Sunday, September 15, 2019

Bergen, Norway


                                           
                                            Edvard Grieg Music, Morning


We're headed back to our last stop on our Norwegian adventure, Bergen, Norway!

The Bergen Tourism Board recommends "Preferably you should come to Bergen by sea.  It's the approach which shows the city the best."  We are in luck as most of you know we are sailing along the Norwegian fjords on the Queen Victoria.  If you have missed my last few posts about this adventure I hope you will scroll back and catch up with us! 

Bergen is the gateway to the fjord coastline of Western Norway.  Formerly it served as the capital.  The city boasts a population of 238,000.  So we are not here alone. 


As the ship sailed gently into the Hjeltfjord we began our transit of 30 miles.  The early morning sun shining on the mountains and clouds give a distinct beauty to our surroundings.


The various shades of green in the valley with the waterfalls rushing down are simply breathtaking. 


As we approach the entrance to Bergen, the Queen Victoria passes under the Askoy Bridge with a minimum clearance of 18 feet over the funnel of the ship!  It can be unnerving watching, but exciting as well.  Faith in your Captain and those you trust with your safety must be applied. 


As the ship docked in Bergen the colorful homes along the hillside came into view.  The cleanliness of this area is noteworthy as all the places in Norway were!  Typically a port can be less than clean in my opinion.


Grayden and I decided to take a self guided walking tour around Bergen.  I hope you will come along with us on our adventure in this unique city by the fjord. 



The Trikken is the tram system of Norway.  Sadly this system closed in Bergen. 



Bergen is a lovely town to walk about on this lovely morning.  The flowers and the trees are so healthy and lush.

Bergen is a center of culture in Scandinavia.  Edvard Grieg, the world famous composer, was born here.  Bergen has a concert hall and art galleries, museums and one of Norway's best universities.



Henrik Ibsen was a Norwegian playwright and director known for being the "father of realism."



The famous violinist Ole Bull was born in Bergen as well. 





Do watch your step as we walk along the cobblestone streets.  The city has a modern feel, but old European as well. 



The Sailor's Monument depicts the seafaring history of all the men and women that work the seas all the way back to the Vikings to the present era.



On our walking tour we are headed to the Funicular.  If you've never been on one it takes you to the top of the mountain in a cable car.  The ones we have traveled in the past were much smaller than the one here in Bergen.  Watch your step as we board and enjoy the view.



The funicular railway runs every 30 minutes from the lower station of the Floibanen on Ovregate.  We board the train for our 8 minute ride to the top of Mount Floyen.





The Funicular tracks provide an ingenious way to climb! 
As we rise to the top of the mountain we are treated with glorious views over Bergen and into the fjord. 







You can also see how large this city is.  Here at the top of the mountain there are shops and restaurants.



After taking the funicular back down the mountain we made our way quayside (Bryggen).  As you can see it's a popular place to shop and visit.



These tall and narrow warehouses are reminiscent of medieval times.  There are lovely shops with a variety of gifts to tempt everyone.  I had to buy gifts for our family here. 







Unfortunately in 1702 a great fire destroyed most of Bergen, but it has been restored.  Bryggen is on the UNESCO's World Heritage List as one of the world's most important monuments to culture and history of medieval Europe. 






An enormous Fish Market (Fisketorget) is located at the head of the bay of Vaagen.  This very large market, not only sells fish, but flowers, and fruits and vegetables.  Also many handcrafted items were available at this market. 



It's time for us to make our way back to the ship.  Along our path back we pass many lovely spots.



I read where free concerts are given here during the summers.  Such a pretty bandstand.



We walk past the Kode 1 Museum building for fine craft and design.



The city is full of lovely cauldrons filled to the brim with flowers. 

Walking back rather briskly we get drenched by a rainstorm.  We had on our raincoats so we were fine.  Getting back on board the ship the sun starts to shine. 




As the ship dropped its lines and headed out to the North Sea we decided to walk the Promenade and enjoy the most beautiful rainbow!


It was a beautiful ending to a magical visit to the Kingdom of Norway!  Thank you for coming along with us.  I'll be posting some photos of our trip back to Southampton and then our journey home on the Queen Mary 2 .








 
  






33 comments:

  1. What a beautiful land you've visited and traveling on that gorgeous vessel must be a dream. You're so lucky! Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos with us. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  2. Surely Bergen is the jewel in the Norwegian crown? What a stunning place it is. Your comments on the cleanliness remind me of hearing someone once say it is so clean you could eat your food off the floor. The music, a perfect accompaniment to our all too short a visit.

    ~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Deb, our visit passed all too quickly. We'll always remember the charming people, the beautiful scenery, and the absolute clean environment that is Norway. I couldn't resist playing Grieg. xoxo ♥

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  3. Martha Ellen, you have taken the most beautiful photos of this city. Thank you so much! I have enjoyed my virtual tour of Bergen. Such an amazing city!

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed our visit to Bergen, Denise. We'll always remember it with great fondness. ♥

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  4. Another beautiful stop on your journey. So much to see and enjoy. Cleanliness is an important aspect in any tour. This city looks absolutely pristine.

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    1. Vee, Norway is to be commended for their cleanliness and their fresh air. It's sad to say, but that is not always the case.

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  5. Martha Ellen, I am enamored with the city as you have shown it! How interesting that so many famous people were from Bergen . . . Grieg, Ibsen, Bull. Loved your views from the top of the Funicular! Well, I really loved all of your shots of this charming place! (You are a wonderful photographer!) The cauldrons filled with flowers are lovely and unique.

    You must have thoroughly enjoyed this trip to gorgeous Norway! I will be following along as we make the final legs of the journey.

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    1. Thank you, Cheryl for your kind comments. Norway provided spectacular opportunities to take photos! The scenery of this lovely country truly touched me on many levels. And Bergen did as well, though I'm not a big fan of cities. Thank you for joining us as we finalize our trip. ♥

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  6. I must admit that traveling along with you on this amazing trip has given me quite an education, and a lot of enjoyment. Your pictures are so good! What a great photographer you are! Thank you for allowing me to tag along. I have loved it!

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    1. Mary, it makes me so happy to hear you enjoyed our trip. Traveling is a great education for the mind and the heart. Thank you for your kind comments as I attempt to convey our experience in Norway.

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  7. That rainbow certainly was a lovely way to end your visit to such a beautiful place.

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    1. It was thrilling to have a full rainbow greet us, Cathy. I couldn't get it all in my frame, but it is in my memory to cherish.

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  8. What a beautiful city and setting. Love the colorful homes and shops that dot the hillside. The views you got by traveling up by funicular were spectacular. Cleanliness and fresh air are a bonus when visiting new places. Wonderful rainbow to end your day. Hope you are having a good week.

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    1. Thank you,Ellen. Norway is a lovely country that will always hold a special place in my heart. I hope your week is going well. ♥

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  9. My goodness what a tour you have taken us on such beauty to admire. I am sure lots of memories have been created for you to cherish. A trip of a lifetime.

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    1. I still can't believe we took this voyage. It was a trip of a lifetime indeed. ♥

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  10. The photo of all the homes and buildings on the side of the hill looks like one of these really hard jigsaw puzzles we used to put together! I love the train that runs and all the neat shops...well, just everything! Great pics! We all want to go now!

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    1. Diane, we should take one of these photos and have it made into a puzzle. Thanks for the idea! ♥

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  11. Every time I look at this I keep thinking I should add Norway to future destinations. Your photos are so wonderful (and I admit, I'd like to shop in that warehouse district!)

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    1. Jeanie, you should add Norway to your list of destinations. We were in awe at every turn.

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  12. Oh, that rainbow made my heart sing, Martha Ellen. That's a beautiful one, indeed. So many wonderful photos of your trip. The cobblestone streets are so charming. The cable cars taking you to the top of the mountain sounds so cool. What a sight that must be! Sounds a bit scary too - I don't do well driving curves and hills and cliffs in the mountains. The shops looks so charming, and I love that old red chair. Did you buy something special for yourself? The gazebo and the yellow flowers planted in the cauldrons are so pretty. What a nice picture.

    Another lovely trip, and what special memories you are making, seeing interesting things each and every time. : )

    ~Sheri

    ps.....I loved hearing that you have an old rolling pin just like the one I have. It's in pretty good shape, considering how many years I've had it.

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    1. Sheri, thank you for your comments about our trip. The funicular was a wonderful ride up the mountain--no twists or turns on this one! I'm not fond of heights and it really didn't bother me.
      My rolling pin was probably bought when I first married, so I'd guess it to be around 50 years old. We'll be celebrating our 52nd anniversary next month! My how time flies. Have a great week.♥

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  13. Wow that was a lovely place to visit! Ending your day the way you did sounded so nice!

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  14. WOW! what a great adventure/journey you both have been on, it likes going back in time with a few modern conveniences. Thank you for sharing, Your memories have been captured so eloquently, thank you for sharing.
    Thank you for visiting me.
    Blessings,
    Sue

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    1. Thank you, Sue. Our trip to Norway was more than we expected. Lovely in every way!

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  15. Beautiful place to be. Love those colorful buildings. I know I would have to see inside everyone of those shops. Cauldrons of flowers and cobblestone streets, I like that.. Thank you for the visit.
    betsy

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    1. Betsy, Norway was so lovely and that includes the city of Bergen. Sometimes cities can be overwhelming to me, but not Bergen. Thank you for coming along with us!

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  16. Martha, how beautiful! I've always liked Grieg and always enjoyed hearing my late Norwegian friend John recount stories of his happy childhood and young adulthood in Norway, going everywhere on skis.

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    1. Your friend sounds like one of our guides on this tour, Jean. He reminded us of frozen lakes full of happy skaters and skiers all winter. Grieg is quite unforgettable.

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  17. Lovely post and the detail and information you share :)

    All the best Jan

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