Flam, Stavanger, Kristiansand and Oslo are our four Ports of Call on this Cruise.
First of all it is Monday, May 20th, and the elevator mat is keeping us straight on the day. Monday -
Yep it is Monday. Thanks.
The hall mat is letting us know which direction to turn for the forward or the aft of the ship. It can be soooo..... confusing, especially when one is headed for that first cup of coffee.
And for today, the room steward made us the cutest towel dinosaur.
Now you know why all the maps and we, Tourist, refer to Flamsbrygga as just Flåm
Flåm
.**It seems that the Norwegian language includes the name and description in one word. i.e. Aulandsfjord, where we would probably show it as Aluands Fjord**
Aulandsfjord is 18 miles to the city of Aurland, (the port of which is named Flam). It is one of 11 fjords off Sognefjord, the King of Fjords in Norway. Sognefjord stretches 127 miles inland from the ocean and reaches a maximum depth of 1,308 meters (4,291 ft) below sea level. Cliffs surrounding the fjord rise almost sheer from the water to heights of 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) and more. The inner end of the Sognefjord is southeast of a mountain range rising to about 2,000 meters (6,600 ft) above sea level and is covered by the Jostedalsbreen, Nasjonalpark continental Europe's largest glacier. In 2005, the Nærøyfjord was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Friends, this area is referenced as "Norway in a Nutshell", and we were privileged to visit here on this Cruise.
If you follow the map, you'll note the beginning of the Sognefjord between Hardbakke and Eivindvik; and it traverses 127 miles to Skolden at its farthest point. Flam is flagged in Red, and it is easy to see where the Aulandsfjord branches from the Sognefjord. What an experience to be on deck, as we traversed much of the sheer beauty of the Sognefjord.
This is a fantastic area to visit, as it holds three World Heritages Sites, The Urnes Stave Church at Ornes on the Sogneford, Nareoyfjord which we visited going to Flam, and then just a few miles north the Geriraner Fjord.
Let's start in the beautiful village of Flam. We really had no idea when we arrived in Flam early in the morning, that the Flam Fjord was just one of 11 of the King of Fjords on the Soneffjord. To us It was just a beautiful small port village of about 350 people. It is also the start of the railway that ascends the 3,000ft mountain.
The Transportation Museum
Here we branched into two groups. The young set is off to kayak, and Dottie and I to a bus tour up the mountain through the village of Aurland to view the World Heritage Nareoyfjord.
What a peaceful setting to live and let live.
This is the overlook for the World Heritage Center overlooking the Nareoyfjord. The uniqueness of this area is that in just a few miles there are three world heritages centers, and Jostedalsbreen National Park where Europe's largest glacier is located. One could spent several weeks in this fantastic land and never experience a bored moment.
These photos were taken with my iPhone. I carried my new R model Canon and a 16~35mm landscape lens, and when I went to take the first picture it wouldn't work. Darn, the battery door had come open, and the battery had fallen out. But, I'll add the iPhone came through well; and am happy to share these with you. When we were leaving the tour bus at the ship dock, the bus driver was holding my battery; and asking if anyone had lost this thing. Dumb, dumb me, but to the ole iPhone, you saved my bacon.
These two pictures were taken out of the bus window on our way back to the ship.
Aurland Church
Now we have the Kayaking group.
What great photograph, taken by Renee, of Robin and Kyle. The setting is marvelous.
Raulin and Garrett
And look here, the Halls made it up the hill.
Serenity at its best.
Enlarge
Raulin and James, the Kayak Pros, enjoying the view after kayaking up the fjord.
They worked hard today powering those kayaks, and sometimes a Man just needs a delightful fresh cervez!
We were all on the upper deck for our departure that evening. We loved this particular photo; and yes, you have seen it or will see it again in our Logs. The Fjord of Nareoyfjord
As the Rotterdam left Flam the evening setting was spectacular. We had a sailing of 120 miles in the Sognefjord before getting to the Norwegian Sea......Absolutely breathtaking.
Tomorrow, we be aways down the coast to Stavanger, the Oil Capital of Norway, so be sure to stay with us.
And now as we do in New Mexico, when we pass .......................... we wave.
ADIOUS ~ Amigos
Remember to wisely use your QTR!
QTR - Quality Time Remaining
Come on Willie sing us another verse, and we’ll move on down the road.
