This is what’s all about…
 |
| On top of Preikestolen/Pulpit Rock, Norway April 20, 2013 |
I have been so focused on the family and business front and (since November 9, 2012) on the blogging front that I had forgotten what our hobby is all about. I personally call it “My Travel Moments”. It is when you just stand there and take it all in. You feel every moment to the fullest! You just stand there and feel so happy, so content with being exactly where you are standing at that very moment. The wave of emotions just overpowers you and you are so grateful for having the opportunity to experience this. There is no other feeling in the world. For me, this was it!
 |
| Feel like I am on top of the world! |
I fell in love with this place ever since I saw a picture of it. I knew that one day I will be standing right there. The hike was, surprisingly, tougher than anticipated due to ice and snow near the top. But there was no holding back! This is what I came to Preikestolen for, to climb and see this!
Another unforgettable “Travel Moment” for me! I get emotional thinking about it. I will get back to blogging eventually. And I may even find time to do a full trip report.
So…go out and have your Travel Moments before you get too old!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the big US banks, Bluebird and Vanilla reloads for making “My Travel Moments” happen, you are definitely appreciated. Especially in Norway, one of the most expensive countries I have been to! And a big special thank you to Mrs. TBB who is fighting alone the home battles, love you sweetie.
Signing off from the Doubletree in Heathrow. I will spend all day at the Virgin Atlantic Heathrow Clubhouse before flying back to JFK Monday night! I may have time for breakfast/lunch near the Sheraton at LaGuardia on Tuesday morning if anyone is around.
Thank you for reading my blog.
We leave for Bergen mid-week. Would appreciate any advice you can give for controlling costs.
We’re staying at the Clarion on Choice points, so that’s taken care of. And they serve breakfast / dinner, so hopefully our food costs will be controlled. And we’ll probably rent a car with Avis certs.
But, aside from that, any other tips would be appreciated! What else do I need to know?
Bergen has a McDonald’s, right in the centre, which won’t bankrupt you!
I remember my first travel moment…after a full day of traveling on my first day ever in Europe in 2001, walking down Whitehall and seeing the Palace of Westminster in London. I was spellbound after seeing and reading about it for years…I have had the same feeling many times, including today when I was Rio (GIG) for the first time! Awesome!!
I think when I got the bug was in 1987 when I went all over Europe. I remember IT like it was yesterday. Night time, light rain, on the Prague bridge, castle lighted up in the background, listening to my Walkman(it was 1987!!!), Smiths song blaring, lightly buzzed after having a feast in a classy Russian restaurant (for $10 usd we had the works, including drinks). I think things have changed just a little bit since then;-)
Maximize your food at the hotel if it is included in the rate! I ate two nice pears on top of that rock, courtesy of the Radisson Blu front desk:-)
Everything is expensive! The only “bargains” I found were these very tasty round buns (they come in three flavors: plain, chocolate and raisins) The local 711s have them on sale for 25 Kro $3 to $4 usd+ (sometimes 3 for 20). Also, in the 711 (or similar party stores) you get these long hot dogs for 20 Kro, get the one with bacon, yummy! Also pleny of mediterranean food (kebabs/falafels) around. To give you an idea, a regular kebab in pita (quite big!) is about 70 to 80 Kro ($1 usd is about 5.8 Kro, say 6 for simplicity). And this falafel stands are considered a bargain. For a decent sit down place you are looking at over 200 Kro for a hamburger or decent pizza! I just could not bear to eat a $40 usd burger, no way. There are several US food chains, I did not go in other than the 711.
Always better to buy round trip tickets, they come at a discount.
A coke in a bottle you are looking at anywhere from 20 to 40 Kro.
round trip ticket from airport to town was 150 kro.
Ferry to Tau was 46 kro each way. Bus from Tau to Preikestolen was 140 kro. A movie at the theatre costs 100 kro.
The country is VERY well run. There is money, people live very well. And they drink a lot. And the women are very pretty! And the scenery is…out of this world!
What time Tuesday morning at the Sheraton LGA? There’s a possibility I can join you. Just add at aol to my name to contact me.
dhammer53
Like I tweeted to you, it will all depend on what time I get up! Today in London I wanted to get up early to get to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse asap to maximize my stay in it but…woke up at 9.30 am and by the time I got to the VA Lounge was after 11 am!
I enjoyed hearing your “Life is sweet!” moment
Thank you. I am at the Virgin Atlantic Heathrow Clubhouse right now. This is the BEST lounge ever!! Nothing comes close imho, wow!
And thank YOU for publishing this blog, without all the usual commission credit card links. What can we readers do to assist in your continuing to write/publish, for us to enjoy?
You are welcome. I have been doing lots of thinking about this subject. It is very complicated and I am still learning lots about it. This blog takes too much of my time & I need to figure it out myself on how best to proceed going forward.
I know you detest affiliate links(and that’s one of reasons we all love you), but I can’t even find a way to make a donation. This has evolved into a great blog with relevant information and a lot of laughs. I, for one, would gladly contribute a few bucks every month
I am not sure this model is effective from my limited knowledge on the subject. I am taking into account though as I do all comments, thanks!
Leave it to George to travel the world looking for more snow :-}
Yeah I know a bit early to get up there. Actually it was not too bad, clear and sunny!
looks so amazing in the pictures bet it felt so over whelming being there. I know someone who is heading up there in june and he is looking forward to it so much
I think the whole Preikestolen experience is a must do in anyone’s lifetime. imho.
What are your thoughts on a blog putting up a guest post from a hotel manager about why their hotel is great?
http://www.heelsfirsttravel.com/2013/04/22/a-san-francisco-treat-guest-post-by-matt
Ahahahaha…. good catch.
“San Francisco’s most popular and convenient destination is Fisherman’s Wharf”
To start, the second half of this is incorrect. On the first half, well…. suckers born every minute and all.
I don’t disagree with him that Land’s End is perhaps the best site in town.
At least the hotel management is not appealing their CalOSHA violations:
http://www.unitehere.org/detail.php?ID=3645 That’s a first step.
harvson3
This field has more conflicts of interest than the financial advice field…hard to believe:-)
Maybe your best Blog ever and i have been reading for weeks! Made me cry like a baby, and I haven’t done that since I saw the movie Rudy. WELCOME HOME………………….Chico E……………….ps what did the toilets look like, got any pictures?
dafuque?
As soon as I saw the picture, I was beaming ear to ear, as I knew how important this destination was to you and how much you’d be enjoying it.
And there was snow on the ground in Ann Arbor Saturday morning (a dusting), so it isn’t like you had more snow than if you stayed at home.
Thank you. For the record, I avoided toilet pics. But I had to throw one in there with a diet coke;-) Yeah, this trip was special to me
Enjoy your travel George. Meantime we have the usual Credit Card Monday shaping up nicely.
Good to hear from you again, George! Enjoy the trip and please, if you are going to do a trip report, make sure you get some good photos of the hot towels!
And of MMS’s wife!
No hot towels. Yes diet cokes. No toilets. Yes food pics. No wives.
Dear Sir, My career as a TV news anchor didn’t seem to work out so well here in Bismark. Sir, can you steer me to a school that teaches you how to start a travel blog for your friends and family. many thanks, A.J Clemente
just start one at Blogger or WordPress. If you are asking for business advice on how to monetize it, I am obviously the wrong blogger to ask this question:-)
I’ll apologize in advance for a bit of small quasi-self-promotion.
Not Best Of:
Some not-terribly-bright guy goes on Milepoint this morning, brags about committing fraud to apply for a business credit card. The post is (currently) Liked by two credit-card-pushing blog authors. Expected.
The rest of Milepoint continues to be clogged with “Top Ten Things People Love About Dubai” and “Hooters Opens in Charleston Airport”-type articles posted ad nauseum by only two or so contributors.
Chris Elliott yesterday calls frequent flier programs a “bubble,” gets absolutely _pwned_ (as the gamers say) in his comments by commenter SoBeSparky and others, responds with snippy ad hominem insults that would embarass a high schooler. Heh. Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to underwrite this guy?
harvson3
I marked that Chris Elliott article. In a way, I agree with some of his points. And, I agree, that guy can go off big time. Kind of sad. Maybe no one is supporting him, who knows. I have so much to catch up to. Still in New York, flying back home Monday night
…and one of those bloggers ends their comment with a knowing wink as well.