VIKINGS

One of the reasons we signed on to this Ferry cruise was they were offering a Viking experience (lectures, movies, documentaries, museums, culture) on the Northbound sail. On the return to Bergen, they were offering the same spectrum but on WWII history pertaining  to Norway 🇳🇴.

We met with other shipmates who signed up and had a great overview lecture with Professor Terje Leiren, from UW. 

We also realized that we would be eating a lot of fish on this trip! Everything the Ferry uses is locally and environmentally sustained. With that in mind,they don't use much imported food or out of season food. That leaves fish, reindeer, potatoes, and all, sorts of pickles and cheeses...and more fish. It is a casual cruise, with no dressing up and not much ship entertainment. The majority of people on the ferry are German, and some Norwegians, and a small group of Americans hailing from different places in the states.  All announcements and directions are given in all 3 languages, ALL the time.  I am leaning German and Norwegian , whether I want to or not.

Viking history is alive and well in Norway. Some of the small farms are actually built on top of old viking farming sites.

FIRST DAY

First full day of the trip and we end up in Hjørundfjorden at a really small village called Urke. We jump off the ferry and walk around. We didn't realize there was an organized hike...so we missed that, but had a great sunny warm afternoon in a beautiful spot.  One thing I noticed is that when the sun shines, Norwegians are facing it! Maybe all those long winter days and nights.....but if the sun is out they are out too! So we see them OUT side in this great weather, drinking beer and tanning their faces! Steve and I hiked around and saw the sights. One grocery store, one pub, one school. A few farms....typical small Norwegian town in a fjord.

After the great afternoon stop, we continued the journey N after a buffet lunch. There are many fish choices to try on this ferry. Baked, smoked, raw, steamed, friend...you name it...it is ALWAYS available...even at breakfast. Steve enjoys his sardines, and mackerel for breakfast. I like the small veggie smoothies and an egg and bread. Coffee is good.

So we travel up the Coast to an early evening stop at Alesund, said by some to be the most beautiful town in Norway. It completely burned down in 1904, so when they rebuilt the town it was in the "Art Nouveau" style. We were there on a quiet Sunday evening and it actually looked deserted to me. And, while, pleasant and interesting, It would not get my vote for most beautiful town.

NORDNORGE

We had a whole day in Bergen before loading up our clickity clack wheelies and trudging to the Ferry. I don't know how the other people made it, but once again, we walked on those damn cobblestones for another 1 1/2 miles.  Picturesque, yes....but not suitcase friendly.  We spent the day eating dried Mackrel (Steve), watching bikes races and people, window shopping, and getting used to the prices in Norway....how easy we forget. We finally got to the Hurtigrudten Docks and saw "our" ferry...the NordNorge.

I say "our"  ferry, because there are 11 ferries ⛴ in this line that sail the whole coast of Norway every single week. They transport people, cars, merchandise, to ports large and small, on the way to Finmark and back. We had a interesting safety briefing, found our room # 534, and I ordered my first, but not last glass of "house/ship" wine. A very nice white from Portugal. 13-15 $$, for a glass....hmmmmm I have learned to enjoy each sip. The sun was out, we were in shirtsleeves, and we were 🍀 lucky at this time of year. 

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BERGEN

The reports from Bergen were correct. The roads in town were blocked, closed, but not empty. The Norwegians are loving the party. We took a newish light rail from the airport to as far as it would go in town....which was about 1 1/2 miles from our hotel. Then we hoofed it, dragging clickity clack wheeled suitcases behind us. We did have to ask directions often, and we had to weave in and out of barricades, and sidewalk cafes jammed with beer drinking bike race aficionados .  But we finally made it to our hotel. We weren't even hungry, but we were jet lagged. So after a nice hot shower and a cup of tea, we climbed into bed and proceeded to hear the revelry until about 3:00 am. The people of  Bergen were in party mood. There were many other countries represented in the bike race, so once were rested and repacked, we joined the crowd for a day of watching, walking, and waiting until our ferry left at 6:00 pm.

NORWAY III

I wasn' going to write a blog posts on Noway, because it is our third time visiting this Viking country.  But a few people asked me to, and I have the time on this ship...so will give it a go.
We heard about an 11 day cruise up the Norwegian Coast and back on the Hurtigruten Ferry system.

So, we signed up and away we go. Flew from Seattle to Bergen via London, and the only excitement there was a bunch of young men in the airport playing pranks. They happened to have a rather large fake rubber penis that they would throw on the floor as an unsuspecting female would walk by. It would stick to the floor and wobble bobble around and they were laughing so hard you could hear them from far away. Of course, I was one of those surprised females! I am sure they were so pleased at my reaction, too! Sorry...no pictures. A better reaction was Steve's , but it was understated.

Before we left home, we got emails from the ferry boat staff and the hotel we had booked for the night before. The days we were in Bergen were  the planned staging of one of Europe's biggest Bike races...the U C I. All the downtown/wharf roads would be closed and blocked to all traffic for the duration of the race. So sorry...they had no alternative solutions for us weary travelers... we were on our own!

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LAST DAY

We got up in am to another hot day! Luckily, it was a do your own thing day, but whatever one chose, it was  hot! After lunch, our guide called us together and we congregated in the lodge for a "goodbye" with the staff of the lodge and Mau, our main go to guide.  They said we were the best guests ever! I don't know about that, but we were a small group and non complainers! They gave us presents! The ladies got beautiful Tanzania cloth that could be made into the traditionl dress. The guys got beautiful Masai cloth (wool) to wrap on their very white bodies. It was afternoon and steamy heat, but we all put on our gifts and took pictures.

We went to pack and  save time  for one more ride down the Wami and another sundowner party. Because the tide was in and the river was deeper, we went all the way to the Indian Ocean! We saw so many Hippos, birds, and of course "Chairman Mau" the biggest croc the guides had ever seen! Wine and beer, laughter, and singing.....we were hot sweaty happy campers, but more was in store at dinner.

A lone tree in the mouth of the river and Indian Ocean!

We really tried to "dress" a bit for our last dinner on the river...but, everyone was having bad hair, and all our clothes were damp, and we itched...still we joined in the main lodge, and as soon as the main dinner was over...the whole staff came out in a conga line singing a really wild upbeat native chant. It was wild. They were carrying a special cake they made for us, and as they rounded the table, they pulled each one of us into the line. It is amazing how good we danced after all the cocktails. The MOVES! The MOVES!  I cannot describe, and this is a good thing. They gave us the cake and told us after we ate some we had to reciprocate and bring it back into the kitchen with one of our tratidional songs. First we practiced  Auld Lang Syne....but I thought it was bit dated and dull. So "Louie Louie"! Man we brought it down! I was the leader, and  so engrossed in my roll, that I didn't take any pictures.

I hope someone did. But, I can tell you, the staff at Saadani River Lodge will rememeber us!

LOUIE, LOUIE, WE GOTTA GO!

WINDING DOWN

Our last few nights in Tanzania, and we are staying at such a lovely spot on the Bagamoyo Coast. We went on a very long game drive the second day. This area is just starting to recover from years of hunting, so even though we saw animals...they are skitterish and do not like humans. Not like Ngorongoro or the Serengiti. These guys sayed far away and would even run when they saw our jeep. So it wasn't as big a thrill.  Although a lion and attacked and eaten a man on a bicycle over a year ago. 

The government is working hard to protect the area and increase the animal population.  All the people employed by lodge are local tribal people, being trained for work. I can't say enough about the kindness of the Tanzanians. They are so proud to be "one" . Tanzanians first, then tribe. They are such friendly people and genuinely wanted us to enjoy their county.  All speak Swahili and English, and also a lot of German and of course, their own tribal dialect. 

The day of this game drive we stopped in at a "sister lodge" on the Indian Ocean. Same wonderful vibe, but managed by a crazy Scottish guy and his wife who came for a vacation and never went home! They served us a most excelent captains plate of fresh seafood caught locally. The prawns were to die for! Squid and small crabs and fresh blue tuna. We pigged out!

We ventured back out on the game drivend did manage to see quite a bit. But, it was HOT!  We came back in the late afternoon in time for cold showers and cocktails befor another fabulous dinner of lamb shanks, or chicken, and fresh made rolls.