Backwaters tour
The backwaters of Kerala brackish water canals that cover large parts of the state, home of many plants, birds and people. We took a boat tour through the canals today, and spotted a bright blue Kingfisher bird, several types of eagles, and a camel (a very...
Meditation, yoga, eat, swim, massage, sleep, repeat
Another day of treating our bodies and minds to some rejuvenation treatments. Most of us are going through “purgation” tonight, a castor oil treatment, so this’ll get interesting. Yikes. Wish me luck.
Cultural evening
As a gift from the resort, our group received a spices, tea and a sari that we wore during this evening’s entertainment: a cultural dance show and traditional Kerala dinner served under the open sky.
A typical day here
We have a fairly set routine at the hospital resort and I thought I’d write about what a typical day looks like. What time each person does yoga or has treatment is individual but this is my typical day: 6:50 wake up 7:15 group meditation at the yoga shala 8:00 yoga:...
Walk on the beach
Other than our resort, there are two nearby resorts in the same family that we went to check out today. To my delight, the closest houses 7 domestic cats, and I was let in by their carer to play and pet them. I suspect this will be a daily activity. From our resort,...
Introduction to Ayurveda
We were allowed a few hours of sleep before attending an introduction to Ayurveda by one of the doctors. I’m tempted to put “doctor” in quotation marks but these are actually licensed Ayurvedic medical practitioners by the government in India, and Ayurvedic treatment...
Ayurveda retreat in Kerala, India
Early up and off to Gardermoen airport before the birds woke up with my friend. First a stop in Doha and then to Trivandrum in India. And I was lucky enough to get the middle seat (but my friend was kind enough to switch with me on the second flight). But no more...
More tea time and theater
During the day time I cleaned my friend’s apartment as a thank you for letting me stay and washed her and my woolies, especially to surprise her with a newly washed and clean sweater that my mom had knitted for her that had been in the laundry basket waiting for...
Family
Since both my siblings live in Oslo with their significant other, I took the opportunity to say hello and have some tea with them, and hand over some early birthday gifts. I am very happy to have my lovely family, and appreciate that we spend time together.
Hot yoga
Right next to Bogstadveien in Oslo is a building with a door with a staircase leading down to the only Bikram studio in Oslo. You can recognize it by the distinct smell of wet dog as you enter, similar to many hot yoga studios around the world. If you can get past the...
Water wellness
An hour or so south of Oslo is a large spa complex called “The Well”, where my friend and I headed for some relaxation. It may be a bit out of the ordinary for some since bathing suits are not required. So I spent most of my day in a bathrobe lounging about, reading,...
To Oslo with horses
My good colleague and friend drove me to the airport after Terry and my parents left for the cabin. We first got to catch up with a cup of tea. In Oslo I met again with my best friend in Lillestrøm (who had also been to Stavanger and Burn’s night earlier this week)....
Burn’s night
Scotland’s great poet, Robert Burns, was celebrated today (technically yesterday, but we make allowances). We gathered at Terry’s friend’s place a dozen or two Scottish and international folk, and caressed our whisky while waiting for the haggis (and tatties and...
Romeo and Juliet
We watched the incredible and amazing performance by the Bjergsted music, dance and drama students. It was far beyond expectations and just jaw-dropping. I highly recommend everyone go see it in January while you still can. What a feat. The only drawbacks were the few...
Planning
Spending the day researching and planning Japan adventures.
Back to the office
Nah, not really. But after half the travels done and half waiting for me, I stopped by the office to see if they remembered me and how things are going. Very good to see everyone again and have one of our infamous coffee breaks in the new office location that I saw...
Cat nip
Someone had too much cat nip…
Garborg talk
This year it’s 100 years since “Jærens store sønn” (no, not Erling Håland) Arne Garborg passed away. Dad and I trekked out to Bryne to listen to Kjell Arild Pollestad and Torgeir Bygstad read from their new book with collections from Arne Garborg’s works. I was the...
Ashtanga yoga workshop weekend
Alexander Medin is a former boxer and street criminal turned yogi, and is one of the most prominent ashtanga teachers in the world. This weekend I’m joining his workshop to kickstart my practice. I was lucky enough to take part in this and learn from him. But the real...
Creep in the night
Woke up early and got up to get some water and tea when this creature creeped me out following me with her eyes from the window sill.
Dinner for three
Terry and I served up salmon poke bowl for mom and us to slightly make up for the imbalance in who makes dinner more often while we’re visiting (Mom).
Still bitter
Went to say hello to my kitties again but the black flash is not warming up to me. I guess she still has a chip on her shoulder from the vet visit I took her to last summer. Hiding under the staircase making every effort to incinerate you with her eyes per usual.
Terry is back
Terry came home from his other home (Aberdeen) last night. Good to have him back, and also good to have had a break, we both agreed. We went to see Kongsgård’s school theater in the evening. It was good but I wasn’t blown away.
Blissful walk
Finally got out of the house and went for a walk to Hålandsvannet. Laid down in the snow watching the blue sky and frozen lake. Magical.
Mental weather
The weather gods have gone nuts. Snow everywhere.
Booked next adventure!
Flights are booked. Thank you SAS bonus points and awardhacks.se. Japan, be ready in February!
Lazy days
Chilling with a face mask, thinking of new adventures.
Terry off to Aberdeen
Terry took off to Aberdeen for a long weekend to visit family. I stayed here with my parents and this fluff ball.
Back home again
After a few quiet days without family at the cabin, we drove back home to Randaberg since Terry is heading to Scotland tomorrow.
Sunset
Fortunately, the sunsets are easier to catch in the afternoon than the sunrises in the morning. And without anywhere to go or be, I have time to sit quietly and enjoy it.
Up early before the sunrise
Even without work or any expectations or plans the next day, sleep does not always stay with me all night. But in those cases the upside is I get to see beautiful sunrises like this one.
Attempt at skiing
The rest of the family drove home and Terry and I were left to our own devices. We made an attempt at skiing since the temperature was now over -20 celsius. The conclusion was that it’s still cold. And I’m still an incredibly slow skier.
30 below zero
It’s become increasingly cold lately and temperatures of -30 Celsius have been reached. Best to stay inside. Hihi.
Dinner chefs
Another day to read, lego, audio book, sauna, eat, nap, family, cats. All the good things in life. In addition, Terry and I were responsible for dinner and dished out some veggie lasagne (unbeknownst to the meat lovers) and homemade pavlova.
Doing as little as possible day 2
Read, lego, audio book, sauna, eat, nap, family, cats. All the good things in life.
Doing as little as possible
Read, lego, audio book, sauna, eat, nap, family, cats. All the good things in life.
Back to Hovden
We had a pleasant but long visit at the hospital today, but still had enough time to drive up to Hovden again. Good to be back.
Happy New Year!
We left the fairytale castle all covered in snow today, and drove north again. The snow had been coming down hard and led to white and slippery roads so we had to creep slowly forward. When we crossed the border, the next stop was legevakten, or the emergency room for...
New Year’s Eve
A full program awaited us today. After a decadent breakfast buffet, all the guests gathered outside the castle for a walk through the ancient woods surrounding the estate. And as if by magic, it started snowing. We drank from St. Olav’s water source which was supposed...
Living the castle life in Sweden
We checked in to Thorskog slott outside Gothenburg. Absolutely gorgeous fairy tale place. We have two memorable nights to look forward to here. Shortly after checking in to our room, we were treated to a half bottle of champagne and chocolates on the door. But they...
Driving eastward
In preparation for our New Year’s celebration we drove the first section today to Oslo and stayed overnight at my brother’s. And tomorrow we will be heading to this place…
Lego
Terry and I have finally gotten started on his gift from last year: a Lego T2 camper van just like his own! Terry has postponed it as long as possible… something about his creativity not being allowed to unfold when there are step by step instructions…
Pajama day
It took until about dinner time before I realized I hadn’t gotten dressed today. Oh, well… And one of the cats loooves him some wooly stinky slippers
Boxing day
I couldn’t wait any longer. This year’s Christmas sweater is now revealed. And not only does it look awesome, it plays “Jingle bells” with the lyrics “meow, meow, meow…meow, meow, meow…”. What’s not to love?
Merry Christmas!
Christmas Day is almost always spent entirely in pajamas and this year was no exception. The gifts were all unwrapped last night. I had also brought a gift from last year, Terry’s T2 Lego van, that still needs to be built. So that’s our project for the next few days...
God jul!
The best Christmases are the ones spent with all the people you love the most, and I am lucky enough to get to do that again and again in these magical snowy surroundings. Always among my happiest moments of the year.
Dinner for one
True to tradition we watched “Dinner for one” tonight, also known as “Grevinnen og hovmesteren” in Norwegian. The rest of the day was mostly spent in pyjamas.
Welcome to the mountains
Packed our bags and loaded the car for a snowwhite drive up to the cabin to reunite with the rest of the family (including 3 cats) and celebrate Christmas.
One more day at home
One more day in Randaberg with my kitties before tomorrow’s drive to the mountains. Stumpy managed to take a selfie. But she has to work on her smile.
Unpack, unwind
First order of business was to say hello to my kitties and then unpack. In the evening we went to see the magnificent performance “Eks” at Rogaland teater.