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My cruise along the Norwegian Fjords [4/x]
Overnight, the cruiseship sailes up North and leaves the fjords and the nature part of this cruise. The coming days it will make stops at more populated places at the Norwegian coast, starting with a visit to Ålesund. At the start of the 19th century this was just a small village with only a few hundred people. But thanks to fishery and the export of klippfisk it grew into the biggest city of Norway in 1884 with 12 thousand citizens. After a big city fire in 1904 which left thousands homeless, it became law to only build stone houses. Within 3 years, Ålesund was being rebuilt in art-nouveaustyle, which to this day defines this pretty town that now stretches over three islands connected by bridges. Let's take a look!
Day 6: 4th stop - Exploring Ålesund
Woke up around 5:30 a.m. to this gorgeous sunrise. Fell asleep again until 06:30 when the ship was gliding by these massive rocks. Didn't have to leave my bed to make these photos:)
I slept in until about 08:30 and after I got out of the shower, the ship had docked at Ålesund and portside finally lived up to its name, haha! Had a beautiful view of the town from my balcony:)
As I was too late for the a-la-cart breakfast at Tides, I went to the back of the ship to buffet restaurant Windjammer, and found a nice table outside. All I could carry for my first round (stacked that bowl and the mug on the plate, while holding that and the glass) - melon, sausages, a blueberry muffin and hashbrowns with tea.
Always in awe of every corner of the ship.
I went back to the buffet for seconds and found they had freshly baked waffles! Look what a cute shape! Had a scoop of strawberries with that and also a chunk of breadpudding and another hashbrown (I really love those, okay)
Thanks elevator for reminding me it's Monday (Sept. 5th) and hey, a look at my room from shore (9th floor, top balconies:)
I had gotten a (discount) ticket for the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus back in Geiranger, so I excitedly wanted to climb on the bus right away and then found out there are to H-O, H-O companies in Ålesund (a local version and a national branch) and my bus was the already very full one, aargh. Fortunately this was more of transport than a tour; the best view was when I got off the bus, at the top of citymountain Aksla.
Pretty!
Look, it's the ship down there! Now, it was possible to go down by foot; there are stairs to the city below, but I didn't think my knees would appreciate the 418 steps, so I strolled around at the Fjellstua Viewpoint until the bus came back :-p
Wahey, my first funky manhole cover! Up at the Kniven Viewpoint stands a statue of
Norwegian poet Kristoffer Randers (1851-1917), by Arnold Haukeland.
It's funny how similar to Dutch some Norwegian words are, for instance 'medbragt' would be 'meegebracht' in Dutch; of course English is way shorter in translation, calling the combination of brought along food and drink a 'picnic' :-D
The bus going down was full as well and although I had a pretty good view, I couldn't take photos without the reflection of other passengers, hrmpf.
The building with the pointy tower is the Jugenstilsenteret or Art Nouveau Center (which was closed on Mondays, or I would have visited as their exhibition about the fire is recommended)
I got off the bus again in the city center and walked along the small harbour.
Fiskergutten (fisherboy), statue by Knut Skinnarland.
Shadow of the art nouveau styled gate on the Hellebroa bridge:)
The cruise ship peeking through!
All the buildings have colourful flowery facades <3
Cool wooden backdoor of the Jugenstilsenteret (hi!)
and more flowery facades:)
How cool is this Ålesund manhole cover with the roses and the knot?!
View from the harbour.
Frilly flowers up high; I also love the round roof tiles.
Okay, I'm in a manhole cover frenzy now; this one mostly for the text.
Sat down at a little cafe for a Kardemommeknute med mango & hvit sjokolade. Look at that curly knot, it was delicious!
Another splendid manhole cover *chinhands*
Sildekona, statue of a woman cleaning herring, by Bjorna Tore Skjosvik.
From the harbour I walk to the next H-O, H-O busstop. Along the way I see this fun painted bird.
After a quick look at the Ålesund Kirke (1909) I get on the bus for the final leg of its city sightseeing route.
Another bit of Norwegian. View of the Aksla mountain with the white Steinvägbrua (bridge) in front - which the bus just crossed to get to Hessa island.
Detail on the facade of the Arbeideren Kulturhus (1906); the last building before I get off the bus and get back on the ship with my loot from Ålesund: a postcard, a magnet, a little wallet with the Northern Lights on it and chocolate covered licorice. (The only version I could find; this is chewy licorice, I prefer the harder chocolate/licorice combo, but couldn't find that anywhere *weeps*)
Had a late lunch at Windjammer with another lovely view of Ålesund: meatballs, bread, fries and honey melon. Oh, also strawberry pudding and lemonade:)
Did my final exploration of the top of the ship where there's a funky kiddie pool and - in this photo - a climbing wall!
View from the back of the ship as we start our long sail down south from the Norwegian Sea to the North Sea.
After reading on my balcony in the early evening, I go down for dinner at eight. Guess what I'm going to eat!
A lovely cheeseplate and bread as usual, omnomnom.
My starter: Smoked Chicken and Orange Salad
My main course: Roasted Pork Loin, braised red cabbage, garlicky (GARLICKY!) mashed potatoes and cranberry jus.
My dessert: Eton Mess (strawberries with whipped cream and broken meringue).
As I walked out of the restaurant I saw this gorgeous sunset, *happy sigh*.
To be continued:)
J.
Previous Cruiseposts: Day 1: Departing from Amsterdam | Day 2: at sea | Day 3: 1st stop Olden, Norway | Day 4: 2nd stop - a trainride in Flåm! | Day 5: 3rd stop - Climbing GeirangerFjord!
In addition I have posted a couple of short videos on my YouTube: my Norwegian Fjords Cruise playlist
X-posted to https://beelikej.livejournal.com/577962.html
Day 6: 4th stop - Exploring Ålesund
Woke up around 5:30 a.m. to this gorgeous sunrise. Fell asleep again until 06:30 when the ship was gliding by these massive rocks. Didn't have to leave my bed to make these photos:)
I slept in until about 08:30 and after I got out of the shower, the ship had docked at Ålesund and portside finally lived up to its name, haha! Had a beautiful view of the town from my balcony:)
As I was too late for the a-la-cart breakfast at Tides, I went to the back of the ship to buffet restaurant Windjammer, and found a nice table outside. All I could carry for my first round (stacked that bowl and the mug on the plate, while holding that and the glass) - melon, sausages, a blueberry muffin and hashbrowns with tea.
Always in awe of every corner of the ship.
I went back to the buffet for seconds and found they had freshly baked waffles! Look what a cute shape! Had a scoop of strawberries with that and also a chunk of breadpudding and another hashbrown (I really love those, okay)
Thanks elevator for reminding me it's Monday (Sept. 5th) and hey, a look at my room from shore (9th floor, top balconies:)
I had gotten a (discount) ticket for the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus back in Geiranger, so I excitedly wanted to climb on the bus right away and then found out there are to H-O, H-O companies in Ålesund (a local version and a national branch) and my bus was the already very full one, aargh. Fortunately this was more of transport than a tour; the best view was when I got off the bus, at the top of citymountain Aksla.
Pretty!
Look, it's the ship down there! Now, it was possible to go down by foot; there are stairs to the city below, but I didn't think my knees would appreciate the 418 steps, so I strolled around at the Fjellstua Viewpoint until the bus came back :-p
Wahey, my first funky manhole cover! Up at the Kniven Viewpoint stands a statue of
Norwegian poet Kristoffer Randers (1851-1917), by Arnold Haukeland.
It's funny how similar to Dutch some Norwegian words are, for instance 'medbragt' would be 'meegebracht' in Dutch; of course English is way shorter in translation, calling the combination of brought along food and drink a 'picnic' :-D
The bus going down was full as well and although I had a pretty good view, I couldn't take photos without the reflection of other passengers, hrmpf.
The building with the pointy tower is the Jugenstilsenteret or Art Nouveau Center (which was closed on Mondays, or I would have visited as their exhibition about the fire is recommended)
I got off the bus again in the city center and walked along the small harbour.
Fiskergutten (fisherboy), statue by Knut Skinnarland.
Shadow of the art nouveau styled gate on the Hellebroa bridge:)
The cruise ship peeking through!
All the buildings have colourful flowery facades <3
Cool wooden backdoor of the Jugenstilsenteret (hi!)
and more flowery facades:)
How cool is this Ålesund manhole cover with the roses and the knot?!
View from the harbour.
Frilly flowers up high; I also love the round roof tiles.
Okay, I'm in a manhole cover frenzy now; this one mostly for the text.
Sat down at a little cafe for a Kardemommeknute med mango & hvit sjokolade. Look at that curly knot, it was delicious!
Another splendid manhole cover *chinhands*
Sildekona, statue of a woman cleaning herring, by Bjorna Tore Skjosvik.
From the harbour I walk to the next H-O, H-O busstop. Along the way I see this fun painted bird.
After a quick look at the Ålesund Kirke (1909) I get on the bus for the final leg of its city sightseeing route.
Another bit of Norwegian. View of the Aksla mountain with the white Steinvägbrua (bridge) in front - which the bus just crossed to get to Hessa island.
Detail on the facade of the Arbeideren Kulturhus (1906); the last building before I get off the bus and get back on the ship with my loot from Ålesund: a postcard, a magnet, a little wallet with the Northern Lights on it and chocolate covered licorice. (The only version I could find; this is chewy licorice, I prefer the harder chocolate/licorice combo, but couldn't find that anywhere *weeps*)
Had a late lunch at Windjammer with another lovely view of Ålesund: meatballs, bread, fries and honey melon. Oh, also strawberry pudding and lemonade:)
Did my final exploration of the top of the ship where there's a funky kiddie pool and - in this photo - a climbing wall!
View from the back of the ship as we start our long sail down south from the Norwegian Sea to the North Sea.
After reading on my balcony in the early evening, I go down for dinner at eight. Guess what I'm going to eat!
A lovely cheeseplate and bread as usual, omnomnom.
My starter: Smoked Chicken and Orange Salad
My main course: Roasted Pork Loin, braised red cabbage, garlicky (GARLICKY!) mashed potatoes and cranberry jus.
My dessert: Eton Mess (strawberries with whipped cream and broken meringue).
As I walked out of the restaurant I saw this gorgeous sunset, *happy sigh*.
To be continued:)
J.
Previous Cruiseposts: Day 1: Departing from Amsterdam | Day 2: at sea | Day 3: 1st stop Olden, Norway | Day 4: 2nd stop - a trainride in Flåm! | Day 5: 3rd stop - Climbing GeirangerFjord!
In addition I have posted a couple of short videos on my YouTube: my Norwegian Fjords Cruise playlist
X-posted to https://beelikej.livejournal.com/577962.html