The Great Lake of Disappointment (Followed by a Mountain of Fun)

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Our plane was delayed twice in KL - first due to a mix-up on the terminal resulting in a later estimated departure time, secondly by a mechanical error. Although the malfunction only took about 20 minutes to fix, we missed our departure spot and had to wait for another one to open up. All in all, we left two hours later than planned. Michele slept like a baby (a baby with a slightly broken neck and alot of drool) but Alyce remained wide eyed for the endurance of the 12 hr 40 minute flight, leaving her feeling slightly deranged by the time we reached Amsterdam. As we touched down, a friendly Dutchman informed us that Amsterdam airport was once a huge lake (which had since been drained) and we were, infact, 4 feet below sea level. Michele was enlivened by this facinating information and, in an attempt to cheer up an exhausted Alyce, muttered those fateful words; "we're practically in Bergen - what could possibly go wrong from here?"

As it turns out, a whole lot. We were informed that our tickets were on a "waiting list" and we had not only no seats on the plane to Bergen, but no compensation for the potential hours we could spend waiting in Amsterdam for a plane to Bergen with two available seats. The avid travelers remained positive and confident.... Actually, we cursed a lot and got really scared. None-the-less, we were saved by some heroic and beautiful KLM staff who were very reassuring and even demanded (well...requested) other passengers move about the plane so we could be seated together.

As we descended towards Bergen we were both amazed by the sheer beauty of the mountains and fjords surrounding Bergen. So stunned, apparently, that we forgot how automatic doors work (we stood looking at what appeared to be glass with strange Norwegian words written on it for quite some time before we laughed our asses of when some poor Norwegian man walked through them)! Our luggage actually made it all the way to Bergen and this put us both in a great mood. Also, not sure if the TimTams we brought into the country were legal or not, but "customs" turned out to be two dudes standing casually at the exit chatting to one another, so we just wandered through...The first taxi driver we approached seemed terrified by us (not sure if it was our blood-shot eyes or our English with a spattering of mangled Norweigan) and sent us in the direction of a chatty blonde-haired who gave us heaps of advice - he thinks we'll see snow in Oslo! He also recommended we catch a giant underground train ("the funicular") up a mountain, so we're going to do that now!

Love Mich & Alyce




LATER THAT DAY.....


The funicular was either "fun" or "terrifying", depending on whether you ask Alyce or Mich. We both agree that the view was completely spectacular. We spent a good few hours roaming the city (on a mission for an international phone card for Alyce) and it is very quaint, with lovely architechture and lots of street art/sculptures/fountains. Everything seems really expensive, but partly because of the exchange rate. All the people we have met have been absolutely wonderful - accommodating, helpful and overwhelmingly friendly. This is probably helped by the fact we smile lots and say "Tusen Takk" ("A Thousand Thank-Yous").

Alyce is dead to the world asleep now (it's only 8pm), but Michele is ready to pack it in too. Big day tomorrow with Brianna meeting us.

Love to one and all, we miss you already.

XoXo

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Photos

Michele with some Music Notes
Dave - it's a waltz beat!