Fwd: Trip Log #5: Bergen, Norway July 21, 2009

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <JYETKE@aol.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 28, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Subject: Trip Log #5: Bergen, Norway July 21, 2009
To: JYETKE@aol.com

 

Forecast: rain-clearing  63F  Sunrise: 5:30am  Sunset: 11:21pm

 

Dear Friends,

 

Bergen, a UNESCO World Heritage City, is the nation's second largest port.  "Gateway to the Fjords," its charm disguises the fact that it is a bustling commercial harbor. Ringed by forested peaks that tower at more than 2,000 feet, attractive old wooden houses hug the lower slopes.  Despite the northern latitude, ocean currents keep things warm.  Set on a peninsula and surrounded by seven mountains, Bergen's history  is closely tied to the sea. The harbor area is the town center, and the old waterfront is lined with brightly colored buildings and warehouses (restored as shops, restaurants, and art studios) that date back to the era of the Hanseatic League. Founded in 1070, Bergen ws the largest and most important town in medieval Norway and also the capital in the 12th and 13th Century.  A central port of the Hanseatic League (an association of towns for the protection of trading interests), the town's own tradesmen were completely ousted by this league.  One of the oldest and best preserved buildings in Bergen is the Hanseatic Museum, located in the old medieval quarter, known as Bryggen. Although it is Norway's second largest city and it's rainiest, Bergen offers to its visitors, a pleasant, slow paced ambiance.  The market on the harbor is active with trade year round, attracting visitors and natives alike, adding to the character of Bergen. 

 

Edvard Grieg, Bergen's favorite son, was born to a successful merchant family on Srandgaten in 1843.  The city does not conceal its pride in the man, who once said, "My inspiration comes from my immediate surroundings - nature in Bergen, Bergen streat life, the achievements and enterprise of Bergensers.  All kinds of things have inspired me." 

 

In Bergen, we took an all day tour entitled Hardanger: Queen of the Fjords.  Hardangerfjord is without a doubt one of Norway's favorite fjords.  After leaving the ship, we had a brief tour thru the city of Bergen seeing many of the highlights.  Then we left the city and passed thru the community of Os, near where we boarded a ferry to cross the Fusafjord.  The ferry ride ended in Venjaneset which was the first of many small communities we saw during the day trip thru the countryside.  We made a stop at a tiny, old Stave (wooden) church called Holdhus.  Eventually we hooked up with the shoreline along the beautiful Hardangerfjord, Queen of the Fjords, as named by the Norwegians.  We drove along the coast for about an hour enjoying the majestic mountains on the opposite, many with snow-covered peaks still.  We had a typical Norwegian buffet lunch at the Hardangerfjord Hotel.  A short drive after lunch, we stopped at the Fossatun waterfall.  Here we climbed up the path and were able to walk under the waterfall (behind it actually) without getting wet.  We then ascended the Tokagjel gorge via a series of tunnels before reaching the mountain plateau Kvamskogen, which is a popular recreation and winter ski resort area for the people of Bergen.  We really enjoyed this day of sightseeing and touring outside the city of Bergen.   

 

Jan and Dick

 

 

 

---