NORWAY - August 2010

Bryggen

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, and is as far north as Yellowknife. Nestled in between the ocean and rolling mountains, it is a lot like Vancouver.  The rocky shoreline, fjords, mountains, and brightly coloured and remote houses make for stunning scenery. We stayed with Marc Basso, an old friend of Dave’s from 8^th grade that he had not seen since, but thanks to facebook, had recently rekindled their friendship. First stop was a visit to Bryggen, a row of wooden houses in the harbor that is a UNESCO world heritage site. 

Almost at the Top

Bergen from the Top

Next was a short hike up the mountains for a spectacular view and a West Coast style picnic (sandwiches and beer), and a trip down the Ulriken gondola. Then there was a trip to the fish market for some fresh trout salmon for dinner, and a sample of other Norwegian specialties including elk salami and shark.

A trip to see the fjords is a must in Norway, so we booked a ferry from Bergen that heads up the Sognefjorden (the longest at a whopping 200km) to Flåm. The fjord is surrounded by very steep mountains with waterfalls. In Flåm we stopped at a local brew pub that had a Viking feel, complete with fireplace and sheep skins. We then took the Flåmsbana railway up the mountains for more spectacular views and waterfalls in an old train.

Entering Sognefjorden

Waterfall seen from the Train from Flam

At Myrdal, most tourists take the train back to Bergen, however, we were planning on staying at a hostel in Oremberger, highly recommended by our hosts for some relaxation and a good traditional Norwegian dinner. 

A town so small you need to tell the train driver that you wish to get off there.  A town so small, there is no platform, just jump off the train.  A town so small, that a rocky hike down a very rugged path leads you there. A town so small, that the hostel IS THE TOWN. And here I was worried we would have a problem finding it. Waiting for us at the bottom of the trail was our host Jan, who greeted us with a warm “You must be the crazy Canadians”. Indeed we were. 

After a small hike where our only companions were some grazing sheep, and a hearty dinner with beer, we had a peaceful sleep listening to the rush of the water from the river nearby.

The next day we were off to Voss (namesake for really expensive bottled water) for lunch and back to Bergen by train. Back in Bergen we went sea kayaking (a first for both of us). Luckily Mark is an expert and a great instructor. Unlucky for us (okay mostly Kim), the wind decided to pick up, and we were paddling into it all the way back. 

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