Rare Bimmer09 Posted October 1, 2019 Author #301 Share Posted October 1, 2019 We were due to take a long excursion this morning. One I hadn't thought great back in Chicago for its length and the fact that it involved a bus then a boat then a bus then a ski lift gondola then an hour atop a mountain on a day with a rain forecast of 80% and then the route in reverse. I was keen on taking pictures from on high but it gets colder as you go up and the temperature on the way in was tolerable but not toasty. I also imagined clouds at my feet as I set up the tripod. This morning, upon waking at 5.30, when I questioned the efficacy of going on this tour to Standjafell Mountain, Carol had a rethink and thought better of it. It was a $199 per person tour and I was prepared to let the money go as refunds have to be claimed 24 hours prior. Carol went to the Tour Desk and using her charm and tenacity managed to get 2 tickets to the Atlantic Ocean Park for $89 each so not all was lost. We lost the difference between 398 and 178 or $220. It was still a 3 hour tour so when she told me "you don't have to come if you don't want to" I decided on my own tour of "Alesund on foot with a camera". Carol's notes say "Kristy helped me with the exchange but it was not volunteered". I am hoping that Carol will tell you about her tour as it was not what I had imagined-an indoor aquarium visit. It also included a city tour on the bus. Now we could have breakfast cool chandelier by our table Carol's notes say she had a feta and smoked salmon omelet My stomach said I had a French omelet, hash browns, corned beef hash, grilled tomato and English back bacon Carol's tour left at noon but I left the ship sometime after 11 Fancy a walk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted October 1, 2019 Author #302 Share Posted October 1, 2019 While Carol would visit the Atlantic Sea Park https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Sea-Park and would score a fish magnet I set out on foot on a self-guided tour of don't fence me in Pacific Princess is a sister to all 3 Azamara ships and Oceania's Sirena to name but 4. I have been on Azzes Journey which is a beauty and on Sirena when it belonged to Princess where they spent about $500 spiffing it up with a Home Depot gift card as the Ocean Princess. Oceania spent $40 million the ship docks right by the town so I was soon in traffic once I crossed the trafficky street I was in a much quieter place 2800 people just came in on the Silhouette at 8 am and have dispersed I was thinking-what a beautiful little town this is! It wasn't raining and the light was soft and great for photography. It was quiet and not touristy. The water was calm and so was I. I had to see more at a nice meandering pace. a local lady remembered in metal 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted October 1, 2019 Author #303 Share Posted October 1, 2019 school kids up ahead a little tourist sightseeing train passes by a shop window with reflection my eyes keep being drawn up to the mountain viewpoint . Mt.Aksla is the name. the primarily wooden town was destroyed by fire in 1904 and rebuilt swiftly in brick and stone with the help of Kieser Wilhelm of Germany who took vacations in the area https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ålesund#Toponomy 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted October 1, 2019 Author #304 Share Posted October 1, 2019 The quiet. What a pleasure to experience it. No wind. Still air at a perfect temperature for a man in a leather jacket and a couple of layers. The kind of scene where a seagull cry can split the air like an explosion. I'm not trying to take photos from a moving vehicle on land or sea as I did in Bergen and would do in Flam and Stavanger. I'm on my feet and those are steady. I have time to look at what I am taking pictures of, move around to get the best angle, studying the readouts from the camera and savoring the hobby. I sat on a bench in this tranquil little space a few steps down from the main street two ladies doing what I would have liked to have done-but a camera safety no-no the town with 47,000 inhabitants is as pretty and well ordered as this rocky flowerbed 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserRob Posted October 2, 2019 #305 Share Posted October 2, 2019 school kids up ahead a little tourist sightseeing train passes by a shop window with reflection my eyes keep being drawn up to the mountain viewpoint . Mt.Aksla is the name. the primarily wooden town was destroyed by fire in 1904 and rebuilt swiftly in brick and stone with the help of Kieser Wilhelm of Germany who took vacations in the area https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ålesund#ToponomyNorris since you didn’t make it to the top here are some shots that I took las yearSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare deladane Posted October 2, 2019 #306 Share Posted October 2, 2019 On 9/23/2019 at 11:38 AM, Bimmer09 said: This is Jose the Assistant waiter, who, after serving and setting the table for tomorrow's lunch service would take on the midnight to 5 a.m cleaning shift, vacuuming decks 3 and 4 and the Oceanview Cafe. His smile says he was ok with that-but he was always smiling! No Way!! Jose was our assistant waiter on the Eclipse in March 2108!! That was a 14 night cruise, and we were seated in his section nearly every night... he was wonderful! So glad to see he is doing well and still working for Celebrity 🙂 I'm a little behind in reading your review because I was out of town for a week, but I'm getting caught up now. As always, you're doing a fabulous job and I'm loving your review! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted October 2, 2019 Author #307 Share Posted October 2, 2019 I met a family of Trolls outside a shop. As the woman had a young baby (which could have been a Troll doll as all the shops have those) and I was touched and inclined to help them. I gave the lady 5 Krone and did I get one word of thanks or the Norwegian for "God bless ya Guv'nor, you've got a lucky face" (which is certainly not the case)? Of course not! Ungrateful. when you walk down a street and say "oh! Cruise ship!" I looked up at the winding path on Mt Aksla. 418 steps up and then 418 down. The words to "Climb Every Mountain" ran through my head and soon I found myself singing it at the top of my lungs in a loud baritone as I have a deep voice. " 'Till-You-Find-Your -Dreeeeeeeeeam!" I was down on one knee with my arms outstretched and my eyes closed. When I opened them there was a small gathering of music lovers one of whom threw 5 Krone into my open camera bag. Excellent! Account balanced once more. I began my walk to the base of the Mountain with 16 pounds of cameras over my shoulder. Along the way but too soon after breakfast "You would not think to look at him But he was famous long ago For playing the electric violin on...." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTraveller Posted October 2, 2019 #308 Share Posted October 2, 2019 Hi Norris, I know I'm late to the party but I've been gallivanting in China. I've caught up now and have thoroughly enjoyed your review so far and love your always excellent photos. I loved Norway and it looks like you also enjoyed it. Please tell me you read my advice and didn't walk up the steps to the Aksla lookout but went up the much easier winding path through the parkland! 😊 Looking forward to reading the rest of your review and seeing more fabulous photos! Allison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare perfect match Posted October 2, 2019 #309 Share Posted October 2, 2019 I’m loving the tour of Norway through your camera lens. The pictures are beautiful! Carol, I hope you will decide to chime in with some more info on the aquarium. I’d love to hear more about it! 🐠🦈🦞🐟🐬🦀🐋🐳🦑 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redrobo Posted October 2, 2019 #310 Share Posted October 2, 2019 Dont fence me in ------ Roy Rogers, You would not think--- Bob Dylan Desolation Row, my son is a great fan of his. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted October 2, 2019 #311 Share Posted October 2, 2019 It was raining when we were in Alesund in June so we went to Geirangerfjord Check out the guy on the right Waiting for the ferry to unload A picnic lunch The view from Askla The Zuiderdam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted October 2, 2019 Author #312 Share Posted October 2, 2019 11 hours ago, PurpleTraveller said: Hi Norris, I know I'm late to the party but I've been gallivanting in China. I've caught up now and have thoroughly enjoyed your review so far and love your always excellent photos. I loved Norway and it looks like you also enjoyed it. Please tell me you read my advice and didn't walk up the steps to the Aksla lookout but went up the much easier winding path through the parkland! 😊 Looking forward to reading the rest of your review and seeing more fabulous photos! Allison Allison, when I saw that zigzag path up the steps I had to do it as it was an opportunity to take photos from many different levels. Norris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted October 2, 2019 Author #313 Share Posted October 2, 2019 I walked up some steep streets to the base of Mt Aksla and there found a hilly little park with benches. The last building before the park was a kindergarten school and the kids were out playing. I perched on a bench on a hill and below was a group of 30 teenagers being drilled in running exercises-short sprints, running in place etc. They did this quietly along the many paths in the park Norwegian Wood My plan was to take those 418 steps up to the top, stopping to take photos on different levels Along the way I would rest on benches The walk is a mix of smooth pathways and steps and I am soon above the park trees There's an 11,000 foot long tunnel to this island in the distance Home steep steps getting a better angle on Pacific Princess 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted October 2, 2019 Author #314 Share Posted October 2, 2019 2 photos stitched together I didn't time how long it took to get to the top as I often stopped and sat on a bench where I could change lenses and let others pass. At times people posing were impediments to taking a shot at a certain level but I knew I would be coming down again later and was in no rush to take a hurried shot. Just sitting on a bench looking over the scene was very calming. I'm at the top He soon will be I rest on a bench the non-Iconic view there's a view restaurant and bar. Restrooms for patrons only After a relaxing sit with a cigarette I retrace my steps. First I must tell you that at the summit there was a coach and taxis were dropping off if you don't want to climb the steps or pathways from the park. Even the little tourist train comes up here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted October 2, 2019 Author #315 Share Posted October 2, 2019 going down some of the steps will be numbered to show how far you have come 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted October 2, 2019 Author #316 Share Posted October 2, 2019 and I am down to the park again 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drysil Posted October 2, 2019 #317 Share Posted October 2, 2019 My favorite part of the few days (mid-vacation) that I spent in north-central Italy a few years ago was exactly the thing you mention -- the quiet. It was a great joy -- kind of an honor, in a strange sort of way -- to walk around the streets of a small town and simply be at peace, far from the tourist crowds, merely being for a little while. It's made me seek out similar places in my subsequent travels. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcmagnum Posted October 2, 2019 #318 Share Posted October 2, 2019 On 9/30/2019 at 11:24 AM, Bimmer09 said: There is something bittersweet about watching the sun set on a town you visit on a port call as the ship pulls away... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt fan Posted October 2, 2019 #319 Share Posted October 2, 2019 You can feel the peace and tranquility through your lens Norris. Beautiful town. I think a walking tour or meandering as you did is the best way to feel and see and experience a city or town. I think I almost lost some coffee seeing your remark about the Home Depot card. That was a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcmagnum Posted October 2, 2019 #320 Share Posted October 2, 2019 22 hours ago, Bimmer09 said: The quiet. What a pleasure to experience it. No wind. Still air at a perfect temperature for a man in a leather jacket and a couple of layers. The kind of scene where a seagull cry can split the air like an explosion. I'm not trying to take photos from a moving vehicle on land or sea as I did in Bergen and would do in Flam and Stavanger. I'm on my feet and those are steady. I have time to look at what I am taking pictures of, move around to get the best angle, studying the readouts from the camera and savoring the hobby. I love how you put your thoughts into words...I can almost imagine being here. I felt like this in Venice...I got up early, before anyone else in our group. Sat out side the hotel on the main canal and watch the city come to life. So peaceful being able to take it all in on my own pace... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go noles Posted October 2, 2019 #321 Share Posted October 2, 2019 (edited) Norwegian Wood - The Beatles Edited October 2, 2019 by go noles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted October 3, 2019 Author #322 Share Posted October 3, 2019 9 hours ago, tcmagnum said: I love how you put your thoughts into words...I can almost imagine being here. I felt like this in Venice...I got up early, before anyone else in our group. Sat out side the hotel on the main canal and watch the city come to life. So peaceful being able to take it all in on my own pace... Thanks for the comments and for being able to put yourself in my shoes from experience. Stopping to "smell the roses" is a big part of my love for travel and the early morning as a city sleeps and then slowly starts to come alive is the best part of the day for me. In Venice (and Rome) I was on the streets at 5 a.m in the dark but in those places my antennae were up and it was not a relaxed experience like Alesund in broad daylight. But I wasn't accosted in Venice or Rome- I was just using the senses I would use in a violent city like Chicago, where I am often out on the street at 5 a.m in the dark but stay close to home and there are whole swaths of Chicago I wouldn't dream of stepping into at any time of day. Quiet is a treasure, both to me and Carol. Canned music is all around even when you take an elevator ride in the USA, add the sirens from police fire and ambulance, honking car horns, people taking into their cell phones 24/7, car sound systems that rattle the bodywork and so on. We had a hotel in Venice like you describe -Sant Angelo I think it was called, right by the Vaparetto stop of the same name and I sat out there 5 feet from the Grand Canal in the early morning with my espresso and late at night with my sambuca and reveled in each minute. Life was good. And it was good in Norway. Much more to come! Norris 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare perfect match Posted October 3, 2019 #323 Share Posted October 3, 2019 Norris, what a beautiful walk! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdacombe Posted October 3, 2019 #324 Share Posted October 3, 2019 Thank you for your great review and photos, we were on the cruise the week before you and the photos certainly bring back some lovely memories of a beautiful ship and fantastic locations. Some of the locals of Bergen and Alesund: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdacombe Posted October 3, 2019 #325 Share Posted October 3, 2019 And preparing for the sail away from Alesund!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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