NORWAY, Bergen

May 11, 2015

Bergen is Norway's 2nd largest city with a population of about 250,000. It rains here almost 300 days a year so I felt fortunate to have 2 very sunny days here. Today is however not one of those days with rain projected all day into the night. Fly to Dublin tomorrow and wait on the Ireland group to arrive on the 13th.

NORWAY, Bergen (hiking up to Mount Floyen)

May 9, 2015

With beautiful weather on my arrival in Bergen and 2 hours until checkin, I decided to hike to the viewpoint overlooking the city. Bergen receives rain about 300 days a year so did not want to waste this opportunity. Mount Floyen is 1 of 7 mountains surrounding the city and is approximately 1000 feet above the harbour. There is a funicular (tram) that takes you up for $10 but opportunity to hike, exercise AND save $10 made the decision to walk an easy one. The majority of locals were also walking to the top. It takes about 45 minutes going up and it is pretty steep at places. The views were special though and treated myself with ice cream at the top.

I was only in Bergen 1 night in 2007 and it was raining constantly. My biggest regret visiting Norway then was being unable to view Bergen and its harbour in good weather. Mission accomplished.

NORWAY, Norway in a Nutshell

May 8, 2015

I did this trip in 2007 and was excited for opportunity to do it again, though expensive at $106. My trip originates by bus from Voss to Gudvangen down a very steep winding road through the mountains. Then we catch a ferry for the 2 hour cruise to Flam. We had sunshine 75% of the time which was amazing. After reaching Flam we caught the train to travel up through the mountains to Myrdal (6000 ft.). Exactly as in 2007, there were snow flurries everywhere. Nice. Then back to Voss at 4:30 pm. Great trip.  To see comparisons see my Ireland/Norway blog at www.bpassman.blogspot.com