So, the day before yesterday the captain announced that the itinerary would need to change.
Yesterday was our second sea day, and we woke at 7.30 to a reasonably flat sea. We breakfasted, and then got on with the morning class. At noon, the captain gave us an update. The ship was going to get to Bergen at about 7-8pm, and we would actually spend two nights there, hiding out from the bad weather out in the Norwegian Sea. Throughout the day, the swell increased, the waves got bigger, and the ship began to rock about. (Actually, Saga's new ships are very comfortable and it wasn't really that bad. No seasickness for me!)
As we turned into Bergen fjord, there was short period of much rockier rockiness (expected), and then everything was smooth again as we sailed along the calm waterway and docked about 10pm.
That was last night, but no-one could go ashore because the short notice and lateness of our arrival meant that security could not be arranged to clear the ship and passengers. So everyone dressed up for formal night and Max Fulham gave his second show in the Playhouse. Not quite as good as the first one, but still very funny and thoroughly enjoyed.
Today is Peter's Birthday. He got a pair of photography glove/mittens, a new shirt, and a lie in. The ship marked the occasion too, and delivered a little Happy Birthday note and a small box of chocolates to the cabin. How thoughtful.
After breakfast we grabbed our things and went ashore. The temperature wasn't too bad, so no need for extra thermals or thick coats. We've been here before, so have an idea of what to expect. Bergen has a lovely city center, quite open with loads of quaint and interesting houses and streets.
We love the Bryggen (a row of very old and colourful wooden warehouse come shop buildings on the waterfront).
And we also love to use the Fløibanen funicular tram that takes you up to the top of Mount Fløyen. You can see where it climbs the hill in the next photograph.
Up there you can spend time enjoying views, eating in the restaurant (when it's open), and spending money in the shop.
We have learnt that beyond the main tourist area are loads of paths leading through the woods to a small lake, viewpoints, woods, peaks and much more. During our last visit, when there was snow on the ground, we made it to the lake. Today we ventured a little further and we love it.
We spotted a set of steps going up the next little hill, but time was getting on, so we're keeping them for another day.
So we went back to take the funicular back downhill. We timed it perfectly, as the sky opened and pelted the cars with rain and sleet just after we'd got in.
All in all, a lovely day. One point to note about Bergen, or Norway as a whole, is that it's really expensive! We've been before and I expected it to be, so didn't balk at the price of the £20 Christmas bauble I bought, but we won't be buying a lot this trip.
The ship will sail at about 7am tomorrow morning. I assume that means the weather will be much calmer. It's a sea day and Peter will be running classes. We're settling into a routine.
And a final note. Apparently, if we had been able to see the sky last night, we would have had a chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis. But overcast and drizzly meant no go, and it's just as bad tonight. But we are travelling North, and our chances will improve as we go. Fingers crossed.
No comments:
Post a Comment