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?
Odds ‘n Ends
Post by Ella A few photos from our wandering this morning.
Dinner at Rorbua
Post by Ella. All thumbs up on this one. Warning. More food photos. Contains crawfish. Don’t look if squeamish. We tried the skagentost (called Skgenrore here) again despite the horrible experience at Louise a few nights ago. This was outstanding. Yes, that’s a crawfish on top. The shrimp tasted like shrimp and not macaroni. There…
It’s a sculpture park…or something
Post by Ella. Late in the afternoon, we strolled to the Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park. Call it a minimalist sculpture park. Or is it a post-apocalyptic Disneyland?
Future indicative
Post by Grubb. The bane of any travel enterprise is, of course, other travelers clustering in groups. They can gather in front masterpieces, squeeze you off the sidewalk, or storm the restaurant you’ve been considering, so we’ve learned to dodge the sudden visitor swarm by doing a dart and slide dance with the occasional spin. Call it…