Backblip


Our second day in Norway began with spectacular views of waterfalls tumbling down from the snowy tops, tiny houses perched high up on almost vertical tree clad hillsides and the wake of the ship casting rippling reflections as we passed little hamlets beside the shore.  Then we took a coach tour passing through verdant fields and tiny villages before climbing steeply up hairpin bends on the Sognefjellet scenic highway which rises over 4,700 feet (1434m) and for centuries was the only route connecting east and west Norway.  Towards the summit at Mefjellet there are ancient stone pyramids called 'varde,' which indicated safe trails over the pass. The road had been opened for only a couple of weeks and at times we were travelling between snow walls which were higher than the coach. We saw many impressive mountains on the way and had opportunities for photo stops although it was not easy wandering through the snow in some places and one person sunk almost up to her waist.  The breathtaking Jutunheimen Hurrungate range (Home of the Giants) has 23 peaks that reach over 2000 meters (6,600 feet) and are the highest peaks in Europe north of the Alps.  We saw the Fanaraken glacier and passed several frozen lakes but the only evidence was the flat landscape with patches of turquoise water starting to show as the ice melted.  On our return we enjoyed a leisurely walk along the side of the Sognefjord at Skjolden among the little fields which were full of flowers.  We had been very fortunate to have clear visibility before it clouded over later.