Linda and Roxy's trip through the Netherlands & Norway

11th posting on May 22, 2024 ..... Back to the welcome page and listings for other links

Stavanger-Bergen-Norheimsund by bus
We were spoiled by the ease of getting around in the Netherlands! Norway has provided us with a few transportation challenges. First, online information isn't always available in English. Second, online booking is strongly encouraged, but it's not possible to pay online with most credit cards from the US, Canada or Australia! With the help of friendly people at tourist information & hotel desk staff we think we understand. We haven't been stranded yet! Buses take credit cards as you board. We haven't experienced trains. A perk for many buses, trains & ferries here in Norway is half price for seniors. We qualify!

Our email address is gusrox30@gmail.com . Feel free to drop a note and say hello anytime!

Our first bus trip in Norway was 5 hours, Stavanger to Bergen. It included 2 ferries, 5 undersea tunnels & numerous bridges! That’s our bus. All passengers are required to leave their vehicles and head to the onboard passenger lounge for safety & security.

This crossing actually had 4 ferries running for the 30 minute trip. Quite a short wait time. As a bus passenger, we had to be back on the bus 5 minutes before the ferry landed. If late…too bad. We are really timely!!

Scenery along the bus ride Stavanger-Bergen. Lots of green, rock fences, water, sheep & cows. Grass based livestock production is the backbone of Norwegian agriculture. Few crops are grown as much of the land is unsuitable for cultivation of food grains.

Some of the parks where we stayed in Bergen had lakes & beautiful flowers. This was at Festplassen (the Party Ground). We think they have events here.

Rhododendrons were in bloom everywhere in Bergen! Not sure who Roxy’s buddy is-Sigurd Asserson, a pioneer for Norwegian fisheries?

The building at the top is The Fløibanen. It’s the top station for the funicular from Bergen. We walked up & back on a gorgeous day!

We were surprised to find an amusement park set up dockside in old town Bergen. It was set up for the May 17th holiday weekend. There are 2 cruise ships in port really close to this site. Crazy timeline…the Rosenkrantz Tower built in 1560 to the Viking Sky cruise ship built in 2017. The very old & the new share space in Norway.

There is an extensive fish market alongside the docks in old town Bergen. We were able to sample moose, reindeer & whale sausage. As well as smoked whale. They were all pretty tasty.

The colorful buildings of Bryggen, the old wharf, are some of the oldest in Bergen dating back to the 14 century. Now a UNESCO world heritage site they’ve become a haven for artists & craft people with many shops.

After Bergen, we took a bus to Norheimsund. The Steinsdals Falls is just a beautiful walk from downtown. It's cool (lol) because you can walk behind it without getting wet. There are probably a billion???stunning waterfalls thru the fjords! And we've only been in couple!

We had to have a reward for trekking to the Falls! These shops just reach out & drag us in.

This booth does have a phone, cash or credit card accepted! 100 remain, of the original 6,000. They’re protected for cultural importance.