Michi Photostory

Over a year ago, we visited Ørland Cultural Center, our first agenda is to go to the police station, yes police station because my mom needs to get some documents for my brother’s Schengen Visa Application. For the past decades, my mom always goes to the police station just to get UDI and Invitation Letter with a stamp. But last year, we were surprised when the police told her that she no longer needs to go there, she can just download the form online and stamps are no longer needed. This is good news because we can just type the details, print and sign. 

Since we were already at the Ørland Cultural Center, we decided to explore the area and check what is new. We’ve been here, a few times already so we knew that they have a library, cinema, and tourist information. We watched Avengers: Endgame here way back in 2019. 

Last year, we discovered that there is Wetland Exhibition, Gallery Hans, and The Hannah Ryggen Center. Fortunately, there is an English translation so we were able to learn something new. 

There are six Wetland Visitor Centers in Norway and this is one of the six centers so we are lucky to visit one. By visiting the centers, guests can gain an understanding and become more aware of the value of the wetlands and how to protect them. The exhibit focuses on these four areas; Grandefjæra, Hovsfjæra, Innstrandfjæra and Kråkvågsvaet 

Hannah Ryggen is a Swedish artist who settled on a small farm in Norway after marrying her painter husband Hans Ryggen. We're able to see some of their masterpiece in the center. 

This is an information map to give you an idea what to see in Uthaug, you can visit Sjøgata, Museumsnaustet, Guldteigbrygga, Uthaugsgården, Nøkkelhaugen (burial mound), Husmannsplassen Tinden, Kloholmen, Storhaugen, Ørland Froskemannsklubb and others. 

I’ve been to this place a few times to visit family and acquaintances. When I was young, this is also where we picked mussels. In the past, I’ve visited Sjøgata and I’ve seen Kjeungskajaer Lighthouse from afar. Just recently, we were able to visit the other side of Uthaug where Uthaug Slip & Marina, Guldteigbrygga, Uthaug Fisk AS, Ørland Froskemannsklubb and AS Uthaug Sementstøperi are located. 

Guldteigbrygga 

I thought this is just an ordinary red barn but I was wrong, this pier was built by Oscar Guldteig in 1938 and was used as a base for fishing and for salting herring. It was also used as a prison camp during World War II where 60 out of 195 Russian prisoners died. 

Ørland is part of the Fosen peninsula so it is not surprising that they have their own club. This club has one of the largest environments for underwater hunting with 120 members, a mix of freedivers and bottle divers. About half of the club members are affiliated with the Armed Forces. 

We just kept on walking until we reached this light post. It is nice to see different boats, old and new ones. We can also see the Kjeungskajaer Lighthouse from afar. There is a table at the end of the pathway so we took a rest before we went to Døsvik Havn, another marina in Ørland. 

Read: Places to Visit in Ørland Norway for Free  

Garten is where you can ride a ferry if you want to reach nearby islands like Storfosna and Leksa.

Anyway, it was our second day in Norway and we are still adjusting to our new schedule. It was still Winter Season when we arrived so it was a chilly month. If I was not stuck in the house for almost two years, I would rather stay inside and get cozy with a good book, movie, or tv series. But even though my body wanted to rest, my feet were itching to go out of the house. I’ve been looking forward to this trip because finally, I can feel that life is back to normal already since we don’t need to wear a face mask or face shield and I don’t have to think about social distancing anymore. 

We started our day early because my son needs to follow Philippines time for his online classes but we have no reason to complain. In fact, it was worth waking up early because I had a chance to see Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. I already blogged about this, you can read my “Glimpse of Northern Lights in Norway” post. 

Bruholmen 

After our breakfast, off we went to Bruholmen and we’ve been here numerous times already since this is just a few minutes away from my mom’s place. I’ve visited this place during winter, spring and summer; kulang na lang autumn season. Hehehe! But of course, there is always something new every time we visit, like there are tables and chairs at the grilling place already. 

I used to take this place for granted but after experiencing the global pandemic, I’m happy to be back here. I’m thankful for the fresh air and amazing views. It feels good to be out again and I started to appreciate more the beauty of nature. 

Since we are confined inside our home for almost two years, buying clothes is not part of our priority but things changed when we got our vaccines already. When we started traveling, that is the only time I realized that my son has no decent clothes na pala. Nasayang lang yung mga damit niya at nagpaliitan agad ng hindi gaano nagamit. 

Actually, I had a hard time looking and buying clothes for him since pabago-bago ang lockdown restrictions sa atin so hindi pwede bata sa mall. And because konti lang ang choices, I only bought a few pieces of clothes so he has something to use for our Norway trip. 

Fast forward to our trip, we went to the mall for groceries and I need to buy new shoes for my son. Dinala ko pa yung winter shoes Sa Norway pero one day pa lang kami naglalakad, nasira na. Anyway, 5 years na rin naman yung shoes so baka gusto na magretire. Hehehe! I’m not really familiar with Europe brands so when I was looking for shoes, I don’t know what to buy. My mom suggested ECCO and according to her, it is a good brand. The shoes are already on sale but when I convert the amount to pesos, mahal pa rin. Hehehe! 

So I’ve made some research and from what I’ve read, ECCO is a family-owned shoe manufacturer and retailer founded in Bredebro, Denmark by Karl Toosbuy in 1963. It was in the year 1982 when the first retail store was opened and now they have different stores worldwide. Their shoes are known for comfort and durability so even if it is a little bit expensive, the shoes might last for 2 to 7 years. So far, wala naman reklamo anak ko sa shoes niya kahit ang layo ng mga nilalalakad namin so I guess totoong waterproof and comfotable yung shoes. 

Anyway, after buying his shoes, off went to the grocery and I immediately saw the SALE at Cubus. Shopping in Norway is out of my mind because Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world so every time we visit here, I make sure to buy our winter and spring clothes in the Philippines. I have no idea na may mura pala dito sa Norway. Actually, mas mura pa yung nabili ko na clothes dito kaysa sa nabili ko sa Philippines kahit sale ko din nabili. I’m glad na marami options dito for my teenage son. 

Cubus is under Varner which is a Norwegian company. It is one of the fashion retailers in Scandinavia that offers basic clothes but high quality using natural fibers to Nordic families. They offer a wide range of clothes and essential garments that you can use again and again at a very good price. They have stores in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Yung price niya hindi nalalayo sa H&M or Uniqlo, pero bongga kung magsale, parang 70% off yata nabili ko.

Shopping Tip: It is better to bring your own bag when you shop in Norway because you have to pay for the shopping bag whether it is plastic or paper. I don't know if it varies per size or per store because when I checked my receipts, the rate is NOK2 and NOK3 per shopping bag.