Bergen - Up Top!

View of Bergen from atop 

 Warming up at a hanging fire second day of roaming included visiting the Fløibanen funicular,  a tram which carries locals and tourists up a steep hill to view the panorama that is Bergen.

We got instructions at the hotel on finding the tram, but we got a little lost. Imagine how cranky I was hoofing it, then discovering I had no idea where the silly tram was. 

Even when lost, the town was soothingly beautiful to me

Though lost, we managed to convince ourselves that we'd wandered down this particular road, with intent to see the clever and interesting artwork along the way. 

After queries at a local book store, we found our way to the Funicular and its ticket office. We paid for our fares, then headed to the gateway (shown below).  The impressive entrance reminded me of the World's Fairs I visited a zillion years ago, in New York City and Montreal Canada. The SHINY!

The tram fare was reasonable and we were soon boarding the tram. More on that ride later. 

End of the line, atop the mountain

The end of the line was the beginning of adventure on the mountain top. There were all sorts of nature trails to hike (no I didn't), a few shops of souvenirs, a beautiful restaurant, and even a play ground for the kiddies. 

Come for the view, stay for the 'mat' (food).

The restaurant, further uphill

From Floyen you can even see your way to New York, off on the right I believe

I spent a lot of time trying to spot birds, but the only one I really got any sort of look at was this European Magpie. I miss Magpies!

Gordon Setter

I also enjoyed a great deal of 'dog watching' on this trip. On Floyen I 'spotted a Gordon Setter, a Scottie dog, and a Husky.  I saw a total of 12 dog breeds on this trip, including Dalmatian, Greyhound, Britany Spaniel, Cardigan Corgie and Pekinese. But know what? Not a single Labrador or Golden Retriever! Quite shocking considering how many  you see in the states. 

Best spotted breed? Two Norwegian Lundehund! Sad I couldn't get a photo of the facinating little breed. 

V. Silvery Scottish Terrier

Feeling peckish, we headed up hill to the big restaurant

Yes... the restaurant had me at the doors and doorknobs!

Beautiful venue with window seats that take in the panoramic view

Lots of luncheon choice, including huge pots of several soups

I talked myself out of getting dessert, but I did enjoy
a Shrimp salad with cucumber and plenty of lemon juice. 

AH! Now back to the tram. Here's a super short vid of the ride on the Fløibanen funicular. 

Bergen and the Christmas Market

You know a city is enchanting you when even the manhole covers seem romantic

The stay in Bergen lasted 2 days and 3 nights. Each day we feasted at the Thon Hotel's incredible breakfast buffet. After having enjoyed the daily buffets on the Hurtigruten cruise, we were surprised to discover there was more than one fantastic buffet venues to be had in Norway!

You could find every kind of egg dish you fancy at this Thon breakfast station

Prefer a quick smoothie for breakfast? You're in luck!

Do-it-yourself Muesli Station

 Once crammed full of breakfast, we ventured forth onto the streets of Bergen. Our game plan? Uh... didn't really have one. In fact, a couple of times we just jumped aboard whatever bus was nearby, and let it take us on a little discovery tour. Where did the buses take us... uh... I don't actually know! 

Had to traverse this beautiful cobbled street every day while in Bergen

I loved browsing the cute Jule decor, so entertaining.

Or entertaining for me anyway...

On day one there was a little souvenir shopping. I don't buy too many souvenirs, as photos tend to do it for me. There were some interesting shops to explore. My favorite was a silver shop that sold many items that were made by the Sami. I got a few small items.

The only Norwegian Fjords I saw on this trip

At another small souvenir shop, I spotted the only Norwegian Fjord Horses I saw on the whole trip, and since they were figurines, as opposed to genuine hay burners, but at least I saw some... sort of.

We managed to take one bus that took us to the Bergen Julemarked, we'd passed on our first night in the city. 

Julemarked Polar Bear guarding a tent full of goodies 

The Julemarket had many aisles to stroll alongside the locals.

Um.... Cheeses!

All the goods shown here are made of chocolate, even the 'rubber duckies'

We took time out for a hot snack at a dining tent

Warming up at a hanging fire

At day's end, as we walked back towards our hotel, a local bakery/deli was spotted. The little shop became our source of dinner the days we were in Bergen. 

Lovely deli for sandwiches and hot chocolate

Only complaint? Too many tempting treats for sale

  

Each evening after a day's roaming the city, I'd end my day in the hotel lobby. There were two lovely sitting rooms where hotel guests could watch a Norwegian football game on a large screen TV, or hunker in front of an open fireplace. Myself, I always sat on a comfy chair, busy scribbling into my travel journal, always a perfectly cozy way to end my Norwegian adventure day. How about a quick view of the lobby, and my love affair with its Nespresso machine. 

[UPDATE: For no real good reason, here is my Nespresso Coffee maker, in its sacred spot on my upstairs coffee corner. Beware... there be dragons here...]

Onward to Snow and Bergen

 

Late night view of the first snows, through room porthole

When the good ship Richard With headed south, back to Bergen, snow began to fall. It snowed all afternoon, and on into the evening. I was scheduled for an excursion for an underground boat excursion into a Bergtatt marble mine, but the snows cancelled out the trip. The trip was to take place all evening, with a special late night 'feed' upon the tour occupants return, but honestly - one look at the snow out the window and you knew cancelation was the only sane option. 

Cormorants on a bouy

The final afternoon onboard ship, I was pretty bummed that the wonder cruise was almost at an end. Spent most the day attempting to bird as snow covered islands and other interesting landmarks appeared to float by.

The lump on the islet below to the left is the 2nd of two White-tailed Eagles which were either too fast, or too far off for me to get a decent photos. 

 

The 'lump' is a majestic White-tailed Eagle - take my word for it. 

In the late afternoon the ship docked in Bergan. While we waited for the announcement for our ship level 3 to leave the ship, I spotted a pair of Swans flying in to the little harbor. The uncooperative birds didn't come close enough for me to ID them. 

Uncooperative Waterfowl

The ship decks (levels) disembarked one by one. Soon deck 3's time to leave ship was announced and soon I was on shore, pulling my luggage off the baggage carousel. The plan was to visit in Bergen for a couple of days before heading back to the states. And rather than a cab to our hotel, we took a Hurtigruten tour bus that would drop us off at our chosen hotel. It was still daylight when we got on board the tour bus, and it was dark by the time we got to our hotel. 

Beautiful downtown Bergen

Many buildings date back to the 1600s

Outside of the National Theater is a statue of Henrik Ibsen, famous author of The Doll's House, which my Colorado cousins saw a couple of years ago on Broadway. 

Snow dusted statue of Norsk playwright Henrik Ibsen

Christmas Fair, which we WILL return to visit

St. John's Church in the distance

'The Academic Quarter' (below) is student run housing, that hosts lots of cultural events throughout the year. 

The Academic Quarter 

Plenty of Jule lights along the route

Can you see the glowing school of fishies?

Just a block from our hotel, the Thon stands the historic
Rosenkranz Tower, the oldest castle in all of Norway

All comfy in our room, we headed out on a hike to find someplace to have dinner. That was more of a chore than expected, it being the holiday season. We found most restaurants were pre-booked. We finally settled on a bar/cafe where we feasted on traditional Norwegian Nacho Supremes. Yeah, I know, but the tortilla chips crunched with a Norge accent. Tomorrow we tour Bergen.