Blogs from Western Norway, Norway, Europe - page 65

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Europe » Norway » Western Norway » Bergen July 11th 2006

Today was the cruise up a fjord. Naturally it was the day to rain (only in the mornng and mid-day, of course, while we were on the boat). Still, the fjords, and the life on the shoreline was interesting. The fjord we went up followed a huge inland island. All the surrounding water was salt water from the North Sea, but it was pretty far inland. The shore of Norway has many water passages to the sea, so water is all around. Somewhat like Seattle, but more so. The boat guide said there was a large hydroelectric facility on the island that supplied cheap electricity for the metalurgical industry. Saw the high voltage power lines. I would have liked the view more without them. First concert tonight. Talk about a big snafu. The church was in ... read more

Europe » Norway » Western Norway » Bergen July 10th 2006

Bergen is the home of Edvard Grieg, the most noted Norwegian composer. We visited his home, now a museum. The next stop with the group was the Hanseatic museum. The Hanseatic Germans had a quarter here for about 400 years, trading in fish. The construction is all wood. Although destroyed in a fire that burned the whole city about 200 yrs ago, the sections was rebuilt quickly in the original style. It is now partly foundation owned, and privately owned, full of shops for tourists. The Germans who worked here were bachelors, and no women were allowed in the settlement, to avoid any distractions from work. Gratefully the sun came out this afternoon, and a trip on the funicular to the overlook over the city was a beautiful view.... read more

Europe » Norway » Western Norway » Bergen July 9th 2006

Today we got up at 4:30 a.m. to catch the flight to Bergen, Norway. We had been warned to arrive early because this weekend is the first weekend of Danish holidays, and travel would be heavy. Sure enough the lines were wrapped around the terminal. The info screens specifically said to check in at the counters with the long lines. After standing for awhile, the people in front of us discovered the kiosks. Not sure why those people were standing in that long line, but we were at the gate 1:15 minutes before boarding time. All we wanted then was some coffee (we left the hotel before the coffee service was put out). The airport in Bergen was a breeze. We shopped at arrival duty free for 10 minutes to give our baggage time to arrive, ... read more

Europe » Norway » Western Norway » Balestrand June 28th 2006

Off and hiking was the second full day of my travels.....and yes....I am jet lagged.....but you can sleep when you are dead. As Esther drove the car to the spot where we were going to climb down to I took an hour to meditate amongst the rolling mountains that completely surrounded me. I took in the sound of the waterfall that had a sound that at first upon waking I thought sounded like traffic outside my window....but when I got a grip on where I was i realised...silly billy thats a Waterfall....... Then I heard the birds chirping....one sounded almost exactly like a coo coo clock....and i heard the sound of the sheep bells as they walked the hills in the distance. Esther tells me that in the summer the sheep our set free to ... read more
RayneWaterfall
Weary...get on the FLÅMSBANA
Sirens waterfall

Europe » Norway » Western Norway » Flåm June 20th 2006

View of the Nærøy Valley from the Stalheimskleiva Hotel. The road from Stalheimskleiva leading down to the valley below drops some 1,100 feet in 1 mile with an 18% grade.... read more
The road from Stalheimskleiva
Near Flam
Also near Flam

Europe » Norway » Western Norway » Bergen June 19th 2006

Here I am, in wet Bergen. Found somewhere that has free internet access and where I can upload my pics - first time I've been in a library in years! Bergen is great - really picturesque with mountains on 1 side (which for the last few days have been covered completely in cloud, mist and rain) and the sea on the other. Staying in a hostel/YMCA place at the mo, which is good once you get used to 14 other people snoring and farting their way through the night and arriving/leaving at all times of the night! Think maybe I'm getting too old to sleep in a dorm! Anyway, met a few cool people here and went on a tour with a few of them of some mountains on a scenic railway and a fjord by ... read more
Big Norwegian Sky
Bergen Fish Market
I've Already Made Some Friends!

Europe » Norway » Western Norway » Flåm June 15th 2006

Day 40: 15th. June 2006: Sunny all day: We departed Bergen by train arriving at Myrdal. We did not undersatnd the message coming through and nearly did not get off in time before the train took off. We had to cross to the other platform by getting down onto the tracks which I had done, when a very nice man offered to help me with my case just as someone yelled out "train coming". With that I picked up my case, crossed the track and jumped up to the platform in a second, turned to the chap and thanked him for the offer. Amazing how light my case was at that moment. We boarded the Flambana train and had the most incredible journey down the mountain and magnificent scenery, stopping at the Kjosfossen waterfall where ... read more
Day 40 Norway, Flam
Day 40 Norway, Flam
Day 40 Norway, Flam

Europe » Norway » Western Norway » Bergen June 12th 2006

Day 37: Monday 12th. June 2006: Sunny and hot: We walked to the Bus that took us up the hill and another short walk further up the hill to our hostel Montana halfway up the mountain with fabulous views over Bergen and the harbour. We went into town for a walk around the harbour and had fish and chips from a kiosk. It was lovely having time to walk around the beautiful city. Day 38: Rain, cloud then sunny: We decided to walk down the mountain so found a pathway, steps and road, through a park, around the lake and over a bridge to the city. We came across lovely views, flowers and nature. We had a visit to the Leper Museum - very sad but interesting. Onto a tram for a little tour around ... read more
Day 37 Norway Bergen
Day 37 Norway Bergen
Day 37 Norway Bergen

Europe » Norway » Western Norway » Smola June 11th 2006

Riding along another fjord. Traffic was relatively light. I seldom encountered another car and if I did, I quickly found my way past it. We’d spent too much time lolling about the fjordland. We needed to start making tracks towards the north. ... read more
Pastoral
Rainy morning

Europe » Norway » Western Norway » Smola June 10th 2006

The famous Trollstein Pass ... read more




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