Отдых в Норвегии Holidays in Norway

Holidays in Norway
We were vacationing in Norway with four children.
Geilo or locally - Yaylo, (Geilo) Bardola Hotel
DAY ONE - DEPARTURE
Departed at a comfortable time - 17.00 from Domodedovo airport. On a charter flight to Oslo, as promised by the agency.
The first surprise is that there is no flight to Oslo on the board at this time. We look at the flight number - there is a flight to Faragenes. We don’t worry much - Faragenes is Faragenes, we don’t write “Moscow” either. The agency stated - to Oslo airport, then two hours by bus to the place.

The second surprise is a flight to the Yak-42. Obviously not advertised - I do not advise anyone who has problems with pressure - there were obvious overlays with pressurizing the cabin, and they flew on this air clunker as a result of 4 hours. Tourists were indignant - Boeing was promised to many. Well, most importantly, they flew, though not to where they flew. Still, in Oslo, where we were clearly not expected. The plane went over the runway at Faragenes, which turned out to be an airport not near Oslo, but in the mountains, and went back to climb. Another hour flew, either the Norwegians did not give permission to land, or the flight commander decided that the icing of the runway and side wind made landing risky for such an aircraft. In short, they put me in Oslo. They kept me on the plane for another hour - the captain came out alone, returned angry and said that the Norwegians did not want to serve here. The plane began to feel stuffy and drops from the walls began to thaw frost on all the cracks. Not a very good start to the holiday - there are more with the elderly and children . . An hour later - they released. The captain finally said that those Russians who were supposed to fly from Faragenes on this flight would now be taken by buses for 120 km, and then we would be taken to hotels on the same buses. Resignedly waiting at the Oslo airport for 5 hours. For children there is a play corner. Jews don't go. The airport price tag is astronomical, as, indeed, everywhere else.
Several times I approached the information desk - they knew nothing there. Other passengers strongly buzzed about the lack of information - until the last moment nothing was known about these buses.
When they finally arrived at 1 am local time, four passengers were not found. Let's go without them. The airport was not allowed to make an announcement in Russian. The agency, it seems, either did not take the tourists' cell numbers, or did not transfer them to the host.
Four hours by bus along the night mountain serpentine - not two!
There were beautiful snows all around, it was -9-12C.
THE FIRST DAY
We lost the first day of skiing out of seven planned due to a late arrival.
We got to the hotel at 05:00 local time, settled down by 07:00, while we were settled. This is 09 in Moscow, which is extreme for children. And for adults - not rest.
The hut provided to us, littered with snow, had a completely charming appearance, but had just not been heated. Having put the batteries at full capacity, they lay down to shiver under the covers. Few fell asleep.
The agency for two thousand euros for a week (flight and so on - separately) promised a cottage at a 4-star hotel. Shampoos were not supplied (if I had known, I would have taken them with me), sheets were given, but they were not filled. Sleepy, refueled themselves. The fireplace was full of ash - he cleaned it himself. Save on labor. strength. This is not a 4 star standard.
At night, judging by the footprints, Oleshek came to our doorstep looking for something to eat. It was snowy all night, as well as three days after.
Before going to bed, I asked at the reception if it was possible for the children to leave something from breakfast, which, due to overwork, is no longer interesting for them and which they will oversleep (included in the price). The girl said that they could not extend breakfast for us, but when we wake up, we can come for lunch instead - this is also a buffet. Quite a noble proposal from the hotel.

Which is what we did. In order to avoid getting into a delicate situation, I once again approached the reception and clarified that there was another shift. The answer was - no problem! The restaurant had a different opinion and took the words of the hotel back. The manager was invited. "Pay in full - and it's none of our business that you had problems with the plane! " It was unpleasant in contrast to the Italians, who, even in three stars, will always collect dry food for you on the road if you do not have time for breakfast. And even if you didn’t pay for it, they want you to be very pleased with them and come again. Which is what they get.
Since we woke up at 15.00, it was already getting dark. We went to explore the area, rent skis and buy a SkiPass.
It takes about half an hour to walk to the center of the village along a beautiful snow-covered road, along which there are cottages and hotels. Carefully caught the positive. In the center there are two and a half grocery stores and several sports stores. Food prices are double those of Moscow (who said that Moscow is the most expensive city? : )) In sports, it's also astronomy. Station. Tourist information office. Several hotels. Bank. Several obscure offices. Everything. And mountains around. After the Alps - low. And pretty flat. The trails are illuminated even during the day. And what is the strangest thing, even after the lifts are closed (at 16.00) until late in the evening.
We did not bother with the exchange of money - they take a credit card everywhere. Who without a credit card is a problem, as Natalia, a representative of the meeting party on the night bus, said, banks did not work for several days on New Year's Eve, and in a hotel, like, they can only change a small amount, and then if there is an excess of cash. Norwegians stubbornly do not take euros anywhere, even from tourists. They want their hard-earned Norwegian krones. Banks don’t bother to work anyway - the only (? ) Bank opens for three hours in the morning on weekdays. And you still have to get to it. In general, the Bardola Hotel, which for some reason (??! ) dumps Russian tourists, is rather poorly located - as already mentioned, a half hour walk to the regional center and ski lifts. And this is obviously not the best hotel - seen more fun.
So, by the time we got to the center, it was already 5. The shops were closed (except for the grocery SPAR - until 20.00). The bus does not run. We trudged with groceries on foot. Skis were not taken, SkiPass was not bought.

Naively believing that in 4 stars, especially in Norway (not savages! ) WiFi already exists, I took a computer with me on the trip. So I decided to check my email.
Craps!
There is no cover in the hut. OK. At the reception, I was offered to work, sitting in the lobby. OK… Something caught on. Should work. But it doesn't work! At the reception, they didn’t want to deal with my problems - their task was clearly felt from me as quickly as possible. They sent me to the always busy hotel computer, to which I never broke through. The second one was always broken.
On this I decided to call it a lived day and went to sleep.
SECOND DAY
We woke up early and went to breakfast. Breakfast (buffet) worthy of a 4-star standard. The only thing is that the waiter must offer and bring tea and coffee - he does not offer and does not bring.
Very fresh and good red fish - this does not reach us!
There are two places where you can rent skis. At the ski lift and at the hotel Dr. Holms next to the ski lift. Taken to Dr. Holms. Even the passport was not asked, as, indeed, in the hotel. Just where I live. Must be a lot of honest people. The set costs about 15 Euro per person per day.
When buying a SkiPass, unlike in Italy, passports are also not required. Only money. For 4 people for 5 days it cost NOK 3.545, which is about 110 Euro per person.
There are very few people in the mountains - one might say, no one. And it's for New Years! Based on the number of seats on the lifts, then not even 5 percent of the possible load. Very beautiful trees under the overhanging snow. And the snow is very good. Warmed up to -5C.
The trails are really boring. Not the Alps - the height difference of everything, they say, is 300 m, and not 1500, as we are used to. The kids laughed for a long time as they drove down their black track (for experts, as it says on it). Just a bigger hill.

But there are no people at all, and the sucker does not crawl under your feet. I was looking for where there are fewer people and there is no flea market for the lift - and I found it. The wish has been fulfilled. If you come, the entire lift is only yours, and the mountain, with rare exceptions, is only yours!
Snack on the mountain - industrial. Forget about freshly squeezed juice and mulled wine. Sandwich and a bucket of Coca-Cola.
It's getting dark at 3pm. We got down from the mountain at 15.30.
In connection with the Orthodox Christmas, the travel agency promoted us a festive dinner at the hotel for 100E from the nose. Wiring. If you go, don't take it. We thought maybe there would be a program or something. Dinner was as usual, the usual "buffet", common to all, just the Russians were put in a separate part of the hall. The Germans and local Norwegians willingly used it, but obviously on different financial terms. There were no special delicacies for this money, and the children took themselves a sausage with french fries. Multiply 100E by 9 people... Celebrate, Vanya, Christmas!
DAY THREE
The day was not marked by anything special, except that, late in raising the protective bar on the lift, I broke the stick stuck there. Went down to change her at Dr. Holmes - closed. And the light is off. Oh well.
The disappointment of the day is the descent from the mountain to the hotel along the highway. Do not trust the porter who will show you the route from the mountain "directly to the hotel. " Let him go. Better straight with the director and the eccentric who made this track. Don't believe the sign to the Hotel Bardola from the mountain - this track is good for cross-country skiing at best, but not for mountain skiing!!
In the evening we bought bathing suits and went to the swimming pool at the hotel. The sauna is underheated, the water in the pool is pleasant. Everything is in order - and there is a small gym, and a playroom for children, though without windows. Women do not have enough hairdryers to dry - in cold weather with a wet head, only walruses feel comfortable. The rest have icicles in their hair. Rednecks do not give towels in the pool - they save on washing. In the pool I saw only Russians and a Pole.
DAY FOUR

In the morning - everything is as always. Deserted mountains.
The hotel is also half empty - New Year's Russians and a bus with Germans - pensioners help out. These won't go up the hill.
Again he was engaged in the plot of a broken stick - he went down from the mountains twice to change it in Dr. Holms - closed again. And the light is off. How are we going to hand over skis to them if they never work now ??
Irritating is the unwillingness of the Norwegians to work and their redneck at every turn. Every little thing becomes a problem that needs to be dealt with for a long time and with an unobvious result.
For the first time in the mountains we saw the sun through the clouds!
Children leave the mountain easily at 3 o'clock - in Italy they have to be driven out with sticks in the evening. It's cold, too. Today I put on a down jacket instead of a top from a suit - I was very pleased, especially on the lifts. The lifts here are mostly short, the podzhopnik systems are a circle on a stick between the legs. There are two trump seats - one for 2, the second for 4 persons. All the same, they all go empty.
An event that overshadowed today - having descended from the mountains, they waited for their “free bus” for fifteen hours at the ski lift. It's not fun at all with kids in the cold and you can't walk away in ski boots. The first drove past, ignoring us and other tourists. I already voted for the second one - I stopped, but - “I’m going to the wrong place. ” After 40 minutes. tourists began to disperse on foot. The third bus refused to take us, like run to the stop below, I'll be there in 10 minutes, and now get out of here! In English, these village guys speak extremely poorly, they understand even worse.
Below, in the center of the village, the same driver turned around and drove past us! ! Scandal! Tour. Info office was opposite, I went there to download rights. Like, your stops are not marked in any way, there are no bus times and routes there - tourists suffer, and we are not alone!

At the hotel, when next. the bus, the porter never knows, only gives a printout on a photocopier with a timetable in Norwegian. Like, see for yourself. With buses to the mountain in the morning - more or less clear - there is a table, but with evening buses from the mountain - it's not clear, for those who are not fluent enough in Norwegian.
So, I figured out this strategic secret for myself and possible followers - no matter what they write in the schedule, the bus MUST leave the mountain only twice - at 15.45 and at 16.15! Note! And then you will sneeze.
As a result, we went by taxi. The taxi driver was the first to take the Euro from me.

DAY FIVE
There was nothing remarkable about the day. It snowed in the morning, and by noon the low northern sun had peeped through the clouds. For about an hour. Then the snow fell again in thick flakes. The frosty trees in the mountains are very beautiful.
The children on the mountain got tired by two o'clock, and we went down.
THE RENTAL POINT AGAIN DID NOT WORK.
This time the taxi driver did not want the Euro, but he debited a credit card right in the car.
DAY SIX
Today, the first day in the morning, the low polar sun stood above the horizon. And it lasted until the evening. True, the wind was blowing hard. From somewhere, people came down - about 20 Norwegians. Apparently, they made a snowboarding park for them - the day before it had not yet been. The children were gone.
By two the mountain was empty - the children left at three.
Went to take the skis. THE SECRET RENTAL POINT AGAIN DID NOT WORK. How did they manage to give them to us! ? I decided - now I'm going to download the rights - it's not to take them to Moscow. I swung at the lift at the second rental point - the man dialed someone's cell phone and said that we can give the skis to him. He flatly refused to take money for a broken stick - he said it was part of the rules of the game. And the owner has such orders. Yes, and in Norway there is a ray of sunshine! : ))

Went to the Tourist Info Office to find out what to do with the remaining almost 24 hours before departure. Interested in dog sledding. No, they say dogs only go on Saturdays. --What is possible? – You can ride on a cart with rubber wheels pulled by two bityugs for 200 Euros per hour. The children didn't want to. There was no time to see different types of deer from the minibus in the morning (it takes 3-4 hours).
Plan your program in advance. . .
Here the family wanted national Norwegian cuisine before leaving. Flew. At four o'clock there is not a single open restaurant - there are only two of them in the village. They open at six. We went to the Dr. Holms Hotel to fill our stomachs with salted pizza and play bowling.
We returned by taxi - as it gets dark, the fare is double. 3 minutes drive - 20 Euro.
DAY SEVEN - RETURN TO MOSCOW
After breakfast, I went to the reception to agree on leaving the hut at one thirty: at two, a bus should have come for us. The Afro-Norwegian behind the counter has already changed his face - no, at eleven you have to vacate the premises (what are you with a three-year-old child? ? - Yes, we have profit - have respect! ). The cleaners came to clean at one o'clock. Just unkind. As a result, the children had a snack early and in a hurry, then stuck around idle in the hotel lobby - it’s not like walking in the snow...
A few words about the hut in which we lived. Quite a nice hut, on the roof there is a meter of snow, there is a kitchenette, dishes, a refrigerator, a fireplace.
But.
I don't know how to tour. the agency was going to put us nine people there. Three did not come, as a result, six, including four children, were more or less accommodated. Even if the upper bedrooms were planned for Vietnamese tourists, a Vietnamese cannot stand upright there. Height won't allow it. In one of the bedrooms, the radiator did not work - it was almost outdoor temperature.

In these "4 stars" for a week it was never cleaned, linen and towels were not changed. Moreover, judging by the booklet that lay on the table in it (in Russian, please note, the language - they want this time, so that we specifically understand! ) Tourists are invited to clean up after themselves, take out the trash, remove and fold the sheets (but why not wash ?? ) I don’t know, maybe a hardworking German or Norwegian and dreams of finally doing cleaning on his vacation, it seems to me that most compatriots skiing in winter resorts prefer to pay and not know anything about cleaning.
Having added these lines in the lobby of the hotel, where WiFi did not work for me (I saw three Norwegians with paw-tops - they did not complain, nevertheless, the Russians, as it turned out a little later, were in my situation), re-read these lines and thought that the reader of this will decide that he is dealing with a completely snickering and dissatisfied type. After 10 minutes, I was justified in my eyes, because there was a full bus of such tourists heading to Faragenes. Someone complained about what - some about the dirt in the rooms, some about the absence of a travel agency representative and the inability to communicate with the locals, some about the jambs in the room service. One man, who had a high temperature the day before, and who never got a doctor for insurance, was rightly interested in why she was needed then.
We flew back on schedule and without incident. We saw Farafenes - a tiny airport in the mountains, which is specially opened for one flight. As the children joked, my grandmother has a larger dacha. The same Yak-42 drove us back.
I do not want this report to be perceived as aiming to throw out the accumulated negativity. Not at all. I just want those who will follow us to go with open eyes and not be disappointed. Again, maybe in Norway something will change for the better.
We rested more or less normally, although we know places in the world where you can clearly find the best price-quality ratio.
Three things stuck:
1. Mismatch between expectations and reality
2. The price tag should be adequate to the service provided - if it is modest - no one has any questions! And at this price level, everything should work!
3. On vacation, you want to relax, and not engage in a struggle with reality with an unobvious result and have breakups at every step along the entire route.

Do you want to come back here again, you ask? No, we don't. This is a Norwegian resort, according to Norwegian rules, from which we are not enthusiastic. This is a local resort and it is not ready and not adapted to receive international tourists.
Exclusive, without crowds, but there are reasons for that…
Sorokin family
January 2008