Oslo and Bergen: Part 14 - Day 6 Afternoon: Island Hopping - Hovedoya, Gressholmen, Lindoya

Day 6 Afternoon

Here is a summary of what is spent on Day 6 Afternoon.

7/8 Day 6 Afternoon: Harbour opposite City Hall -- Hovedoya Island -- Gressholmen Island -- Lindoya Island
8/8 Day 7: Train back to Stockholm from Oslo

Must-Incur Costs

(1) 24-hour transport card - NOK105 (can be used on boats, buses, trains and trams)
(2) Train ride from Oslo to Stockholm - SEK195

The Story

070818: The day continues on with a teabreak with my first host, Thomas. He treated me to a filling sandwich and a huge cup of red tea. Actually, it was a bowl! Chinese version of bowl-drinking but multiplied many times. We had a good chat for about an hour before we bid goodbye again, but this time, we were unsure when we will meet. 

My afternoon was spent island hopping - as suggested by Shafiq, my second host. This was never in my itinerary and I thought I would have a boring day in Oslo after exploring it the first day upon my arrival. But it turned out to be such a fantastic experience, except for the last 2 hours of the evening where it rained and I got drenched and had to wait in the cold for the boat to arrive. 

Initially, I did not understand how B1, B2, B3 and B4 worked. I just stood in line and hopped on the first boat that arrived. Well, it turned out each B has its own route as can be seen in the next photo. So, you can choose which boat to hop on to go to your island of destination. Well, I did not wait for the relevant boats. I just jumped on any incoming boat because I did not want to be left alone on the island, in case it gets cold or it rains (which it did in the end).

Shafiq had suggested 3 islands for me - Hovedoya (the main island and the biggest one too), Gressholmen (for its sole restaurant and the nature) and Lindoya (with its colourful summer cottages in green, red and yellow).

First island - Hovedoya! I wandered around. Saw a church ruin, photo exhibition in a small nature park, a beach where one can swim or play with the water, walked towards the island's harbour and saw lots of private boats. 

Back on the boat to Gressholmen Island now.

Gressholmen Island has lovely walking trails and a few scattered houses. Also, every local seems to recommend the sole restaurant, but it does cost a bomb. 

The layered rocks here are one of the attractions on the island.

Next up - Lindoya. The clouds were beginning to form and after 30 minutes of walking on Lindoya, it rained and I was soaked as I did not bring my rain jacket. I did not anticipate the rain! So, I walked back to the jetty and stood under the shed while waiting for the next boat which arrived after 45 minutes. It has stopped raining by then. I managed to snap some photos of the colourful summer cottages which were a pleasant sight. Most of the houses are separated by well-trimmed hedges.

I was back in Oslo mainland by 10pm. The lights at City Hall were lit up. 

The next day, I boarded the train back to Stockholm. It was a 5.5 hour ride and I reached Stockholm by 1.05pm (departed Oslo at 6.05am). 

That marks the end of my Norway trip. 7 days 6 nights. Best trip ever!

Here are the list of places I went. You can click on the link and be directed to the posts immediately. 

Day 1 - Train ride from Stockholm to Oslo

Day 2 - Ekebergparken, Sorenga, Opera House, Defence Museum, Akershus Fortress, City Hall, Vigelandsparken, Frognerseteren Restaurant

Day 3 - Norway in a nutshell - Leg 1 (Oslo to Myrdal) -- Leg 2 (Myrdal to Flåm) -- Leg 3 (Flåm to Gudvangen) -- Leg 4 (Gudvangen to Voss) -- Leg 5 (Voss to Bergen)
Day 4 - Bergen Brygge (Wharf), Bergenhus Fortress, Bergen Fish Market, Mount Floyen, Hanseatic Museum
Day 5 - Mount Floyen (again), Midway to Mount Elriken, Train ride from Bergen to Oslo
Day 6 - St Olav Church, Telthusbakken, Kuba Park, Damstredet, Royal Palace, Karl Johans Gate, Island Hopping - Hovedoya, Gressholmen, Lindoya (this post)
Day 7 - Train ride from Oslo to Stockholm (this post)

I have mentioned some of my expenses in each post. But for total and different category of expenses, I will sum it here.  

1) Train ticket -  NOK359.92

2) Bus tickets - NOK245
3) Food - NOK270
4) Tour package 'Norway in a nutshell' - NOK2,250
5) Miscellaneous (Locker) - NOK50

Total Cost for the trip = NOK3,174.92. That will be SEK3,440.40 / RM1,720.20. My food and stay in Bergen was sponsored by my friend and her mum. It was so unexpected and I am super grateful. Also, very thankful to my hosts for the accommodation and them treating me to some meals. I don't think Oslo and Bergen need much persuasion to visit. Norway is simply a beautiful country. Enough said.

Wonderful experience to see my penpal again, do Couchsurfing, meet honest and friendly Norwegians, eat the local food, and get to see the best that is there to offer by Oslo and Bergen!