On the Bottom Half

Norgefjorden

Norway's topography is, in a word, profound. I travelled by train on my last day in Norway to two fjords on the west coast, Aurlandfjorden and Naeroyfjorden. The train ride west from Oslo already travels through some astonishing countryside, which set the tone for the coming fjords. But to kick it off, this first photograph is during the bus ride on the 18% grade road up out of the fjords. Seems fair to begin the story with the last part of it.

The journey was in five parts: train from Oslo to Myrdal, Flamsbana train from Myrdal to Flam, ferry through the fjords from Flam to Gudvangen, bus from Gudvangen to Voss, and return train from Voss to Oslo. While I did this trip in about 18 solid hours of travel, it could easily be spread over a week. I wish I could share the look, feel, and ambience of the journey and the spectacular scenery in their full three dimensions. I suppose that the train trip is a little like the Rocky Mountaineer in that you feel like only the train is capable of getting you out to this particular patch of countryside. There is a road alongside the rails sometimes, but you tend not to notice. Also, the throng of Norwegians biking, hiking, walking, and playing in the outdoors along this stretch of land is remarkable. Norwegian literature would have you believe that Norwegians are an outdoor species and I would definitely agree with that.

These are the beautiful surrounds at the train station in Fjellstova, which is on the way to Myrdal:

Arriving into Myrdal train station, one sees this before starting the descent on the Flamsbana down to the fjord cruise, which starts from Flam:

Now the fjords, which speak for themselves. Very loudly.



Yes, that's a house near the top of the first fjord picture. The highest nearly vertical ascent is somewhere between 700 and 900 metres in these fjords, which is really something else. The Rockies are pretty, but Norway's fjords are truly deserving of an award. Everyone book a trip and go see them. The two fjord pictures above are in Naeroyfjorden, which is on the UN World Heritage list. For the entire length of the ferry trip, I stood on the top deck, rotated slowly to face one direction then the other, staring. Were the fjords women, I would have been slapped. I have never seen so many waterfalls in such a short span of time in my life.

Fair readership, that is Norway in a Nutshell.

posted by Kyle @ 13:21