| Accomodation in Oslo and St Petersburg
Posted: 4/16/2006 4:54:40 PM | 
Heading off on a bit of a trip around
On a budget 
Does anyone have any good places they can recommend for short stays in both Oslo - Norway and St Petersburg - Russia?
And single female travel tips for Russia welcome :)
Is there anything that might be liked or desired inside Russia I can bring in for them?
Cigarettes has been metioned.
Things are not as scarce as they used to be.
But is there a shortage of any normal items?
Say...pantihose or something ordinary like that?
Thanks guys | |
|
| Accomodation in Oslo and St Petersburg
Posted: 4/17/2006 2:44:29 AM | I can't say anything about what would be the best as far as hotel accomodation etc but you may want to try checking out the hospitality club or global free loaders for free accomodation. You might meet some really nice people and learn a lot more by actually staying in a hosts home. My advice is to get to know the people ahead of time on line so you feel comfortable going there.
Good luck! | |
|
| Thanks Dakota
Posted: 4/22/2006 2:05:22 AM | Thanks Dakota
That's appreciated :)
I'll take a look.
Had a bad housesitter experience today.
Turns out he is unemployed and a freeloader. lol
Not good with animals and walked and started rearranging 'my' house and snapped branches off 2 trees because HE thought he should and acting like he owned the place. My LORD! lol
Back to the drawing board.
Anyone want a holiday in Sth Australia rural area right on the water, in return for dog sitting for about 6 weeks? You HAVE to be an animal person! Hey...they will know :) lol
My little 6 month old pup ran round this guy barking the whole time. Reckon she knew a thing or 2?
He's outta here! No more doing favours. I need a proper house sitter. Preferably someone who is used to working dogs and a rural environment. | |
|
| Accomodation in Oslo and St. Petersburg
Posted: 4/23/2006 4:50:12 PM | I lived 4 years in Norway -- NOTHING is cheap there. Even the prices at McDonald's will floor you...roughly $16 CAD for a Big Mac meal...But there are street vendors who sell kebabs (which are not meat on a stick, like we call them; they're stuffed pita things. Very tasty!), hot dogs, etc. for better prices.
Oh! And they never give straws when you order a drink in a restaurant -- ask for it if you want one. I always hated that...*Lol*
There is a gorgeous restaurant tucked away in Oslo -- let me get back to you on the name. It's almost tucked into the ground; it's quite pretty.
I'll get back to you on a decent and relatively expensive place to stay as well...
Norway is great, though -- and most everyone speaks English, so you won't have to worry too much about it. Make sure you check out Frognerparken; it's absolutely magestic... | |
|
longte
|
Joined: 10/18/2004
Msg: 5 | |
| Accomodation in Oslo and St. Petersburg
Posted: 4/23/2006 7:36:33 PM | Havn't been to St Petersburg yet
But found trying to deal with Russians not an easy task
Be very careful trying to deal on the Black Market there
Most is tied up with the Russian Mafia and they do not play games
Kazan is a great spot if you have the chance to get there
..
. | |
|
| Thanks Liv and Longte
Posted: 4/25/2006 2:18:50 AM | Yes I am aware of how expensive Norway is
I lived there too
But VISITING is very different
Re dealing with Russians?
Yes I am aware of the mafia side of things
And I guess at some point I will have to sit and drink vodka with them
Trouble is I don't drink
I will have to do everything FAST and then stagger to my room and pass out. lol
What can I say?
St Petersburg has captured my heart
HAVE to go
But thanks for the warnings
And it's not expensive to go across from Norway via Norwegian Air
I want to rig some kind of leg wallet
Fastened with velcro to be worn under pants
Has anything like that been invented or will I have to make one?
If I had a big chest I could use the cleavage, but (sigh) unfortunately anything stashed there would fall out the bottom of my T shirt! lol
Keep em coming guys.
Am leaving soon.
And Liv? Will be in Oslo for a short while
Polser vendors I know well
Frognersetteren is of course on my list
And Vigelands Park for lunch :)
But if you can come up with the name of that eating place or a rough idea of where it is in relation the sentrum, that would be great :)
 | |
|
| Thanks Liv and Longte
Posted: 4/27/2006 11:07:10 AM | Okay, I spoke to him and he's given me the name of what he believes the restaurant is called:
Bella Napoli
Storgaten 26
But I don't really think that's the place I was speaking of. I had reindeer at the restaurant I'm speaking of; Bella Napoli is obviously an Italian restaurant....But if I remember correctly, Bella Napoli was quite good.
I lived in the Sandefjord area -- if you were going there I could tell you of a few gorgeous places to eat out...Oslo isn't really my area of expertise! 
Enjoy your trip -- and bring back lots of Freia Melkesjokolade (Can't find chocolate like theirs anywhere; I bring bricks back to Canada with me)!!! :p | |
|
| Thanks Liv and Longte
Posted: 4/27/2006 7:41:07 PM |
And single female travel tips for Russia welcome
Don't smile. I'm not kidding, this is serious, practice your best 'angry russian face' unless you want a lot of trouble. | |
|
| Thanks Liv
Posted: 4/28/2006 2:31:29 AM | Sandefjord is pretty :)
And YES to the chocolate! lol
Highly addictive and smooooooooooooooooooooth
The closest I have found to it is a belgian one and one here from Australia - Cadbury
But MMmmmMMMM the chocolate is good
And I miss flat bread and brown cheese too
And the fish!
Most places have reindeer meat
It's very common
Living there I mostly at in not out
But this will be different
Thanks for the reminders and memories :)
Did you try the cognac chocolate balls?
(addiction on the spot) | |
|
| Planet Satan
Posted: 4/28/2006 2:35:54 AM | I will wear my most stoic of faces
(except when gazing at works of art and then I am afraid the light will shine through)
I have bought some cheap watches
I have some people I have already dealt with there
I know to be very direct
Business is business
And I never travel as a 'tourist'
The leg strap idea appeals to my sense of being sensible though.
In my various travels (and in life actually) I find that what you are afraid of, will happen.
All kinds of things have happened to me that seemed diabolical at the time. But I am here to tell the tale. And you should hear me around the campfire! lol
I am sure it will be ok.
I am going. | |
|
| Thanks Dakota
Posted: 4/28/2006 11:43:35 AM | lol well freeloader can be interpreted different ways depending on the person I guess... sounds like a bad apple there.
I am actually hoping to go to Australia in late July or early August... I love dogs. I had 4 of my own but when I left my ex he would not give up the dogs so I only see them once every 2 years if I'm lucky. Two of mine are half breed pit bulls so I am experienced with large dominant type dogs that require a lot of attention and understanding. What kind do you have?
Where abouts are you located? I'm not sure I could arrange all 6 weeks and it would depend on where you are etc, but if you want to discuss it let me know! I am going over there anyway and it might make it easier to do things if I have longer to stay.
Cheers,
Dakotawolf | |
|
| Will PM Dakota
Posted: 4/29/2006 3:50:57 AM | Not sure this one will work out. Leaving soon. But travellers always welcome here.
Am checking out housesitter sites and references.
Dogs btw are
a) timid bluey (australian cattle dog) who is thoughtful and considerate and scared of raised voices but can be dominant when it coms to any threat.
b) Kelpie x Huntaway pup (Aust x New Zealand both sheep dogs) hyperactive and needs to be worked/walked and needs a firm hand and voice.
It's a balancing act between not scaring the bluey and letting the little one know I mean business. lol And the little one competes for attention a bit.
Both inside dogs and both follow me everywhere I go, and both used to cuddles and (ahem) not spoiled (much) but do sleep on my bed curled up against me. Part of the family. | |
|
| Northern Scandanavia
Posted: 4/29/2006 2:21:57 PM | Hello Fellow Travelers.
I am off to Europe this summer. After a short stop in London (where my flight lands) and Deutschland (to try to see a Cup game) I am off to Northern Scandanavia.
If anyone has any information on Lapland, north of the Arctic Circle. I always wanted to visit that part of Europe and this is as good a time as any.
I don't make formal plans on trips like this so I am pretty flexible.
Also, I would like to visit Russia if possible. I know a Visa is needed, but do I have to know the exact entry date to get one ?
Happy Travels.
John | |
|
| Accomodation in Oslo and St Petersburg
Posted: 5/1/2006 9:05:43 AM | There are lots of people in Oslo who rent out rooms in their houses for a cheap price. I never go to Oslo cause i dont like the city so much, but when ive been there ive rented rooms that is published on the internet for about 10 dollars a night.
One night at a hotel will cost you at leat 100 dollars a night.... | |
|
| |
| Northern Scandinavia and the Laps
Posted: 5/1/2006 4:46:14 PM | Amazing people the Laps
The area goes across more than one country
If you find some Suami people you 'might' get an invitation to visit
Otherwise there are organised tourist type places and visits
Be prepared for it to be expensive
Nothing is cheap there
One place you might like to look at is Svalbard
Northernmost land mass
An island half Norwegian and half Russian and 100% amazing!
Not cheap to get there but something that will stay in your memories as a unique experience the rest of your days :) | |
|
| st petersburg
Posted: 5/1/2006 6:05:32 PM | I'm so excited for you to visit St. Petersburg! It is the only place in my life that I would even consider living there for part of the year, that's how much I loved it.
I was fortunate and I stayed with friends when i was there in Sestoretsk, about an hour outside of st. Petersburg. Lived in the Soviet block apartments. but it was awesome.
The people I met everywhere were wonderful. Generally, a lot of people in their teens and 20s wanted to practice english and that was a bonus, since I don't speak Russian. when I got a bit lost on the subway, I just went over and spoke with a Russian lady and she helped me out with a big of sign language and pointing.
you'll find that women dress up, not down. you'll also see that the museums are full of military people and young people--it is mandatory (or at least was) for the military to visit museums. My friends were completely perplexed at my astonishment when she told me that her and her friends didnt' date military men because they were TOO gentlemanly LOL
I was so warmly welcomed by everyone. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to really ask the big questions, about mafia, feminism, money, etc. One of the family was a police officer, another friend of the family had spent time in chechnya, etc. so i learned a lot that the average tourist doesn't learn. I had never met these people but had been writing to them since I was a child and I couldn't have asked for a warmer welcoming.
you might want to take the time to learn the sounds of the alphabet, that is really helfpul because all letters only make 1 sound so at least you can pronounce things, even if youdont'know what they mean. i did that and it really helped.
have a wonderful time! you're going to love it. go with an open mind and put all the media junk/BS behind and you'll hopefully see the St. Petersburg I loved.
in regards to the VISA, it was a bit complicated. Find a local russian travel agency is the best bet. I had to 'bend'the rules a bit (dont'ask) to get my Visa because i stayed with friends rather than in a hotel. | |
|
| st Petersburg
Posted: 5/22/2006 11:25:18 AM | Perhaps you're already on holidays, but I just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed St Petersburg. We travelled by ship from Helsinki and went for 2 days. Saw the wonderful Hermitage museum and was so in love with all the canals (Venice of the North) and the beautiful Church on the Spilled Blood! Fun market stalls too, selling all kinds of touristy things--beautiful birchbark boxes and AMBER, so much AMBER!
Unlike in Scandinavia, where the Big Mac Meal might cost $16, I know my son and I ate at McDonalds in St Petes for less than $5! But do be aware that sometimes there are 2 prices for things--like admission to the Hermitage--for Natives and NON-Natives. Icecreams and pop on a hot afternoon from a sidewalk vendor were just pennies, unlike in Toronto! lol. | |
|
| currently in norway
Posted: 5/24/2006 2:04:01 AM | Just came from Kuwait (fantastic)
Currently in Norway
And yes expensive
But how good is it to be home? :)
Just walking familar streets and sitting in my old coffee shop
Saying hello to old friends
catching the old familar trains
Off to the north pole tomorrow
St Petersburg is amazing and I was soooooooooo excited about it
But for some reason when I travel, I get to Norway and kind of 'settle'
Going to put it on the agenda for next trip and arrange visas BEFORE I leave
(hint - getting it from Norway is both cheaper and faster)
And go there first! then onto norway
hi to everyone else on the road right now | |
|
Home
login 
