Bergen

My last blog finished in the sea fog between Stavanger and Bergen!

Suddenly , we popped out into the most beautiful clear skies, just like when you go up in a plane and pop out of the clouds!

Our first sighting of Norway's magnificent coastline, a sight I look forward to seeing for the next two weeks!

Million dollar homes, I guess, beautifully located.

A massive new bridge is being built, presumably to allow greater access for the huge multi-storey cruise ships.

Norway, such a beautiful country.

I was amazed at how incredibly hot it was in Bergen, 29 degrees! Considering that it only has 100 days a year without rain, nobody should have been complaining about the sun and heat. But they were.

Unfortunately, finding my room was problematic because they gave the wrong street address. Luckily, a young man felt sorry for me (I was dripping with sweat!), and allowed me to use his phone to call Booking, and then waited until I had got in. The place looked like a prison from outside, and was fairly fortress-like, with three different codes for different doors! I was sooooo hot and bothered!

However, once again, first impressions don't always prove correct, and apart from street noise, it was a good room.

I decided to take the funicular to Floyen Hill to escape the heat. It was certainly a few degrees cooler and the views were phenomenal in all directions.

There was even a herd of goats there, making sure that grass, weeds and small shrubs didn't get too big! They were apparently fitted with a chip which stopped them going outside a certain boundary - a bit like the robotic lawnmower!

I was an easy and very pleasant walk down the road, through the shady forest. It was very quiet with very few of us tempted to walk down. 

Towards the bottom, the road got a bit steeper and my calves a bit tight. I considered using the slide to get down quicker, but it was incredibly hot!

Back in the old part of town, I really enjoyed looking around the little lanes with the picturesque, colorful houses, and unpronounceable street names.

Time for a delicious cider next to the fish market. It was great to meet up with Rob and Jane, plus their friend Dawn, who are on the Hurtigruten with me.

I always thought Zuoz was exhausting with its steep slopes and many steps, but I think Bergen must be a nightmare for some people who live up these narrow flights of stairs.

The houses are jammed into every space between the rocks, and although gardens are virtually impossible to, most have very pretty flower boxes.

Bryggen, Bergen's most famous tourist spot was already teeming with groups of all languages at 9 in the morning. A big cruise ship was already in, one of many for the summer 

However, once I got to the back of the gorgeous old wooden buildings, there was virtually nobody! 

Bryggen was rebuilt after the great fire of 1702. It now houses some wonderful shops selling locally made arts and crafts, and good quality souvenirs.

Architecturally, it's absolutely remarkable and is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

The early morning colors were fabulous and the staircases leading to quaint little shops were very special indeed 

Some zigzagging upwards

And others on a very definite slant!

I returned to the Fish Market where we had eaten some delicious, yet overpriced fish dishes. I was disappointed to find that it is no longer a bustling fish market, as it was probably 30 years ago, selling fish, with people yelling and shouting, trying to outdo others. Now it's more just a very touristy open air fish restaurant. Pity, I preferred the old market, I must admit!

Ater checking in the luggage for the Hurtigruten trip, I wandered off to the Central Park area. Good music playing

And a chance to sit in the shade and enjoy looking up at the lovely Bergen Hills

Only one afternoon and morning and yet, without rushing, I felt as if I really had got to know some of the city and its people. Taking time to stop and browse and chat is so wonderful.