I am starting to believe this trip is doomed.
I was awaken at 4:45 a.m. by the sun streaming through the slit between the middle of the curtains. Even though we were on the ninth floor, the sun was already way above the horizon. I tried to go back to sleep but Mom’s phone alarm went off at 5:15. After showering and dressing, I took our luggage down to the lobby. Back in the room, I didn’t know what to do with myself since breakfast didn’t start until 6:30 a.m. Feeling a little fidgety, I decided I would go for a walk. Leaving Mom to read, I headed down and out to the Opera House, two blocks away.
I was awaken at 4:45 a.m. by the sun streaming through the slit between the middle of the curtains. Even though we were on the ninth floor, the sun was already way above the horizon. I tried to go back to sleep but Mom’s phone alarm went off at 5:15. After showering and dressing, I took our luggage down to the lobby. Back in the room, I didn’t know what to do with myself since breakfast didn’t start until 6:30 a.m. Feeling a little fidgety, I decided I would go for a walk. Leaving Mom to read, I headed down and out to the Opera House, two blocks away.
The roof of the Opera House looked like it was covered in snow, the marble was so white. A sign was posted on the roof warning everyone not to skate or ski. There were three sets of couples huddled together for warmth against the morning chill spread out across the roof. I headed up the right side since the sun was glaring off the left. All I could hear were the seagulls talking to each other and light traffic. The sky was covered with a few menacing clouds though it never rained. These were gone by the time we left the hotel later in the morning.
In the distance were these very tall orange metal boxes, so I headed that way along the waterfront. I passed what looked like a square wooden box with glass windows sitting on a platform in the water against the docking area. There was a sign on it saying they were saunas; they each hold ten people and were for rent. What a neat thing to do! The orange metal box had a large mural on one side. On the other side was information in both Norwegian and English telling the history of that area of the dock. I passed a shorter one on the way back.
Back at the hotel, I went up to the room to get Mom but the room was empty. I found her sitting with most of our group in the breakfast buffet area. After breakfast, we all met in the lobby to walk across the street to catch the train for our next leg of the journey. We had a four hour train ride to Myrdal. On board the train, I reached for my Kindle and could not find it. Panic started to set in again. I realized I had left it in the hotel room. Mom gave me her phone so I could call the hotel. I did reach them but kept getting cut off due to the mountainous landscape. I got through enough to let the hotel know about my Kindle. They were able to tell me I would have to pay to have it sent to me but i was never able to give them the address. The young man sitting in the seat right in front of me could hear my panicked and frustrated voice. He actually lent me his phone since it was a local phone. I still kept getting cut off. All I could do was sit back and enjoy the view until cell phone receptions was better.
The train ambled along its track, passing by small towns, going through crevices cut into the rock bed and through tunnels carved through the mountains. The view out of the train window was beautiful. The sky dotted with white puffy clouds were mirrored in many of the bodies of water that we passed. Pine trees were standing at attention along the rocky mountains that jutted out of the landscape. It was interesting to realize that as we traveled the landscape changed from one of lush green trees to snow-capped mountains with glaciers in between. If the view of the train was spectacular enough, the Flan ride was even better.
The train ambled along its track, passing by small towns, going through crevices cut into the rock bed and through tunnels carved through the mountains. The view out of the train window was beautiful. The sky dotted with white puffy clouds were mirrored in many of the bodies of water that we passed. Pine trees were standing at attention along the rocky mountains that jutted out of the landscape. It was interesting to realize that as we traveled the landscape changed from one of lush green trees to snow-capped mountains with glaciers in between. If the view of the train was spectacular enough, the Flan ride was even better.
The train pulled into the Myrdal station right on time. Most of the passengers got off the train with us. A man walked by the group yelling to follow him if you were getting on the Flåm Railway. His instructions told everyone to stand behind any number 1 through 9. This number corresponds to the doors on the train. We ended up standing behind the number 8. While waiting for the Flåm train, I called the Thon Opera Hotel. They found my Kindle and said it would be sent to our hotel in Stockholm, for a fee.
The Flåm Railway is considered to be one of Norway's most important and spectacular tourist attractions. Considered one of the world's most scenic rail trips, it is a 12 .5 miles long railway line between Myrdal and Flåm in Aurland, Norway. When the Flåm arrived, we all clambered on board. I was in the middle of the car on the right-hand side with Mom, Victoria sat across from me. Evie and Lee were on the other side of the car. The view was so breathtaking that the only time I sat down was going through tunnels. Otherwise, I was going from side to side, taking pictures. There was a photo opportunity stop at the “the impressive Rjoandefossen waterfall, which throws itself 140 metres straight down the mountainside.” I pushed my way to the railing to get pictures. All of a sudden I heard this beautiful sweet melody wafting down from the rocks over the crowd. I looked up to see a woman in red moving to the sound of the music. Everyone watching was mesmerized. Back on the train, I kept going from side to side snapping pictures. Most of the train passengers got off in Myrdal with us.
The Flåm Railway is considered to be one of Norway's most important and spectacular tourist attractions. Considered one of the world's most scenic rail trips, it is a 12 .5 miles long railway line between Myrdal and Flåm in Aurland, Norway. When the Flåm arrived, we all clambered on board. I was in the middle of the car on the right-hand side with Mom, Victoria sat across from me. Evie and Lee were on the other side of the car. The view was so breathtaking that the only time I sat down was going through tunnels. Otherwise, I was going from side to side, taking pictures. There was a photo opportunity stop at the “the impressive Rjoandefossen waterfall, which throws itself 140 metres straight down the mountainside.” I pushed my way to the railing to get pictures. All of a sudden I heard this beautiful sweet melody wafting down from the rocks over the crowd. I looked up to see a woman in red moving to the sound of the music. Everyone watching was mesmerized. Back on the train, I kept going from side to side snapping pictures. Most of the train passengers got off in Myrdal with us.
In Myrdal, we headed over to the gift shop area to look around and get something to eat. As we headed to find food, Linda K. realized that we actually had reservations on the 3:30 ferry to take us to Balestrand. Mom and I were just getting ready to buy a reindeer sausage. So much for that. There was a snack bar on the ferry so I got Mom and me the longest hot dog I have ever seen. The woman substituted mashed potatoes for the bun. This was an interesting combination. The hot dog was good, the mashed potatoes, not so much.
The Kviknes Hotel is short walk uphill right beside the dock for the ferry. We will be staying here for the next two nights. It has three stories in the old sections of the hotel where there is no elevator. It reminds me of the posh hotels from some of the older movies with manicured gardens and sidewalks that surround the grounds. I can just picture ladies in the long hooped skirts and parasols taking long walks on the grass.
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We settled into our rooms. I headed downstairs to enquire about an extra towel. Ellen was coming out of her room so she said I could come in. That’s when Karin told me that the bad vibe this trip had finally gotten her. She learned that her passport and credit card case had been left on the ferry. It would be turned into the hotel on the ferry’s next run.
Dinner was included with the room. On the way down to dinner I saw the desk clerk knocking on Karin’s door. When nobody answered, I told the clerk I would let Karin know at dinner. Karin has now been reunited with her Passport. I do wish Victoria’s wallet and cell phone would turn up. Linda C. Evie, Victoria, Mom and I settled in the lounge to enjoy after dinner coffee and a piano concert. It was a very nice evening. I did have to go down later and get Mom’s phone hooked to the wifi. He handed it back to me and I saw that it was 10:04 p.m. It was still light enough to read by. When I asked what time it got dark he replied, “We have a very long twilight until 1:00 a.m.” I don’t think I will stay awake long enough to find out. |