The Coast of Norway
It was water that defined this day. The town of Bergen is built around two harbors and the Endeavour docked here early this morning. Big cruise ships and cargo vessels tie up near the outer piers. Ferries, buoy tenders, research vessels, and fishing boats line the quay along the main waterfront. An assortment of small cruising boats completes the complement. As we disembarked for a short walking tour of town, water fell from the sky in light droplets. It was just another one of the 275 days each year that see some precipitation here on the coast of Norway.
While we planned a full day ashore, the ship would reposition north for a late day rendezvous. Our bus tour carried us to higher elevations, away from the fjord and through glacially carved valleys. Countless waterfalls began to appear. Some were small and wispy, others raging and thunderous. There were streams where small boys fished and rivers with rapids. Cascades whipped white with froth tore through boulder-strewn hillsides. The rain added volume to the runoff and accentuated every downhill flow. We stopped at the more dramatic sites for photographs and short walks.
The second part of our shore excursion was by train. The steepest rail line in the world (a five and one half-percent grade) carried us downhill, again through spectacular scenery. Cascades and more waterfalls held our focus at every turn. Our rail tour ended just as the Endeavour approached the dock at Flam. We were able to watch the ship maneuver closer, make fast to the dock and lower the gangway to receive us back aboard. As we gathered in the lounge for evening recap and cocktails we reflected back on our day off the ship, and the waters of Sognefjord reflected the lush and rocky landscape behind.
It was water that defined this day. The town of Bergen is built around two harbors and the Endeavour docked here early this morning. Big cruise ships and cargo vessels tie up near the outer piers. Ferries, buoy tenders, research vessels, and fishing boats line the quay along the main waterfront. An assortment of small cruising boats completes the complement. As we disembarked for a short walking tour of town, water fell from the sky in light droplets. It was just another one of the 275 days each year that see some precipitation here on the coast of Norway.
While we planned a full day ashore, the ship would reposition north for a late day rendezvous. Our bus tour carried us to higher elevations, away from the fjord and through glacially carved valleys. Countless waterfalls began to appear. Some were small and wispy, others raging and thunderous. There were streams where small boys fished and rivers with rapids. Cascades whipped white with froth tore through boulder-strewn hillsides. The rain added volume to the runoff and accentuated every downhill flow. We stopped at the more dramatic sites for photographs and short walks.
The second part of our shore excursion was by train. The steepest rail line in the world (a five and one half-percent grade) carried us downhill, again through spectacular scenery. Cascades and more waterfalls held our focus at every turn. Our rail tour ended just as the Endeavour approached the dock at Flam. We were able to watch the ship maneuver closer, make fast to the dock and lower the gangway to receive us back aboard. As we gathered in the lounge for evening recap and cocktails we reflected back on our day off the ship, and the waters of Sognefjord reflected the lush and rocky landscape behind.
