Stockholm, Sweden

1.
To Stockholm: The Weight of Knowledge ㆍ 1
2.
Swedish Forests: How Can Trees Grow on Stone? ㆍ 6
3.
Flowers of Sweden ㆍ 13
4.
Kungliga Castle ㆍ 19
5.
Why Hospital Basic Medical Fees Must Be Expensive ㆍ 24
6.
Bring a packed lunch with you to the hospital! ㆍ 29
7.
A Park Outing: Living the Life ㆍ 34
8.
Scenery near my house ㆍ 42
9.
You have to have an interest in studying to go to college.
ㆍ 47
10.
Are we sending all our politicians abroad to study? ㆍ 52

Uppsala / Vämdalen / Yorkmö, Sweden

11.
Royal tombs from the Three Kingdoms period can be found here in Sweden! ㆍ 58
12.
Why was the bear placed here? ㆍ 65
13.
Reindeer I Met on the Road ㆍ 70
14.
A Bad Today is Better Than a Better Tomorrow ㆍ 75
15.
The Sami Church: Birds on the Pole ㆍ 80

Norway Alta / Langfjord / Badenfjord / Ringenfjord / Tromsø

16.
Sweden, Finland, Norway: Beyond Borders ㆍ 90
17.
Eating sea urchins, catching clams, and the scenery is amazing ㆍ 96
18.
If we don't know, we don't know even if it's right in front of us. That's our life.
ㆍ 100

Lampfjord / Kefjord / Valsfjord / Gratangen, Norway

19.
To become a person who is accepted, not pitied. ㆍ 106
20.
Human wisdom arises from the environment ㆍ 112

Rödingen / Lofoten / Fiskeböll, Norway

21.
Oh my, how hideous! ㆍ 118
22.
Enjoy the blessings of heaven immediately! ㆍ 125
23.
The Truth Behind "There's No Bungeoppang in a Bungeoppang" ㆍ 131
24.
Playing is also an investment in the future.
ㆍ 138

Norway Tranøya / Kouvvatnet / Grønligretta / Route 806

25.
I really can't stop walking.
ㆍ 144
26.
Experience is the teacher.
ㆍ 149
27.
In this prosperous country, what a lice! ㆍ 155
28.
The Norwegian government must reflect! Reflect! ㆍ 161

Norway Alstadthog / Ekne / Trondheim / Rökum Hugelborg

29.
Alstadhog's Old Grave ㆍ 168
30.
The largest Nazi concentration camp in Northern Europe: 173
31.
What cannot be expressed in words or pictures ㆍ 177

Norway's Eresfjord / Romsdalfjord / Langfjord / Andalsnes

32.
But still, my feelings······.
ㆍ 184
33.
Travel Essentials ㆍ 189
34.
Fishing in the fjord: Finally got a catch.
ㆍ 195

Norwegian gairange / Dalsnibba

35.
Norse goblin troll ㆍ 200
36.
View from Dalsnibba ㆍ 205
37.
Dalsniba's Water of Immortality ㆍ 210

Nordberg / Lom / Ringebu / Elverum, Norway

38.
The Dragon of the Church of St. John the Baptist ㆍ 214
39.
Runes of the Church of Langebu Stave ㆍ 220
40.
Recognize boundaries, but don't cry ㆍ 226

Östmark / Köping / Stockholm, Sweden

41.
Leaving Norway for Sweden ㆍ 230
42.
Nordica Museum: Birds on a Pole ㆍ 234

Book Introduction ㆍ 239

While traveling around Europe in 2004, I visited many countries, but the scenery of Norway for about two weeks is something I will never forget.
Of course, it's not that the scenery in other countries is bad.
But is there anywhere in the world that showcases the grandeur of nature quite like Norway? The countless waterfalls and glaciers, the snow-capped mountains rising directly from the sea, and the majestic sight of the fjords are unforgettable.
It's not just the greatness of Mother Nature.
The pretty, small churches built of wood, the birds on the church spires instead of crosses, and the royal tombs like those from the Three Kingdoms period in our country are also unforgettable.


As it was the research year of 2006, I had the opportunity to study abroad for a year.
Without hesitation, I applied for a six-month research year at South Stockholm University in Sweden, and spending six months in Stockholm was the catalyst for my return to Norway.
While I was renting a room in Stockholm, my colleague Professor Lee happened to be visiting, so how could I miss this opportunity? I decided to visit Norway again with the professor and his wife.


This time, with the professor and his wife, we decided to go north from Stockholm, slightly crossing the Finnish border into Norway, and then skim down from the northern part of Norway.
I planned a two-week trip, leaving aside places I had visited before if possible and exploring new routes.
Of course, I also included the Lofoten Islands, which I had only heard about, in this trip.
As expected, Norway is not a lie.
Never disappoints anyone.
Although most of the scenery was different from what I had seen on my trip to Norway two years ago, the great nature that made me feel great was still there.

When asked to name a beautiful place, people often choose Switzerland.
But the taste of beauty is different.
Although Switzerland is set against the backdrop of the rugged Alps, its landscapes, with their beautiful houses and meadows clustered beneath the large mountains, offer a charming and wild charm. On the other hand, Norway's landscapes are breathtaking, with their glacier-carved fjords deep inland and towering, snow-covered, massive rocky mountains towering above them.
Norway is a place where the grandeur of nature, which can be said to be the character for "big" in front of nature, overwhelms those who see it.
I have visited Norway twice, once for two weeks each, but if I had to pick a place I would visit again, I would say without hesitation that it is Norway.
Ah, I want to go there again.


Traveling alone can be more comfortable.
But traveling together has its own advantages.
Saving money isn't the issue.
We can experience new things together, talk together, and share a drink together.
Food, drink, and knowledge are meant to be enjoyed together.
No, good things are meant to be enjoyed together.
Of course, feeling nature is also a great pleasure, so it is natural to do it together.
This trip was also with Professor Lee and his wife, who were on a research year off.
This trip was with a friend who knows how to enjoy nature, so what more can I say? I'm grateful to once again be able to experience such magnificent natural scenery with such wonderful people.


I want to share these moments spent with nature and friends with those who read this article.