How a “Wreck” of a Rental Car Led Us to Norway’s Best-Kept Secrets.
Summer of 2003 was packed with unforgettable adventures.
After wrapping up a transformative week with our second Leadership From the Heart program in Glen Lyon, Scotland, we set our sights on Norway.
The appeal of its sweeping landscapes and stunning fjords was impossible to resist—despite Norway’s notorious reputation for high costs.
We flew into Oslo and had a lucky break: Thom’s kindergarten friend had returned to Oslo with her family, and they graciously offered to host us for two nights.
This saved us a small fortune (which we’d surely need for everything else in Norway).
Our plan was simple: rent a car, explore Oslo for two days, then drive through jaw-dropping scenery all the way to Bergen and back, finding B&Bs along the way and enjoying whatever magic nature threw our way.
But as soon as we landed, we hit our first bump.
Confidently waltzing into the airport, we expected to pick up a rental car, only to find out that in Norway, during the summer, you need to book months in advance.
Not a single car was available.
Determined not to let this sidetrack us, we hopped on a bus to our friend’s place.
After a warm welcome, a great dinner, and a glass or two of wine, we finally found a rental—at a company charmingly named Rent-A-Wreck.
It wasn’t exactly the road-trip-ready vehicle of our dreams, but with no other options, we took it, threw in some extra insurance, and hoped for the best.
Once we hit the road out of Oslo, it was as if the old Norse gods smiled upon us—a heatwave!
In Norway, that’s rarer than snow in the Sahara. We took full advantage, diving into crystal-clear fjords, letting the sun dry us off on sun-warmed rocks.
Bathing suits were optional, but who needs ‘em when you have the fjords to yourself?
Thom was a joy, a mini-adventurer who jumped into every escapade with a “V” sign for every photo.
She plunged into icy waters, scrambled up trails, and even hiked down waterfall paths without a moment’s hesitation.
One B&B we found had a horse ranch, and of course, she insisted on riding.
She rode like a champ, though her enthusiasm waned a bit when it came to grooming and feeding her new equine friend.
An unforgettable surprise awaited us in Folgefonna National Park, where Yoni spotted a hike to the Blue Glacier.
His face lit up at the chance to play Indiana Jones.
Thom and I, however, were more tempted by the village charm below, so we let Yoni tackle the glacier while we happily indulged in ice cream and hot chocolate.
We were all thrilled with our day’s choices by the time we reunited.
After ten days of blue fjords, towering waterfalls, and sweeping glaciers, we returned to Oslo, our “wreck” of a car miraculously still going strong.
We toasted to our unforgettable adventure, grateful for the laughter, the unexpected sunshine, and the memories that will keep Norway close to our hearts forever.
