Norway 2012

Wednesday 24th May

Maloy-Alesund-Geiranger-Molde

The Hurtigruten ships, apart from being very nicely appointed cruise ships, also do the job of taking people and cargo from port to port along the Norwegian coast. Sometimes the ships can visit up to 4 ports in one day, almost always it's at least two. Passengers get on for short trips up or down the coast, drive their cars on and off, have a meal in the cafeteria and if overnighting, catch some sleep in a vacant lounge seat in various places.

We were up and completed breakfast before getting off at Alesund. What a beautiful city. It is renowned for its art nouveau architecture.

We only had a short time to walk around Alesund because the ship had to leave for Geiranger Fjord, and we were booked on the excursion.

In Geiranger Fjord we got off onto a small boat and taken ashore. What a spectacular place. We were told by our excursion guide that the fine warm day was most unusual and we were very lucky. There was another cruise ship there as well.

There was a large campground with only a few caravans parked up. I looked at these places and thought: what a great spot... but winter !!

We had a look around a Visitors' Centre and then got back onto our bus and went up the hill to a lookout.

This photo, taken at full zoom, shows where those vans were parked. Great location.

Our bus then took us through some beautiful countryside to a ferry dock where it drove on. We were treated to an afternoon tea of coffee, cheese and biscuits as part of the excursion. Although I must say that the German tourists who got to the tables first didn't give much consideration to anyone behind them who might like something to eat as well.

Our bus took us through some more beautiful countryside back to Alesund where we drove up to a lookout to see our ship returning to meet us.