Haji
02-10-11, 11:26 AM
Hi All
We just got back from an overseas trip that included a coach tour of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Fantastic scenery and endless waterways.
Norway was the most scenic with some Fjiords extending 150 plus klicks inland. Everyone seems to own a boat over there but they do not enjoy the year around use of them like we do. As the temperature drops to minus 35-40 the waters ice over and boats have to be hauled out and winterised untill the ice melts.
Living in God's country we sometimes overlook just how lucky we are to have year round boating and fishing.
Norwegian government shops are the only source of wine and spirits via shops known as Vinmonopoly run by the government. Their answer to curb binge drinking is to levy a 400% tax on all wine, beer and spirit. No place for an Aussie. (Or "Snatcher")
Oslo is currently recognised as the worl'd most expensive city. We found that out when we had to pay the equivalent of approx AUS $50.00 for a MacDonalds McFeast, Double Cheeseburger, 2 x Coffee and two fries.
Income tax is around 50% but the services provided to the populace are superb, Great medical and hospital benefits, aged care, great infrastrucure, roads, huge tunnels through mountains etc.
There are some 55,000 boats registred in Oslo most of which (Large and small) are moored in government built/operated marina pens. To get a pen you pay an initial fee and then an annual rental. I have mislaid the actual fees but they were very very reasonable.
If anyone is interested I will arrange to post some pics of some of the scenery/boats after I have sorted the more than 7000 pics that we took over the 7 weeks that we were away.
Cheers
Haji
We just got back from an overseas trip that included a coach tour of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Fantastic scenery and endless waterways.
Norway was the most scenic with some Fjiords extending 150 plus klicks inland. Everyone seems to own a boat over there but they do not enjoy the year around use of them like we do. As the temperature drops to minus 35-40 the waters ice over and boats have to be hauled out and winterised untill the ice melts.
Living in God's country we sometimes overlook just how lucky we are to have year round boating and fishing.
Norwegian government shops are the only source of wine and spirits via shops known as Vinmonopoly run by the government. Their answer to curb binge drinking is to levy a 400% tax on all wine, beer and spirit. No place for an Aussie. (Or "Snatcher")
Oslo is currently recognised as the worl'd most expensive city. We found that out when we had to pay the equivalent of approx AUS $50.00 for a MacDonalds McFeast, Double Cheeseburger, 2 x Coffee and two fries.
Income tax is around 50% but the services provided to the populace are superb, Great medical and hospital benefits, aged care, great infrastrucure, roads, huge tunnels through mountains etc.
There are some 55,000 boats registred in Oslo most of which (Large and small) are moored in government built/operated marina pens. To get a pen you pay an initial fee and then an annual rental. I have mislaid the actual fees but they were very very reasonable.
If anyone is interested I will arrange to post some pics of some of the scenery/boats after I have sorted the more than 7000 pics that we took over the 7 weeks that we were away.
Cheers
Haji