June 30, 2018 – Bergen to Oslo by Train

We were up and around at 5:30 AM – a good thing because I ordered breakfast for 6 to 6:15 and it arrived at 5:45. We looked out the window to check the weather – another beautiful sunny day – we have been so blessed with the weather, and this is totally amazing with Bergen being the rain capital of Norway.

Just a note from last night – because we had some last-minute laundry to do I didn’t actually get to bed until 11:30 – here is a picture from out deck at that time – amazingly beautiful beginning sunset.

Anyway – back to this morning.  We loaded onto a bus at 7 AM and took the short journey to the train station.  Here we learned that we were to get on the 8^th car – which was at the back of the line-up from the terminal, but at the front of the train.  A bit of a walk for Harry but we made it!  We set off exactly on time at 7:57 AM and proceeded on our way to OSLO – a 7-hour journey. 

Just a little information about this train ride. The ‘Bergensbanen’, also called the Bergen Railway is a 371 Km long standard gauge railway line between Bergen and Honefoss but the name is often applied for the entire route from Bergen via Drammen to Oslo a distance of 496 KM.  It is the highest mainline railway line in Northern Europe, crossing the Hardangervidda plateau at 1,237 meters above sea level.

The railway opened from Bergen to Voss in 1883 as the narrow gage Voss Line.  In 1909 the route was continued over the mountain to Oslo and the whole route converted to standard gauge.  The line is single track and was electrified in 1954-64. 

The line has 182 tunnels totaling 73 KM of which 10 are over 2 Km. Finse station remains the highest station at 1,222.2 meters, while the highest point is in the Finse Tunnel at 1,237 meters.

From Bergen to Finse we travelled almost exclusively uphill, making several very short stops along the way.  Just long enough for a few passengers to either get on or off.  We did learn that the morning train from the first stop to Bergen is frequented by commuters as it is only 8 minutes by train and the cost of living is much more reasonable than within Bergen or by driving.  

Throughout the trip Magdelena our guide kept us informed as to what we were seeing out the window.  It was to say the least a spectacular ride with changes to the scenery as we increased our altitude and then the reverse as we proceeded back down to sea level at Oslo.  Taking pictures was a challenge as the train was moving at a good clip and trying to click between trees took a keen eye and a quick finger, but we did get some beautify shots as you can see.

When we arrived in Oslo we got off the train and walked to our hotel which is located just around the corner from the train station. 

              

After checking in at the hotel I went for a walk down one of the main streets of town – which is packed with people today as it s Gay Pride Week – great fun with lots of individuals and families dressed for the occasion.

This evening we will have a quite dinner in a restaurant close to the hotel then tomorrow we have booked a tour around the town.  

June 29, 2018 – Bergen Norway - Our Last Full day on the ship

I awoke at 5:30AM – thinking it was 6:30 and our ship would be pulling into port in Bergen.  Anyway it did provide me with some wonderful view of the magnificent entrance into the port of Bergen Norway.  I watched until we backed into our berth which turned out to be a 10 minute walk from the very interesting pedestrian/tourist part of this beautiful city.  Despite the forecast of 70% rain – we had a beautiful sunny day which remained warm until well past 10 PM in the evening. I think sun down is past 11 PM.

After breakfast we made our way onto the pier and had a lovely 2 hour sightseeing tour around Bergen.  During that time we had a couple of chances to stop and view the magnificent Fjords  and scenery that surround the city.  Picturesque Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway, having been founded in 1070 it has deep Viking roots.  It was the country’s  the country’s capital and in the Hanseatic League, a merchant powerhouse with ports throughout the Baltic. 

Perhaps the most iconic landmark is the gathering of quaint, historic wooden buildings of the UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf – in which we were stationed. This city is build almost exclusively of wood and therefore more than once in its history as been completely burned to the ground.  There was also a Nazi Warship during the WWII that had entered the harbour due to mechanical difficulties but with tons of dynamite exploded, destroying many of the surrounding city structures.  During our tour we also visited different districts in town including some very affluent areas where we could look out over the magnificent Fjords.  Several times we drove through tunnels which we learned were prevalent throughout Norway as the only way to economically get through and around the many fjords and mountains.

We also viewed – though did not take the funicular up one of the 9 mountains that surround the city.  The view from the top is deemed to be one of the best – maybe on our next stop here in Bergen in the future.

After lunch I ventured into the town to explore not only the  multitude of shops, but also the fish market – which proved to be a place where one could spend a fortune insuring a wonderful healthy menu for many days.  There was a festival going on so on several streets were bands of young people playing.

After returning to the ship we packed up our bags as they were to be picked up at 8 PM and will be transported to our hotel in Oslo – which we will stay in for the next 2 nights.  After packing we had a lovely dinner, had a chance to exchange email addresses and contact information with some friends we met from Ontario, and of course with Brian and Carver.  It has been a wonderful cruise and we had a chance to thank all those who made it special including our amazing room service  and dining room staff.  This cruise has been absolutely amazing – and anyone reading this blog should consider Viking as their next cruise company. 

June 28, 2018 – Sea Day – Sailing the North Sea

It started out a nice cool but sunny day, later got cloudy but no rain.  Not too many pictures today as it is a sea day and all we can see is water and sky.

That being said – it is a lovely day filled with as many activities as you could want.  Everything from Trivia (really tough but the Crazy Canucks got 6 out of 15), scarf tying, learning the cha cha or meeting with the ship’s officers.  There was also Port talks about Bergen including a run down on all the possible excursions available in Bergen – which is the final stop of this cruise. 

Of course there is music playing in three different locations on board, several lectures on very interesting topics and the Captain’s Farewell Event. 

At 5:15 we proceeded to the Atrium for the Captain’s Farewell Event.  It really was a great performance.  Starting off with the Resident Guitarist Daniel and singer Madelaine, a talk about how he became a captain and his desire to be a captain from a very young age, followed by a Thank you video from all the staff.  This was followed up by all the staff entering the atrium and gathering at the front.  Then to top off a great farewell event Brian Rodriguez entertained us one more time.

After a lovely supper we made our way to the Theatre for a performance by the fabulous four singers and the Viking band featuring the songs of the Beatles and ABBA.  What a way to end the cruise – such energy and talent.  Then it was off to bed to prepare for our entrance tomorrow into Bergen.

June 27, 2018 – Amsterdam, Netherlands

 

This morning we awoke to grey cloudy skies but were told it was going to be up to 26 by the end of the day – they did not lie.  We had time for a leisurely breakfast before heading out on our excursion.  As we headed into dock in the morning we saw 7 river boats at the dock including a Viking River Boat that is headed out on the Amsterdam to Budapest trip that we did in 2016. 

This is a city of bicycles and scooters.  At every building entrance and several places on every street you will see many bikes locked to the bike racks.  Along every road way or pedestrian way is a red lane which is a designated bike lane.  You never, never cross a bike lane without looking both right and left.  Cyclists are not required to wear helmets, and many have specially equipped bikes with baskets or seats in front and possibly on the back as well.  Some are attached to carts for carrying goods, babies or dogs.  Our guide informed us that it was important when locking your bike to make sure the lock engaged both the front and back wheel as well as the frame and the stand as theft of front wheels or if that is locked – the rest of the bike, is extensive.  Even scooters were well locked to what ever stand was available. We were happy that none of our group was it by a bike or scooter, though I did come close by a bike being ridden on the pedestrian walk by a cyclist checking his cell phone. 

Anyway – so much for the bicycles.  We were picked up by our bus and guide at 10 AM sharp and headed out on an exploration trip around Amsterdam.  We saw many of the highlights and thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful green city.  We learned that one of the reasons biking is so popular is that a downtown parking space is 80,000 Euros to purchase and then you need a permit for the downtown area that runs about 3,000 Euros per year.  Hence there are many cyclists and many use the extensive public transport.  A lesson we in the lower mainland could learn. 

After about an hour in the bus we were transferred to a Canal Boat and proceeded through the extensive network of canals that make up Amsterdam. During that time we saw some of Amsterdam’s oldest and loveliest buildings, from narrow-fronted gabled houses to gilded manses adorned wit riches during the height of Holland’s Golden Age.  Our guide pointed out many of the staircases and explained that the wealthier the original owner – the more ornate the staircase.  She also told of those in days gone by who didn’t pay their taxes – only to find their staircase had been removed.  A very effective way of collecting overdue taxes as the owners would either pay very fast and quickly replace the staircase – or would disappear out of embarrassment.

As we progressed on the waterways we also aw many charming houseboats moored canal side.  These serve as apartments for those who want to live in the city but cannot either afford or rent an apartment. 

We also passed by one bridge that is the first of seven bridges – here is the picture but you have to look carefully to see past the first bridge – though they are all identical.

It was a great excursion, then we were delivered back to our ship by the Canal boat and from there lunch.  The afternoon I ventured by foot to the train terminal (trains, buses, trams and trolleys) and lots of stores – some high end, some just very practical like a grocery store and a pharmacy – and lots of restaurants. 

Heading back for supper and a delightful show by magician Adam Heppenstall.  Tomorrow is a sea day as we head toward Bergen.    

June 26, 2018 – Zeebrugge Belgium

Zeebrugge is a beloved city for its splendid old architecture and tranquil canals.  It is one of the most beautifully preserved medieval cities in Europe.  It quickly became the leading commercial center on the continent in the 14^th century.  Its lovely houses built by wealthy merchants are a testament to its former prominence as an English wool and Flemish textile trade centre. 

For us this day we started our excursion by bus throughout the very scenic Flanders countryside – travelling beside canals and fields of potatoes, corn, cows, sheep and other crops which were too early to identify.  It is a very flat countryside with fields separated by rows of bushes and trees giving it a checkerboard appearance.

 

We drove through several small villages including Damme which is famous for its numerous bookstores.  We continued around Bruges, passing iconic windmills and medieval city gates and eventually arrived at the seaside city of Knokke (pronose every letter). 

During the early 19^th century, Knokke became a vacation haven for the city folk of Brussels, an over time it developed into an upscale resort town.  Artists who frequented the resort to paint its beautiful vistas founded the Cercle des Aristes in Knokke in 1880.

As for us, we were dropped off by our coach after about 1 ½ hour drive for  a chance to wander about the town.  The first order of business was to line up for the washrooms at the Tourist Centre – a process which took about 15 minutes.  I then wandered over to the lovely beach with beautiful sand and lots of folks including children.  It was really quite windy and I noted that it is likely that it is frequently that way as there was a multitude of shelters which protected the users from the wind coming off the water.  As in the last beach there were also man little storage units which look like they are used to store beach furniture which is then taken out, put on the door which drops down and the owners/renters can enjoy a day on the beach.  

I then returned to the square to join Harry and we walked down part of the main shopping street which is filled with many of the very upscale shops.  I was not tempted to venture into the shops let alone make any purchases given our exchange rate.  We returned to the bus and made a quick trip back to the ship with time to change for a lovely supper.

For the evening entertainment we were blessed by a beautiful singer from Great Britain named Helen Wilding.  A fabulous singer who has been asked to entertain the royal family on more than one occasion.  It was great fun to hear her recount the experience including the lack of any technology.  She joked that her husband even doubted that these events had happened as she did not have any visual evidence until one day she saw herself – with Prince William on a news report.  She has also developed a u-tube channel devoted to working with children.  Will have to check it out sometime.  She ended the evening with a song she wrote – basically saying – I am me – just as I am – I am OK.  A really neat song with lots images of her singing harmony to her in person presentation.  Quite remarkable. 

Then off to a good night’s sleep before arriving in Amsterdam tomorrow.