Michi Photostory

June 02, 2017

Glimpse of Oslo Airport

If you are traveling a long haul flight, usually you will have a layover and you will experience airport hopping. During our trip to Norway; we had 2 layovers, one in Bangkok and one is Oslo.

Read: Glimpse of Suvarnabhumi Airport

Oslo Airport is the main international airport of Norway. It is located in Gardermoen, Oslo which is the capital of Norway and considered the most populous city in the country. Compared to other airports, Oslo Airport is not that big but it is one of the busiest airports in Europe, it connects 31 domestic flights and 128 international flights.

From Oslo Airport, we had a connecting flight to Trondheim (domestic flight). So we picked up our luggage, checked in, and pass the security check again. This is really stressful especially if you only have a few hours before your connecting flight. After our experienced, I was thinking not to have a layover in Oslo again if ever we will go back to Norway. More story on this post.

So if you are coming from an international flight and you still have a domestic flight, you really need to claim and check in your luggage again. But when we went home, our luggage went straight to Manila. #stressfree

What I like about Oslo Airport are

1. Transferring to your connecting flight is not difficult. We did not have a hard time looking for the gate.

2. When we passed the Passport Control, the IO advised us to go back 2 hours before the flight since we have nothing to do after we passed the Passport Control.

Update: June 2019

After Passport Control, I was surprised because they already have Duty Free Shop where you can do your last-minute shopping while waiting for your boarding gate to open. If you feel hungry or thirsty there is Street Eats where you can eat and drink.

And because of that, we were able to eat lunch and buy pasalubong before going to the boarding gate.

3. Free wifi for 2 hours. This is very important if you have a kid in tow.

On our way back to Manila, we have 5 hours layover, I did not explore the airport anymore because I have 3 handcarry, nakakatamad mag-ikot. So we are thankful for the free wifi, we have something to do while waiting for our boarding time.

By the way, we found this airplane slide beside the boarding gate when we traveled from Oslo to Trondheim.

4. Commuting is not a problem because you can ride a taxi, bus or train. There is a train station just outside the arrival area so traveling to and from the airport is not difficult. We rode the train from Oslo Lufthavn to Elverum Station. My husband took the train from Oslo Central Station to Oslo Lufthavn, travel time is 23 minutes.

5. If you have an early flight or late arrival and you need a place, don't worry because there are two hotels that you can choose from. Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson are two hotels that are just in front of Oslo Gardermoen Airport. We stayed at Radisson Blu Hotel because we don't want to miss our flight.

Read: Radisson Oslo Airport Hotel Review

June 01, 2017

Summer Vacation is Over, We’re Back to the Philippines

Hello. It’s been two weeks since the last time I updated this blog. I just have no time to blog because I was busy packing and unpacking for our Iceland trip and of course, Philippines. Yes, after two months, summer in Norway is already over and we’re back in the Philippines.

It took me a while to fight my jetlag and adjust to the warm weather. Now, I’m busy preparing for the coming school year and I’m not yet so ready. Good luck to me.

Anyway, before going back to the Philippines, my husband asked me if I’m excited to go home and I said no. No, because…

1. I like the cold weather and fresh air of Norway.
2. I don’t iron clothes in Norway because we always wear a jacket. I dislike this chore. The only time that I ironed clothes was when we were going to Iceland.
3. I will miss the dishwasher of my mom. Ang dali ng buhay pag may dishwasher.
4. I will miss the food, especially salmon, cake and ice cream.
5. I will miss the nature.
6. I will miss the water, yung hindi na bibili ng mineral water because I can drink water from the faucet.
7. Going back home means vacation is really over, as in back to school na kami.
8. I was so scared of flying back home because this was the first time that my son and I would travel without hubby or companion. First na, long haul flight pa, so napaparanoid talaga ko.

But of course, I also miss my husband, it’s been 5 weeks and for the record, this is the longest time that we’ve been away from each other. He always teases me na “Malnourished” na daw siya at wala na siya tagaluto. Hehehe! Well, two weeks lang naman niya na feel na wala kami sa bahay because he was also out of the country for three consecutive weeks.

As I mentioned, I was so nervous flying back home and I really prayed hard that everything would be okay. Our flight was really tiring because we’d been traveling for 3 days.

Thursday Reykjavik Iceland to Trondheim Norway
Friday Trondheim Norway to Oslo Norway
Oslo Norway to Bangkok Thailand.
Saturday Bangkok Thailand to Manila Philippines

We arrived from Iceland last Thursday and we went straight to Radisson Blu Hotel since we had an early flight the following day. My mom booked this hotel last April. I already blogged about this hotel because my husband stayed here too but I will share my personal experience on a separate post.

Read: Radisson Blu Hotel in Trondheim Norway

Even though the hotel was just a few steps away from the airport I was thankful that my mom accompanied us at the hotel and airport. I have two luggage and 3 hand-carry and I can’t rely on my son.

Trondheim Airport

My husband did the online check-in so we have the middle seat, as per my request. Ayaw ko kasi mag-excuse or may mag-excuse pa if we need to go to the lavatory. Check-in was easy and wala din pila sa security check. Thank God! This is one thing that I dislike in traveling, ang dami security check. Nakakapagod maglabas at magbalik ng gamit. I already instructed my son kung paano kami sa security check and make sure na mauna siya para abangan gamit namin sa dulo.

We were two hours early for our flight and I could not connect to the free wifi. I’m not sure kung dahil nagamit ko na ba siya kahapon and wala pa 24hrs. We rode SAS airplane, with no complimentary food and drinks.

Oslo Airport

My husband went home first so he was able to take photos of the landmarks that I needed to remember so going to the next boarding gate was not a problem. The Immigration Officer advised us not to enter yet and to be back 2 hours before our flight because there was nothing to see inside.

Read: Glimpse of Oslo Airport

We had 5 hours layover in Oslo, so we bought pasalubong and ate lunch at Fiskeriet Seafood. I just ordered Fish and Chips NOK169 and NOK35 for bottled Coke.

We rode Thai Airways from Oslo to Bangkok, I was happy because our flight was only 10 hours compared to our Bangkok to Oslo which is 11 hours and 30 minutes. My dilemma is I could not sleep again, waah! I really appreciate the flight entertainment and they have a list of new movies.

Bangkok Airport

Upon arrival to Bangkok Airport, ramdam ko na ang init. I was happy that we arrived early because I had enough time to transfer to our next boarding gate. But when I checked the information, “delayed” agad ang nabasa ko. So from 1 hour and 25 minutes layover to 3 hours. Security check was smooth, with no long lines.

We rode Thai Airways again.

When I heard the announcement “I do apologize, we could not land yet because of air traffic and we’re at number 11…” ramdam ko na nasa Pinas na ko. Nasa ere pa lang, traffic na. Hehehe!

Finally, we were home and I was so thankful for the smooth flight. Achievement unlock, yehey! Nakabiyahe na kami ng malayo.

Read: Trip to Norway

May 19, 2017

Radisson Blu Hotel in Brunei

When my husband visited Brunei for the very first time, he stayed in Radisson Blu. It is one of the most recommended hotels if you will visit Brunei. Then for the past business trips in Brunei, he stayed in a different hotel which is near his office.

But he prefers Radisson Blu so last week, he stayed in this hotel during his 3 days business trip. It is located in Bandar Seri Begawan, which is the capital of Brunei. This hotel is just 15 minutes away from Brunei International Airport.

Radisson Blu is a good choice for both business and leisure travelers because it is located in the city and near popular tourist spots such as Royal Regalia Museum, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, and Water Village Kampong Ayer.

This is the room, their room is bigger compared to the room in Radisson Blu Trondheim Norway.

Read: Radisson Blu Hotel in Trondheim Norway

They have complimentary sweets.

Complimentary breakfast at Tasek Brasserie. The buffet spread is also limited but they have more choices compared to Radisson Blu Trondheim. Food is just okay.

They have a small gym and swimming pool too. If you are eating at the restaurant, you will see the swimming pool.

Some of the staff are Filipinos too. My husband likes Radisson Blu because they allow late check-out for free and this is very important to him because his flight is always at the evening, yun lang meron ang Royal Brunei airline.

Read: Pasalubong from Brunei
Royal Brunei Yacht Club
Badi'ah Hotel

May 18, 2017

17th of May Celebration in Norway

I won’t deny that traveling is expensive but there are so many things that traveling can give you in return. It is an investment in yourself because it makes you smarter. As they always say, “Travel makes you realize that no matter how much you know there’s always more to learn” Yes, there are so many things to discover, explore, and experience in the world.

When we’re planning for our summer vacation in Norway, I make sure that we will be here on 17th of May. I experienced that during our first visit to Norway so I also want my son to witness how Norwegians celebrate their National Day.

May 17 is a holiday in Norway, it is their National Day or Norwegian Constitution Day. It is also known as Grunnlovsdagen (Constitution Day) Nasjonaldagen (The National Day) or the most common is syttende mai (17th of May).

This is a big celebration in Norway so I guess this is the reason why they don’t celebrate Mother’s Day in May. They have so many celebrations every May and National Day is very significant to them.

In fact, you will see a lot of stuff in the market for the 17th of May celebration. People put flags in their own houses, decorate their houses, prepare food, and even go out of the house to join or watch children's parades. Norway is the only country in the world that has children's parades during National Day.

Even though I’m a Filipino, I enjoyed watching their National Day celebration. I’m so amazed because they really celebrate this day, not only in Norway but around the world. Norwegians all over the world, make their own effort to celebrate the 17th of May in their own little way, whether they are a big or small group.

Norwegians wear traditional outfits called bunad or they wear something red, white, or blue. They wear ribbons, bring flags, and shout Hurra! Hurra! Hurra! Each city, kommune or place has its own parade. Children from different schools and other local organizations in the community gather together to parade. We watched the parade in Ørland, watch the video here.

It was a short parade so we were able to go home early for our lunch. The longest parade is in Oslo, the capital of Norway. I saw the Royal Family waving hands on the balcony of Royal Palace.

When it comes to food, they only serve a few dishes. Unlike sa Pinas na parang buffet lagi pag may handaan. My mom prepared baked salmon, coleslaw, boiled potatoes and carrots, hollandaise sauce, and pavlova. Pavlova is always present every 17th of May because the colors of this dessert symbolize the color of the flag of Norway.

Read: Pavlova for 17th of May

I’m thankful for the experience and I just hope that we have this kind of celebration in our country. Filipinos will also go out and celebrate our national holiday, especially Independence Day, sana hindi lang puro rally, or people power lumalabas ang tao.

“One’s destination is never a place but a new way of seeing things” - Henry Miller

Pavlova for 17th of May

When I first visited Norway, I noticed that they love cakes. There are so many cakes at every event that I’ve attended and whenever we visit a house, they always serve ice cream or cake.

My mom always bakes a cake so aside from the World’s Best Cake, I asked her to bake Pavlova. She said, the taste is like the world’s best cake but still I want to taste this cake since I haven’t seen this cake in the Philippines.

She said that I could bake this cake because there is already Pavlova mix that I can buy at the market but she changed her mind because she hasn’t tried the instant mix yet. I’m thankful to my sister who volunteered to bake the meringue. I love my family because they love to bake and I love to eat sweets. Anyway, my only contribution is, that I mixed the 1 tbsp sugar, whipping cream, and vanilla sauce. My mom sliced the fruits.

I don’t know how my sister made this meringue but my mom showed me this recipe book. This is one of the group projects of my sister in school where they collected different recipes in Fosen. They were able to sell 500+ of this recipe book six years ago. My sister is on the cover too. (she’s holding the egg beater).

As my mom said, it is almost the same as the World’s Best Cake because the base is meringue. But I think this is easier to make because you just need to bake the meringue, mix the cream, and sliced the fruits. You assemble everything before serving.

Even if you are eating this sweet dessert, you feel less guilty because you are also eating fresh fruits. Hehehe! There are blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and kiwi. So even though my son is telling me that I’m getting fatter every day, I can’t say no to the yummy desserts. Saka na ko magdiet pag tapos na bakasyon.

Speaking of the 17th of May, Pavlova is a very popular dessert every National Day. You can already see the colors of the Norway flag on this cake, there is white, blue, and red so it is like a National Cake too.

You can create your own version of Pavlova, some people make two layers, one layer, or even a mini version of Pavlova. We visited my aunt last May 18 and she served mini Pavlova.