Alesund

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7 June 2010

A morning of paying tolls for two ferries and a suspension bridge as we drove along the E39 to Alesund, a fine town built on a promontory. Like many Norwegian settlements it was destroyed in a fire in 1904, but quickly replaced with buildings that contain lavishly detailed and decorated brick and concrete facades. The rebuilding was financed by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

When we arrived at Alesund, we climbed the 418 steps to the top of the local hill to get a fine view over the area, then walked around admiring the early 20th century reconstruction spread around the several water fronts and streets.

Another early evening drive brought us to Andalsnes the gateway to the fiords and mountains north of Bergen that we plan to explore for the next few days.

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