An Arctic Adventure Begins...

Il 9-12 dicembre

Bergen, Norway

My adventure in Norway began with one missed flight, a re-routing from London to Amsterdam to Bergen, and lost luggage that, thankfully, made its appearance the next day. All of this being said, a safe arrival is really the only thing that matters and the pilots on each of my four flights did their job well...so, thank you. It rained for the three days I was in Bergen, but that didn't get in the way of my thoroughly enjoying this second most populated city in Norway. (An umbrella is a wonderful thing!) I had one day on my own to settle in and explore before my travel mates arrived and, that first morning, I walked, shopped, and checked out a local grocery store. Everything in Norway is very expensive; my cappuccino and cinnamon roll cost me 71 NOK (approximately $10.00 now, but more a few weeks ago) at a local bakery. Okay, so there was no major shopping, but I did manage to add a fleece jacket, gloves, and a hat to my wardrobe; items which I had already brought from home, but they would not have kept me warm enough in the well-below freezing temperatures of the Arctic.

Bergen, receiving city status in 1070 AD, is on a peninsula on the west coast of Norway with most of its urban area located on or near the bay. Known especially for the Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf (a World Heritage Site), the Fish Market (a reminder of its importance in the early fishing trade), and the seven mountains and seven fiords surrounding it, Bergen is a charming place; timber-clad homes dot the hillsides, and the cobbled streets, narrow alleyways, and overhanging balconies take one back in time. In contrast, the busy downtown area is replete with elegant shops, a selection of restaurants and hotels, and museums. This is very much an international city and top name performers are some of Bergen's inviting summer attractions (Sting and Elton John among them.)

A panoramic city tour, a visit to the medieval Haakon Hall, and a stop at Troldhaugen, the summer home and then full-time residence of the composer, Edvard Grieg and his wife, provided a brief window into this city rich in history and tradition, and surrounded by glorious natural beauty. And besides that, there was the rain...and what a grand treat it was for this blogger from San Diego!