The Sverd i fjell (swords in rock) monument stands near Stavanger, Norway. Although the Vikings were large, they did not wield swords of this size.

Al and Laura present Dalsnibba, in the mountains of central Norway. The grand, steep curve of landscape is a recurring pattern in this country. It makes the world seem enormous, which it is and is not at the same time.

Laura and Al peek through the window in Edvard Grieg’s studio at Troldhaugen. You can see the inspiration for his composition!

Edvard Grieg was diminutive in stature but giant in his impact on music and Norwegian culture.

Dinner with Kiwi Tom in a dungeon under a farm in Bergen.

Cows on a Norwegian glacier.

Al stands above the town of Geiranger and the fjord that made it such a popular tourist destination.

Here is that distinctive shape again, overlooking Geiranger. Did you know that the angle of the mountain typically continues below the water in a fjord? So you can approximate how deep it is—which is often very deep indeed!

This is the Norwegian flag from a boat, with the horizon not quite level. Did you know that Norway became a fully independent nation in 1905? Before then, the Danes and Swedes traded off ruling this vast country of stoic people.

Leikanger on the Sognefjord is the most peaceful place I’ve ever been. I took this photo from a small working farm up the hill. See the video of Inga playing the accordion at the end of this series.

Houses near Televag illustrate a quality that really stands out in Norway… tidiness! Throughout most of the country, all the houses are perfectly kept and wonderfully tidy. By the way, a white house was once a symbol of wealth in Norway because the color is more expensive to maintain.

They love bikes in Norway too! But perhaps less so than in Denmark. This two-wheeler in Lillehammer reflects a certain Norse spirit. The pipes are not functional.

Viking ships were remarkably seaworthy, light, and maneuverable, which is how these people got so many places. This restored ship lies in an Oslo museum.

The Vigeland sculpture park in Oslo is a celebration of the cycle of life. Like so much Scandinavian art, it’s quite moving in person. It also shows how comfortable (and reasonable) Scandinavians are with nudity.