Geiranger, Norway – Thursday, July 7
Geiranger is a small tourist village in the western part of Norway. It is known for its spectacular scenery, to which we can certainly attest after our panoramic tour. In fact, Lonely Planet has named it the "best travel destination in Scandinavia. The Geirangerfjord area was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. We have been in awe of the waterfalls - particularly the Seven Sisters and the Suitor. Our guide told us that Geiranger is under constant threat from landslides from the mountain Åkerneset falling into the fjord. The town has installed sirens that will warn residents if a landslide should occur. The fear is that a collapse could cause a tsunami that could destroy downtown Geiranger.
Here is how Viking described our included tour, called "Eagle's Bend Overlook & Panoramic Drive: "Witness Geiranger's pristine majesty as you ascend to the heights of Geirangerfjord on a magnificent drive. You will meet your guide at the berth and drive up a winding road to Eagle's Bend viewpoint, passing through 11 breathtaking hairpin turns. At the road's pinnacle, you will witness the spectacular scenery that has earned Geirangerfjord status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, you will drive to Flydalsjuvet viewpoint for more impressive views. After a photo stop, continue into the green Flydal Valley to the high mountain plateau at Djupvatn Lake. Its gorgeous waters shimmer in the Norwegian sun. Afterward, you will return to your ship."
Sounds great, right? And, indeed, it was great ... BUT there were no glistening, shimmering waters on today's excursion. Instead Geiranger was shrouded in misty, often wispy clouds that encircled the mountains like necklaces that twisted and turned throughout the morning. And still, it was magical. Beautiful, etherial, evoking images of centuries long past.
An echoing theme of this trip - the "grayness" - the "starkness" of the landscape. And yet out of the gray, there is beauty and wonder at the will of the people to settle and work the land in whatever ways they can. The Norwegians are a proud and hardy people. They take pride in their stewardship of the natural wonder that surrounds them, and they work consciously and steadfastly to protect their environment.
Jeff woke early today and slipped out of our stateroom to join other hardy souls up on the sun deck to shoot photos as we sailed into Geiranger shortly after 6:00 am.
You can see how wet it is by the sheen of the deck. The beautiful bridal veil waterfall in the mist captivates everyone out so early. Throughout the day we heard of the "seven sisters," the "suitor," and the "bridal veil". The legend says that the Suitor wooed each of the seven sisters and was rejected by them all. The rocks at the base seem to hold the image of a bottle, so the legend continues that the Suitor turned to drink because the Seven Sisters rejected him.
The Seven Sisters The Suitor
Today's guide, Byron, was a Belgian-born lad, who opened his commentary by telling us how "passionate" he is about "all things Norwegian."
Our Guide, Byron
As with all of our guides so far, Byron was knowledgeable and informative. He was a bit lax in making sure that everyone was aboard the bus and as a result Jeff very nearly was left behind at our last stop of the morning!
Capturing the scope and scale of the fjord is a nearly impossible task - both in words and even in pictures - but hopefully some of the images below given an idea.
Our second stop on the bus was at Djupvasshyita, a still partially frozen lake on a plateau halfway up the fjord.
This building houses a hotel, cafe, and a gift shop
Photo Credit: Brian Anderson
The tour continues as we make our way to the Eagle's Bend vantage point. And ... the misty fog enshrouds us even more. I choose to stay on the bus, but most hardy souls get off and hope for the best. The bus drives on to a place where it can turn around. Jeff captures the vista and sees the mist lift a bit.
Not much to see at first
That's the Mars down there!
The mist begins to lift a bit, rewarding the many who got off the bus with gradually improving skies as they board the bus for the ride back down into Geiranger.
Some sights captured from the bus window:
Goats on the hillside high above town
Earthen Rooftops
Determined flora growing on and in rocky crevices
Fjordside cabins
Lupin growing wild
And some favorite shots courtesy of my new Australian friend, Brian Anderson:
Old Wooden Fishing Huts (with earthen rooftops)
The Octagonal Church
Geiranger Kyrkje is a parish church of the Church of Norway located in the village of Geiranger at the end of the famous Geirangerfjorden. The white wooden church, which seats about 165 people, was built in an octagonal design in 1842 using plans drawn up by the architect Hans Klipe. The earliest existing historical records of the church date back to 1589, but there are records indicating that a wooden stave chapel had been built on the site as early as the 1400s. In 1744, a wooden cruciform church was completed on the same site. Nearly 100 years later the church burned down after a deaf-mute person who was a part of the parish set the building on fire. Church records say the man was 52 years old and was always known for being a "proper and Godly man." In 1843, the current building was constructed on the same site. It sits on the hillside and is visible from the harbor. We did not go inside, but did enjoy seeing it.
Cascade Above Geiranger
Lunch, a nap, and a late afternoon/evening in the Explorer's Lounge, we witness our sail away from Geiranger followed by a delicious dinner (fish soup, lobster thermador, and Grand Marnier souffle for me).
Sailing away from Geiranger - such a majestic sight!
Jeff ventured over to the Star Theater for the first fifteen minutes of a Beatles revue before opting to go to Torshavn to hear Paolo play and sing once again. I opted for a return to our room and some reading.
Beatles Revue in the Star Theater
Paolo in Torshavn
Although we are back in the land of the setting sun (at 11:00ish pm), there were too many clouds to capture a sunset -- although I tried! And so, I'll have to settle by wishing you all a fond good night from somewhere in the Norwegian Sea.
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