Norway (and a touch of Denmark)  <P> 


Overall thoughts about Norway:
<ul>
<li>  Norway and Denmark was the nicest, friendliest country I'd ever visited.
<li>  Norway reminded me a LOT of switzerland.   But it is quite different in its own way.
<li>  For the most part, things are extremely expensive.   <br>
      Want a Norway travel tip for people on a budget?   Don't go to Norway.  <br>
<li>  Many small places in Norway only accept credit cards with chips and PIN codes.  <br>
      If you have a regular magnetic strip card, they don't work at all, in many machines.  (like gas stations).
      Touristy places usually take them, but I ended up withdrawing a fair amount of cash.  <br>
      Banks and ATM machines work with all cards.    
<li>  Gas is very expensive in Norway, but driving is a real joy.  Especially during the off season when traffic is low.
<li>  I have mixed feelings about traveling during the off season (in-season's last day is 8-31).
      One one side, stores close earlier, and some things (like certain cruise routes, guided tours) aren't open at all.  <br>
      However, The things that were open were 1000x more enjoyable because they weren't PACKED with tourists.
<li>  Weather was fairly nice during the day, but at night, when that cold wet wind blows, it gets chilly.  FAST.
<li>  Apparently Norway is quite rainy.  We had good luck and clear weather on the days we needed it the most though.
</ul>


Map for reference:  <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=203722980744541559133.0004e29ab0aac2eb923df"  target="_blank">here</a> <P>
Pictures, ordered by day:
<ul>
   <li>  <a href="8-31">  8-31</a>: Copenhagen 
   <li>  <a href="9-1">  9-1</a>: Copenhagen
   <li>  <a href="9-2">  9-2</a>: Oslo
   <li>  <a href="9-3">  9-3</a>: Oslo
   <li>  <a href="9-4">  9-4</a>: Oslo to Flam
   <li>  <a href="9-5">  9-5</a>: Flam:  Myrdal Train, Bike down, Sognefjord cruise
   <li>  <a href="9-6">  9-6</a>: Flam to Bergen
   <li>  <a href="9-7">  9-7</a>: Bergen
   <li>  <a href="9-8">  9-8</a>: Bergen - Ulriken/Floyen Hike
   <li>  <a href="9-9">  9-9</a>: Alesund
   <li>  <a href="9-10">  9-10</a>: Trollstigen road to Hellesylt
   <li>  <a href="9-11">  9-11</a>: Slogan hike (kind of) and Hellesylt
   <li>  <a href="9-12">  9-12</a>: Hellesylt to Alesund
   <li>  <a href="9-13">  9-13</a>: Alesund
   <li>  <a href="9-14">  9-14</a>: Oslo
</ul>