Copenhagen and Norway Trip

I had the most amazing opportunity to go to Denmark and Norway with my parents, Katy, and Wendee. Mom found a good deal on a Norwegian cruise so we booked that, but then it was cancelled because there weren't enough people that booked it. So, we ended up going anyway and planning our own trip. We spent the first two days in Copenhagen with Camilla and her family. It was gorgeous and so fun to see Camilla again. She was just as I remember her. We saw the real Christus, the LDS Temple, the little Mermaid statue, and so much more.

After we left Denmark, we flew to Oslo and stayed the night. It was amazing how light it was late at night. This picture of us on the chair was taken at like 11:00 at night. It was so bright out.

We got up early the next day and drove into downtown Oslo to Frogner park that had a bunch of statues that an artist had created. They were amazing. Then we drove through a little town called Aamli where FarFar's mom grew up. We saw where their house was and went to the cemetery to water the graves. Then we made our was to Arendal where Mor grew up. We met up with a second cousin of dad's, Ingrid Ahnger, who took us around the town and on a ferry across the water to see Mor's house. That was so cool to see where she grew up. It was gorgeous.

The next day was Sunday, so we found the local church in Arendal and attended that. It was so cool to think that this was probably the ward/branch that Mor was in when she first joined the church almost 100 years ago. After church we went to another cousin's home, Rolf Holph, and had a wonderful meal of shrimp on flat bread. Then off to one more cousin's home. It was the Aagadal farm where FarFar's dad grew up. We enjoyed another amazing meal with all of them and go to see the farm and then headed down to the church to see some of the graves. It was really cool to meet all of the relatives and to see how excited they were to meet us.

The next day we drove to Preikestollen, or Pulpit Rock and took a three hour hike up to the rock. It was gorgeous and totally worth the hike. Mom stayed back at the car and relaxed. It was probably one of the coolest things I have ever seen.

After the hike we stayed in the coolest little cabin next to one of the fjords. Wendee, Katy, and dad actually jumped in and swam for a bit. I didn't really want to get wet, so I just took pictures. The next day we just drove through some of the most gorgeous country I have ever seen. Waterfalls at every turn, and in and out of tunnels. We ended up stopping at this cool ski town called Voss and rode a gondola to the top to have dinner. It was pretty amazing.

The last night we got to stay in the most exquisite fjord of all, Gudvangen. The mountains were huge on both sides and there were waterfalls everywhere. The water was so clear and pristine. It was like heaven. 

The last day we drove back to Oslo so we could catch our flight the next day. We stopped at a Stave church, which is really old and from the viking days. We saw so many beautiful things and I am so grateful that I was able to go with my sisters and parents on this once in a lifetime trip.