Geiranger

Thursday, June 23


We were awakened about 7am by the Captain saying the weather was just a bit cloudy, but provided a great atmosphere to see the highlights of the Geiranger fiord as we cruised towards the town. We jumped up and went and joined lots of fellow guests on deck and were wowed by the scenery. It was spectacular, and everything you imagine dramatic fiord views to be like. 

The ship docked in the fiord, and we used tenders to get to shore. Looking back at our ship it was dwarfed by the height of the cliffs along the fiord, and the greens were so varied, especially against the blue sky as the clouds cleared. We took the path along a waterfall, and climbed about 400 steps to get to the top, again stopping for rests as well as to admire the views.

At the top our objective was the Fiord Centre and Folk Museum, which was excellent. It had lots of displays covering the various aspects of life along the fiords, including farming, transport, fishing, geology, flora and fauna, and the history living along a fiord. The amazing thing to us was that when a big avalanche or rock slide occurs it causes a tsunami and some of the big ones in the past have killed many people. There was also a great slide show with beautiful  photos covering all the seasons around the mountains and fiord.

We walked down the road to town, had a rich hot chocolate and some samples at a chocolate shop, and caught a tender back to the ship. As we sailed out of the fiord we passed the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls again but in brilliant sunshine this time, then enjoyed a delicious meal at Canaletto restaurant with new friends Don & Norma from Adelaide. It was brilliant sitting at the back of the ship watching magnificent scenery while enjoying a lovely meal.