Fresvik & Bestebakken

Hello My Friends!

We have finally made it to Fresvik. This is where it all started for me folks! This area is truly the heart and soul of Norway. Very Very Scenic and full of traditions. This is a place where generation after generation still live in the same house and maintain thier farms. The Bøtuns (my relatives) are farmers and grow raspberries, apples, strawberries and raise sheep. We have discovered the raspberry patch and the organic apples!!! The raspberries are huge and the apples taste like none other.

Fresvik lies right on the Sognefjord nestled in a valley with mountains all around and a glacier behind it. There is a good sized river that runs through which you can hear throughout the town. We went for a walk tonight up into the fields and Gyda showed us my Great Grandparent's home. This house unfortunately hasn't been lived in but a relative recently bought it and he will take me out on Monday for a tour. I'm sure I will hear of his plans for this property then. Speaking of relatives.....we are discovering that I am related to pretty much everyone in the town and some in the surrounding area!!! yikes!!! Can you say dueling banjos!??

Gyda met us on Wednesday morning at the ferry in Vik. This was the first day that we've had rain. We have been so lucky with the weather that we didn't complain. We were invited to dinner at Gyda's oldest sister, Anne Marie and her husband, Inge's for dinner. The dinner was prepared from all local home grown food and deer that they hunt in the area. Darlene wasn't too sure about the deer meet but she did VERY well!!! Anne Marie, or Mia for short and Inge live right at the base of Fresvik with the fjord in thier front yard. It's incredible!!!

Thursday we took the ferry across the fjord to Hella and then drove to Sogndal to do a bit of shopping. Then off to Bestebakken. This is a little piece of heaven. This place has a website and is a retreat. She specializes in business groups that team build and hold their conferences there. This is not a big place and each room is individually decorated. The menu is gourmet, to say the least, and again prepared with all local herbs and spices and produce. It was FABULOUS!!! It is also a spa...SPA!!! Did someone say SPA!!! That is Lana's weakness. So.....of course, we had to book ourselved in for a massage and some reflexology. I have to say it was almost....I say almost....better then 'you know what'!!!! I slept like the dead for the first time during this holiday. Not that I've had bad sleeps all the time, but when you are travelling and sleeping in different beds every night and always thinking about your next 'leg' of the journey, it can be hard to completely relax. BUT...I wouldn't trade this holiday for anything. I think Darlene and I will be full of memories and lots of stories to giggle about when we come home.

We have learned about the traditional Norwegian costumes and jewelry - the colors and patterns are indicative of the area they came from. Kind of like the Scottish Tartans. FISH, FISH, FISH.......I can't tell you how much fish we've eaten. Quite frankly.....the Norwegians eat all the time!!!! And boy, do they love their bread!!! BUT...they are not ones to sit still and watch a lot of tv either. So, I guess they are allowed to eat all the time. Weird cheese & Oxe meat....we've tried it all. Well....Darlene, not so much!

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