NORWEGIAN FJORDS - NATURAL BEAUTY AT ITS BEST - TRAVEL TIPS

I had long wanted to travel to Norway to marvel at the fjords but I hadn't realised that en route the natural countryside would be such a treat as well. To drive to the western fjords it's about 7 hours if you stop here and there to admire the scenary, lakes, waterfalls and some pretty dramatically stunning nature. Google maps says it's 4.5 hours and that is the shortest drive, but take into account that although the roads are perfect, there are quite a few tunnels and the speed limit is generally 80kms. Not put off by the drive, my friend and I left Oslo around 0845 and got to our destination Gudvanger at around 17pm. But then we stopped quite a bit along the way to enjoy the scenary and stretch our legs. Just before Flam which is en route to Gudvanger, this is the first introduction to the fjords we were going to see when we took the two hour ferry trip the next day.

There are far to many beautiful pictures for one blog so the journey there and back (different routes) will be covered in the Norwegian countryside blog next week. For now lets concentrate on Gudvanger and Flam. My friend had arranged accomodation in an ever so cute little guest house and Gudvanger is definitely the place to stay as this is where the majestic mountains with countless waterfalls and deep green and blue water surround you. It was lovely weather when we arrived and left and very rainy the day we took the ferry. But that didn't take away from the beauty of it all as there is something mystical and gothic about mountains laced in low clouds, and thin mist. Just take an umbrella, a raincoat, warm jacket and good walking shoes. The latter three which I did not have, having come from the heatwave more south in Europe.  But that as I said, didn't spoil the natural beauty all around.

 Gudvangen on the lake where the ferry leaves around the corner

These are the views from the restaurant and check in desk where there is a log-fire from 19pm onwards

 

The views walking to the accomodation away from the lakeand restaurant

 Including countless waterfalls from the sky high mountain tops into the lake

 The little village in Gudvanger, one small street, a restaurant, accommodation and a little coffee shop/antiques.

 

A little bridge to the petrol station supermarket and Viking (overpriced mini-museum) 

The next morning upon awakening we could barely see the mountains there was so much mist and we panicked thinking it wouldn't be worth taking the ferry. But as the morning wore on by 1030 it had lifted although it was still raining. There is a spiffy electric modern ferry which is obviously more pricey or the standard ferry which is a small boat. The later costs  375 kroner (around 36 euros) which isn't bad for an excursion price, plus you pay another 75 kroner in Flam to take the bus back to Gudvanger. Food isn't cheap in Norway but petrol is a little cheaper than Europe. There are also tolls on the roads for which they have an automatic registration system and the car owner is invoiced a month later. We got a really good deal on a car which was a neighbourhood hire, and first 600 kms free. Thereafter 3 kroner per km. But back to the ferry! The purpose of our visit was about to begin!

Outdoor restaurant chairs next to the ferry piers

 

The clouds were low and dispersed 

 

 

And we travelled through this scenary in front of us continually for two hours, winding around the mountainous bottom curves

 

And scores of waterfalls like these on either side 

 

 
  
Some extraordinary boat passengers catching a free ride on the wind

At the water's edges or dotted on the hills

Typical Norwegian outdoor living cabins

Arriving in Flam

Flam is a more vibrant place to spend a day than Gudvanger as there are plenty of restaurants and shops. It's also expensive so expect tourist prices. I paid 12 euro for a hotdog. Notwithstanding that it was a double reindeer one. Still, if you're after natural surroundings, Gudvanger is where you should stay and take the ferry from there to Flam as this gives you the best of both places. Souvenirs in Flam include viking outfits, good outdoor clothing for wet and cold weather and also Trolls. Now I don't know how Trolls from Norway made it to become internet and website famous trolls but the story goes that in Norway, they are atheist little buggers and full of mischief and fun!

That's all for this week.  My friend who is from northern Norway says the fjords in the west were better than the south (this was her first viewing of the west) but that the ones in the north are even more dramatic and jagged. Which is good, as it means I have to return to Norway to admire more of its beauty. I would love to see it in snow but then I'm going to have to dress in a ski-suit probably to keep warm! We'll see. Next week, I'll be zoning into the Norwegian countryside which is no less stunning that the fjords, although it's a different kind of X-factor. Till then!