The Bergen Fjord
Bergen, like Oslo, is located inland, giving it a very sheltered harbor. We had to negotiate our first true fjord to get there.
 The Lyderhorn is the landmark for the Bergen fjord. We entered the fjord early in the morning. |
 We passed the Haakonsvern Naval Base, Norway's largest. This is a dry-dock hollowed out of the rock. |
 Vatlestraumen, the narrowest place in our passage. |
 The Vatlestraumen lighthouse |
 We passed under two large suspension bridges linking the mainland to the coastal islands. |
 As we got closer to Bergen, the edges of the fjord became filled with houses. |
Bergen
Bergen, Norway's second largest city, was once a member of the powerful Hanseatic League, Rome, Lisbon, San Francisco are all cities built on seven hills. Bergen, on the other hand, is nestled in a pocket surrounded by "seven" mountains (de syv fjell). This makes it one of the most photogenic places we visited.
 The buildings along the water were once Hansa warehouses. |
 The mountains around the city dwarf the buildings. |
 Bergen harbor. In the background is Ulriken, the tallest of the "seven." |
 We docked near the Bergenhus Fortress, so we walked over to visit it. This is Haakon's Hall, from 1260. |
 Rosenkrantz tower |
 Rosenkrantz tower |
 Snorri Sturluson, the founder of Norse literature and history |
 Carved window on the side of the Hotel Havnekontoret |
 Old narrow street in the Nordnes section of town. |
 Our bus tour made it difficult to take good pictures. This is the square in front of the tourist office, The statue is of the guy who decided that there were seven mountains. |
 Color is important to people who see lots of snow. |
 We couldn't identify this building on Vetrlidsallmenningen, but we love the picture. |
 Every now and then something would remind us of home. |
 We poked a head inside: $8 for a Big Mac? No thank you! |
 The love of color was reflected all over the city. |
 Narrow streets climbed the hills, joining wider streets that went across the hill. |
 Domkirke, the Catholic cathedral. |
 The cathedral altar |
 The 1874 meat market is now the Kjottbasaren, housing restaurants and food shops. |
 The harbor area |
 Along the old wharf ("Bryggen") stand the former Hanseatic traders warehouses, now used as gift shops. |
Fløibanen
If your surrounded by "seven" mountains, you want to get up on top, and admire the view. In Bergen you go to the top of Mount Fløien on the funicular, the "Fløien train." It leaves from the heart of the old city, and the two cars (one red, one blue) shuttle up and down from morning 'til midnight,
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