We had a "late" morning which means we didn't have to have our bags out really early. We were on the road by 10:30 this morning headed down the incredibly high mountain that our hotel was on. Our driver can do things with his bus that I wouldn't even consider w/ my van. He backs down steep roads, he turns around, completely, in front of a hotel in Stockholm,( a very narrow street), he is a "master". Some of these tunnels are narrow and he must stop and "pull over" to let something really big pass. Enough about Knut
Throughout Scandinavia in large chain and small family owned hotels, there has been one unusual consistency. NO TOP SHEETS on the beds. There is a down blanket/duvet thing, but no top sheet. Some have bedspreads and others do not and I'm wondering if this is for all rooms or for "tour groups". I may ask folks who have traveled more than I. Another interesting hotel difference is heated bathroom floors. I noticed from the beginning that the bathroom floors were higher than the rest of the room--would have broken a toe on one, if I'd taken my shoes off before entering. It has dawned on me this morning, 9 days into this trip that all the floors have been toasty.
Yesterday we did another Fjord cruise and the weather was better, but if you've seen 200 amazing waterfalls, you've seen enough. The boat was filled with other folks this time and the Orientals are really PUSHY.
After the cruise, we had an hour to eat or shop, we went to the grocery store and got bananas, coke zero, trail mix and shoestring potatoes. An interesting lunch. The railroad went up another mountain w/ more waterfalls and generally really pretty scenery. The train stopped at one point and there was music and two people ( there is discussion if they were male or female) came out way up on the hill and danced to music. They danced in an icy waterfall and Nick got pictures which I'm sure will be posted later. The Tour guide (Molly) says they do this about 6 times a day. Weird.
We met the bus after changing trains once and drove an hour and a half to Bergen. The bus driver, Knut, gave us a fairly thorough introduction to the downtown and wharf area of Bergen. Knut lives here and at one point took another road when he came up on serious Friday afternoon traffic.
Nick and I have the day to do whatever we want here, we opted OUT of the side trip to learn all about Edvard Grieg. Should be an interesting day of museums, looking around, shrimp sandwiches (Nick is excited about the wharf venders, me--not so much, altho I may try reindeer sausage) Today no one tells us where to be, when to be there, and breakfast is at the hotel from 7-11, so we have many options.
That's all I have to write this morning--it is Saturday 7:30 am
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