Journey to Bergen

On to the final leg of our trip- Bergen!

We booked the kids and grandparents onto the Norled passenger ferry from Sogndal to Bergen (a 4.5 hour journey through the fjords) while Pete and I drove the car. 

After dropping off the crew at the ferry, we had a short drive and then boarded a car ferry for the short crossing from Manheller to Fodnes. 

Then we drove in the rain back past Flam and Kaupanger. We realized how fortunate we were to have had sunny days when we saw the fjords. They are stunning in any weather, but I'm glad we got the views that we did before the rain came in. 

We stopped at Tvindefossen. That was a powerful waterfall in the rain! 

Next, we approached Voss and detoured to find the Voss brewery. We passed the Nesheim Farmstead, dating back to the 1600s. The buildings are no longer in use, but are open for free to the public. The setting was stunning. 

Found the brewery, but it was closed on Sunday

Another pit stop at the Bordalsgjelet Gorge. 

The remainder of the drive passed by lots of waterfalls and fjords, went through lots of tunnels, and was blessedly quiet without children in the backseat! 

En route to Bergen I was messaged by the manager of the apartment I booked on booking. Our apartment had a burst pipe so we were relocated to a different apartment. The new apartment was very specious and the location could not have been better, but otherwise it left a LOT to be desired. Luckily, there was a lot of city to get out and explore. 

We didn't make it to the top of Floysetten, accessible by this mountain tram or hiking. My parents went up the last morning and said it was really great up there... next time! 

We did walk up the hill to the playground at the start of the Floyen hiking area.

Looking down to the harbor

We walked through the fish market for some fish and chips. 

The kids favorite thing in Bergen

Bergen is considered the rainiest city in Europe and indeed we had on and off rain each day. We got some rainbows though! 

Pete and I went to eat at Pingvinen gastropub at the recommendation of a friend. We had beer cured deer, lamb stew and meatballs with our beers. After dinner we walked the city, seeing the historic waterfront buildings of Bryggen without the day time crowds.

The medieval, wooden clad boat houses are slowly being restored through the Norwegian government

Solvorn and the Urnes Stave Church

Our final outing in Sogndal was a trip to see the Urnes Stave church. 

First, we stopped to see the Stave church in Kaupanger. 

We arrived in Solvorn with some time to spare before the next ferry left. We checked out the sandy shore. 

Urnes in the distance

Ferry crossing

The Lustra Fjord

From the ferry landing, it is a hike up the hill to the church. Along the way, we passed orchards (the area is known for cider), a sweet honor system strawberry stand, and an old school house with a playground. The kids were more interested in the interior of the school house that was set up with a (well loved) science experiment station and a coloring area. 

Wood stove in the old school house

Needless to say, with our stops, we missed the tour of the church that is timed with the ferry. But we could still pay admission to see the interior and ask questions of the guide. 

The Urnes Stave Church is the oldest preserved church in Norway and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The timber for the church was felled in 1129. Most the church has been rebuilt over the centuries, though some of the original decorative features are preserved on the outside of the church. Stave churches were built between 1130 to 1350 when the black death took hold. There were 1000 or so of these churches in Europe at that time, but only 28 remain (all in Norway).

The original, decorative pieces- 900 years old! 

Up the hill is the money shot, of the church with the Lustrafjorden in the background

The image of the painting at the National Museum in Oslo

It started raining when we got to the ferry terminal to come back. We discovered that the ferry had a very cozy lower lounge with old leather sofas and a TV showing staticky cartoons. This ferry is how local children get to school so I'm glad they have dry place to hang out!

Solvorn was a very charming town. We walked around a bit before driving back to Sogndal for a late pizza lunch. 

After lunch, we drove from Sogndal along the Fjord to Slinde. My parents and the kids would be cruising down this way the following day on their way to Bergen, but I wanted to see it. There are a lot of ancient burial mounds in the area. We didn't see any of those, but found a sweet little cove to explore. 

Our town had a swimming area with jumping platforms, but even with the heat of the week, that water was far too cold for us! 

I really miss this view!