2014 – Backpacking Adventure: Norway, Sweden, Finland & Estonia
NORWAY
In the summer of 2014, my cousin and I set off on an unforgettable journey through Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia. Our adventure began in Haugesund, Norway, where we landed and hitchhiked our way to Stavanger. With backpacks and tents in tow, we embraced the freedom of wild camping and, on a spontaneous whim, we bought longboards—our intended mode of transportation.
With this setup, we explored the Stavanger region extensively. One of the first breathtaking spots we visited was Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)—a spectacular cliff towering 600 meters above the Lysefjord. The hike up was absolutely stunning, and standing on top, looking down at the fjord, was an indescribable experience.
As we cruised through Norway, we experienced one of the most magical moments of the trip: a gentle downhill slope, the longboard gliding smoothly through breathtaking nature, the setting sun casting a golden glow over the landscape. Everything was perfect—except for one small problem: we had too little water. Only beer.
Luckily, it was summer in Norway, so we could set up our tent in broad daylight at 2:00 AM. But our bodies weren’t having it—by 5:00 AM, we had to pack up again, as the lack of proper hydration was starting to take its toll.
Our biggest issue? Navigation. We had assumed some villages were much larger than they actually were—meaning no stores, no supplies. After 1.5 hours of longboarding and not a single person in sight to ask for help, we finally reached a small shop. What followed was pure bliss: a brunch like we had never experienced before.
Lesson learned: Sometimes, planning is more important than you think. 😅
From Stavanger, we headed to Bergen, a charming city with a vibrant atmosphere, great people, cozy bars, and lush greenery. The view from the top of Bergen was incredible, and we set up camp in a nearby national park, embracing the true spirit of wild camping.
However, things took a turn when my longboard got stuck on an edge, flew into the street, and was promptly run over twice by a passing bus. Fantastic. The board was completely shattered, the trucks bent—perfect. But there was no time to dwell on it; our train to Oslo was leaving in an hour. So, I stuffed the two broken halves into my backpack and enjoyed the breathtaking landscapes of Norway from the Bergen Railway.
Oslo was another exciting stop, full of sights and experiences. While exploring, I found a skate shop, similar to the one in Stavanger. After hearing my tragic longboard story, the shop owner searched the backroom and, within 20 minutes, found a replacement deck for me—at a special price! Back on wheels, we were mobile again!
STOCKHOLM + HELSINKI
From Oslo, we took a bus straight to Stockholm. There, we wild camped in a city park and enjoyed incredible kayaking tours through the city under perfect sunshine. Next, we continued our journey to Helsinki, where we took in the city’s sights before hopping on a ferry to Tallinn, Estonia.
TALLINN
Arriving in Tallinn was an experience in itself. We tried to check into a hostel, but no one answered the door—turns out, it was during the World Cup in Brazil, and the entire hostel staff was caught up in the game. While waiting outside, some friendly Estonians from a nearby shisha bar invited us to join them. After 30 minutes, check-in was finally possible, and by then, we had already made plans to go out with our new friends.
The night turned into a fantastic experience—full of laughter, great conversations, and amazing hospitality. That encounter even led to a later reunion at an electronic music festival (Weekend Festival).
Back in Tallinn, we made the most of our time—getting tattoos, visiting the cinema, taking city tours, and enjoying unforgettable nights out. I highly recommend exploring Tallinn’s Old Town, with its medieval walls and magical atmosphere—it’s the perfect place to soak in history while having an incredible time.
What a trip! 🚀
SLIDESHOW
