August 4, Monday Oslo
Breakfast was typical of Scandinavia: fish, cheese, hard-boiled
eggs, bread, etc.
We finally ended our sea journey, disembarked and boarded the
bus for our next leg of the journey.
Breakfast was typical of Scandinavia: fish, cheese, hard-boiled
eggs, bread, etc.
We finally ended our sea journey, disembarked and boarded the
bus for our next leg of the journey.
We began the day in Hedall, west of
Oslo, and saw one of the famous
"stave" churches, the largest of
Norway's remaining medieval wooded
churches.
Oslo, and saw one of the famous
"stave" churches, the largest of
Norway's remaining medieval wooded
churches.
One of the main attractions for tourists is the wonderful fish Bergen has, both sea and shellfish. There is a fish market right in downtown area close to the old
Hanseatic houses left over from the 11th-15th centuries. The fish and shellfish aren't cheap but they are as fresh as they can be and, compared to a standard
meal in a standard restaurant, they aren't such a bad deal. David and I had several meals from that market. There were "ready-made" plates with tuna,
mussels, shrimp, salmon (of course), small lobster and other unidentified fish. What a treat for the two of us.
There were many young Spaniards working the markets and it was actually CHEAPER to use Euros. Bergen was the only place in all of Scandinavia where we
were able to use Euros.
Another gorgeous spot was the vista point from atop one of Bergen's seven hills. We strolled through the ancient Bryggen (old name for Bergen) to ride the
funicular up to Mount Fløyen.
It rained twice a day in Bergen: late morning and evening. Otherwise it was cloudy. I think we did see the sun once or twice, I'm not sure.
David and I DID have one of our very best meals on the trip, in our hotel. We had to wait almost an hour for it but it was worth it. We had a fish stew, in a creamy
broth and a duck dish. The meal, without a slice of bread or bottle of water was$130.00 Norway was the most expensive of the three Scandinavian countries. I
could cite a litany of examples, but needless to say most of the Americans on the tour bought few extras.
Hanseatic houses left over from the 11th-15th centuries. The fish and shellfish aren't cheap but they are as fresh as they can be and, compared to a standard
meal in a standard restaurant, they aren't such a bad deal. David and I had several meals from that market. There were "ready-made" plates with tuna,
mussels, shrimp, salmon (of course), small lobster and other unidentified fish. What a treat for the two of us.
There were many young Spaniards working the markets and it was actually CHEAPER to use Euros. Bergen was the only place in all of Scandinavia where we
were able to use Euros.
Another gorgeous spot was the vista point from atop one of Bergen's seven hills. We strolled through the ancient Bryggen (old name for Bergen) to ride the
funicular up to Mount Fløyen.
It rained twice a day in Bergen: late morning and evening. Otherwise it was cloudy. I think we did see the sun once or twice, I'm not sure.
David and I DID have one of our very best meals on the trip, in our hotel. We had to wait almost an hour for it but it was worth it. We had a fish stew, in a creamy
broth and a duck dish. The meal, without a slice of bread or bottle of water was$130.00 Norway was the most expensive of the three Scandinavian countries. I
could cite a litany of examples, but needless to say most of the Americans on the tour bought few extras.
After the church we moved west to Vemork, via Lake Timnsjöen, in
the Rjukan Valley. This is where saboteurs sank a ferry loaded
with heavy water, ruining Nazi hopes of winning the race for the
atomic bomb. We had a guided visit in Vemork, scene of the
sabotage, on which the movie The Heroes of Telemark was made.
Afterwards we visited the town of Telemark for a little while.
Pretty hard not to be impressed with all the mountains, rivers,
waterfall and green. Many countries have these things but Norway
has the unique fjords. Sailing into the Olso fjord was our first
experience with this. It's no surprise that this area was originally
settled. The fjords are marvelous. Imagine, going MILES inland,
with all the benefits of the sea, but still being protected from storms
and having nice, quiet, calm waters.
We spent the night in Telemark at a very nice, very quiet hotel that
was usually a ski resort. It was cold. The bathroom floor heated
up.
the Rjukan Valley. This is where saboteurs sank a ferry loaded
with heavy water, ruining Nazi hopes of winning the race for the
atomic bomb. We had a guided visit in Vemork, scene of the
sabotage, on which the movie The Heroes of Telemark was made.
Afterwards we visited the town of Telemark for a little while.
Pretty hard not to be impressed with all the mountains, rivers,
waterfall and green. Many countries have these things but Norway
has the unique fjords. Sailing into the Olso fjord was our first
experience with this. It's no surprise that this area was originally
settled. The fjords are marvelous. Imagine, going MILES inland,
with all the benefits of the sea, but still being protected from storms
and having nice, quiet, calm waters.
We spent the night in Telemark at a very nice, very quiet hotel that
was usually a ski resort. It was cold. The bathroom floor heated
up.
August 5-6, Tuesday-Wednesday Bergen
This morning we left our quiet ski resort and drove through snow-tipped
barren mountains. It's so odd being at such a low altitude and still at a ski
resort. One usually associates skiing with altitude. Not so, of course, in
Norway and Sweden. The main tunnel though a major pass was closed so
there was a "lead truck" that took the long, long line of vehicles through the
mountain pass. We drove onward west and saw the marvelous thundering
double waterfall at Latefoss.
We had a morning break at a pretty lake (no trees anywhere) and there was
a genuine teepee, out in the middle of nowhere. After that it was the ferry
boat crossing on the Hardangerfjord (third largest) from Utne to Kvanndal
into picturesque Bergen.
No tour to Bergen would be complete without a visit to Edvard Grieg's house.
It was a beautiful little home set in a magnificent lake area. Grieg lived
there from sometime in May through some time in September....it was just
too cold for him.
This morning we left our quiet ski resort and drove through snow-tipped
barren mountains. It's so odd being at such a low altitude and still at a ski
resort. One usually associates skiing with altitude. Not so, of course, in
Norway and Sweden. The main tunnel though a major pass was closed so
there was a "lead truck" that took the long, long line of vehicles through the
mountain pass. We drove onward west and saw the marvelous thundering
double waterfall at Latefoss.
We had a morning break at a pretty lake (no trees anywhere) and there was
a genuine teepee, out in the middle of nowhere. After that it was the ferry
boat crossing on the Hardangerfjord (third largest) from Utne to Kvanndal
into picturesque Bergen.
No tour to Bergen would be complete without a visit to Edvard Grieg's house.
It was a beautiful little home set in a magnificent lake area. Grieg lived
there from sometime in May through some time in September....it was just
too cold for him.
August 7, Thursday Bergen-Flam
This morning we left Bergen, a very
nice city. It had a San Francisco feel
to it for me, because of the bay, fish
markets, hills and wet climate...and it
was beautiful.
On our way to Gudvagen our morning
stop was in Voss. It was the birth and
burial place of Knute Rocke. There's a
hardware store named after him. I
spent the time in Voss' pretty little 13th
century church, naturally a Lutheran
one, but with all the history and
tradition of an ancient Catholic Church.
To the right are the images.
This morning we left Bergen, a very
nice city. It had a San Francisco feel
to it for me, because of the bay, fish
markets, hills and wet climate...and it
was beautiful.
On our way to Gudvagen our morning
stop was in Voss. It was the birth and
burial place of Knute Rocke. There's a
hardware store named after him. I
spent the time in Voss' pretty little 13th
century church, naturally a Lutheran
one, but with all the history and
tradition of an ancient Catholic Church.
To the right are the images.
After Voss, our bus took us
through more beautiful vallies up to
the famous Stalheim Hotel up in the
mountains in the Gudvangen area.
The windy road was one to NOT
look at but the view was wonderful.
We were there an hour and were
able to shop, have a cup of
something hot and enjoy the
spectacular view.
through more beautiful vallies up to
the famous Stalheim Hotel up in the
mountains in the Gudvangen area.
The windy road was one to NOT
look at but the view was wonderful.
We were there an hour and were
able to shop, have a cup of
something hot and enjoy the
spectacular view.
At Gudvangen we took a long (hour and a half) ferry boat through this spectacular
fjord, the Sognefjord, to Flam. David and I had our lunch from Bergen, more
delicious fish and shellfish. It was a thoroughly enjoyable cruise and we landed in
Flam in the late afternoon. We were able to walk right up to our hotel. The train
station, hotel, tourist shops and ferry dock constituted Flam.
fjord, the Sognefjord, to Flam. David and I had our lunch from Bergen, more
delicious fish and shellfish. It was a thoroughly enjoyable cruise and we landed in
Flam in the late afternoon. We were able to walk right up to our hotel. The train
station, hotel, tourist shops and ferry dock constituted Flam.
August 8, Friday Oslo
This morning we left the hotel and boarded the "famous" Flam train to Myrdal to see the magnificent
Kjosfossen waterfall. What was so amazing that, even in August, there was just so much water in this
five-story high double waterfall. The train actually stopped for a few minutes for tourists and natives to
get off the train and gaze at this wonderful sight.
David and I enjoy train rides as much as we do boat rides. It was a very nice train and we played some
cards, ate a snack and passed the morning most enjoyably.
We then transferred trains for Oslo. This train took us through the Nardanger National Park and through
the gorgeous Hallingdalen Valley.
We arrived in Oslo, for our last two days in Norway, and walked to our hotel from the train station. Our twit
tour guide SPED through town leaving both David and me behind. It was just luck that I managed to stay
equidistant between David, lagging far behind, totally out of breath, and the very last, slow member of our
group at the back of the walking group. It was supposed to be a "short walk" to the hotel. So much for
perspective.
The group went out on a dinner excursion (reindeer or salmon) and David and I stayed at the hotel. We
ate locally at a chain and has some American food. The Oslo restaurants were empty and the JAMMED
places were the American-type places. So, we went where the crowds were. It was well worth it for both
the food and price.
Our hotel was only two blocks from the end of the big Oslo fjord and I walked down to the water
area...beautiful, flowers, statues, large and small sailing and cruising vessels. There was sun, for a
change, and all of Oslo was out enjoying it. We were also one block from a pretty little city park, replete
with fountains, flowers and locals.
This morning we left the hotel and boarded the "famous" Flam train to Myrdal to see the magnificent
Kjosfossen waterfall. What was so amazing that, even in August, there was just so much water in this
five-story high double waterfall. The train actually stopped for a few minutes for tourists and natives to
get off the train and gaze at this wonderful sight.
David and I enjoy train rides as much as we do boat rides. It was a very nice train and we played some
cards, ate a snack and passed the morning most enjoyably.
We then transferred trains for Oslo. This train took us through the Nardanger National Park and through
the gorgeous Hallingdalen Valley.
We arrived in Oslo, for our last two days in Norway, and walked to our hotel from the train station. Our twit
tour guide SPED through town leaving both David and me behind. It was just luck that I managed to stay
equidistant between David, lagging far behind, totally out of breath, and the very last, slow member of our
group at the back of the walking group. It was supposed to be a "short walk" to the hotel. So much for
perspective.
The group went out on a dinner excursion (reindeer or salmon) and David and I stayed at the hotel. We
ate locally at a chain and has some American food. The Oslo restaurants were empty and the JAMMED
places were the American-type places. So, we went where the crowds were. It was well worth it for both
the food and price.
Our hotel was only two blocks from the end of the big Oslo fjord and I walked down to the water
area...beautiful, flowers, statues, large and small sailing and cruising vessels. There was sun, for a
change, and all of Oslo was out enjoying it. We were also one block from a pretty little city park, replete
with fountains, flowers and locals.
August 9, Saturday Oslo
Our last day in beautiful Oslo was spent going through the National Theater,
Parliament/City Hall, the Royal Palace, the big Frogner Park, with all the Vigeland
statues, and at two museums, the Kon-Tiki and the Viking ship museum. David
was really interested the in Kon-Tiki. Heyerdal's adventures were a huge story
back then. Later on we did some more sightseeing around our hotel then went to
the farewell dinner. It was all very nice.
We had a great tour, very successful and enjoyable. It was a huge experiment
for David, with his one lung, the wheelchairs, United Airline's provisions of
on-board oxygen and for David's own new air compressor machine. All in all, he
did extremely well, a little bit better and stronger every day. He should be proud
of himself.
It was also great to be going home.
Our bus took us to the airport Sunday morning. We connected on time with
United Airlines in Frankfurt, changed all our kroner and rubles for Euros then
spent the next 11 hours in United Airline's Business Class, which was tantamount
to first class, with the enormous seats, personal T.V.s and filet mignon for our
meal.
FINIS.
Our last day in beautiful Oslo was spent going through the National Theater,
Parliament/City Hall, the Royal Palace, the big Frogner Park, with all the Vigeland
statues, and at two museums, the Kon-Tiki and the Viking ship museum. David
was really interested the in Kon-Tiki. Heyerdal's adventures were a huge story
back then. Later on we did some more sightseeing around our hotel then went to
the farewell dinner. It was all very nice.
We had a great tour, very successful and enjoyable. It was a huge experiment
for David, with his one lung, the wheelchairs, United Airline's provisions of
on-board oxygen and for David's own new air compressor machine. All in all, he
did extremely well, a little bit better and stronger every day. He should be proud
of himself.
It was also great to be going home.
Our bus took us to the airport Sunday morning. We connected on time with
United Airlines in Frankfurt, changed all our kroner and rubles for Euros then
spent the next 11 hours in United Airline's Business Class, which was tantamount
to first class, with the enormous seats, personal T.V.s and filet mignon for our
meal.
FINIS.
