Away to live: Westward to Bergen

This is sound advice, wherever you find yourself.
This particular warning sign is found in Bergen, Norway.

After a few terrific days in Oslo, we board the train to Bergen. The trip is delightful. I had booked the tickets in advance directly through the VY site, thus saving some money. One hitch was that our U.S. credit card wasn't accepted; (they don't accept Canadian credit cards either). Luckily they accept PayPal, and our son kindly let us access his account.

The sun is either rising or setting over the Norwegian
landscape as seen from the Oslo-Bergen train.

The winterscape has a blue glow as seen from the train to Bergen.

Bergensbanen (the Bergen Line) is considered one of the most beautiful train voyages in Europe. The scenery is indeed spectacular. It reminds us of a trip on the California Zephyr we took a few years ago from Reno to Emeryville, Calif. On this day, we enjoy watching the sun rise (and then set a few hours later) over a snowy winterscape full of mountains, forests, lakes, and villages, and dotted with isolated farms.

We profit from a rare sunny day in Bergen.

I was aware that it rained a lot in Bergen, but I'm not prepared for the thorough soaking we receive on our first full day here. It rains most of the time during our weeklong stay, but our apartment is just a short walk from the cinema where we see Conclave and Wicked. Unlike in France, most films in Norway are shown in their original version, rather than being dubbed. What's more, the snack bar sells popcorn!

It's the middle of the day at Bryggen wharf.

Despite the weather, we manage to get out and explore. We're in Bergen at the right time of year to visit Pepperkakebyen, a huge model of the city made almost entirely of gingerbread. Most of the structures have been created by schoolchildren. If you happen to be in Bergen from mid-November through December, Pepperkakebyen is not to be missed. And it smells delicious!

This gingerbread structure was created by Bergen children.

The window displays are festive in Bergen's Bryggen neighborhood.

On another damp day, we check out the archaeological exhibits at the Bryggens Museum. The Bryggen neighborhood is a UNESCO World Heritage site for both its distinct wooden buildings and the artifacts found below ground. The museum is built over the remains of Bergen's oldest buildings dating from 1100. The wharf area of Bryggen was a key trading center of the Hanseatic League from the 14th to the mid-16th century. Over the centuries, fires have destroyed much of Bryggen and have been rebuilt faithful to tradition. Thus, the neighborhood has retrained its colorful wooden buildings that enchant visitors.

King Magnus is the focus of an exhibit at the Bryggens Museum in Bergen.

After a short funicular ride, we've arrive atop Mount Fløyen in Bergen.

Finally, on our last full day here, the rain stops and we head to Mount Fløyen. Our mode of transportation up the mountain is the Fløibanen funicular. The view from the top is a highlight of our stay in Bergen. I take dozens of photos of the city and harbor below and amble through the troll forest. I suggest we take advantage of the sunshine and hike back down into Bergen. It's a hearty and stunning walk.

The rooftops of Bryggen are seen along our walk down Mount Fløyen.

The ride up Mount Fløyen lasts about 8 minutes;
the 6 km walk down takes more than an hour.

As our week in Bergen draws to a close, we are eager to embark on the second half of our Norway adventure: a 12-day cruise of the stunning Norwegian fjords.