In June 2012, I set out on to explore Scandinavia: 5 countries, 8 cities, and a countless numbers of boat rides and road trips. I ate strange foods, hiked mountains and glaciers, and met up with friends old and new. 

After an afternoon of train rides through Norway’s fjords, I arrived in Bergen to find the sun glistening on the water. Bergen, a small town on the west coast of Norway, is a fish lover’s dream. Salmon, halibut, and king crabs are all local to this part of Norway. For my first meal in town, I splurged at a local restaurant where I had delicious sushi. In Scandinavia, there is a tradition of eating sweet sauces with the meat. Even with sushi, my halibut was paired with raspberries.

I spent the next morning weaving between stalls at the fish market, sampling jars of caviar and pieces of seafood. Although Scandinavia is an expensive part of the world to travel in, there is an easy way to save money without sacrificing local taste – cook your own food. For 80 Norwegian Kr, I bought a piece of salmon that lasted for 4 tasty sittings. Having grown up in Vancouver Canada, I always had a preference for Pacific salmon, but after my stay in Bergen, I think I will have to make an exception for Norwegian fish.