the mountains”:
Lapponia cloudberry liqueur captures the pure taste of arctic berries, gently ripened by nightless summer days and freshened by autumn mists. Delightful served an enjoyed as it is or to give an exciting taste to mixed drinks. Alcohol by volume 21 %
Come visit Vøringsfossen, near Eidsfjord, a popular cruise destination:
Or see the Seven Sisters and the Suitor waterfalls in Geirangerfjord up close and personal:
Maybe a trip on the “Ladder to Heaven” in Loen is more to your liking?:
Or take the Via Ferrata:
If not you can get to the top in a more leisurely fashion there is also this option:
For those who want to see the Norwegian coast and Svalbard without any stress, there is a fairly new offer by Hurtigruten Expedition; Cruise from Bergen to Svalbard v.v. by upgraded coastal express ships:
So what is the best time to visit Lapponia? I am making plans 
If anyone wants to live in Norway but doesn’t want to hassle with visas maybe checkout Svalbard. Apparently Europes only visa-free zone. But I think Fairbanks or a dozen other places in Alaska would be cheaper & better suited for Americans looking to get away from the equator.
You could visit Lapponia any time of the year, but X-mas is a good time to enjoy this medium-bodied liqueur with a good hint of sweet Cloudberries, with a slightly firm and creamy mouthfeel.
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Yes Svalbard is visa free, duty free and nearly tax free, so it is almost “heaven”.
This is because of the Svalbard Treaty that was signed on 9 February 1920 and entered into force on 14 August 1925. On that same date, Svalbard became an indivisible and inalienable part of the Kingdom of Norway through a separate act of law: the Act of 17 July 1925 No. 11, known as the Svalbard Act.
The Svalbard Treaty is open to accession, and more than 40 parties have acceded to the Treaty to date.
Source: Meld. St. 32 (2015–2016) - regjeringen.no.
The population of Svalbard and Jan Mayen stood at 2,596 in January 2024. Data shows that Svalbard and Jan Mayen’s population increased by 92 (+3.7 percent) between early 2023 and the start of 2024. (Feb 23, 2024)
Source: Digital 2024: Svalbard and Jan Mayen — DataReportal – Global Digital Insights.
Maybe a little surprising is that the Thai community in Longyearbyen, a major town in Svalbard archipelago is the largest foreign nationality group.
“There are about 200 Thai citizens living and working there, which is almost 10 percent of the whole population of 2,368 residents in Svalbard” (2020).
Source: The Golden Opportunity? Migration to Svalbard from Thailand and the Philippines | Nordic Journal of Migration Research
I presume the choice of Longyearbyen over Fairbank MAY depends on other things than distance from equator.
Visa to visit Norway (Schengen visa) is required, unless your passport allow visa free entry. (90 days)
To obtain work permit, or permanent residency in mainland Norway is a bit more complicated, (unless you come from a EU/EEA country).
Here is the requirements for US citizens:
PS> As a resident you have to pay Norwegian tax on your earnings.
You also have to suffer the “indignity” of receiving socialised health care, sick leave, unemployment benefits, disability and retirement pension that is not dependent on your employment etc.
Oh, did I mention 37.5 hrs. work week, 5 week annual holiday with pay?
Lots of municipalities in more remote parts of Norway is offering available employment and housing for anybody that wants to settle in the community, especially families with children: Greetings from Norway - #724 by ombugge
if you need more incentive, here is info from a reliable US source:
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Did you think that you knew where and what Norway was?
Well it is not that simple. Norway means different things to different people and there are at least 19 places in the world (outside Norway) that is called “Norway”.
(15 in USA):
Why did they get this name? Not necessarily because some homesick Norwegian immigrants missed the “old country” and named their new home “Norway” to feel at home.
Or at least that is not always the case, at least not for Norway, Main:
https://www.norwaydowntown.org/area-history
PS> How some of the surrounding towns got their name is not part of the story:
Speaking of places in Norway that is looking for new inhabitants, here is one island that could be attractive for those looking for peace and quiet.(Present population; 16):
Still there are several daily calls by car and passenger ferries year around:
Here is more info, if any adventurous forum members should be looking for a new place to live:
Have I mentioned the Coastal Express ships travelling the Norwegian coast all year around, come storm or whatever shifting weather the nature throws at you in Norway.
(Or at least they used to do that, but I have noticed that the modern ship is far more likely to cancel ports than the older ships did)
Here is a video from a winter round trip on one of the new Havila Kystruten ships in the dead of winter:
Some of the “real Coastal Express connoisseurs” actually prefer the winter sailings.
It is less crowded with “Cruiser passengers” and more used by local people for port to port travel in the traditional fashion.
The name of the ports of call is a challenge for many non-Norwegians, but here is a tuition (in Lofoten dialect):
It’s blowing in Ålesund today:
Beaufort force 9. Gusts to 35 m/s (70 kts.)
Photo: Ålesund Havn webcam
CSOV NORWIND HELM gets a taste of what it is like in the North Sea in winter:
https://www.4coffshore.com/news/norwind-offshore-expands-fleet-with-delivery-of-new-csov-nid30555.html
A small trawler broke moorings and drifted away from the quay this afternoon:
The Emergency centre was able to send the Ålesund fire brigade to the scene.
- They were met by crew on board the trawler who did their best to save the boat. There was also a tugboat there, and together with the fire service they got the boat to back to the quey
Source: https://www.smp.no/nyheter/i/0Vgjo2/aalesund-her-kjemper-de-for-aa-redde-traaleren
Even walking in town can be a challenge:
Screen grab from smp.no video:
– Folk har vært i knestående - smp.no!
View across the harbour:
(m/s x2 = kts)
From Kråkenes Fyr:
The waves have been strong at Kråkenes lighthouse on Saturday 16 November. Photo: Andreas Bakke via VG.no