Two objectives today: Beyond that, we wandered up small lanes ever higher And back down to the neighborhoods around the quay Let’s just say we zigzagged our way around the town
Month: May 2023
When Icarus went hang-gliding
Post by Grubb. While our train was slowing to a stop at Voss Station (way back on Saturday), I drew Ella’s attention to a hang-glider in a red rig that was swirling way too fast for a safe landing. The lake at the bottom of the Voss valley warms up during the day and the thermals…
Rooftop apartment in quiet area
At Professor Keysers Gata 4, a rooftop, small but airy two bedroom apartment (AirBnB), just a few blocks up a hill from the center of town. A quiet area. Three flights of steepish stairs.
Bergen weather jokes
Post by Ella. Time for a little googling about weather in Bergen. It rains all the time. 98 inches (2490 mm) per year. The driest month, May (yay!), gets 4.3 inches. The wettest is December coming in at 11.4 inches – which is more than New Mexico gets in a year. During the summer, even…
A little bit of Bergen
Post by Ella Present day Bergen, second largest city in Norway, population not quite 300,000, seems dominated by the University and tourists. The University of Bergen (one of six Universities located here) is well known as a marine research institution with 17,000 students. Cruise ships regularly dock here bringing thousands of tourists, while the train…
Early troll sighting
Post by Grubb Mythological creature come to life, or Internet monster?
Photos from today’s hike
Some photos from today’s troll hike. https://photos.app.goo.gl/DCEBmmr2V4HwiVf17
The daily food report
Post by Ella. Last night we ate at Bryggen Tracteursted, a little place tucked away from the busy dock area. They serve “traditional” Norwegian food. Aquavit of the day. It’s growing on me. But pricey. You can see what we each chose. Mine was a disappointment. Stock fish prepared Italian style? What was I thinking?…
Troll-steppin’
Post by Grubb. This morning we took the Fløibanen funicular up Fløyen Mountain overlooking Bergen. We joined a scattered group of Indian tourists on a terrace that provided a view of bayside Bergen. Then we took a path into the woods and paid heed to the warning signs. In our search for the “Troll garden” we saw…
Our route, Sunday, May 21
Post by Ella. In case we left you behind, we are in Bergen. Walked to the funicular and did a ride to views and hiking Rode the funicular back down Wandered the dock area Another gorgeous weather day in a town where it rains all the time
Students rallying in Bergen
Post by Grubb Bergen is known for being a university town. Most of the college is centered in the heart of the city so the streets have the rushabout clamorous energy that students bring with them. Yesterday, after we checked in at our AirBnb, we walked down to the docks to mingle with the Saturday afternoon strollers and…
The most beautiful train ride ever?
Post by Ella. Todays ride from Oslo to Bergen was awfully stunning. But is there really a best? Name your top couple of favorite train rides. Be fun to see where they are. We started and ended at sea level but went as high as 4,000 ft., up through lush meadows, craggy mountains, frozen lakes, snow…
How about this for an “Enemy of the People”?
Post by Grubb. I saw this poster outside a theater in Oslo. It’s for Ibsen’s play, “Enemy of the People.” It opens in June at Oslo’s Nye Theater. Nothing unusual about any of that, but I was struck by the play being advertised with a photo of a woman hold a baby. Then I checked…
Our route, Saturday, May 20
Beautiful 6-1/2 train ride from Oslo to Bergen
What’s the story?
Looking out from our 7th floor apartment last night in Oslo. What’s happened here?