Fjords and food

Well, I am finally back in the land of wifi that works - hello Copenhagen airport!

When I last left you I was resting my tired feet after a day of climbing in Alesund. Back on board, it was time for dinner! Tonight was a little hit and miss in the dining room. The first course, a duck terrine, was lovely.

Next was an abomination. This was so bad I ate two mouthfuls and could not do anymore. It was supposed to be chilli. 

I tried to redeem the meal with dessert - soufflé - but sadly it was really chewy. I ended up going to get a sneaky snack from the Windjammer instead. 

I was really struggling to go to sleep, despite a 7:35am meeting in the theatre the following morning. The trip down the fjord was spectacular, and the midnight sun meant you could continue to enjoy the view well into the wee hours.

The following day we arrived in Geiranger (along with our stalker, the Norweigan Star). The Star was given a tender, where as we got the moving dock. Basically the dock comes to the ship.

This may be one of the most amazing places I have ever been. I can't talk more highly of this port. I did an excursion to the glacier, and I think after talking to others who went on different excursions, it was the real winner. We started by getting in the bus and starting the climb up into the mountains.

Before we knew it, we were in snow! And, it was actually snowing at times as we drive through the peaks (which were about 3000 feet above sea level). 

There were even a number of frozen lakes along the drive.

Eventually we started the drive back down the other side, and out of the snow. Before we knew it we were at the park around the glacier. The excursion included lunch, so we sat down to three courses in the resturant there. We had soup, and salmon and crepe for dessert. Then we had the hike up to the glacier itself. This was all at your own pace. You could take a 'troll car' most of the way if you chose, but I am so glad I walked. 

Once you started getting closer the scenery became more amazing.

Then, the glacier was in sight. 

Seriously, how pretty is that? When we finally got to the glacier it was cold, and windy, and raining, but worth it. 

The walk back was all downhill, so pretty easy, though you did need to watch out not to get run over by a troll car! 

Back in the bus we drove back through the hills, stopping several times for pictures. It really was a day where your camera got a good workout! 

Once back on board, we basically had an epic three hour scenic sail away as we went back through the fjord and into the North Sea. We also got to see a number of great waterfalls along the way, including the famous 7 Sisters waterfall. 

I was a little peeved I didn't get to enjoy that much of it, as the Murder Mystery Dinner I had booked had been moved to the Friday night (was supposed to be Thursday). We were apparently the smallest group the cast had ever had. It was all good fun. One of the girls wigs came off early in the piece, so it became a running joke that was cracking up cast and audience as no one quite knew where the jokes were going at times. It was really interactive (both between cast and audience during the dinner portion and with your fellow guests). The food in giovannis was great (no pictures, I was having too much fun!).  We were all chatting with the cast afterwards who told us the scenario changes all the time. Talking to the 'victim' he was just cranky his character was the one who died so he didn't get to have as much fun as the others. 

I was greeted that evening by a new cabin mate.

Saturday was a sea day. And a miserable one at that.

The constant rain meant everyone was inside, and the ship felt really crowded. There were announments in the windjammer at lunch about eating and leaving quickly so everyone could come in. 

I was supposed to do the All Access Tour that day. Booked it months ago and was really looking forward to it. I went to Guest Services to ask where I needed to go. They informed me it was cancelled (as only five people had booked it) and had no idea why nobody had told me. At this point I realised every single thing I booked on Cruise Planner had been cancelled or changed by RC. Everything. Fair to say I won't be bothering to book anything in advance for my next RC cruise in December as a result. 

I struggled to find things to do (given I had planned the day around the tour). I watched the movie in the cinema (Room, pretty depressing for a holiday flick), and went to bingo, though when I got to that they were also about to cancel due to lack of interest! They ended up playing one game only, fully card only. There were a few women in there who looked like they may roll the bingo caller if he hadn't done that! 

Sea was a bit rocky, so the aerial show was also cancelled, but thankfully they put on some live music instead. Show that night was a juggler (balls, rings and hats - no knives or chainsaws - though I had talked to him previously on the ship and he did tell us that he did have a routine involving knives). 

Had probably the best meal of the trip in the MDR. Started with eggplant tartare. 

Followed by turkey (this was unbelievably tender).

And key lime pie that they told me they smuggled from Florida.

This mornings disembarkation was a debacle. There was a delay in getting us cleared despite arriving pretty much on time (almost an hour delay I think). For reasons I don't understand they basically announced every group at once, and then announced that they needed the people on the airport transfers to come immediately. It would have made more sense to get the airport people off first, then everyone else if they wanted us off quickly, because having almost all groups at once just created congestion. They were yelling in the baggage area for the airport groups to be quick, but then when you got outside, there were no busses for the airport, they had been filled and gone and we needed to wait for the next batch. People were pushing and being rude. Knowing my flight was not for quite a few hours I dropped back and tried to let the madness past. There was almost a revolt on our bus when we were about to leave and the bus was waved down because a woman on the bus had taken someone else's luggage! She denied it, but what was hilarious was I saw the bags get swapped and they looked nothing alike! What was she thinking? I think we ended up leaving over an hour after our assigned disembarkation time. 

So now I am at the airport. I've realised my cruise account statement doesn't add up (going to need to get that sorted) and I am already crafting my narky email to RC about them falsely advertising streaming capable Internet that can barely load Facebook. 

Now for the long flight(s) home. 

A Tale of Two Lookouts

When I last left you, I just just come back from Stavanger. Once back on board, I decided to self medicate this evil cold - with an espresso martini in the Centrum bar.

I got to spend some time listening to the band in the Centrum and admiring the foyer of the ship.

I decided I felt well enough to make my first trip to the MDR. I have My Time dining, and despite some of the reviews I have read I had no issues and walked straight in, no reservation, to a table. I think what helped was I went in at 7pm, the first show was still ongoing and the second sitting wasn't until 8pm, so I struck the time just right. I started the meal with some mushroom aranchini. 

Followed by the eggplant parmigiana. 

Wasn't feeling the dessert options, so went with the ice cream of the day - coffee.

I had wanted to see the show that evening, but unfortunately the performer was unwell and cancelled the second performance (wasn't me! I didn't give her my lurgey, I swear!).

The next morning we arrived in Bergen. Cold, wet, dreary Bergen.

I had opted for the 'Bergen on your own' tour. Total waste of money. They advertised it as a map, lunch and a ticket in the funicular. When you got off the ship there were free maps, and I had to boycott lunch because one of the options they were pushing was a WHALE sandwich! Funniest part was they put on a shuttle. For about 150meters. In hindsight I think it a security/safety requirement given it was a operational wharf, but we were all very confused given it took us longer to board than to drive. 

I did however use the funicular ticket.

The view from the top was spectacular, though as it was raining it was hard to get a great picture. 

Wasn't a great day for it, but up the top you can hike, there is a resturant, a playground - there is a bit to do on a nice day. The ride wasn't as scary as other funiculars I have been on either, this one was quite modern and smooth.

I got to enjoy some of the great street art in Bergen.

I also found a pharmacy! Cold medication, soft tissues! Ahhhhhhhh.

I went to check out the aquarium. I had thought it would be packed given there was little for families to do, and the weather was terrible, but there was only a handful of people in there, so it was really pleasant. They have penguins and seals and tropical fish and displays of Nordic sea life. This is a Norwegian crocodile apparently.

Just like in Stavanger, the Bergen aquarium was also big on stuffed animals.

Whilst the weather was not ideal it was beautiful to walk around.

I visited the fish market for lunch (boycotting the whale) and had quite possibly the best fish and chips I have had in a very long time.

By this point I was soaked and freezing (not ideal with a cold) so I decided to go back to the ship early to defrost.

I found a nice warm spot in a bar to admire the view. Though I did wonder why all the chairs have their back to view with such lovely large windows.

Ended up having dinner in the Windjamer last night. It was great, they had some Scandinavian food - so Swedish meatballs and potatoes with salmon it was for dinner. I then went and hit up the evening performance in the centrum after dinner only to get the sense we were being followed...

This little guy was waiting for me when I got back to my room.

We had a really rough night. We were sailing into headwinds of around 90km/h. I slept through it, but interestingly we were moving so much that my Fitbit would not recognise it as sleep and counted it as steps! 

This morning I woke up to this. 

Sunshine! We are in Alesund today. It is cold, but out in the sun it is beautiful.

Got to enjoy the view whilst eating my eggs benny in the MDR. Best cruise ship eggs benny I've had. 

They have a lookout here that you can either drive to on a tour, or walk up. It was just shy of 500 stairs. 

It is actually not a hard climb. It is not steep, and there are regular spots to stop, sit and rest. There are also regular photo look outs for those that do not want to go the whole way. But if you do go the whole way, it is spectacular. 

There is a cafe at the top where you can sit and enjoy the view (the food was great). As you can see we have company in port today, that is the Norweigan Star on the left. 

Afterwards I did some walking around town. The buildings are again lovely to wander and look at.

There is a church that they recommend you visit, but sadly it was closed today for a funeral. 

A couple of things on both ports. Both have a red hop on/hop off bus. Alesund also has a little tourist train. In Alesund the lines were really long as there were two ships in port. The Alesund tourist info place also runs walking tours, which is another option for those not keen on ship tours. Both cities are doable on foot. 

Time to rest the feet and just enjoy the view - headed off on a big hike tomorrow. 

Sea & Stavanger

Well day 2 of the cruise had a very early and late start. Sadly, I awoke at about 2am to discover I have a cold. Boo. Thankfully I was able to get back to sleep, and stayed that way until 11am! (Guess I needed it). My cabin attendant was not impressed and he gave me a bit of a lecture as I was leaving around noon, telling me he had to have the rooms done by 1pm. Once I explained that I was feeling unwell he backed off. Plus it was a sea day! A perfect day to sleep in and relax. 

I'd well and truly missed breakfast, and wasn't sure I could sit through the MDR, so I headed to the Windjammer. Lunch was a little random, but these were my choices. I highly recommend the hummus! 

Still a little sleepy I headed to Cafe Latte-tudes to try the coffee. I'm a little disappointed that they put everything in take away cups. There was an impressive (complimentary) cookie selection along with the coffee.

Those who have read earlier posts know that my feet got a huge work out last week. Lots of standing and dancing the night away, so I took them up to the spa to be treated to a pedicure. There is a lovely view from up in the salon where they do nails and hair. Though a word of warning, don't take the stairs in the disposable shoes! It may end in tears. 

Spent the afternoon getting some more rest, and then it was dinner time! It was a formal night last night, and being sick I wasn't in the mood to dress up, so I decided to try another speciality resturant. This time I headed to Chops. I had a lovely waiter from Turkey, and decided to play my usual game of 'use as many words in the waters language that you know'. He was pretty chuffed when I thanked him in Turkish. He even taught me a few new words during the meal. I decided to start with the goat cheese salad.

Next up, you can't really go to a steakhouse and not have steak, right? 

I had selected a different cut, but my waiter assured me this was a more tender cut of meat and he was right. It was lovely. For dessert I went with the Chops speciality - the red velvet cake.

I will say that there was not a lot of flavour in the cake for me, but given I have a cold it could be my taste buds at fault, not the cake.

They had announced that the following day, when we were due in Stavanger was Norway's National Day (Constitution Day), so my plans all went out the window as many things I had intended to visit would be closed. I decided instead to go and book a ship excursion. Before I went to the desk though I thought I would check the tickets in my cabin that were for Friday. Glad I did, I had FOUR cabins worth of tickets in my envelope. I took them all back and handed them in, explaining they were given to me by mistake. Disturbingly, the staff seemed shocked by the honesty of returning them. The poor girl at the counter told me that she had been coping abuse all day because people were not happy Tuesday was a holiday in Norway. A tip - either do your homework on your destination, or roll with the punches. It was not the shore excursion desk's fault May 17 is a national holiday!

With that it was back to my room for another early night. This little fellow greeted me when I got back. 

Up nice and early this morning. This was the view from my cabin as we sailed into port. Rows of lovely little fishing houses.

I chose the Stavenger and Surroundings tour for the day. The first stop, after a great drive through the countryside, was at Byrkjedalstunet, which was originally famous for its goat cheese, but now it's candles. We stopped for a traditional pancake, which was served with local farm made jam and sour cream. 

The venue for morning tea was amazing, we were in a cave! 

The cave said trolls, the candelabras said Dracula!

Outside there was a number of traditional Norweigan houses that we could look at. These guys need to mow their roof...

The gift shop also had an amazing display of stuffed local wildlife.

We had a number of stops to admire to scenery and take some pictures. 

The scenery was all very dramatic and spectacular.

We also visited Gloppedalsura, Europe's largest rockery.

Our guide told us this was a great picnic spot in the summer, and the home to a rare spider.

We then headed back towards town. By now, everyone was starting to arrive in town in their traditional dress ahead of the day's parades. It was very festive. Lots of colour and singing, and amazing to see everyone all dressed up. I even saw bow ties on dogs!

By the time we got back, we had company!

By this point the cold was starting to make me feel a little worse for wear, and I decided to head back to the ship to rest up a bit. Had wanted to nap, but this is really haunting me...