Geiranger Fjord ferry & Troll’s Ladder

 We enjoyed another nice pleasant day starting with a tourist ferry ride from Geiranger, a UNESCO World Heritage Site via a fjord known for being one of the most spectacular in Norway. We took this ferry ride instead of the one of the Norway in a Nutshell.

We then drove to Åndalsnes for the 11-turn Trollstigen (Troll’s Ladder, very winding to drive), a switchback road Which is one of the most popular drives in Norway. 

We then stayed in a hotel next to the Alesund airport for the next day fights. Since our flight from Oslo to Boo was just canceled by SAS, we are not sure whether there will be a replacement flight to travel to lofoten. Keep my fingers crossed.  There are ongoing air technicians strike, then pilot strike from 6/29

Jostedalsbreen National Park

 I was the driver on duty today and we started from the ferry 200 feet from the campground. It was a long drive to the Jostedalsbreen National Park Centre (Jostedalsbreen 

Nasjonalparksenter) to emerse in the views. This park encompasses the largest glacier on the European mainland, but we had enough snow/glacier hiking the other day, so skipped hiking here.  There are so many glacier lakes, mountains, fjords with hiking trails all over Norway that you can free camping then hike anywhere you want.

Then we took many stops on the 27-km narrow Old Strynefjell Mountain Road (Old Road 258) between the villages of Skjåk and Stryn, a cultural heritage. Old, handmade stone walls and long rows of guard stones are the hallmarks of this mountain crossing that dates back more than a century, with views of the Videfossen Waterfall (Buldrefossen), a ski resort, etc. Enjoyed another sunny cool day, then checked in a high-end campground with Modern furnitures, on-site waterfall, and gorgeous  Geiranger fjord views.

Flam train ride

 Since both drivers of the group were tired of driving on winy roads, and we saw many fjords from different angles already, we decided to do only the train ride of the Norway in a Nutshell. We drove via Voss (adventure capital of Norway surrounded by rivers, mountains, fjords and lakes), then checked out the view of Naeroydalen valley from the rear patio of the Stalheim Hotel padio.  Then we arrived Flam for the round-trip train ride, which exceeded my expectations, especially the open air fairy dancing next to a big waterfall. It was an ice and hot (29c) afternoon. 

We drove pass an icy lake on the mountain top on the way to another campground right next to a ferry to rest and enjoy dinner.

Bergen Norway

 We had a late start to drive to Bergen, 2nd biggest city in Norway. The drive was longer due to a road construction, a ferry ride, and winy roads. 

We parked our car in a parking facility then walked to Bergen center to check out Fish Market, Bryggen Wharf, City Wall Gate, Nykirken Church, The Klosteret, National Theater, KODE Art Gallery, Bergenhus Fortress, etc.  We were grateful that it was dry although overcast, since bergen rains 240 days a year. Driving in Norway is more difficult than in Iceland due to the narrow and winy roads next to lakes/jords, although more scenic.

We stayed in another campground tonight. The one in Odda has lake and waterfalls, and this one has only lake but free washing machine and showers without timer! I had Norwegian smoke salmon for dinner.