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 .