A bit delayed but...

Boudicca and Joe’s Honeymoon Adventures

Cruise to Norway, 9th – 16th May 2009

At Sea, 10th May

We awoke early to bright glassy cold looking sea and we waited for our breakfast in bed with much excitement. Later in the day, champagne with strawberries dipped in chocolate were delivered to our cabin which we ate with much relish while dressing for the first formal evening – our captain’s dinner!

Stavanger, 11th May

Sun streaming through the curtains. A glimpse of land... NORWAY!!!

Lysefjord & Pulpit Rock

A boat trip along Lysefjord, a fjord that cuts almost 25 miles deep into the country. We were surrounded by steep mountainside, waterfalls and the occasional small farm. The fjord is 1,384 feet deep and the rocks at the side reached almost as high which made for some dramatic views. The boat travelled directly under the ‘Pulpit Rock’ on the northern side of the fjord, which is a well known protruding rock formation 1,968 feet above sea level. We then stopped for coffee and freshly-made waffles with cream and jam.

Stavanger on Foot

We explored around Stavanger’s Valberg Tower which overlooks the central part of the city and harbour. It was used as a watchtower in case fire broke out in the wood buildings. In Old Stavanger we made our way through the well preserved 18th and 19th Century wooden houses.

Flaam, 12th May

We ascended to the top of the boat at 6.30am to see the ship sail into the Flaam. The snow capped mountains were really wonderful and certainly worth getting up early for.

Norway in a Nutshell

We went on the Flam railway line between Flam and Myrdal. Its 12 miles long but the journey took 50 minutes. We climbed from 16 feet to 2,845 feet, going through 20 tunnels and we stopped at the Kjosfoss waterfall which was huge! We changed trains at Myrdal onto Voss for an amazing buffet lunch with loads of lovely, smoked fish. The coach journey back went down a very steep 21 hairpin bends. We also stopped at the 305 foot Kjosfossen Waterfall where we drank the water to ensure eternal youth (worth a try!).

Olden, 13th May

A late rise reveals the town of Olden by green slopes capped by snow clad mountains. A grey start becomes a beautiful sun drenched clear day.

Briksdal Glacier

We coached through the Olden Valley admiring the mountains, glacier tongues and waterfalls. We arrived at the Briksdal Inn and then we had a steep walk up through craggy rocks and crashing waterfalls to the glacier. The ancient ice formation moves approx. 1.5 metres a day and as it moved we heard its creaks and groans echoing thunderously around the valley. A really inspiring day.

Bergen, 14th May

Bergen on Foot

A walk through busy Bergen where we are shown the gardens, hanseatic merchant quarters and the fish market. We also went 1050 feet up the Mount Floien funicular to experience fantastic views. In the evening after sailing away from Norway with some sadness, it was to the ship’s casino we headed; not to gamble but for the James Bond quiz. The winner is... Joe! Yay, a bottle of wine!

At Sea, 15th May

A very yummy dinner in the onboard Marco Pierre White restaurant – a wonderful last evening treat.

Southampton, 16th May

Arrive home, tired but very happy!

Boudicca's photos here

Joe's photos here

The Dead Christ by Gregorio Fernández (1576-1636)

"To read a newspaper is to refrain from reading something worthwhile. The first discipline of education must therefore be to refuse resolutely to feed the mind with canned chatter."
Aleister Crowley

I quite enjoy magazines and television precisely because they stop me from thinking... must try harder.