Monday, August 26, 2019

Olden at the Nordfjord, Norway


During the early morning, while we were sleeping, the Queen Victoria made her way into the Nordfjord!  This region covers 4295 square kilometers (2668 square miles).  It is the sixth longest fjord in Norway.  We traveled to the port of Olden which is 60 nautical miles after passing many fjords. 



 We could hardly believe our eyes when we opened the drapes to this magnificent view!  Beautiful Olden is spread out before us.



The Norwegian fjords were made by massive movements of glaciers during the Ice Age.  Near the coastline the ice pack was fairly thin.  Inland it was much thicker with the weight being enormous.  So you can imagine the entrance to a fjord being more shallow and the further into one it can be quite deep.  The entrance may be as little as 100 feet and inland the depth may be 4,000 feet!


This area of the Nordfjord encompasses the villages of Stryn, Loen, and Olden.  The total population of 6,850 with only 1,000 in Olden.  Most of the land is farmland. Before our tour begins we decided after breakfast to leave the ship and explore the small little village of Olden before our afternoon tour.  I hope you will join us!  


The beauty that surrounds Olden reminds us of Switzerland.  Olden lies in a wide valley with mountains that tower over 6,200 feet.  


There were a few small shops that carried the beautiful Norwegian sweaters.  I'm sure these warm wool lovelies will come in handy this winter. 


Of course there were many trolls to be found, though our guide mentioned most were made in China!




We continued walking around this small village on a path that led us to lovely flowers around every turn.  






Darling little cottages dotted our path with charming scenery along our way. 




One of my most favorite scenes was this crock of simple wildflowers placed on a table outside of the home.





It was time for us to walk back to the ship and get ready for our afternoon tour.



This tour is by coach as well and we have a handsome Norwegian guide that will explain to us about the glaciers of this area.  They are all offshoots of the Jostedals Icefield that is more than 60 miles long and is the largest in mainland Europe.



As we begin our tour we are told about the tunnels that comprise the road system.  If you look closely in the center of the above photo, you can see one that we will be going through. Tunnels provide the way to reach the other side, though at a big expense.  Can you imagine in the years past having to climb over these mountains?



Riding along, I must admit the scenery took our breath away.  The icy blue glacial waters have a wonderful stillness that creates the most wonderful reflections.



Some of these photos were taken from the bus window.  I couldn't help but snap again and again.





We traveled all the way to a very special National Park.





Even though I don't speak Norwegian, you can tell this is a National Park of Jostedalsbreen.  Remember that's the large icefield that encompasses this area.  



Even though we are not in Austria, I could not convince myself that we were not in the land of the Sound of Music!  The National Park movie we viewed told us that almost half the park is covered by the Jostedalsbreen Glacier.  



If you look at the top of the mountain you can see parts of the glacier.  This valley is so lovely and reminds me of what heaven must look like! 





I must admit to feeling tears well up in this beautiful valley.



I zoomed in to see the glacier up close.  Our guide pointed out the hole between the two large rock formations that are continuing to open with the movement of the ice.  



Traveling along the lakeside and viewing the reflections in the calm deep waters was stunning!


The rushing river shows a frosty milky green, telling us it is feed from a glacier.


Our tour stopped at this wonderful spot with sweeping views of the valley we just experienced.  My heart is full of gratitude as I viewed this magnificent scene!



The scenery we experienced coming down the mountain seemed like it was from another place, another time.  A time when life had a slower pace.  


Back on board the Queen Victoria,  she dropped her lines once again and we made our journey out of the Nordfjord and into the evening to begin her transit to the Sognefjord.  I'll be sharing our visit there next.  I do hope you will join us!   


















26 comments:

  1. So spectacular! I am afraid I would not sleep one wink unless out at sea, not wanting to miss a thing. How difficult a time you must have, although so enjoyable, sorting through your photographs. It's almost heart stopping to see the high cliffs rise up so steeply, so sharply up from such close proximity to the water's edge.

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

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    1. Deb, sleeping was not a priority for us during this holiday! Since the days were long with light, we had plenty of time to enjoy the transits in and out of the fjords. The mountains rising from the water's edge was so dramatic and beautiful-- A sight we won't soon forget! xoxo

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  2. What an amazing trip! Breathtaking views! Nellie xoxo

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  3. That looks beautiful.. we haven't been to Norway yet.

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  4. Absolutely stunning! You must have felt your spirits soar many times. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.” Psalm 121

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    1. Vee, you are so right about that! I should have that Psalm in this post. Thank you for mentioning it. xo

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  5. Beautiful, Martha Ellen. How fun that you walked through the small village and browsed through the shops. Those Trolls are something else. Did you happen to buy one for yourself? I love that pot of purple flowers, it's so pretty. The glaciers on the mountains and the rushing river is beautiful. This picture of you smiling exudes all the gratitude and appreciation you have for this special place, Martha Ellen.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Sheri, I did not buy a troll. I'm trying not to add more "things" to our home at this stage of our life. The wildflowers in Olden were so lovely, I could have posted a hundred more of them. Thank you for your sweet comments, my friend.

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  6. What breathtaking views! I really don't have words... This is definitely my favorite part of the trip so far. Wow! I think I would have had tears too!

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    1. Mary, I still have tears looking at our photos of this trip. Norway filled our hearts with joy!

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  7. It must have been breath-taking in person! I like there little farm houses.

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    1. It was breathtaking, Cathy! The darling homes were straight out of a fairytale.

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  8. I can imagine myself living there! Well, except in the winter! lol But I really would love to be surrounded by all that beauty and be able to walk so many places! Just amazing! I'm glad you got to travel and share your photos!

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    1. Diane, the winters would really be strange with all the darkness. Since I'm solar powered it wouldn't work for me either. Norway truly is a spectacular country!

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  9. What a beautiful spot to enjoy. Loved all your photos. I, too, enjoyed that crock with wildflowers. So pleasing to the eye. What dramatic and peaceful spots you were able to see. Those sweaters look great for winter. Did you buy one?

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    1. Ellen, I did not buy one of those gorgeous sweaters. My daughter knits and has made me some beauties over the years. Our winters are hardly cold enough to enjoy wool sweaters, though I do love every one she has made.

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  10. What beautiful village. I would have had to have a sweater and a couple trolls. I love those little figures. Never have I thought of placing a flower arrangement as charming as the one shown out on a table in the yard. I think notice is taken of their beauty in the outdoors more than inside on a table.
    Enjoyed the beauty you captured. Heavenly indeed.

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    1. Betsy, I've been trying very hard not to add more things to our home so a troll did not come home with us. When our guide mentioned they were made in China, that made it an easy decision for me. Now the sweaters were another thing--so gorgeous.

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  11. I loved seeing your visit there.. what an amazing place! I hope you show us which sweaters you chose. I would pass on the trolls, too. Thank you for sharing this wonderful place with us and you can bet I'll look forward to the next stop. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Teresa, I did not buy one of those sweaters! We hardly have cold enough weather to wear wool. I'm so glad you are joining us on our trip.

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  12. Oh my goodness. Martha Ellen, these scenes are absolutely stunning!! I can imagine that your jaws were dropped the entire time! Such majesty . . . such beauty!!

    Although not as majestic, the villages are certainly charming and inviting. And, of course, those Nordic sweaters are charming too!

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    1. Cheryl, I'm so glad that some of my photos actually captured the majesty of Norway. We both were in total awe of the views.

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  13. WOW!
    How can you describe this!
    I think you would run out of adjectives!

    It is so beautiful, majestic, spectacular, awesome, fabulous and breathtakingly wonderful :)

    I so enjoyed seeing all of your lovely photographs of this amazing trip, and another thing! Aren't those Nordic sweaters great!

    Until the nest time, take care

    All the best Jan

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    1. Jan, you are right, there are no words to describe beautiful Norway! I'm so glad you are coming along with us. And yes, the Norwegian sweaters are beyond great!

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