Tag: Norway

Flam, Norway

Thursday, September 21, 2023

I had the alarm set for 8:30 but woke up at 7:30 and I went to the Crow’s Nest instead of the Grand Dutch Cafe for coffee. The place was empty which is very unusual for the Crow’s Nest. From the windows, I could already see people leaving on their early tours. Once again, Norway is drizzly, foggy and in the low 50’s.

Our tour today did not start until 11:30 so we went to the Lido for some breakfast. Once we got back to our room, I checked our account on the TV and found a charge I didn’t recognize.

I went to Guest Services and found that they had overcharged us at one of the bars. Our cards do not have the beverage package initials on it like they used to do so the bartenders have to really watch that they don’t overcharge you. This charge got past them. Guest Services said it would be changed.

I think everyone should check their account every day. So much simpler to catch a mistake early instead of waiting until the last day when the line at Guest Services is very long, and you may not be sure if the charge is correct or not.

At 11:15 we went to the World Stage to meet for our HAL tour. The tour today was titled: DAZZLING NAEROYFJORD BY LAND & SEA.

The tour description: Norway’s fjords were formed after the last Ice Age, when glaciers and rivers were carved through the rock formations. Once the ice receded, the land was transformed, and mountain ranges, valleys, and deep fjords were the gifts left behind.

Board the Vision of the Fjords — a new hybrid boat of innovative Norwegian design. Cruise along Aurlandsfjord and into dramatic Nærøyfjord — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 10.5-mile-long fjord affords spectacularly rugged views.

Back on dry land, an equally picturesque panoramic drive by motorcoach takes you through one of Norway’s longest tunnels. From the small settlement of Gudvangen, continue up the Nærøy Valley. Watch for Stalheimsfossen waterfall on your left, and Sivlefoss waterfall on your right.

The steepest road in Norway brings you to Stalheim. Step inside a charming cliff-top hotel, perched above a magnificent view of the valley. Check out the antiques and enjoy a typical Norwegian pastry with coffee or tea.

The trip back to Flåm offers more outstanding views and passes through two tunnels, one of which is more than six miles long. Notes: The vessel is covered, heated and restroom-equipped. There is no narration during the cruise portion of the tour, so you are free to enjoy the sound of nature on the outside decks. The cruise portion of this tour is not exclusive to Holland America Line guests.

We walked from the ship to the excursion boat for the trip down the fjord. It was already raining. Sigh. We had seen these boats in the fjords before and didn’t know what they were. We thought they were personal yachts. The outside has a ramp that goes all the way to the top for viewing. Would have been excellent for a pretty day. Today, the cold breeze and rain about knocked us over every time we went out for photos.

However, inside the boat had plenty of comfortable seating but not all of them were by the windows. The cafe onboard had several food and drink options. You needed a credit card. They didn’t take cash.

As we neared waterfalls and other pretty scenery, Chuck and I would walk outside and brave the elements. We enjoyed watching the wild sheep navigate the steep slopes and waterfalls.

After a while of going in and out of the cool and rainy weather, we ordered hot chocolates to warm ourselves.

The boat made 4 stops to towns along the fjord. People got on and off at each stop. As the description mentioned, the boat wasn’t exclusive to HAL tourists. At the last stop of Gudvagen, we disembarked for the tour bus to the hotel and another HAL group got on for the boat ride back to Flam.

As we were traveling to the historic Stalheim hotel, the sun came out. We had an incredible view of the valley below.

We were allowed to wander around the hotel and its property. The hotel host said the rooms usually rented for about $250 a night.

We had about an hour to walk around and enjoy the view and have a coffee and pastry before we had to head back to the ship.

It was a fun tour. I wish the weather had been better in the fjord as I would have liked to have stayed outside on the boat’s deck more.

Once we got back, Chuck had a coupon for a massage, and we had on-board credit that needed to be used before Saturday. He was very pleased with the deep tissue massage.

Tonight was a dressy night, Chuck had the tenderloin and shrimp, and I had the Arctic char.

We spent the remainder of the evening listening to the Rock n Roll band and the BB King band. Fun night. When we got back to the room, we found our towel animal.

Travel Trivia

Flam, Norway

The name Flåm is documented as early as 1340 as Flaam. It is derived from the plural dative form of the Old Norse word flá meaning “plain, flat piece of land”, and it refers to the flood plains of the Flåm River.

The village of Flåm has since the late 19th century been a tourist destination.

Part of the book “The Ship of the Dead” is set in Flåm.

Flåm, along with some other areas in Fjord Norway, was the inspiration behind the kingdom of Arendelle, Elsa’s home in Disney’s Frozen.

Flam sits on the Aurlandsfjord, the innermost branch of the Sognefjord, the world’s deepest and second longest fjord and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fjord stretches halfway to Sweden.

Stavanger, Norway

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

There was a lot of motion to the ocean last night. So much that I had to take a Bonine. I usually let the motion rock me to sleep but it was making me queasy. However, once the pill took effect, I had a good night’s rest.

We were up at 6:30 and room service breakfast was delivered at 7:15. We were to meet for our HAL tour in the World Stage at 8:30.

The name of today’s excursion was: STAVANGER OLD AND NEW

About the Excursion: Stavanger and its surroundings have played a leading role in Norway’s history for centuries.

See the Swords in Rock Monument. It is comprised of three Viking swords forced into the ground, stands more than 30 feet tall, and commemorates the place where Viking King Harald Haarfagre (Fairhair) defeated the last of the regional princes in AD 872 and founded the Kingdom of Norway by uniting the 29 small kingdoms under one crown.

You’ll pass rich agricultural countryside before arriving at an Iron Age farm. Here, the living conditions from 1,500 years ago have been recreated. The farm itself is situated in an area with burial mounds from the Bronze Age as well as from the time of the Vikings. At the Archeological Museum, you will see Viking-era costumes and artifacts.

And now, back to the 21st century! The Petroleum Museum is a striking building characterized by interactive experiences and lots of hands-on interactive exhibits, complete with demonstrations of how oil forms. There are exhibitions on land as well as simulated mini-platforms. A walk out to these installations enables you to catch a glimpse of ‘offshore’ life in the North Sea.

Before you return to the ship, stroll through Old Stavanger and past the charming, picturesque, well-preserved wooden houses in narrow lanes that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The houses were originally built for seaman, craftsmen and businessmen. Conservation of Old Stavanger is today considered the city’s most important project. Notes: Wear comfortable walking shoes.

The bus we had today was very similar to the one we had in Oslo so we sat near the back so we could enter and leave through the middle door. Our guide spoke very good English and the sound system worked well.

Our first stop was the Archeological Museum. We were met by one of the docents who proceeded to explain about the Vikings in great detail – too much detail for me. We only had an hour here and there was a lot to see. We were then divided into two groups, and she took one group and another docent took us.

We were ushered into a small room that featured a lot of jewelry and other ornaments. The displays were very high-tech with holographs changing in each display. Our section also had a random Polar Bear skeleton. We didn’t get to see much of the rest of the museum as our time ran out because he talked a lot too. I really prefer when we get to museums that they let us go through on our own with just telling us what time to be back on the bus.

Our next stop was the Swords in the Rock Monument. It was drizzling again and the path to the swords was very muddy. We only stayed here about 15 minutes – just long enough to get some photos.

After leaving here, we made our way to the Iron Age farm. People there were dressed in period clothes and explained their way of life to us. We had to watch our step as the grass was slick with rain and the sheep don’t know they are not supposed to go to the bathroom on the tourist walking path.

The Petroleum Museum was very modern and very crowded. There were a number of children having fun with all of the interactive exhibits – especially sliding down the emergency ramp. I would have liked to have done that too, but I was slightly off the height requirement. 😁 The museum really gave you an idea of how dangerous those off-shore oil rigs are. We spent about an hour here.

Underwater Welder

Once we left the Petroleum Museum, you had a choice of leaving the group to shop and explore on your own or go with the guide on a short walk through the old town and back to the ship which we could see from old town. We opted to stay with the guide and walk. I thought the buildings looked a lot like the ones we saw in Bergen. The cobblestone path was slick and, of course, very uneven.

We also stopped at a park that was dedicated to Lars Lende. He was an owner of the “Fagamatøren” newspaper and an advocate for children. He helped children with vocational education and work, plus entertained them with his plastic saxophone and pony cart rides. His slogan was “Everything for the Kids” 

I did enjoy the tour today although as I mentioned, I would rather explore museums on my own than be led around by a docent.

Once the ship left Stavanger, it wasn’t long before the rain and fog set in again and the waves got rough. Another Bonine for me.

Tonight was the Dutch Orange Party so we donned our orange shirts and went to the Dutch-themed dinner in the Lido.

I enjoyed the meatball and chicken satay and of course, the Dutch cheeses. I was disappointed that the bitterballen and the kroket were not very hot. Chuck got a Bossche bol for dessert later on.

After we finished dinner, I checked on our Canaletto reservation. I was correct. Guest Services had made a reservation for us at 7:00 for Friday night but did not remove the reservation we had for Thursday night. The maître de at the Canaletto removed it for me. I like Italian food, but I didn’t want it two nights in a row.

We then went to the first set of the BB King band. There was no second set as the Activities Director was hosting a music trivia contest between the guests and some ship officers. We opted to go back to the casino until time for the main stage show – Stephen Barry was singing again. Just like the first show, he performed flawlessly and finished to a standing ovation. I would go see him again on another HAL ship.

As we were leaving the World Stage area, we had a surprise. A woman came up to us and said that she remembered us from the Antarctica cruise. Small world. They have been on the ship for 2 weeks and were flying home on Saturday.

Once the show was over, we went by the BB King Lounge to check out the Orange Party. We decided that the whole area was too crowded. We just came back to the room and called it a night.

Travel Trivia

Stavanger, Norway

Pronounced: Stah-vahn-yer

Stavanger counts its official founding year as 1125, the year the Stavanger Cathedral was completed.

Today the oil industry is a key industry in the Stavanger region and the city is widely referred to as the Oil Capital of Norway.

Domestic and international military installations are located in Stavanger, including the NATO Joint Warfare Center.

The municipality of Stavanger is located in a coastal landscape, bordering the sea to the west and Boknafjorden in the northeast.

Stavanger domkirke (St. Swithun’s cathedral) was built between 1100 and 1150 by the English bishop Reinald in Anglo-Norman style, and in the late 13th century a new choir was added in Gothic style, with a vaulted roof. The cathedral is the only Norwegian cathedral that is almost unchanged since the 14th century.

Stavanger has the largest collection of wooden houses in northern Europe. There’s an estimated 8,000 of the timber buildings lining the city’s streets.

Norway’s largest bank robbery occurred in Stavanger, thieves escaped with 57.4 million kroner, around $10 million USD.

Kristiansand, Norway

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

We were up at 6:15. Coffee from the Grand Dutch Cafe. We had time again for breakfast in the main dining room as our tour didn’t start until 10:00.

Woke up to rain and cold but the forecast predicted it would stop before our tour was to begin. I wasn’t taking a chance and donned my rain pants and rain jacket again.

Our Segway tour today was an independent one with Fly-N-Hi Segway Tours.

The tour description: The tour starts at Lagmannsholmen 7, at the cruise pier. The tour continues on to the Fish Market, Hartmann’s pier, Sjøhuset, Otterdal Park, the guest harbor, Kristiansand fortress, the City Beach / Aquarama, Tangen, riverside Otra, the Old Town, Wergeland Park, the Cathedral and back to the cruise pier.

Their office was located right outside the cruise security gate. I missed it at first because it was closed, and I didn’t see the small sign. However, the owner showed up about 5 minutes later and started bringing out the Segways. There were two other couples going on this tour. Only three of us had ridden Segways before.

He set up the training course and we were all able to complete it successfully with just a few practice laps. Just as we were putting our earpieces in to test to be sure we could hear him, a hard shower started. We waited about 10 minutes inside the shop. The rain stopped with the sun coming out. The sun would continue to go in and out of the clouds during the ride but at least it didn’t rain again. The ride would not have been as fun if it had been raining.

I liked having the earpiece but there was a lot of static so that issue combined with the guide’s heavy Norwegian accent, I didn’t catch all of the narrative during the ride.

It was an easy ride around and through the town and along the small beach. We really thought the town was cute. We were very surprised to find out that the condos we passed were selling for the equivalent of $800 thousand to over $1 million. Our guide said they don’t come on the market often. If they do, they are not on the market long.

Our first stop was the fountain for photos:

We rode by the small beach and could see the amusement park in the distance.

Our next stop was Posebyen (The old town). According to the guide, Posebyen has one of Northern Europe’s largest collection of low, wooden houses and the town fire in 1892 did not reach here.

Marking the center of the old town – Heart

We passed the Kristiansand Cathedral but did not have time to enter. The guide said it is the seat of the Bishop of Agder and Telemark in the Church of Norway. It is a Neo-Gothic church completed in 1885 and designed by the architect Henrik Thrap-Meyer. It is the third cathedral built in the town of Kristiansand and one of the largest cathedrals in Norway. It measures 230 ft long and 128 ft wide, with a single 230 ft tower.

Our last stop was The Fish Market area. It was a fish wharf that was redeveloped as a restaurant and shopping area. It was extensively reconstructed in the 1990s, with wood-fronted buildings in an old-fashioned style similar to the warehouses. Our guide said that during the summer months a lot of music festivals are held there on the weekends.

We went inside the market and got to sample some smoked salmon. I was not a fan.

We were back at the dock at noon. We could have walked back into old town to explore more but we decided to go back to the ship. I enjoyed the tour. I’m not sure that we passed all the sites listed in the tour description because I missed some of the narrative through my earpiece but what I saw was interesting. And we always enjoy riding Segways.

After getting my picture made by a random moose statue, we got back on the ship. We decided to skip the crowded Lido and get a slice of pizza at the New York Deli and Pizza place. After finishing it, we thought a soak in the hot tub would be nice.

The afternoon passed quickly, and it was soon time for our Tamarind dinner. We went about 30 minutes prior to our reservation so we could enjoy some cocktails at their bar. I am particularly fond of their Wasabi cocktail and Chuck likes the Cucumber Mojito. He also ordered a flask of sake to go with his dinner.

We had a table by the window, but it was so foggy again there was no view to speak of tonight. Chuck ordered the Wasabi crusted tenderloin, and I ordered the crispy duck. We shared an order of sorbet – mango, lemon, lychee flavors.

We finished our dinner in time to visit the Casino and then listen to the 2nd set of the BB King Band before calling it a night.

Travel Trivia

Kristiansand, Norway

The city is named after the Dano-Norwegian King Christian IV, who founded it on 5 July 1641. The second part of the city’s name, sand, refers to the sandy headland the city was built on.

Christianssands Bryggeri is a producer of beer and soft drinks with a long history in the city. The brewery was established in 1859, and all products are made with spring water from the company’s own spring.

Completed in 1885, the Kristiansand Cathedral was designed by architect Henrik Thrap-Meyer in Neo-Gothic style.  One of Norway’s largest cathedrals,

Founded in 1964, the Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement park is Norway’s largest zoo and most popular tourist attraction. The zoo houses more than 800 animals of nearly 100 different species.

Oslo, Norway

Monday, September 18, 2023

I actually had a restful night and woke up at 6:15. Went to the Grand Dutch Cafe for our coffees. We were cruising into Oslo as the day began to lighten. Can’t say at sunrise because it was so overcast. The forecast was calling for heavy rain for Norway for the next 3 days. Sigh.

We ate breakfast in main dining room since our tour was not to start until 10:30. I ordered the fresh squeezed orange juice which has an upcharge. It used to come in a large glass, and you could see the pulp.

This one looked and pretty much tasted like Chuck’s regular OJ and served in the same small glass. I didn’t order it in the main dining room again. I did order it at the Juice Bar on the Lido deck several times. They served it a large cup and the juice tasted very fresh.

Since today’s forecast called for rain most of the day, we put on our hooded rain jackets and rain pants. We went to the world stage area for our HAL tour.

Today’s tour description: VIGELAND SCULPTURE PARK, HOLMENKOLLEN & MARITIME MUSEUM

About the Excursion: Departing from the pier, you guide will provide an interesting commentary as you pass Akershus Fortress and the Opera House.

You’ll take a guided tour of Vigeland Sculpture Park, created and built by Gustav Vigeland. The park is home to sculptured figures together with the landmark ‘Monolith’, fountain and bridge. Your guide will escort you through the park, and explain the different sculptures and monuments along the way.

At the end of the park, your waiting coach will take you through beautiful residential areas of Oslo. From the elevation of the Holmenkollen Hills, take in excellent views over parts of the city and Oslofjord.

Head to the Bygdøy Peninsula for a visit to the Maritime Museum, which houses the 9th century Viking boat from the largest Gokstad Viking ship findings, and a wide range of Norweigan maritime cultural heritage including the country’s oldest vessel (2200 years old).

On the return drive to the pier, view Oslo’s busy boat harbor.

Notes: This Tour requires approximately 45 minutes of walking, including several steps at Vigeland Park. Wear comfortable walking shoes. The road journey may pass through two tunnels.

We had enough people to fill up three busses. We were Bus #8. You always wanted to know the bus number and name of the tour as there could be lots of busses at the same site. People have gotten on the wrong bus before. HAL always has the sign in the front window of the bus.

The bus had comfortable seats, enough legroom, a decent sound system, and two exits – one in the front and one in the middle. Having the two exits was great for expediting everyone on and off the bus relatively quickly.

Our guide was funny and informative. However, by the end of the tour, I think she was losing her voice. It got very high and squeaky sounding.

Our first stop was the Holmenkollen ski jump. We only had about 30 minutes here and it was also our bathroom break since there would be no bathroom when walking through the park. The view was marred by the heavy fog and mist but it was still impressive.

View from the Bottom
View from the Top

Our guide told us about the history of the ski jump before we arrived. Once we got there, we were free to wander around until our time to board the bus. There was not enough time to go through the museum or try out the ski jump simulator, but the area was still interesting.

Wikipedia info on Holmenkollen: Holmenkollbakken is a large ski jumping hill located at Holmenkollen in Oslo, Norway. Holmenkollen has hosted the Holmenkollen Ski Festival since 1892, which since 1980 have been part of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup and 1983 the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup. It has also hosted the 1952 Winter Olympics and the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 1930, 1966, 1982 and 2011.

The hill has been rebuilt 19 times; important upgrades include a stone take-off in 1910, an in-run superstructure in 1914, and a new superstructure in 1928. During the Second World War, the venue was used as a military installation, but upgraded in the late 1940s. Further expansions were made ahead of the 1966 and 1982 World Championships, as well as in 1991. Between 2008 and 2010, the entire structure was demolished and rebuilt.

Our next stop was the Vigeland Sculpture Park designed by Gustav Vigeland who also designed the Nobel Peace Prize medal. It was the stop I was most intrigued by. The bus dropped us off at the back of the park and picked us up when we reached the front of the park.

Wouldn’t you know that the heaviest rain came down just as we started walking. I had a rain cover for my DSLR camera, but it was awkward to use, and I still got drops on the lenses. The stone pathway and steps got really slick in the rain, so you had to step carefully to not slip down. The sculptures were impressive.

The guide told us that the 212 bronze and granite sculptures depicted all stages of the human existence culminating in the Monolith.

Sculpture and his Grandfather
Angry Baby – rub his hand for good luck
Close up of the Monolith

Our next stop was The Maritime Museum. The building had two levels of Viking and maritime exhibits. We also got to hear about a Viking ship restoration project and a short video about Viking travel from Norway. On our 2022 HAL Voyage of the Vikings cruise, we saw the first North American settlement – L’Anse aux Meadows – so it was interesting to see the beginning of the trip.

Pieces from a salvaged Viking ship

By the end of the day, we were tired of being wet and were ready to get back to the ship. A number of busses arrived back at the ship at the same time making the line move slowly into the ship, so we still had to endure the rain for a while longer.

Once the ship was ready to set sail, the Cruise Director announced that she would be giving scenic commentary as we sailed away from Oslo. We decided to watch the sailaway from our balcony instead of the Crow’s Nest or Lido.

We could hear her commentary but realized that most of the sites she was pointing out were on the starboard side and we were on the port side. Oh well. It wasn’t long before dense fog settled in, and it began to rain hard again. Time for us to go in and get ready for the evening.

We had dinner in the Pinnacle Grill. I chose the filet mignon and a 5 ounce lobster tail. Chuck had the halibut. We each had a piece of key lime pie, but we should have just shared one. I was stuffed. It was a very good dinner.

We spent some time in the Casino until it was time for the show in the World Stage – Stephen Barry, an Irish singer. He had a great show with a lot of audience participation.

After the show, we called it a night.

Travel Trivia

Norway

Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula.

Norway is a founding member of the United Nations, NATO, the European Free Trade Association, the Council of Europe, the Antarctic Treaty, and the Nordic Council.

Among the many films that have been filmed in Norway include Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Spies Like Us (1985), Die Another Day (2002), The Golden Compass (2007), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009), Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018), Tenet (2020), No Time to Die (2021) and Black Widow (2021).

Norway’s culinary traditions show the influence of long seafaring and farming traditions using salmon (fresh and cured), herring (pickled or marinated), trout, codfish, and other seafood, balanced by cheeses (such as brunost, Jarlsberg cheese, and gamalost), dairy products, and breads (predominantly dark/darker).

Norway first participated at the Olympic Games in 1900, and has sent athletes to compete in every Games since then, except for the 1904 Games and the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow when they participated in the American-led boycott. Norway leads the overall medal tables at the Winter Olympic Games by a considerable margin. Norway has hosted the Games on two occasions: 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo and the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer.

Norway’s national symbol is the lion.

The cheese slicer was invented in Norway in 1925 by Thor Bjørklund.

The Lærdal Tunnel is the world’s longest road tunnel at 15 miles.

In Norway, you can buy alcoholic beverages only from stores named Vinmonopolet. There are only two in each city, and none in the countryside.

The pop band: A-ha is Norway’s only international music success.

Oslo, Norway

During the Viking Age the area was part of Viken. Oslo was founded as a city at the end of the Viking Age in 1040 under the name Ánslo, and established as a trading place in 1048 by Harald Hardrada.

Oslo was destroyed several times by fire, and after the fourteenth calamity, in 1624, Christian IV of Denmark and Norway ordered it rebuilt at a new site across the bay, near Akershus Castle and given the name Christiania. The original name of Oslo was restored in 1925.

Oslo is the economic and governmental center of Norway being the hub of Norwegian trade, banking, industry and shipping.

Oslo is built in a horseshoe shape on the shores of the Oslofjord and limited in most directions by hills and forests.

Fifty different museums are located around the city. One of the most famous is The Munch Museum that contains The Scream and other works by Edvard Munch, who donated all his work to the city after his death.

Since 1947, Oslo has sent a 65-to-80 ft-high, 50 to 100-year-old spruce, as an expression of gratitude toward Britain for its support of Norway during World War II.

In addition to Munch, other famous people from Oslo include Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906), playwright, theatre director and poet; Jo Nesbø (born 1960) author, musician, economist, and former soccer player; and Sonja Henie (1912–1969) three-time Olympic champion figure skater and actress.

The Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony is held every year in Oslo City Hall.

VOV: Bergen, Norway

Saturday, July 23, 2022

We were still so full from the Norwegian lunch buffet that we didn’t want to eat a big dinner. We played some slots and then went to the Lido. I had a salad and Chuck had some chicken pot pie.

Afterwards, we listened to the first set of the Ocean Bar band. Chuck went to play some cards. I came back to the room to read. It was going to be another early tour for us.

I was up at 5:30 and breakfast was delivered at 6:45. Our tour was to start at 8:15. Déjà vu.

Since today was another HAL tour, we went to the main stage area, showed our tickets, and got our tour number sticker – just like usual. We sat down next to a couple to wait for our tour number to be called. I noticed they had the same sticker as we did and I said “I’m glad to see others going for the walking tour of Bergen.” She gave me a strange look and said, “No, we are going to see a piano concert.” Hmm.

She and I went back to the Shore Excursions attendant handing out the stickers. We were the ones with the wrong stickers. He exchanged ours for the correct ones. I’m sure the concert was very nice, but we were looking forward to the walking tour.

The HAL Tour was aptly named: “A Walk through Bergen and the Ice Bar.” The tour description:

“Meet your guide and walk with him/her from the ship to Bryggen. This is the wharf that was built by the Hanseatic League of the German merchants back in the Middle Ages. They were very powerful — an early example of collective bargaining — and did a great deal of trade with the fishermen of northern Norway. At the peak of their power (1350-1550) the Hanseatic merchants held a monopoly on the fishing industry and wielded significant political power in Bergen. They built some lovely warehouses here, and you’ll see these today.

Next, move on to the Fish Market, where it is clear that the heyday is over, but the fun is well underway.

An Ice Bar has cropped up in Bergen — your chance to enjoy an ice-cold welcome and a drink in an environment where everything is made of ice.

Head back to the ship after your tour.

Notes: This is a walking tour. Participants must be fit enough to cover approximately 2½ miles of walking on paved roads as well as cobblestones and uneven terrain. Walking time is about 2½ hours.

There were enough people on this tour to divide into two groups. Our guide was a young woman from Germany who was over here doing an international study course. She worked part-time for the tour company doing their walking tours to earn some extra money. She was supposed to do an international study in South Africa in 2020 but of course it didn’t happen.

I am glad we were in her group. She was very knowledgeable. She didn’t walk or talk too fast. She didn’t mind answering questions or repeating information. I heard later on that the other group did not get a guide as good as she was.

Our first stop was the Bergenhus Castle/Fortress that is still used today for military purposes as well as public purposes such as tours like ours and outdoor concerts. There were areas in it that we were not allowed to tour.

Rosenkrantz Tower
Haakon’s Hall -In medieval times, it was the largest building of the royal palace in Bergen

Our next stop was the wharf area and the Hanseatic buildings. Even though she was German, she did not hesitate to talk openly and honestly about the German merchants who occupied these warehouses – the good (built housing, paid well, and taught employees to read and write) and the bad (employees were boys as young as 10 – 12 who worked 10 – 13 hours every day in cold conditions and didn’t see their families for years, if ever).

The buildings that remain today, because they are wood and the weather is almost always rainy and damp, are in constant need of expensive upkeep. Some in Bergen have advocated that they just be torn down. But they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so they stay.

Yes, the buildings lean
Restoration work going on
1st level – selling goods, 2nd level – storing goods, 3rd level – living
Buildings were marked with statues, etc. so delivery people could deliver to the correct warehouses even if they couldn’t read

As we continued to walk, we passed several statues and monuments.

Monument to women and children who were left behind when their husbands/fathers lost their lives during the war.

We stopped for a bathroom break at some public toilets. Around the public toilet building were some plant containers. The sign in the containers said that all the plants growing in them were edible and eat as much as you want. Hmmm – Plants in containers around the toilets. How did they get watered and/or fertilized? Nope. Not trying the plants.

Next, we came to the fish and farmer’s market. The guide said that the outdoor market had the best prices as it only popped up on weekends. The inside fish market that was opened daily was for tourists and had high prices.

I had to do a double take at a restaurant sign at the market indicating what sandwiches you could get. Whale? Really?

As we walked to our last stop, she talked about how the old architecture of Bergen is slowly but surely being replaced by new architecture and she was not a fan. She did not call it new architecture – she called it ugly. I cannot disagree.

Our last stop was the Magic Ice Bar. I’ve never been to an ice bar and was excited to go to one. In the lobby, we were all given gloves and parkas and a drink ticket. Then we went through the heavy door into the Ice Bar.

The room is kept at a constant 23 degrees. The displays inside change periodically. While we were there, the displays were ice sculptures that mimicked famous art pieces by Norwegian artists. I didn’t recognize any of the works, but it was certainly interesting.

Had faux-fur pads to sit on

Our drink ticket allowed us to have a glass of local wine that I thought tasted like muscadine. We spent about 30 minutes in there. My fingers were starting to get very cold.

The bar and its shelves were ice. Glass that held the drinks were ice.

Our guide walked us back to the farmer’s market area. She then gave maps and information to those who wanted to stay in the city and do other things such as shop, eat, or ride the funicular up the mountain.

Don’t think many were going here but who knows?

For the rest of us who were ready to go back to the ship, she walked us back a little different route so we could see some of the street art. She said the one that has the dove of peace pooping on Putin’s head just showed up a few days ago.

I really enjoyed the tour but they weren’t kidding about the cobblestones. I saw them trip up more than one person.

And I liked the city of Bergen okay but there was quite a bit of trash on the streets and sidewalks. Looked like they had a big party on Friday night and hadn’t yet cleaned up. Maybe it’s not always like that.

We got back to the ship and my Fitbit had recorded 4+ miles of walking so I guess that is “approximately” 2.5 miles as the description said. I was ready to relax.

Almost back to the Ship!

Flowers from Bergen

Travel Trivia

Bergen, Norway

Pronunciation: BEAR-eh-gen (hard “g”)

Bergen is known as the ‘city among seven mountains’ and is the second largest city in Norway (the capital Oslo being the largest).

According to tradition, the city was founded in 1070 by King Olav Kyrre but some research has indicated there may have been trading posts from the 1020’s.

Bergen is considered the rainiest city in Europe. It once had 85 days of consecutive rain.

In the latter half of the 19th century, the city had the largest concentration of leprosy patients in Europe.

Henrik Ibsen, Norway’s great author and modernist playwright, was employed as decorator and instructor at Det Norske Theater (The Norwegian Theater) in Bergen from the age of 23 to 29. Ibsen’s first dramas were written and performed there.

Bergen’s Nordnes Park has a totem pole donated from the city of Seattle, Washington.

Picture from Google

*Trivia provided by Wikipedia and Holland America documents

VOV: Alesund, Norway

Friday, July 22, 2022

As we got ready for the Gala night, we looked at the menu and it was just a regular night menu. We knew we weren’t going to the main show because our Alesund tour was going to start early.

We looked at each other and agreed – we were skipping Gala night, wearing jeans, and just eating in the Lido. Almost everything they were offering in the dining room, they had available at the buffet. I think this is the first time in our cruising history we have skipped dressing up for a Gala night.

I had crispy duck and noodles with some spring rolls. Chuck had the chicken pot pie.

After dinner, Chuck went to the Casino, and I went to our room for more photo processing.

I was up at 5:30. Our room service breakfast was delivered at 6:45.

Today, we were taking the 8:00 am HAL tour “Romsdal and the Troll Path.” The tour description:

Take a short sightseeing tour of Ålesund city, passing the town of Spjelkavik en route to Sjøholt village.

From Sjøholt, you’ll follow the shoreline of Storfjord, enjoying beautiful scenes from the road. You are now in an area known for both salmon fishing and furniture making. The furniture crafted here is exported all over the world. In Stordal alone there are several furniture factories.

Pass the old, octagonal Stordal Church (1789) and through Liabygd and Valldal, renowned for growing sweet strawberries. You will follow the valley towards Trollstigen (the Troll Path), passing the impressive Gudbrandsjuvet Gorge. On top of the mountain, you can still see signs of the old road built in 1028 by Viking King Olav.

In the center of the Trolltindene mountain range you will stop for a typical Norwegian buffet lunch of hot and cold dishes, desserts and coffee. A bottle of mineral water or light beer is included per person.

From the highest point on the road, at 2,800 feet above sea level, you will drive the famous Troll Path with its 11 exciting hairpin bends leading down toIsterdalen Valley. Stop to visit the famous Troll Wall — well known to mountaineers all over the planet. This wall has the highest overhang in Europe and is visited by world-famous climbers every summer.

Pass Romsdalsfjord and the picturesque villages of Innfjorden, Mandalen, Vagstrand and Vikebukt before crossing Orskog Mountain to join the main road back to Ålesund.

We were docked alongside the SAGA Spirit cruise ship. We were one of two HAL tour busses that would be doing today’s tour. Our bus left first. Our guide was from Italy, and he started right away with narration as we passed through Alesund. The bus seats were very comfortable, the sound system good, and very large windows.

Our first photo stop was at a point along the fjord. There was a restroom along with a small shop. You had to pay to use the restroom and they would only take Norwegian Krona. US Dollars? No. Euros? No. They might have taken a credit card, but we didn’t ask. I was glad I did not have much to drink this morning.

The scenery as we continued our route was beautiful. Mountainous. Very heavily forested – unlike Iceland. If you get lost in a forest here – you are lost.

So many waterfalls. Just gorgeous.

As we drove along to our next stop, we noticed a number of camp sites with campers, small cabins, and tents dotting all along the fjord. Our guide said that many small farmers had converted their land from farms to campsites for tourists because it was much more profitable. People come to participate in hiking, skiing, rafting, and base jumping.

However, we also passed a number of strawberry fields that were being harvested at this time. We also had to look out for sheep that would just wander into the traffic.

The next stop was a restroom and photo stop next to a rushing river. The sound of the water pouring over the rocks was so powerful.

At this stop, our guide bought a container of strawberries from two girls who had set up a stand. He was right – they were very sweet and juicy even though they were small. Sometimes the ones we get at the store are large, but they don’t have much taste to them.

Our next stop was a scenic overlook into the Valley.

Thor’s Lightning Bolt (according to the guide)

As we left and started driving down the Troll path into the Valley, the bus made all eleven hairpin turns. I was so glad I was not the one driving the bus.

It is called the Troll path because if you REALLY use your imagination, you can see troll faces in the rock formations on the mountains. I didn’t see any trolls, but the waterfall was impressive.

Can you find the troll?

Once we arrived in the Valley, we had our lunch stop. It was a very efficient buffet. I chose a small sample of peppered salmon, pork meatball, beef patty, mixed vegetables, and lingonberry jam. We were given slices of ice cream cake for dessert.

I had fun taking photos of the troll statues and the places with the sod roofs.

I bought my Christmas ornament.

We then stopped at the Troll Wall that people come from all over to climb. So cloudy, we couldn’t see the top.

Before heading back to the ship, we were able to make a photo stop in Alesund.

The flame marker where the terrible fire that destroyed the town started (everything was built of wood).

Statue honoring the lives lost at sea of the people trying to escape to England and Scotland during war.

The only building that survived the fire because of its location around the water.

Arrived back to the ship at 4:20. Sail-away was supposed to be at 5:00 but the ship in front of us had not yet left and we couldn’t go around it. We eventually sailed away at 5:30. We watched the sail-away from the balcony with coffee & Bailey’s.

FLOWERS FROM ALESUND

Travel Trivia

Alesund, Norway

Pronunciation: OH-leh-sun

Legend has it that the Viking Rollon, the 10th-century founder of the dynasty of the dukes of Normandy, hailed from just slightly north-west of Ålesund. At least three statues of Rollon exist: in the town park in Ålesund, in Rouen, France, and in Fargo, North Dakota.

Photo provided by Google

On the night of 23 January 1904, Alesund, built largely of wood, was the scene of a great fire. Practically the entire town was destroyed during the night, a gale aiding the flames, and the population had to leave the town in the middle of the night with only a few minutes’ notice. However, only one person died in the fire.

Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany had often been on vacation to the area. After the fire, he sent four warships with materials to build temporary shelters. Eventually, the town was rebuilt in stone, brick, and mortar in Art Nouveau, the architectural style of the time. The structures were designed by approximately 20 master builders and 30 Norwegian architects, most of them educated in Trondheim and Charlottenburg, Berlin, drawing inspiration from all over Europe. To honor Wilhelm, one of the most frequented streets of the town is named after him.

Alesund has the most important fishing harbor in Norway and its fishing fleet is considered one of the most modern in Europe.

*Trivia provided by Wikipedia and Holland America documents