Mike's solo Norway adventure!

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There's that waterfall again. We'll be able to get a shot of it closer up as we drive further down.

After we cross that bridge.

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Lunch was at Trollstigen Camping og Gjestegård.

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Tables were set for each group. It was a buffet service. Here I have salmon, rice, potatoes and vegetables. We were up in the mountains, but Norway definitely has some of the freshest salmon out there.

I spent the rest of my time outside until we could get back on the bus. It was sunny and about 66 degrees up here, so by then I would be too hot in my hoodie and sweater. I only wore them because I thought it would be colder at the top of Trollstigen. It was still very beautiful down here.

I'd stay in one of these cabins. Would you?

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OK, that looks more like ice than a waterfall, at least from this image. 

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OK good - they fixed all the pictures. 👍🏻

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Down to Trollveggen, which translates to The Troll Wall.

 

 

 

 

 

I've seen this police car in other pictures of Trollveggen, and I really wonder what it's there for.

 

 

 

 

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Driving by the town of Åndalsnes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Our last stop before going back was along the Moldefjord. Specifically, it appeared to be Vikebukt, according to my phone. Here, Molde was on the other side. Independence was also there earlier this year.  

 

 

I'll step out of the picture and let you look. You can see salmon farms here.

 

 

 

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Tour guide mentioned allemannsretten, or the right to roam. Norway gives you the right to roam and camp practically anywhere you want to.  

 

 

Crossing the Tresfjord bridge, over the respective fjord.

 

 

 

Not quite the Atlantic Ocean Road, but still very beautiful.

 

 

 

Edited October 27, 2018 by unseemlygamer
spelling change

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Tomorrow we're back to my normal camera as we get into Skjolden, the innermost cruise port in Norway. Before I wrap up the day, let's give a little review.

 

Aksla viewpoint - I'd say that gave me a great impression of the town, and next time I ought to explore. 

 

Old Stordal Church - Small but nice to look inside.

 

Gudbrandsjuvet - I missed out on quite a bit, didn't I? Maybe next time.

 

Trollstigen - Misty up top, though not too chilly. Most would say it looks the best when it's clear. While I do agree, I think the mist can add to the ambience in its own way. Going down the road was the most picturesque.

 

My favorite parts were driving along the Norwegian countryside and spending time outside every chance I got. Would I do all this again? You bet!

 

As always, thanks everyone for reading along so far!

 

 

    

 

 

 

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Day 6 - Skjolden

 

I hadn't gotten up in time to see us sailing in. This made up for it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I initially booked the Sengjaberget Nature Walk, which was the cheapest excursion here. One of the travel guides on Norway that I read suggested that while in Norway, you visit a stave church at least once, so I replaced that excursion with a visit to the Urnes Stave Church.

 

We were met with rain by the time we were getting on our bus. This time, it was a local guide.

 

 

 

 

 

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Quick photo stop in the village of Nes.

 

 

 

 

What could be all the way over there?

 

 

 

Now we were driving by Hafslo.

 

 

 

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Usually it doesn't look the best when trees cover up a picture I'm taking, but at the right time, it can make for majestic views.

 

 

Especially here. I think those are clouds coming off on the right.

 

 

 

Edited November 7, 2018 by unseemlygamer

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To get to the church, we had to take a ferry. When we stopped, I took a photo of the Walaker Hotell, the oldest family-run hotel in Norway.

 

 

Now for the most exciting part - the ferry ride.

 

 

 

 

 

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The Urnes Stave Church may be in a smaller area of Norway, but it's a world heritage site.

 

 

 

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There aren't a lot of windows. Without this one, it would be dark in here, especially during long winter nights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some writing. 

 

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This church has Celtic, Viking and Romanesque influences.

 

 

Before it was time to go, I spent some time taking in the serene surroundings.

 

 

 

 

Heading back to Skjolden on another narrow road. But the day isn't over yet for me.

 

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For now, enjoy these pictures of the drive back to Skjolden. See you there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I wandered around Skjolden for the last few hours.

 

 

 

 

Elvheim. What is this place?

 

 

Skjolden Hotel. 

 

 

I got more Norwegian candy from this Coop supermarket. To my surprise, this place, like some other shops I've been to around here, accepted US$, pounds, Euros, etc. Is that typical of souvenir shops around Europe?

 

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By the end of the cruise, I had this much to take home. A week later I tried it all on my YouTube channel.

 

 

You might come across this tourist centre.

 

 

Some things that are in there include a rock wall.

 

 

 

 

A café. You can get baked goods, lunch or dinner, and a lot of people were getting ice cream here. 

 

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An indoor pool, seen from upstairs. According to Skjolden's website, guests staying at the Skjolden hotel have free access to this pool. Otherwise, you can buy a ticket. 30 degrees C (86 F) in the air. In the pool it's 28C (82F).  

 

 

I couldn't remember what this was at first. It appears to be a souvenir shop with locally produced handicraft and gifts. 

 

 

 

 

 

Further down the fjord. There were kids playing over there. 

 

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There's the ship. 

 

 

 

The fjord ends within 20 meters, or 65 feet.

 

 

Aside from the wasps around this particular area, what can you say? It's so peaceful here in Skjolden.

 

 

People were throwing rocks in the water, and I had a little fun with that too. I heard one person dared to try swimming in it. I wouldn't have done that, but I gave the water a touch, and even in the summer, the Sognefjord is very cold.

 

Around 2:30pm, I made my way back to the ship.

 

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4pm - sailing out of the Sognefjord!

 

 

 

 

I just realized this, but it looks like we were passing Nes again.

 

 

 

Before I forget, this one was taken on my phone. To be honest, that captures better quality images than my normal camera (I've been using the same Handycam for 2 years). Even so, can that do this fjord justice?

 

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I didn't think so.