|
16 April 2023 - Bergen, Norway
Flying over the very jaggered coast of southern Norway, our flight arrived punctually into Bergen early in the afternoon on 16 April. Together with several passengers from our flight, we caught the Flybuss into town. It meandered through the narrow, winding streets of the city, dropping passengers off along the way.
Being a sunny, spring Sunday afternoon, the streets were alive with a very animated crowd. A few days prior to our arrival the Statsraad Lehmkuhl, Norway's largest and oldest square-rigged sailing ship, arrived with much fanfare into the beautiful Bergen harbour.
The Statsraad Lehmkuhl
Evidently the King had been in town to officiate over the ceremony. He obviously hadn't read my latest blog or he would have know that we wouldn't be there till Sunday, by which time he had departed. Or maybe, more likely, he had read it and planned his visit to avoid these pesky, Aussie tourists
After checking into our hotel, the Scandic Bergen City, which we had chosen due to it's proximity to the Hurtigruten Cruise Terminal, we strolled in the direction of the nearby Torgallmenningen, following the beat of drums. Adjacent the Sailor's Memorial Monument we were greeted with the spectacle of the Marching Season of the Buekorps.
The Buekorps taking the Salute
BUEKORPS (literally "Bow Corps" or "Archery Brigade"), may, very superficially, be described as groups of boys who take to the streets of Bergen each spring and march to the beat of drums, flying their flags and showing their uniforms. They are a traditional and very popular feature of the Constitution Day celebrations in the City of Bergen on the 17th of May each year.
The littlest Buekorps taking things seriously
More images of the Buekorps are available here
When we returned to the hotel we discovered our travel partners, Steve & Gwen, still hadn't arrived. We were starting to worry, four hours had elapsed since their ETA had come and gone. This was to be our first journey together after Covid interrupted our joint travel plans to Africa three years ago. It was starting to feel like dejevu.
As it was dinner time, and our tummies were rumbling, we wandered down to the local kebab shop and filled ourselves to bursting point with some of the best kebab we have ever tasted, and trust me, we've tasted more than our fair share of kebab in this lifetime.
Happily, upon our return to the hotel, we were informed by reception, that Steve and Gwen had arrived and we would not have to sail off without them.
After our long-awaited reunion, I decided to walk off the excess carbohydrates, by heading down to the wharf area, as the sun was slowing setting, illuminating the old wooden buildings opposite.
The reflected glow of sunset in Bergen
More images of the Bergen are available here
17 April 2023 - Hurtigruten Cruise
The super soft beds afforded us a very comfortable night's sleep. We descended to the dining room to partake of the delicious, inclusive breakfast. What a variety of tempting treats! Although we were still full from last night's kebab, I must say, we did ourselves proud.
With almost a full day to wile away before our ship was due to sail, we headed to the Fløibanen, the funicular that travels to the top of Mount Fløyen. We weren't disappointing. It was a perfect blue-sky, spring day and the view was simply breathtaking.
The view of Bergen Harbour
Once we had descended the mountain, we returned to the hotel via the wharf area where we encountered our first klippfisk at a small fish kiosk. We smelled it before we saw it. Evidently, you need to pound it with the broad side of an axe to tenderise it, giving it the texture of fibrous cement board. Some people compare it to a fishy beef jerky; I would argue it is more like very fishy wood chip.
Klippfisk hanging out at Bergen Harbour
Back at the hotel, we picked up our luggage which we had successfully crammed back into our suitcases, no easy task when we are limited to 23 kg but our suitcases only have a volume equally to 20kg in clothing. There is only one solution; vacuum bags. Unfortunately, once you vacuum the air out of woolen jumpers and down-filled jackets you are left waffer-thin planks, as stiff as board, which won't bend, fold or mold around other items. Thank goodness for expendable suitcases, though we still had to sit on them to zip them shut.
A mere five minute stroll to the Hurtigruten terminal, wrestling wheeled suitcases over cobblestoned streets, and hubby's suitcase sans it's north-west wheel due to some heavy-handed baggage handler, turned into a 10 minute battle of the wills, but upon arrival we were pleasantly surprised to find no crowds or queues. We presented our passports and received boarding cards and directions to the passenger lounge, well stocked with all manner of complimentary drinks and food. I partook of a most delicious seafood chowder, or two. Together with a few Danish pastries, that was lunch taken care of. We were just brushing off the last of the crumbs when our ship came in... literally.
Our ship coming in.
We boarded without any hassles and quickly found our very compact cabin on level five. After unpacking, we negotiated our way to the dining room on level four and settled in for a substantial meal. And, as we sailed off into the sunset I pondered whether or not we had packed sufficient heart burn remedies.
My cruise blog is available here.
|
