Thursday, June 8, 2017

Norway - Bergen

This colorful and lively city is one of those I look forward to when we go North. Maybe it's because after seeing the life off the city in Norway, you just feel so immersed that seeing a place full of people, shops, traffic and food seems sooo surprising.

This was the only Norwegian city I've been to but I love it!

We went off early and were so happy of the weather! This is quite a good exercise from the terminal - around 1-km walk.


The flowers are in full bloom and walking farther, we met the Bryggen again!


This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the must-see places in Bergen. It's historical, colorful and just amazingly preserved that everytime I go past it, I can't help but take pics for the nth time! Haha




I haven't told you that the reason we went out was to eat Bergen pizza which we always do when we visit. But then, the call to the city fell on a holiday sooo, change of plan as the pizza parlor was closed (we actually waited for 10 am then 11 am but still no).




Actually, before going back to check if it was open, we went to the food market just a few walks away. We were thinking of trying the mouth-watering seafood they serve but then, we ended going back to Bergen Pizza which we later on realized to be still closed.




I was kind of happy because opposite it, there was a sausage corner that I have been planning to try as I was eating my pizza on our last Bergen call. And viola! I just fulfilled it! I ate a Norwegian sausage. Mind you it's not your ordinary sausage - it's Reindeer sausage!!! And it was goood! Woaah!



We were eating along the way to a deli cafe we just saw when we went to the market earlier. We had an unexpected discovery - they actually sell noodles! And rice boxes! And they just have best-tasting coffee flavors from the vendo!!!





We were on our way back and saw Bryggen again. This time, we explored it inside! See, my first time to go up and really felt how old the structure was!



So, that's how we spent the few hours we had. It was not according to plan and that was the fun part!

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Norway - Flam and the Fjords in Between

The next Norwegian town we were heading to was Flam! As I really decided to do more scenic cruising the time I come back here, well, I stayed onboard (though this was one of those rare times we docked alongside) and was just sooo happy when we departed. Yes happy! Or was I too harsh?

I didn't mean to say I would love to leave but I was just sooo excited for the next few hours after leaving the port. You would understand me. I would love to explain my point! Haha

Leaving Flam means seeing settlements in the middle of nowhere. I mean, just imagine seeing human life in between vast and ice-capped fjords! So unbelievable how they, in the first place, thought to settle there? Amazing!


Next up, it was a drizzling afternoon and I just love seeing the smoke as it covered some parts of the fjords..


And that thrilling moment as the ship glided through the narrow body of water - which makes me sooo thankful to be in a not-so-big ship..




It was sooo cold and the passengers seemed to be so concern as I was not wearing anything aside from my usual uniform. Honestly, I just forgot it was freakin freezing!



So, after a few more minutes, when the cold sank in, I made my way to the cabin and continued to appreciate the view outside. Oh God, Thank You!




Saturday, June 3, 2017

Norway - Olden and the Fjords in Between

One of the best places on earth blessed with soooo much natural beauty is this country lying in the northern part of the world - Norway!

I know this has not been my first time to visit but in all honesty, coming back over and over does not make it less beautiful. It makes you wonder more and every single time you open your porthole to see what the heck is outside, you will either stop and stare with great awe or make yourself out the deck and see it in full glory.

So when we had our first ever stop in Olden, I did not go out to eat chicken. I preferred to stay onboard and luckily, as I had my break, we set sail. I don't know how to really describe what I saw but I'm going to give you a glimpse and I hope I would give justice to it. Enjoy!







Oh Norway, I hope we will never stop visiting you!