The Norwegian Fjords

But the BEST part of the trip was the Fjord Cruise. Rick Steves explains the boat trip like this: "For 2 glorious hours, camera-clicking tourists scurry around the drool-stained deck.." He's right... We've seen a lot, but the fjords are at the top of the list for beauty!

The trip starts out cruising the Aurlandsfjord.

Then the boat hangs a left into the Naeroyfjord, one of 2 fjords that made the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The Naeroyfjord is named such because it is the world's narrowest fjord. It is 6 miles long and only 820 feet wide.

Pictures don't do it justice! It is one of the most beautiful places we have seen. It just goes to show how amazingly creative God is!

Norway in a Nutshell

Rick Steves (popular guide book author) says that your passport should be revoked if you go to Norway and don't see the fjords. I don't always agree with guide book advice...but in this case, he's right! In order to make the most of our time, we took the well traveled "Norway in a Nutshell." It is a series of train, boat, and bus trips through fjord country.

At o-dark thirty, we left Oslo on train. It didn't take long to leave the cityscape behind and enter into lush, green countryside.

I'm all about getting my money's worth. So no matter how tired I was (after getting on the train at o-dark thirty), I was determined to see every inch of Norwegian countryside. As you can see below, April and Jason didn't have the same conviction.

The Bergen Railway (which took us from Oslo to Bergen) is considered the most spectacular train ride in Europe. The railway is 300 miles long and peaks at an altitude of 4,266 feet. The train makes a quick stop at Finse to see the glacier.

The next leg of the journey was on the Flam Railway. This 55 minute journey is breathtaking.

Notice the red and black...we're Georgia Bulldogs through and through...showing our Georgia pride in Norway!

Ready to ride...Below is our first glimpse at the Flam ValleyThe Flam Railway makes a stop at the Kjosfosson Waterfall

Our transportation...

Below you can see the Flam River

If you look close, you can see a house above the waterfall. That's where our train ride began on the Flam Railway.

Oslo, Norway

For Labor Day, April, Jason and I headed to the land of trolls and Viking ships.

The Vikingsiphuset features three 9th century Viking ships. At one time Europe was so frightened by the power and prowess of the Vikings that they closed every prayer with, "And deliver us from the Vikings. Amen."

The Viking ship above was owned and operated by a man. Notice the sleek, traditional design (nothing fru-fru about it)

The ship below was owned and operated by a woman...yep, evidently there were Viking women roaming the high seas causing just as much terror.

This woman's ship is elaborately decorated...leave it to any woman (Viking or not) to make her digs finely decorated! Next we were off to Frogner Park to see the work of Norway's greatest sculptor, Gustav Vigeland. There are more than 600 statues Vigeland statues in Frogner Park.I think this picture is reminiscent of my childhood. April used to throw that exact same temper tantrum. hehe! Just kidding, April!And of course a visit to Norway wouldn't be complete without checking out the City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded every year. The artwork inside and outside the City Hall is beatiful. It takes you on a voyage through Norway's tumultuous history.
The City Hall banquet room overlooks the Oslo Fjord.

Around town...

The Oslo Fjord