Olden, Norway

Welcome to Olden!

I left the ship right after breakfast today and headed to the tour guys on the pier.

There were several options I was considering. I could have taken the little tourist train,

the red open top glacier sightseeing bus, or the blue bus to the Loen Skylift. Combo tickets were also available and since I'm only here once this summer I went with the Skylift/glacier sightseeing combo. 

First up, the Loen Skylift.

Loen is just a few minutes away from Olden.

Even the view from the Skylift parking lot was pretty

The Loen Skylift is considered one of the steepest cable cars in the world, taking you from sea level to the top of the 1,011 meter (3,317 feet) Mt. Hoven in just 5 minutes. The ride was so fast my ears popped more than once.

I'm heading all the way to the top

Thankfully the cars are enclosed!

The views from the top were simply spectacular.

People were taking advantage of the hiking trails all around the area.

The mountain was also popular with paragliders. I was lucky enough to watch some in action. Talk about a bird's-eye view of Norway!

Run

Run some more

Run and jump

And he's off

Not too long ago I had watched a cooking show about kanelbullar, a type of cinnamon bun with pearl sugar. I had completely forgotten about them until I stumbled upon some warm ones in the cafe. I wasn't about to pass up the opportunity to enjoy the tasty treat while basking in the sun, surrounded by Norwegian fjords.

Since I went up early it was relatively quiet but by the time I left each car coming up was full of people.

Glad my car wasn't crowded like this one

Ready to head back down in a nearly empty car.
Front row seat for me!

Found some sheep on the way

Getting closer

At the bottom I caught the blue bus back to the port where I then hopped the red open top glacier sightseeing bus. I climbed my way up to the top level again (yay me) and found it most definitely was the best place to be on a day like today.

So much to see in all directions

Now, I've traveled quite a bit in my lifetime and I have to say today's views were some of the best. Clear waters reflecting glaciers where you can't tell where one begins and the other ends. A variety of homes and farms and shades of green. And, well...I'll just let the pictures tell the story of the beauty of Norway. I have no words.

The glacier part of the tour

Tomorrow is a sea day but if we have Internet I'll be back as it's the Most Traveled Guest Luncheon. Otherwise, see you on Saturday in Tromso!

Haugesund, Norway

Welcome to Haugesund, Norway!

Norway is one of the countries I’ve been most excited about on this trip. It was even on my 50 things to do before turning 50 list that I never finished way back when. But I can check it off now.

I again took a Hop On Hop Off bus. Purchasing my ticket online about two minutes before I left the ship saved me 20% which wound up being around $8.50 in US dollars. Score! The pick up spot was super close to the terminal. Can you see the red bus sticking out on the left? I went straight there since I already had my ticket but then found out I still had to go to the kiosk to get it scanned. Those brownish/reddish little booths on the far right in the photo are where you have to first stop to purchase or scan online HOHO tickets. Unlike in other cities around the US and the world, here you can't buy them at the bus.

By the time I rolled back to the bus again it was getting filled up and ready to leave so I decided to wait for the next one. Since I was the first person on the bus and no one was even close to getting on for another 10 minutes or so I was able to take my time and not feel rushed. I left my scooter down below and slowly and gingerly walked my sorry old body up the stairs to the top level of the bus and sat in the front row. I am strong. I am brave. Or so I told myself during the climb.

Such a beautiful day for a fresh air bus ride

A few seats filled in behind me but it wasn't even close to a quarter full. With map in hand I snapped photos all along the way from the best seat in the house. 

Looking at the photos afterwards I saw the window glare caused some issues but I'm okay with how everything turned out. Can’t have it all.

If you walked into town you would have to
cross the bridge. It was pretty steep.

Don't want to walk up and over the thing?
Take the shuttle.

View from the top of the bridge

Lots of places to eat along the waterside

Plenty of shopping opportunities

Houses were colorful, as were the rhododendrons. 

Haraldshaugen National Monument

You could also catch the tourist train near port

In NOK and liters.
Makes gas over $8 a gallon by my calculations

The little terminal building at the port had free detailed maps in multiple languages.

There was a small gift shop in the building where I picked up some more bling for Scooter.

It also had a huge Adirondack chair for a photo opportunity.

No way I'd be able to get in and out of the thing
but I'm enjoying life anyway!

And lucky me will be back two more times this summer. 

Tomorrow we're in Olden. See you then.