Day 3: Trondheim to Bronnoysund

View of Trondheim from Kristiansten Fortress

Kjeungskjaer Lighthouse

After an early breakfast, we had long stop in Trondheim. The four of us walked from the docks to explore Kristiansten Fortress which overlooks the town. There was hardly anyone in the fort and it felt like we had it all to ourselves. Then we walked down along the river admiring the old buildings build right against the canals edge. Further down the street was a large cathedral.We didn’t stop long because it was starting to rain. The walk back to the boat was further then I remembered and we were almost late. I wonder if they would leave without everyone onboard? The rest of the day, we relaxed and watched the coastline slip by. In the afternoon, we passed Kjeungskjaer lighthouse which is considered to be the most beautiful along the Norwegian coast! I’m not sure it quite lives up to that hype.

Old Town Bridge in Trondheim

Kristiansten Fortress in Trondheim

Kristiansten Fortress - Photo credit to Will\'s mom, Myra

Kristiansten Fortress in Trondheim

Bakklandet neighborhood in Trondheim

Bakklandet neighborhood in Trondheim

Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim

Munkholmen Island off the coast of Trondheim - most famously used as a monastery

Hurtigruten crew conducting a safety drill

Fishing boat near Munkholmen Island - photo credit to Myra

View from the bow while passing Stokkoya

Buholmrasa Lighthouse

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Day 2: Floro to Trondheim

Geiranger Fjord

Geiranger Fjord

While we slept, the cruise continued transporting people and cargo with multiple stops including Floro. We all woke early to have a full buffet breakfast before the ship ported at Alesund. The schedule stated that we would have about 45 minutes allowing for a quick walk through town but we were delayed leaving only 15 minutes in port. Next, the ship headed inland for a scenic cruise of Geiranger Fjord. It was amazing to see the cliffs towering high above the ship. We were also amazed with the number of farm houses perched along the mountains with seemingly no access to civilization. Around lunchtime, the ship stopped near the town of Geiranger to drop off passengers who signed up for the daily excursion before turning around and heading back to Alesund. We sat outside enjoying the return trip just as much. Back at Alesund, we again only had about 20 minutes to explore off the boat, but the blue skies made us excited for the walk.

That evening, we had our first set service dinner. All of the menus are prepared using ingredients acquired at the different ports. We enjoyed an appetizer of clipfish with sweet pea purée and asparagus (from Fiskarstrand), a salted leg of lamb with steamed summer cabbage, dill potatoes and horseradish sauce (from Hellesylt), and raspberry pie with almond brittle ice cream (from Gangstad Gardsysteri).

MS Nordlys docked in Alesund

Alesund

Geiranger Fjord

Farms in Geiranger Fjord

Geiranger Fjord

View of Geiranger Fjord from upper deck

Cruising through Geiranger Fjord

Quick stop near Geiranger

Geiranger Fjord

Geiranger Fjord

Will and Sara admiring Geiranger Fjord

Geiranger Fjord

MS Nordlys docked in Alesund

Alesund

Sunset At 10:45

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Next: the fjord tour continues north on MS Nordlys

My parents wanted to meet up with us during our year of travel and eventually picked a week cruise along the Norwegian coast. We met them in Bergen to begin our journey with Hurtigruten, a company that has been transporting people and cargo along the Norwegian coast for over 100 years. They have thirteen ships with daily departures from all the ports they serve. Now Hurtigruten also provides cruises through the beautiful Norway fjords to paying passengers as well as transporting cargo to the far reaches of the north. Our voyage on MS Nordlys (Norwegian for northern lights) was from Bergen to Kirkenes.

Day 1: Bergen to Floro

In Bergen, Hurtigruten has a large facility for embarking passengers and cargo onto their ships. We checked-in which included dropping off our bags for transport to our cabin and setting up our “cruise card” to make onboard purchases easy. We proceeded into a small conference room where a safety briefing was shown in Continue reading →