Day 9 (June 30): Bergen —> Ålesund.
After yesterday’s hike, we planned on taking it easy today. The hike was great and we lucked out with the weather but it was definitely on the more challenging end of the hikes that we do when considering terrain, length and elevation gain.
After some brekkie and re-packing, we checked out of the hotel and started walking around the city of Bergen. We walked around some neighborhoods and fortresses, had pizza (more on this below) and then walked some more before heading to the airport for our evening flight to Ålesund.
Thoughts on Bergen: It is a heavily touristed city and it’s probably lost plenty of the charm that made it so attractive to visit. That said, it is a great point to start a visit to the fjords or end a visit from the fjords. The hike we did yesterday was enjoyable, but I wouldn’t recommend spending too much time here.
OK, so what have we learned about Norway in the time we have been here:
Electric cars, particularly Teslas, are very prevalent here. Yes, they also drive Volvos from neighboring Sweden. But I’ve noticed lots of electric cars on the roads and on the city streets.
Tons of New York Yankees hats. Not kidding. Now most of the people wearing them likely have no idea what sport the team plays, but no matter. After asking a couple of people about the hat, they both said “it was THE souvenir to get when in New York.”
Norwegians love their bread and their pastries. I was not expecting to eat so much bread on this trip. I am unsure the last time I ate this much bread - ok, maybe when I was in France last. The brekkies at every place we have stayed at have a cornucopia of options.
Continuing on the bread theme, Norwegians love pizza. [Paging Cousin Scott! Have you spent any time here? If not, it may be worth a trip when you decide to venture outside of the US again.]
BUT Norwegian restaurants of all shapes and sizes are very fastidious about their food allergy listings. From the smallest take-away to the fanciest restaurant, all of the menus clearly list out all of the potential allergens. So if you have food intolerances/allergies, this is a good place to visit.
We happen to be here during Pride month. In both Oslo and in Bergen, the flags are very prevalent on the streets and in shops/bars. Times are not easy for our friends in the LGBTQ+ community, but Norway seems like a place that would be welcoming to them. [Again, your friendly reminder to support and to respect LGBTQ+ folks every month and not just one month per year.]
Finally, don’t bother looking at any weather forecast in Norway unless you are within 48 hours of visiting. Yes, you could say that about weather in the US. But it is a fact here. Once you get within 48 hours, the forecast has pretty much played out perfectly. The weather changes quickly around here.
Our flight to Ålesund was uneventful from a logistics perspective, but gorgeous. Most of the coast of Norway is an archipelago, so you’re seeing islands everywhere. And we flew at 8pm local time with the sun shining through as if it were 3pm at home.
You ever land someplace new and immediately think “yeah” and then “darn”? The place where you wish you booked a bit more time? Ålesund is that place for me.
Upon arrival, we checked in and walked around the downtown area scoping out areas for a sunset. Since we’re heading north, sunsets are getting later. The clouds that we saw upon landing faded away, which took away the color aspect of the sunset. But we enjoyed it.
PS - At midnight, the sun wasn't even set.