After leaving Oslo, a 380 mile voyage to this beautiful ‘village’, nestling at the end of the Aurslandfjord. It lies almost 100 miles inland and to get to it requires an 8-hour journey down the Sognefjord. Taking 2 pilots at the entrance at midnight, we set off in darkness towards our destination, a World Heritage site for its beauty. I got to bed at 1 a.m. and was called at 4:30, my turn on the Bridge at 5; this had the advantage that I could, at the least, start the GoPro and get the camera out. These are taken during the last 1½ hours of our journey.
All fast on a pier, considerably shorter than us, however it had good bollards for sending our ropes to.
The berth ahead
The town from the berth
The railway is almost next door
Gangway in and off everyone went. My 2nd-in-command had asked for the day off, to go on tour and I couldn’t really deny him, he had done several duties for me. The main attraction is the railway, a trip which takes passengers 830 metres upwards, with panoramic views on the way. So it was, that I relied on Karen for photos and videos, she didn’t let me down and here are a selection.
The train stopped at a halfway point and believe it or not, although Karen captured the “fairy”, many of the guests never saw it; she was “airdropping” it to many of them, back on the ship.
In the late afternoon I managed a short jaunt ashore, (camera in hand of course).
Food trucks as well!
I thought this was an old, original church, however, upon opening the door to photograph the interior. I found it was a bar!!
One could hire electric cars, not only these, but bicycles too. The ferries here run on LNG, (liquid natural gas)
I write as we round the north coast of Scotland, having passed between the Shetland and Orkney Islands earlier. We are in a force-8 gale, high winds and a reasonable swell. She’s taking it well though, she’s a wonderful ship for taking seas. Tomorrow morning we are trying for Portree on the Isle of Skye. I write “trying’ because the weather forecast is not very good; wind, rain showers, (possibly even snow)! I’ll let you know the outcome on a later post……
Dear Captain, I read your reports about the continuation of the World Voyage, after I disembarked in Barcelona. While I spent a few days longer in Spain, the weather didn’t really show its best. Now, I read about the wind force 8… I have to agree I was surprised about the seakeeping of Lady Amsterdam. A few more exciting places to go, certainly in Iceland, and WGV 2019 will drop the lines in Ft Lauderdale. Looking forward very much interested to the following stories in the meantime.
Kindest Regards, Werner Verbrugge.
Greetings Captain J , from the mid Pacific on the Maasdam between Nuku Hiva & SAN Francisco.
Great photos from your blog but will have to wait until the mainland for video’s re ship internet .
Hope you get into Portree.
Keep safe
I had mention before one of our favorite cruises 2 times as the scenery is so great. You can experience it so early with the snow top mountains we have done it in July .
Just lovely
spectacular port. Beautifully done. Thank you for the best post yet
So enjoyed seeing your super photographs and videos of Flam. Brought back very pleasant memories of the first cruise my late wife and I did. It was on Oriana and we disembaarked at Vik for coach tour to Vos and the by train from Vos to Myrdal to connect with Flamsbanna for the terrific journey down to Flam where we rejoined Oriana, Loved seeing the fairy at the waterfall again.
So enjoying your blogs and felt I have travelled the world with you again. Kind regards. Ted Dixon, Cape Town
Enchanting this is – beautiful photos and videos by the Mercer team – thank you Karen and Jonathan.
Loved all the shots and video. The fairy was interesting and so fairy like!! This is another place I would love to visit and stay awhile. Enchanting and somewhat nostalgic for me. Thank you sir!!!
Hopefully it will succeed to go ashore. It is a cute place.
We were there last year with the Prinsendam and had lunch at the Cuillin Hills Hotel.
A short walk around the bay and then follow the signs.
Lunch with a view.
But maybe you were there once before and know the place.
Best regards,
Hans Janssen.
Once again, an enchanting visual portrait and narrative! Thanks so much!