Introduction: great stories start with a salad

The decision to travel to the north fell a few months prior. After a though squash game with my quasi stepsister, we ate some salad together. She explained to me why she had to abandon her trip to Denmark. I was still in the process of finding a worthy start of my sabbatical. And then the decision was made - over a salad or two! Of course it took another few evenings and a lot of research to fix the route. My focus lied on urban places, whereas she found great spots in nature. In the end we could agree on a balanced mix. The final trip would cross several countries: France, Luxembourg, Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

Continental: Luxembourg and Germany

On the first day we drove on the French highway to Luxembourg. Soon we learned that in this small country three languages are spoken: German, French and Luxembourgish. Confusing is just that they frequently switch while speaking to each other. Nevertheless our path continued along beautiful landscapes and picturesque townships. Since this nation is so small, we did not even realise when we crossed the border. Suddenly we were in Germany on the way to a friend of my stepsister. He and his family warmly received us and guided us through Hanover and its surroundings. Over delicious homemade terrine and jam we discussed politics. A fresh fish sandwich in Flensburg completed the first episode.

In between: Denmark and its islands

In Denmark we encountered the worst and the best weather. It began moderate and cloudy in the Legoland. It is amazing what you can do with a bunch of small blocks. The Danish west coast with its sandy beaches ought to be one of the most beautiful places. But not when you are on a small Island and a storm is raging. Add a tide combined with a full moon and you are cut off from mainland. Luckily the weather changed again, so we could enjoy a short wade in the sea. By the time we reached Copenhagen, the sun was shining in its full glory. This allowed us to stroll through its wide avenues and visit all the royal spots. In the free town of Christiania we found the ironic clash of a liberal society. Openly yet anonymously selling cannabis clones to tourists.

Scandinavia: Sweden and Norway

The Scandinavian geology is absolutely fascinating. While Denmark is flat and sandy, Sweden is flat and rocky with wast forests and countless lakes. Norway on the other hand claimed all the mountainous land. On the Swedish west coast we encountered ancient stone carvings and remains of the vikings. We enjoyed the pure nature and saw moose eating by the roadside. In Vänersborg we watched a peaceful immigrants football match, probably Syria against Somalia. In Oslo we made full use of the tourism card by visiting 6 different museums. The Scandinavians truly know how to create an interesting and interactive museum. The road from Oslo to Stockholm leads through more forests and lakes. They offer the perfect ground to observe flora and fauna, like on a moose safari. In the deep shafts of a silver mine we saw the human struggle with nature.

Summary: a diversified experience

On our journey to Scandinavia, I experienced many positive surprises. The route we have decided on, turned out to be a great success. We saw many animals and peaceful as well as wild nature. We met warm people, had deep conversations and a lot of fun together. It was a truly great start into my sabbatical adventures. With all its beautiful facets, it only strengthened my wanderlust. The transition between a normal two weeks holiday and a longterm travel experience is quite vague. It felt weird, dropping my first travel buddy at the airport. And yet it was only the first step into a much bigger adventure.

My special thanks goes to my stepsister, she was the perfect company to start.