18th and 19th Bergen and MS Trollefjord - Hurtigruten

We met Inger last night and this morning we put our luggage out for pick up at midday, then we were briefed to ensure that we had checked our luggage on to the bus. 

Then we did a tour of Bergen including Bruggen then our Australian guide took us to Eduardo Greig’s home and museum, then to see a Church of which not 30 still exist n Norway.

Then we came back to the cruise terminal area where we then boarded MS Trollfjord.  We are in cabin 615.  It is spartan but comfortable.  Two small beds with duvet.

We have dinner in the dining room and it is Freestyle dining tonight and a bit of a bun fight.  Soup is a fish style and delicious. Main course is fish or lamb hock, with vegetables.  Desserts are a good range.

We have a briefing later on, then into bed by 10.45pm, but it is a rough night, with a deep roll.  We sleep ok.

 Morning eventually comes after a long and bumpy ride.  We rise, shower and dress then enjoy a breakfast, without the problems of gaining a seat n the dining room.

Following breakfast Inger, our guide has scheduled a meeting to discuss excursions and whether we should book, because in several ports she will act as tour guide and do walking tours.  She thinks many tours are overly expensive and our funds can be better used in Lapland.

We then have about 90 minutes before we arrive in the town of Ausland.  It is known for its quaint art nouveau buildings and art work on many buildings. Our tour guide walks us around the city, there are 2-3 heavy snow showers.  Our stay is limited to 2 hours to allow us to comfortably board well prior to our scheduled 3.00pm departure.

This calls for nnovation and we find a beautiful bakery where we enjoy cappuccino and a circle bun.  Just superb, then a walk around several narrow lanes before returning at 2.40pm. The ship departs at 3.00 pm, with the next port scheduled at 6.00pm, when we are scheduled for our group dinner. 

The view from the Troll Lounge with its panoramic windows.  Snow and Ice on the western faces of the cliffs, mountains and fjords.  But on the east side or port side where the land is sheltered as we sail through, it is green. 

This afternoon has brought spectacular scenery, breathtaking contrasts especially familiar in this Nordic region, but our guide says it doesn’t compare to the beauty above the arctic circle in particular Lapland.