A journey, Oslo to copenhagen

It is my first experience to travel by cruse ship. On 1st of May 2007, my friend Sushil and I went, Oslo to Copenhagen by DFDS seaways. Actually we were there to make a profile video of Erik Dammann. Dammenn is a senior Norwegian environmental activist, who wrote a book Future In Our Hands and established the organization Future In Our Hands in Norway.

Future In Our Hands is the biggest environmental organization in Norway. It has about 25,000 members and 16 active local groups. Being inspired by his idea Future In Our Hands are formed in about 14 different countries including UK, Srilanka, and Africa. Erik Dammann, Author of more then 15 books on environment and life style.

Erik Dammenn is famous for his ideology with simple living. We were following him from Oslo to Copenhagen. Erik and his wife use to travel Denmark very often. This time he was with his wife Ranghill, daughter, Nurin and son in law Crage. It is not so usual to travel such high profile person. Some people criticize him but he said that he doesn’t want to be just showmanship.

They love to have a cup of wine and dance with old types of music on board. They also eat their favorite cake in the street of Copenhagen and to walk on the street called Storvet. It is the famous street where many people use to walk. Erik said he use to travel 3 or 4 times a year when he has a free time.

Beside the work we also enjoy the travel. My friend Sushil and I enjoy the travel by cruse ship for the first time in our life. DFDS {The pearl of Scandivian} the ship was really big. The 12 decker ship has 176.8m in length and 29.6m in Width. It has 2,100 passengers carrying capacity. We booked a simple cabin, which cost 500KR round trip for each.

It was 4 PM, when we were on board, at 5 pm the ship starts moving. We went at the top; in fact many passengers were enjoying the beautiful views of Oslo from the top of the ship.

It has different kinds of service onboard. There are a choice of luxurious but expensive room and simple inside cabin as well. We chose a inside cabin which is cheap and quit ok.

On board there were duty-free shopping center, Restaurants and bars and movie in the ship's cinema, nightclub with live bands, and for the young at heart, the discotheque swings into the small hours.

It took about 17 hours to reach Oslo to Copenhagen. There is a saying that Oslo has nature and Copenhagen has a culture. In between this we have experience slow and smooth see life that we never see.

My best experience of this trip is, I had the popcorn send by my mother. My mother use to make popcorn very nicely. I like it nice my childhoods. In fact popcorn is our break fast in the village. I’m glad that I got an opportunity to eat popcorn with multinational drink Fanta in the middle of the ocean, in between Denmark and Norway.

Here are some snaps that I would like share with you all.

17th May, Celebrating the national day of Norway

Ananda and Sushil
In front of the royal castle in Oslo

The 17th May is the country's Constitution Day and marks the day when Norway became a free and independent nation. The constitution was signed by the national assembly at Eidsvoll in 1814. Every year on May 17 Norwegians fill the streets with cheers and flags in celebration of Norway's constitution adopted in 1814. School children, many wearing national costumes, march in parades to the beat of thundering bands, and a resounding "Hurrah for the 17th of May!" Having been a part of the Danish autocracy for 400 years, Norway formed a loose union with Sweden that lasted until 1905. A limited and hereditary monarchy was introduced, whereby the king would exercise his authority through a government, while Parliament (Stortinget) would allocate monies and make laws.

The Norwegian constitution was the most modern in Europe at the time. The way Norwegians celebrate their national day is unique and different from any other country.

Royal family waves to the passing processions from the palace balcony

In Oslo, the norwegian royal family waves to the passing processions from the palace balcony. Since 1906, the Royal Family have gathered on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Oslo to wave to the children marching by.

Another special characteristic that contributes to making Independence Day/Constitution Day a unique day is all the beautiful "Bunads" (the traditional Norwegian costumes) you can see the locals wear. What an experience for visitors!

People gathered in the Karl Johansgata

On May 17th, it is the colorful processions of children with their banners, flags and bands - not military parades - that play the main role. The first children's procession was held in 1870.

The day is celebrated across the country, from remote mountain villages to the main cities. Another special characteristic that contributes to making this a unique day is all the beautiful bunads (national costumes) that have become increasingly popular in recent years.

SAMIs, in the parade with Sami flags

SAMI, the indigenous people live in north of Norway are also celebrating the National day. The SAMIs living in capital city Oslo are also seen in the parade but they were carrying not the Norwegian flag but the SAMI flag and the traditional costume.

Although they have own autonomous govern body, own parliament, and flag they celebrate the national day together. Some of the extreme nationalistic people don’t like that the SAMIs are coming with different flag in the parade but many people takes it simply.

Colorful processions coming towards the royal castle

The parade passing through the National Theater

A Norwegian couple in Bunad and a German man in Nepali National dress ‘Daura Suruwal and Topi’ in front of royal castle

Beauty with Bunad

National DressMost people dress in their best spring clothes, with a Norwegian flag or May 17 ribbon pinned to their lapel. It has become increasingly popular to wear the national costume, the bunad, on this occasion.

The bunad varies in appearance from region to region and the magnificent sight of national costumes from all over the country is one of the reasons why this day truly represents a celebration of Norwegian tradition and history.

The Bunad, it is pretty, looks nice and expensive as well. One bunad approximately cost 2000 USD or more. It is depending on how much silver are being used and also the style, how it made. To make the beautiful embroidery and a lot of hand work will increase the cost. And we all know that the Norway is the high cost country.

The ‘’russ’’ enjoying the national day

The "russ" celebration- ending 13 years of school. The May 17 is also the day pupils in their last year of upper secondary school celebrate the end of 13 years of school, even though many still have to pass final exams. They call themselves "russ" and illustrate their standing through colorful overalls depending on their line of study. High spirits are the norm and the festivities usually last day and night. Many transport themselves around town in self-decorated buses and vans with slogans and booming music.

City hall, the ending point of the parades in the city center

I have seen different countries celebrating their nation day, constitution day or independents day. Most of them I saw is parade of arms and the powerful military hardware they made or brought it.But I found the big differences in Norway.

Although Norway is the country comes in top 10 producing and exporting the small arms, but I didn’t see any single arms around Oslo accept the royal guards, even in the national day. They celebrate it differently, which is I like very much, because children’s are participant in the parade and enjoying the day. Some people said that, children’s shouldn’t use in such parade but what I believe is, children’s are the future of the nation, if they celebrate the national day peacefully that is the best way to celebrate the national day.

As we are the TV journalists, my friend Sushil and I are going to share all this interesting events with our people in Nepal through our weekly TV programme called Aankhihjyal aired on National Television NTV.

Family Reunion and visit Pokhara

Aakanksha Shrestha *my elder daughter*

Aakanksha and Indira in Pokhara
My Daddy and younger daughter Ichhya in Pokhara
Aakanksha in hotel lovely mount, Pokhara

Waiting for boot to go to the Taal Barahi temple

The temple located in the middle of the FEWA LAKE

Indira and kids in the temple premises

Ichhya *Putting steps togather with grandfather* *Free steps towards the future*
Ichhya, enjoying in the Surya Nepal gulf course, Pokhara
Ichhya running towards me
Visiting to younger sister of my mother, living in Pokhara
Preparing food for us
Visiting to younger sister and her family, living in Pokhara
Ichhya, with my younger sister
Booting over FEWA LAKE

*One click* infront of Taal barahi temple
Worship and Tourism
Visiting Davis falls in southern part of Pokhara city
*Enjoying the narure* Seti river Gorge

Daddy, Ichhya and myself, Photo taken by Aakanksha
Indira, Ichhya and myself
Photo taken by Aakanksha
Bindyabasini temple, Pokhara

Ichhya wants to run Ichhya "I am enjoying my childhood""Look at me, It's my style"
Tourist com devotee, Bindyabasini temple in Pokhara

Daddy, Aakanksha, myself, younger brother Prem, Indira and Ichhya

*Inside the Mahendra Cave* Northen part of the city

Enjoying the cave walk
My daddy, loves nature
Aakanksha and Chandani

Aakanksha and Ichhya in the Matepani Gumba, Pokhara

Indira and Aakanksha
Really nice art work
Statue of Lord Buddha *The light of Asia*
The weather didn’t favor on us to take a picture

in front of natural mountains, so we took the picture

in front of artificial but nice creation of Himalaya

We are enjoying our NEPALI New year 2064 holydays

in beautiful city Pokhara
Happy New Year 2064 (Nepali new year)

Click on to each picture to enlarge the view if you like