GATEWAY TO THE FIORDS

A toast for the journey to come

A happy sailaway from Dover and a sea day to get used to our new digs on board.  We were on our way to Norway!

 Bergen waterfront

We awoke to a clear, sunny morning as we sailed into Bergen, Norway’s second city.  The colourful buildings reflected brightly in the water which positively sparkled. 

Atop Mount Floien

The funicular ride to the top of Mount Floien provided scenic views over the city, its harbour, old town and waterways.  

Enormous fishing boats and oil supply ships moored in the harbour - some with their own helicopter pads - testament to Norway’s vibrant economy.

The old town of Bryggen is composed of colourful wooden buildings.  

Some leaned lazily to one side, others had steep upper floors with block and tackle dangling over the narrow walkways.

The atmosphere at the Torget fish market on the waterfront was lively.

Colourful displays of fish that looked fresh and immaculately prepared, from black whale meat to more familiar fare.  Some vendors were preparing cooked dishes.  The aroma that came from these oversized pans spewing steam, garlic and spices was tantalizing - as was the advertised price for the finished product.  As a visitor it doesn’t take long to be struck by the sticker shock of Norway’s high cost of living. 

Moody Reflections

Turning north the next day we entered Geirangerfjord, one of Norway’s most spectacular fiords.  The weather gods were still smiling on us as we disembarked in Hellesylt in the early morning sun light.  

We spent the day touring through beautiful valleys framed with snow capped peaks and glacial waterfalls that tumbled hundreds of feet into rivers and streams on the valley floor. 

Abandoned cottages in alpine meadows

Alpine meadows swept up the mountainside, some dotted with summer cabins used at one time by farmers who took their stock to the meadows for summer grazing.  

Many cabins are abandoned these days, but the tumbledown structures with their grass rooftops, some with wildflowers in full bloom, were picturesque and charming.  

Passing through the town of Stryn we stopped for coffee and home made pancakes.

Imposing Lake Djupvasshytta

Later in the day we began the zig zag drive to the top of Mount Dalsnibba for a breathtaking view over the end of Geirangerfjord.  Passing Lake Djupvasshytta, still partially covered in ice, the surrounding mountainside was thick with snow.  

The odd stalwart skier had left tracks in the snow but the spring melt was underway. 

The ice on the Lake’s surface reflected the sunlight menacingly and for a moment it seemed as if it could be the hidden den of a James Bond nemesis, the ice perhaps really a sheet of steel that could retract in minutes to reveal the evil villain’s arsenal of missiles ready to wreak havoc on the free world....... Perhaps not.

The view from Mount Dalsnibba

The road wound its way uphill providing better and better views until we finally reached the summit. 

It felt as though we were on top of the world. The view was magical.

We continued our journey down into the valley towards one final viewpoint at the rocky outcrop of Flydalsjuvet.  Our descent from the mountains into the valley continued until we reached the small town of Geiranger where we reboarded the ship.  

Sailaway from Geiranger

The sailway that evening was picture perfect, the deep fiord now emerald green with waterfalls thundering down on either side of us.

The past two days had been like no other.

Picture perfect.