Bergen - Norway

Interesting sculptures in Bergen!


Hello once again,

On Thursday 26 August 2010 OCEANA was in Bergen. It was a beautiful day to start with and then some rain showers in the afternoon...........I love to walk around Bergen - so much to see and do.

Manicured gardens.

Affectionately known as the 'gateway to the Fjords', Bergen is an enchanting city with a great history and a truly spectacular setting. It was formerly the Capital and now Norway's second largest city with a population of 228,000. It is the leading west coast port and a major cultural centre.

Water fountains in the Park.

Unusual..........................

Traditional..........................

A statue of the famous composer Grieg.

Majestic buildings everywhere you look..............

The City Centre is now paved and pedestrianised.

A water feature...............

Hustle and bustle in the downtown market area..............

Bumping into friends - James and Dee - our Deputy Cruise Director.............

The Fish Market is located at the head of the bay vaagen. Apart form selling fish it also sells flowers, vegetables, fruit, handicrafts and traditional souvenirs.

Anyone for a fresh crab........

I prefer these.....................

All good value for money..........

Fresh fruit.........

Fox furs - I stroked one of them and my hand was itchy all day - ahahaha........

The old buildings reminiscent of medieval times.............

Above the shops and offices there are fine homes - all occupied. It is quite common for these large houses to be split up into smaller homes........

Most passengers take the excursion to Mount Floien - this involves a funicular which takes you to the top at a height of around 984 feet. From this vantage point you can enjoy wonderful views of Bergen and the surrounding area. I have fond memories of visiting Grieg's home at Troldhaugen situated on the Nordas Lake. The composer's home contains many of the original furnishings. Grieg is buried in the Garden there. He enjoyed his lovely little cabin down on the lake where he used to escaped to when his wife was entertaining! With beautiful views from every window you can see how Grieg loved living here.

In old Bergen many passengers like to wonder round this attractive area at their leisure. There is even a Laura Ashley shop........!

Couldn't resist this old Post office display as my Father was a Postmaster, Grocer and General Merchant! If you look closely at the reflection on the glass you can see me taking the photograph!

All pre departure checks have been completed and OCEANA is about to sail for Southampton.

Family and Friends of the Headliners Theatre Company..............

OCEANA sets her course to leave Bergen and sail down the North Sea to her home port of Southampton. We were very blessed with our sea passages on this cruise - smooth sailing all the way!

This completes our Norway Cruise - I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did and if you have never been then you need to book up now!! As with most of our Cruise Itineraries there is so much to see and do that you can always visit the same places time after time and enjoy your favourite past times.............

Bye for now, the next postings will feature Southampton Sail away, Dublin, Cork, Bilbao and Brest.

Plenty of variety in this job. Thank you for your messages and please keep them coming.....

Best wishes meantime,

James.

What memories, what moments, what friendships to enjoy as another cruise comes to an end.