Arrived yesterday safely in Trondheim without any problems. The flight was long but wasn't too bad. I managed to sleep for three-quarters of the flight from Singapore to Amsterdam. The layover in Amsterdam was 4 hours. We decided to grab a bite and a drink at the airport delifrance. It was the most expensive delifrance meal I have eaten. All we had were 2 egg sandwiches, a latte (for me), a coke (for wei) and a small bowl of onion soup - it cost us 17euros!!! That's like 34 Sing dollars!!!
Anyway after the expensive but thankfully delicious meal, we went in search of a place to lounge while waiting for the flight from Amsterdam to Trondheim. There were a lot of places and different kinds of chairs for one to relax in. We found a place we liked and sat down. I proceeded to read a novel that I had brought along with me and Wei took a short nap. He didn't sleep much on the plane.
Finally it was time and we got onto our tiny but at least jet powered and not propeller plane. I think there were only 15 or 16 max rows with 5 across in the plane. The view on the descent to Trondheim airport was excellent. There were so much green land so few houses with the ocean just in the horizon.
The airport is so small that after we got off the plane, we just walked into the luggage pickup area. After picking up the luggage, we just walked all the way through to the exit - no passport check or anything coz over in amsterdam before we got to over departure gate, we had already gone through their Europe Cusotm check. That was quite weird.
We got out of the airport and found the bus that will take us to Trondheim town centre. The trip was about half hour and we passed some really long and dark tunnels through the mountains from the aiport to town. We got off at the Hotel Royal Gardens (which, by the way, is a hotel by the river and very expensive) and took a cab to Wei's Student Village Reception. We got his room key with no problem, took a spare mattress from the office and proceeded with 2 luggages and a mattress in tow to go look for his apartment. His room was on the 4th floor and guess what - of course there was no lift. So we dragged everthing up 4 flights of stairs and Wei couldn't find his key!!! After digging for like 5 minutes, he found it in his pocket.
We opened the door and found 2 people looking at us. They were having their lunch. We introduced ourselves and from the short conversations we had, I found out that they were from Germany. The guy is studying here, the other is his sister who is visiting like me. She will be here till next Thursday. Due to the number of errands we needed to do, we didn't stay around very long to chitchat. we basically got changed into lighter clothings - it is really hot here, and left for the International Student Office to sort out Wei's class that is starting on Monday, find out where is a convenient bank to open an account and how to get his residence permit.
From what we found out, his language course seemed to be an intensive social norwegian culture course with all the visits to museums, hiking trips, city tours, etc. He got to find out more when he goes for the briefing on Monday.
Anyway, we also managed to open a bank account for him on school campus. After that, we went back to the apartment and unpack his things since we can't do anything else coz the offices were all closed by then (3pm). Then after some pondering, I decided to stay in town and not with Wei coz the mattress looks disgusting and dirty and we had only a set of clean sheets. Moreover, there is nothing to do near his apartment. The bus fare is also very expensive. It costs 5 sing dollars per person to take a bus anywhere. So Wei and me with my luggage in tow took a bus to town. I found a hotel nearby and bargained for a single room from 640 Kroners to 400 Kroners - that worked out to be abiout 100 sing dollars per night inclusive of breakfast, which is a good thing coz eating out is really expensive. I planned to make this my base as it is convenient and it is right in town. Also not very far from Wei's school but quite a distance to his apt. Wei is bunking in with me for the weekend and afterthat, he will stay st his apt when 'lessons' begin on Monday.
So after checking in and grabbing a shower, we went out to get dinner. Wei was quite tired by now, coz it is like 11pm in singapore but only 5pm here. Not wanting him to sleep, I dragged him out and go explore the town a bit and finally we settled for MacDonald's. It is the most expensive MacDonald's meal I have eaten. All we had was a Mac Chicken meal with a Mac Chicken burger and it cost me 109 kroners which is 27 sing dollars!!! The meal alone costs like 17 dollars!!! After dinner, Wei went back to the hotel while I did some shopping. I had to get a couple singlets coz it is just too hot. After that, I went back to the hotel and took another shower - I was just so hot. Soon after, Wei fell asleep on the floor with my comforter as his bedding and I continued to watch TV and read. Finally at about 9pm (3am singapore), I turned in for the night.
I think the sun doesn't really set here coz when I went to bed it was still bright and when i woke up in the middle of the night, there was still light out though not as bright. So strange!!! Mike would have loved it !!!
Woke up at 7.30am and went to grab breakfast downstairs. Breakfast was a good spread of food. Ate my fill and smuggled 2 buns for Wei. Then we were out by 9am. Went to explore a bit and came to the internet cafe. So that's all for now.
Posted by Tien-Ling at July 19, 2003 09:38 AM | TrackBack