In the longest tunnel in the world

(Photos of the diary entry can be found at the end of the text).

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As soon as we leave the village of Voss behind us, a waterfall plunges down to our left. We stop for a short exploration and continue our journey in blue skies and sunshine. “It’s great to live a nomadic life like this,” says Tanja, looking out of the window. The impressive landscape glides past us. The road winds its way through. Water cascades down to the left and right, plunging down from the green-covered mountains to hit a rock somewhere and literally explode in white spray. Life lives here, spreads, grows and thrives. Nature seems untamed, it literally overwhelms us, delights us and makes our hearts beat faster. It’s a dream to drive through this fertile, wild country after the rainy days, which overwhelms us with its incredible beauty at every turn. Suddenly a sign. “Laerdaltunnel 24.51 kilometers” “That’s the longest tunnel in the world!” I exclaim enthusiastically, as I hadn’t expected to come across this fantastic structure, which the Norwegians started in 1995 and finished in 2000.

“It’s unbelievable what we humans can build,” I say, shifting down a gear to slow the Terra down with the engine. “There are already an incredible number of tunnels in this country,” Tanja breaks my concentration. “There are supposed to be 900 with a length of 750 kilometers,” I reply, as I had researched this as part of my writing assignment. After the first third, it glows blue in front of us, as if we are entering another dimension with our space shuttle. “Wow!”, we marvel as the tunnel suddenly widens into a grotto with bays appearing to the left and right. “Why do they light up this section so spectacularly?” wonders Tanja. “Maybe to offer a change for those driving through or to provide relief for those suffering from claustrophobia?” I ponder. When, after another 12 kilometers, another fantastically illuminated hall appears, I pull over. “Why are you stopping?” asks Tanja. I have to take a photo of that.” “Not that they’ll punish us for it. There are cameras everywhere here.” “Never mind, it’ll be the most expensive picture on this trip,” I reply resolutely and get out to take the photos. After almost 30 minutes, we are greeted by blue skies and sunshine, leaving the 93 million euro building behind us.

On the way to one of the most spectacular mountain roads in the world, we have to cross a small fjord on one of the many ferries. On the other side, it goes straight into a tunnel to land in a valley. As if we were traveling to the land of the hobbits, the dream continues. Further and further, only to be even more beautiful around the next bend. We find a place for the night at the end of the Lustrafjord. At the end of the day, I walk with Tanja and Ajaci over lush green grass to the shore. A cool wind blows down the steep mountain hills towards us. “Let’s go back to the Terra. I’ll cook you something delicious,” says Tanja, whereupon we walk back hand in hand and bring a spectacular day to a close…