Some words about my self and my experiences as a traveller and nomad

I am a 50 year old Norwegian teacher (amongst other), who have been living in many places around the world. I have so far never been to the Americas, but Europe and of course Africa were my start off points as becoming a more seasoned globe trotter. I later years, since 2005, I have been in love with South East Asia and I have spent several years in Thailand, and also extensive stays in Bali, and in the Philippines.

 I was born in Cameroon, West Africa. My parents worked as missionaries in a village in the North of Cameroon, and my first years I spent there, so my first language was Njardi - or Duru.

I lived most of my childhood and teenage years in the City of Stavanger, South East Norway. That place has some very nice natural wonders, like white sand beaches, fjords and impressive mountains.

Downtown Stavanger

 
 Plenty of nice beaches along the coast of Southern Rogaland county...
And of course: the famous Prekestolen (The Pulpit Rock) and the fjords to the East and North of Stavanger are breath-taking natural wonders.

However, the weather is basically wet and cold, all year 'round. If we have the blessing of a nice, dry summer, which might occur once every ten year, it is the best place to be. Pristine clean nature, mountain trekking, boating, fishing, cycling, driving motorbike are just some of the ways to explore and enjoy my lovely country during the summer months.

But being tired of the almost constant downpour of rain, strong wind and very dark during the winter season, usually with no snow to lighten up the landscape, I - like so many Norwegians, really like to travel to places where the sun is to be found, and where we can swim in the sea without getting blue due to cold water.

At the age of 11 I went back to Cameroon for almost a year, then returning to Norway.
I really wanted to remain in Cameroon for much longer, but I had to follow my father back to the cold North.

Me and my cousins in Northern Cameroon, December 1978

I remember freezing constantly for one year before I got adapted again to the harsh climate in Stavanger ares.

FRANCE
At the age of 16 I moved to Rouen, France, where I attended Lycee Corneille for one school year. Even if Rouen is a very nice city, with many fascinating old buildings, the school system was terribly strict and busy, even dragging us to classes on Saturdays. So there were not many occasions for me to explore the area at the time. I did buy an old Fantic 50cc moped that I used for some weeks, going into some nice forests, but unfortunately the bike was stolen quite soon.

 

The climate in Normandie, and Rouen, was very similar to the one back in Stavanger, so I was not too happy about my experiences from life there.

During the winter break we went to the French Alps: Trois Vallees - very impressing place for skiing.

And in the Passover holidays we went down south to Cap D'Agde, crossing the whole country with high speed train.
Cap d'Agde was of course lovely, and I wish I could spend some more time in Southern France, but so far I have not back there.

SWEDEN
In 1987-88 I went to school in Uppsala, Sweden. That was not my favourite experience, in fact both the climate and the people were very cold. I loved the school though, and I am glad I had that experience.
So I have no bonds to that place, honestly, and I would not go back again to live there, for sure.
Other places in Sweden may be much more welcoming, I have good experiences from Karlstad area. The climate is however better than in Rogaland, and Sweden have also so many nice lakes, so I would not mind living there again.

ROMANIA
In the summer of 1989, I was encouraged by a good friend to come with him and his family on a trip to Romania, so I went there in July 1989. This was while Ceaucescu was still president, and the communist system was still intact. A very impressing trip, that made me want to come back over and over again to that country.
I have stayed there over longer periods, in the City of Constanta, and I speak the language fluently.
However, it seems to me as to live in that country is not so attractive during the winters, unless of course you live in Brasov and enjoy skiing that is.
I bought an apartment in Valea Jiului, close to Petrosani, that I used as a holiday flat. The nature there is great, and also the people.
Transylvania is really an amazing place to visit!

INDIA
My first trips to India were in 2001, in Chennai. It was a great experience, and I can really say that if you have not been to India, you have not really seen the world.
In 2007 I went on my third trip to India, visiting Mumbai, Pune and Goa.
I came there during the summer months, and Goa was not a very attractive place to be due to monsoon season, a lot of rain and to dangerous to go swim in the sea. Pune was not very interesting, it was quite expensive with hotels there, and I met som arrogant people there. It seems to me that people are far more friendly outside the big cities, almost anywhere you go in this world.

BALI and JAVA

Matahari Bungalows in Kuta, Bali

My first trip to South East Asia was back in 2005, and I visited the lovely island of  Bali, and also the Eastern part of of the Island of Java.

Malang city in East Java

I got a positive shock! The people in Indonesia are so welcoming and friendly, and housing, food and nature are all very attractive. So I definately fell in love with the place, and I have come back over and over again since that time.

THAILAND
My first experience with Thailand was a short stop over in 2006. A lot of traffick in Bangkok, and a very bad tasting meal (It tasted as tooth paste) was not very inspiring. Luckily I kept coming back to discover that Thai food is fantastic, but it may be difficult to select what you want as the menus are usually written in Thai language, with their own alphabet.
I have lived in Bangok for around 1 year and 6 months, and in Jomtien, close to Pattaya, for around 2 years.

Bangkok

Pattaya

PHILIPPINES
I came to the Philippines first time in 2008, visiting the island of Cebu. I was not very impressed with the beaches there, as the nice ones close to Cebu city, are owned by hotels and resorts. So you have to pay a hefty entrance fee to go there. I was also not happy with the infrastructure. The people are of course lovely, very friendly and respectful towards people like me (we are called americanos). But the cities in the Philippines are basically not very attractive. There is garbage everywhere, terrible air pollution, old worn down buildings and infrastructure. If you have the money, you can of course choose to live in the nicer areas of the big cities, but for people like me, who are not coming only for a week or two, it is challenging to find a decent room for a low price.
Also, getting around outside the cities is not very easy for a new comer. In Thailand and Bali, there are cars and motorbikes for rent at very good prices. Not so in the Philippines.
I am currently living in the Island of Mindanao, Southern Philippines, and I have started to love it more and more.

I guess I have spent a total of 2 years in the country, and Mindanao is my favorite!