At the bottom of the page click on the YouTube link to see the photos.
Yesterday was a day of extreme beauty. We anchored in Bergen, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and rightfully so. There is the usual stunning scenery: snow-capped mountains, pristine fjords, and abundant orchards. I sound like a broken record but the western coast of Norway is arguable the most alluring coastline in the northern hemisphere – if not the whole world.
We docked almost city-center and immediately walked down the barren and stony harbor front to the information center. The girl at the desk said you haven’t seen Bergen until you’ve seen it from Mount Fløyen. So we bought 2 tickets and zipped up the Funicular-Fløybanen to the top. WOW! The views of Bergen and its surrounding area took my breath away. There was something poetic about sitting on the Fløytrappene (which means Fløyen staircase) and soak in the wonderful sights. This staircase stretches about 35 ft. out over the mountainside and the front walls are made solely of glass to provide even more spectacular views.
…….then Dickie made the announcement: Let’s walk down. We asked for directions and learned that there are several paths to the city center, but were advised to use the main path ……… “and if you get lost, ask for directions.”
Most of the road was asphalt but I recommend leaving your stilettos at home – it’s quite steep. Halfway down Dickie spotted a so-called shortcut. Big mistake! We took the hilly-as hell walk past an old ski jump and eventually ended dead-on at the lively fish market in the pedestrian-friendly old quarter of Bryggen, which offered lots of smelly photo fun. I picked up a dried codfish – shaped like a baseball bat and just as hard. I couldn’t resist using it to knock the dirt off my shoes, like a ballplayer with mud on his cleats.
Quite exhausted we walked the picturesque alleys back to the ship, passing lots of atmospheric restaurants, wooden warehouses, and shops bursting with pewter trinkets and hand-knit sweaters. We also watched plenty of pigeons mate.
Late evening the tugboat pulled us out of the harbor and the Prinsendam set her course to sail across the North Sea to Edinburgh, Scotland. The steady call of gulls and the lazy gulping of small boats taking on little waves provided a relaxing soundtrack. I decided to pamper myself with a glass of champagne while saying goodbye to the beautiful land of the midnight sun.
After dinner I attended the still full in swing farewell party at the Crow’s Nest. Then, while the sun was setting shortly before midnight, I started to write my daily blog. Who knows, I might even stay up until 4:15 and watch it rise again. What the heck, today is a sea-day with not a helluva lot to do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RS5wxPmdxM
Click on the above YouTube link to see the pictures.
