Both Wendy and I love views of water, especially those which have plenty of activity going on. You couldn't beat Bergen on that score!! There are boats going back and forth continuously, taking tourists to see the maritime sights of the city. We had one that docked close to the hotel that was going to the aquarium.
I defy anyone to get bored with this view of Bergen, so I make no apology for posting another photo of the wonderful harbourfront scene with the houses rising above the city on the very green mountains surrounding Bergen.
Wendy and I went on a high-speed walking tour, as we had to leave by 12 noon for the drive down to Stavanger where Bob, Thelma, Wendy and I are staying with our friends, Leif & Siri. The others are booked into a Stavanger city centre hotel.
Within a couple of hundred yards, we went past the law courts with their four gaunt stone statues...
.. and below, this plaque in Norwegian, I think giving their names. Perhaps readers of this blog who can read Norwegian can enlighten me? To enlarge the photo, double click on it. To return to the blog, click the browser back button.
We then went past the statue to the seamen of Bergen which was erected in 1950.
Our walk took us through the Bryggen, the old quarter which is a World Heritage site. The buildings are crammed together with narrow passageways. The place was crowded with cruise liner passengers and I wondered what it would be like in high summer, when there are literally tens of thousands of tourists visiting.
The World Heritage visitor centre, housed in one of the small wooden buildings.
One of the very old stone-built houses.
We then went to see the cathedral. It has a very plain white interior, but what made the visit special for us was an organist practising on the cathedral organ. The sound filled the cathedral and we just stood there enjoying the music.
A few photos of the beautiful streets and houses of Bergen, finishing with a photo of a stall at the fishmarket by the waterfront, displaying lobster, crab and fish.
The line of people waiting to board the funicular railway. What a contrast to yesterday, when we were virtually the only people to board the train!
The fish stall.
The three magnificent wooden guildhouses.
We returned to the hotel, loaded our bags into the car and left Bergen at noon. We had two ferries to catch, the first about half an hour south of the city. We met up with Eric, Bob and Kenny all waiting to board the ferry. Ahmad had caught an earlier sailing.
When Kenny came onboard, we saw his new woollen hat he had bought in Bergen, We could see he was really entering into the spirit of travelling through Viking territory!
The ferry crossing took about thirty minutes and we then took a side road to avoid the quite heavy traffic on the E39, which took us close to the sea and through lovely wooded hills. Further on, we reached a series of long tunnels and great bridges. I love the beautiful curves of the bridges and roads. They make great photos.
This suspension bridge had a short section of tunnel on the road leading to it - a great combination in one photo.
After one more ferry, we reached the outskirts of Stavanger. Unless we have a ferry on our drive from Stavanger to Kristiansand, our last town in Norway, I think this is our last experience of Norwegian ferries. The speed with which they load and unload hundreds of cars and trucks is incredible. So here, for maybe the last time, are a few photos taken of our ferry crossing.
Me enjoying the sunshine and the ferry crossing in the opposite direction.
We drove the final 25 kms to reach Leif and Siri's house just outside Stavanger and what a house it is! It is situated on the shores of Hafrsfjorden, facing west across the water, with islands in the distance. It reminded us of my cousin Basil's house in Canada. The views from the panoramic windows in the living room are incredible.
We made contact with the others in their hotel and arranged for them to get a taxi over to the house where Siri and Leif were putting on a dinner for us all. What great hosts!! Unfortunately, Kenny and DeeAnne had decided to take a 'special Kenny' route, which resulted in them reaching a ferry crossing where the next ferry wasn't arriving for two hours. This meant they had to turn round and rejoin the main highway, resulting in three hours being added to their journey. To compound their problems, when they finally arrived at the hotel, they found they did not have a reservation! The hotel was full, so they had to find another one in Stavanger. So, when they did arrive at the house, everyone was very relieved that we were all together to enjoy a fabulous evening with a delicious dinner cooked by Siri.
Kenny and DeeAnne, being greeted by Leif and me.
After the meal, we took a group photo, with Leif on the far left and Siri standing at the back, next to Ahmad.
Bob, Wendy and Lynn enjoying a joke.
With the sun setting behind the islands, this photo summed up for me the ending of yet another wonderful day on this Baltic drive.
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