Woot! Here’s part 2 of my weekend escapade with Ate L. 😉 Not far from Blommenholm where Ate L lives is the town of Sandvika. It is the administrative center of the municipality of Bærum. So, if you’re new in Norway and you end up in Bærum, Sandvika is the place to go for medical tests, police registration, and other prerequisites to getting an ‘oppholdstillatelse’ or residence card.
The town is about 15 kms west of Oslo, and about 3 kms from Ate L’s place. Because we both enjoy walking and nature-trips, we decided to wait for the sun to come up, ie, around 2 in the afternoon, and walk our way to Sandvika city center.
The pathway runs between the coasts of Engervannet and a railway station. It is not very wide, but the scenery is pleasant and there’s a chance to bump into friends or neighbors and some joggers or hikers. People also walk their pets there. And if you happen to fancy a ‘pause’ or break, don’t worry. There are benches and picnic tables along the way, but I didn’t find any trash bin, so be responsible for your trash.
Indeed, nature abounds in the area. And yes, be careful with the ducks, they chase. haha There are fishes in the water as well.. and tadpoles. And oh, the berries! There are berries, too! But Ate L and I were not very familiar with the edible and inedible berries. Perhaps, next time!
As you’ve read on the title, it was a Sunday. The stores were close and people were dying to get home. Yep, shops in Norway are closed on Sundays. I remember when I first arrived in Denmark, they have the same policy. But after a few months, stores and shops were allowed to operate on Sundays as well. Norway hasn’t reached that point.
Speaking of shops, the largest super mall in Scandinavia is right here in Sandvika. I didn’t see it last Sunday, so I’m curious “how large” it is. haha (thinking of super malls in the Philippines)
And since Sandvika is like the capital of Bærum, you will also find the city hall or ‘rådhus’ there. Designed by Magnus Poulsson, the building was built between 1927-63. It has a bell tower and a carillon composed of 25 bells.
A remarkable feature of the town hall is the Elementene (‘The Elements’) fountain built between 1959-64). Hmm.. it took 5 years to build a fountain?
There’s also a statue called the ‘Friheten’ (Freedom) on the other side of the building, but my camera didn’t get it. 😛
Bærum Rådhus lies on the east side of the Sandvikselv River, and after a while, my friend and I crossed the fancy bridge over the said river and then back. We followed Sanviksveien going back to Blommenholm. It is parallel to Drammensveien, which is a highway, so lots of vehicles pass by. It was a pleasant walk going back, with the view of the inner Oslo Fjord and the surrounding islets, and of course, the harbors.
If you’re wondering how our route looks like:
So there. Off to more walks and hikes! ❤ Enjoy Sandvika!
PinayOdyssey 