Bergen - Norway in a Nutshell - Voss
Trip Start
Jul 11, 2007
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14
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Trip End
Aug 02, 2007
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Voss,
Norway
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Brilliant weather, sunny & clear.
Train at 0800 to Voss, arriving 0900, very scenic.
Checked in to the fabulous old-style Fleischer's Hotel adjoining the railway station & enjoyed a coffee overlooking the lake.
Had to drag ourselves away from the view to get on the bus for the tour at 10am, but it was well worthwhile.
Stopped after about an hour at Stalheim Hotel, located in a most spectacular spot at the top of a steep vally. Then an amazing ride down the hill through many hairpin bends to Gudvangen, where we boarded a ferry for an amazing 2 hour cruise to Flam. Thank heavens for digital cameras where we can click without cost - but sorting through all the shots, all fantastic, is quite a task.Only negative - the ferry was so crowded we could not move - a pity that spoilt the experience a little.
Perfect weather throughout the day, lovely spot for lunch in the sun almost made up for the truly awful food! Not really much to see in Flam apart from the view, so eventually wandered over to the hotel & enjoyed afternoon tea at their cafe, thankfully nicer than lunch.
Train departed at 1600 for the steep & (again) spectacular trip up into the mountains. Again the crowds were a little frustrating - long lines to board, pushing & shoving as everyone tried to grab the best seats - ended up we could not even sit together or at a window, but even so you could not miss the view!
Highlight of that part of the trip was a stop at the waterfall which thunders down the mountain right beside the train, posing in the spray for photos while Greig's music played & girls danced on the rocky outcrops above us
Changed trains at Myrdal at 1700 then more stark alpine scenery on the way back to Voss, arriving back at 1800. Time to do some laundry (bliss!), have a pre-dinner drink then dine in the ornate dining room at the hotel (included in the room rate). Pity the standard of the buffet food did not match the surroundings, but maybe we are too fussy.
Chatted to two Australian couples who had also sailed on the Hurtigruten (but not our ship) them tried to sleep but bright daylight combined with a concert in the park oppposite meant that was rather difficult.
