Norway: (Bergen to Flam Fjord Cruise)

The line of old buildings of Bryggen (mentioned previously) beside the Harbour.
Today, we are going to leave Bergen, the city of 7 mountains & 7 fjords, for the kingdom of the fjords



Some impt background knowledge on the formation of fjords:
Most of northern Europe was once covered by ice up to 3km thick. during a series of 40 ice ages this ice carved away 5400 cubic km to form the Sognefjord and its fjord arms-grinding deeper into stone at the rate of a mere half a metre into stone at the rate of a mere half a metre every thousand years.
The coast of norway and fjords were nourished by the warm currents of the Gulf Stream, which produced a far milder climate than other regions on the same latitude, thus the lush green.

So the fjord cruise that I am taking is considered to be the "dream of travllers all over the world". In fact, National Geo Traveler Magazine declared the Norwegian fjords to be the very best, unspoiled travel destination in the world.



We couldn't find any seats by the time we got on the cruise boat, so we just settle at the dining tables of the boat. Which turns to be damn good cos we had so much space to ourselves...haha



Passed a super long bridge connecting 2 islands which is considered to be an engineering feat in Sweden



These are the beautiful, idyllic islands north of Bergen that shelter the coast from Atlantic storms.
Lush green meadows



Coast pines that glow in the sunlight



At Mongstad, largest Petroleum Refinery in Norway



All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.
--rainbow connection by sarah mclaughlan
Note there r double rainbows in reality. Quite faint on photo. The secondary rainbow's colours r inverted compared to the primary rainbow



After sailing past the island north of Bergen, we finally reached the Sognefjord (Norway's longest fjord).
Welcome to the Garden of Eden. Welcome to Lothlórien.
Snow-capped mountains



Lush valleys



Steep mountains with forests clinging to their sides



Cascading, glittering waterfalls



Mountains shrouded in low clouds



The enchanting magic of the fjord drew many out of the cabin to brave the freezing cold wind while taking photos



People along the fjord supposedly live a long and healthy life. Well, the air is certainly super fresh and the water is just crystal clear



Along the fjords are towns and villages, each with their own personality



Towns and villages, scattered and clustered farms, occupy a modest portion of this amazingly unspoiled landscape (note the small town in the above pic)



Leikanger, well known for its 100 000 fruit trees (mainly apples)



Mid-fjord Adventure:
Our cruise boat approaching another ferry bound for Gudvangen



Both our boat and the ferry side by side



Ladder b/w the 2 vessels for passengers to transfer from one to another in the middle of the fjord water!



Beitelen-the mouth of the Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in the world
Our route thru the Sognefjord means that we have to compromise on the narrowest and most beautiful fjord in the world...Sigh.



We just sail past Beitelen but we do not enter it. I wonder how it looks on the other side?