2nd of October, 2022.
Hitchhiking in Norway.
I ask another couple, they are German, and they accept to take me, but I can see they are a little uncertain, which is fine. They have to walk to their car which is about 10 minutes from here, so I just wait.
Once I get in the car and I get to know Claudia and her husband Christian, and tell them my story, they become very relaxed and we talk a lot. They are very kind people and I am happy to meet them. They are extremely surprised with my ways of travelling and offer to drive me all the way to Haukland beach, otherwise I would have to walk for a while from the main road. How sweet! They saved me too!
Because I have to leave Schengen Area soon, I had to skip many other places I would like to visit in the Peninsula. All of them looking like beautiful, fantastic places to see. Actually, it was already hard to make my previous selection, of about 5 or 6 places, now, sadly, I am reduced to 2. I repeat: if you have up to one week in the Peninsula, explore it as much as you can! Go to many different spots, hike and explore this place of unlimited beauty! You will not regret!
By the time we get to Haukland Beach it is almost dark and I can see the rain coming from the sea. I try to hurry up by looking for the perfect place for camping. I want to be near the sea so I can hear the sound of the waves during the night. When I find a nice place in the grass, quite flat and a bit away from the 5 motorhomes parked here, I quickly start my camping. Well, at least that is what I thought!
As soon as I open my tent gear, I see that there is something wrong with the tent poles. The string which should connect them is ripped apart. What? How the hell that could have possibly happened? What I am guessing is that the strong wind in Væroy did its job. I try, in vain, to get them back inside and connect, but the rain arrives and I have to collect my stuff quickly and run. I see a small construction by the entrance of the beach, some older showers which are now closed, and there is some small cover, only about one square metre, on which I can stay under.
Here, I try for a while to fix the tent by myself but I cannot. What the hell I am going to do? Where I am going to sleep for tonight? And the next, and the next? It is like my home was taken away from me with the wind…
When the darkness come and my hands start to freeze, I figure I need help. But in which motorhome should I ask? Well, it is like the stars have told me!
I spot Tonje and her sister Ida from their window. Two women in a motorhome? Do you know how rare is to find that? Here is where I must ask! When Tonye sees me, she immediately makes a sign I can come. I tell them quickly what have happened and ask if I can try to fix the poles inside their motorhome, because outside is dark and freezing! They say I am welcome! Yay!
They are from Norway and are having some days off to explore the Peninsula and to visit some family. They are adorable and I like them immediately! While fixing the poles I tell them my story and they are excited about it. Tonye is so sweet that she is helping me fixing the poles. Actually, if it wasn’t for her, I think I wouldn’t be able to do it myself! And I feel a great connection with her. After about one hour we finally manage to fix it! Yay!
They ask me if need anything and I say that, even though I have some Brunost, and I show it to them, I actually don’t have any bread. Tonye then gives me a pack of crispbread, quite common to have it with Brunost, and I am so happy! I know this will last a few days and I can enjoy it with my Brunost!
After saying goodbye to these lovely ladies, I start my camping again. This time, nearer to the parking lot and not so much by the beach. Would that perhaps be the reason why this had to happen to me? Would I have had a bad experience if I was that close to the sea? A flood, for example? No matter what, I know one reason why it happened: just so I could meet Tonye and Ida, and I am very happy for that!
In the morning I go for a quick walk around the beach. The sky is grey and cloudy but this place is still gorgeous. You have mountains all around the beach, for as far as you can see. In the horizon, there are some pics with sharp tops. Beautiful! The water is turquoise and the beach is clean. There is a wooden cabin to the right, which gives a movieish air to the place, very Nordic. You can also go for a hike around here, which I am sure it will be awesome!
Unfortunately, I cannot stay much longer: it seems as there is more rain coming. After getting ready and packing, I am on my way to Russia. What? Yep! Today is the first day of my journey to Russia, towards Asia, and leaving Schengen / Europe for good.
10 Years Around the World 