"A Song For You" was an album released by The Carpenters in 1972, and its song "Top of the World was a towering hit as it became the number one in the charts for succeeding years until the early 80's. And trust me or not, it was literally a topped one!
I used to accidentally hear the line "top of the world lookin' down on creation" in my teenage years from an old, rusty cassette of my Lolo's house every time I walked by for a greeting. There, our Filipino value of respecting elders is reflected with a proud face. As for the culture of the Filipino, we have the "pagmamano sa nakakatanda" as part of our virtuous identity.
It is a valuable fact.
Way back then, as I listened to the beat of the song, I always felt like I was at the top of a picturesque valley, tenderly looking down on beautiful creations as my heart was filled with pure happiness. Well, the song really strikes the hippocampus and amygdala of my brain; in each and every circumstance, I have an auditory experience for it—I always imagine myself as a creature beyond all. You see, it's how our limbic system works.
Today, listening to the song offers me the reality of growing up and success in life for the past three decades. Every time I find myself singing this so-called The Carpenters' masterpiece, I am reminded of when I was at the literal top of the world: Geiranger, Norway—a place where you get to see the beauty of life at the top of your world.
At the end of Geirangerfjord, the charming small village of Geiranger in western Norway can be inadvertently found. Geiranger is primarily known for its surrounding high alpine peaks, 800-meter-high cliffs, and rushing waterfalls—enough to make one feel regretful as they might goofily exacerbate a phobia of heights. However, if you choose to persevere with its natural atmosphere, its hidden beauty will become visible to you. To amaze you, together with the Great Wall of China and the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, the West Norwegian Fjords are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Isn't it amazing? Well, the amazing fjords and towering mountains were created by glaciers over a succession of ice ages, giving rise to the village's unique natural paradise and enchanting locale.
In contrast, the obvious distinction between Geirangerford and other places I had been is that after we dock in the port, although it has already displayed its natural beauty, we really need to get ourselves on the fjord's peak to see the real aesthetic of the place. Indeed, I was on top of the world, looking down on the vibrant creation of the town. The idioms make sense as we feel extreme happiness and joy at the peak, like a fulfilling pyramid!
At the top, revealing tourist spots allow you to enjoy the mesmerizing nature and connect with it. Going up there, you can either rent an e-bike from a rental shop or take a bus for the trip. When biking, always make sure to drive on the left side of the road—with a license. Honestly, I had to accept the fact that they readily taught my feet to walk left as part of their pedestrian etiquette. Because in the Philippines, it is considered a norm to politely walk or drive on the right side of paths, in public spaces, or on sidewalks. Interestingly, in secondary school, we used to be reminded to walk right before leaving the school premise, and it is a safe practice to protect ourselves from establishments occurring on the left side of the road.
And yes, it was teaching an old dog new tricks in Norway. Fortunately, I had my co-workers remind me of the curves.
Scandinavian countries are astonishing landmarks in preserving nature with their clean places. The Geiranger tourist spots, rivers, and mountains are in pristine condition. Certainly! It is in shipshape and Bristol fashion. For your reference, Geirangerfjord is deemed a sustainable destination, as it provides unforgettable experiences to its tourists and at the same time considers the health of the local nature, culture, and environment. At the top of the line, the town constantly recommends that tourists rely more on green vessels to arrive in Geiranger.
It's a green flag for me. A very carbon-conscious tourist spot!
Outlandish as it may seem, often we feel stress with our fellow stewardesses. We elevate the tension of the day by eating ice cream. It's the crème de la crème to do at the peak, as well as a very Filipino idea. Filipinos tend to be anomalies, behaving in the opposite direction from the weather. In scorching heat, we get a cup of coffee, ridiculously cooked under the sun despite being cooked like beef. On the other hand, in cold weather, we tend to eat ice cream despite the frigid air and sometimes request a "cuddle." Or, let's say, it's cuddle weather. But not for singles. In doing so, it's how Filipinos thrive under abnormal conditions. Our Unique Selling Point (USP) in terms of resiliency.
While touring around, the Norwegian trolls' statues can be found aplenty. These whimsical creatures add to the charm and enchantment of Geiranger, emphasizing the cultural folklore of the place.
Moreover, the turf roofs of this Scandinavian country have fashionable, eco-friendly architecture that creates landmarks in the minds of tourists. It's a good fit for me as a nature-related individual. But I still honestly have a random thought about how the Norwegian people maintain their safety from snakes or other crawling creatures.
Regardless of that, Norway is aesthetic!
From the bottom to the top, Geiranger is giving every tourist a natural vibe. From whimsical creatures and structures to the underlying beauty of the fjords. Personally, it was the most extraordinary tourist spot in Norway. No wonder it is dubbed "the jewel in Norway's crown of fjords."
Verily, it is a pleasing sense of happiness and experience. A never-ending piece. It is one of many places to remind me of everything I have achieved. It was a true-to-life experience.
The time I was in Norway, although life predicaments already existed at that time, everything felt light and right. Stepping foot on its land gave me a sign that it was the right choice, I was on the right path.
It has complemented my two years of voyage. Like a jam in a bread. The dreams I had brought, before the ship, were finally translated into reality. And after that...
I never had to sleep with doubt again.
The Carpenters were right: "Everything I want the world to be is now coming true, especially for me."
Norway, your love has put me at the top of the world.
