Flam

Sunday, July 3

We had pre-booked a tour of the fiords around Flam before we left home, not knowing how great a view we would have from our ship. However we weren't sorry to be spending more time on the water with this adventure.

We kitted up with the gear provided - thermal full length suit and life vest, goggles, woollen gloves and waterproof gloves to go over them! We kept all our clothes and jackets on under the suit provided - the temperature was only about 14C, but the wind chill when doing 20-30 knots (about 35-50kph) meant you were ok except for the small amount of your face that was exposed!

We passed numerous little farms perched on the edge of the fiords and cliffs, as well as small towns and villages, as we travelled along the Aurlandsfiord, a 17 km arm of the world's second longest fiord, the Sognefiord. The scenery was magnificent with the cliffs rising 500m above the water, which is about 500m deep! There were so many spectacular waterfalls, snow capped mountains, lush bright green fields, dark green pine trees, partly cloudy skies and the water colour varied from dark blue to pale green, depending on the reflections. 

Our driver and guide Elenore then took us along the Naeroyfiord which is the narrowest fiord in the world and a UNESCO World heritage site. We could see why it was so special and one that cruise ships can't access. At the village of Gudvangen we turned around and headed back to Flam - on the way back we saw herds of goats grazing on the steep hillsides, with some even having a nap on the rocks. How they don't fall off the steep rocks was incredible to us!

After a quick tour of the museum and shops, we caught the ship's tender back to our ship. We had an early dinner as we wanted to get front row seats to see Patrick McMahon perform again. He is a talented and energetic Aussie performer who everyone has loved - he is so enthusiastic about everything and is definitely the best entertainer we have seen on the cruises we have done.