QM2 part-3

Fllady · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:05 pm Post subject: QM2 part-3

QM2 part-3

Another sea day has past and we finally are here pulling into the dock in the heart of this lovely little city, Stavange, Norway. Ellis returns after 55 years and the excited of being here has us both acting silly and giddy. Very exciting for me too. A little back track, about 2-3 years ago we met a couple on another cruise and because friends, they live in Stavanger, and told us if we ever get there to let them know. We did and there they were, Camilla, Schell and their daughtr Sofia, smiling and hugs all around, almost like coming home. They promised us a personal tour, and they surely did just that. First off we went to Ellis’ Mother’s house where she grew up, we took pictures and I am always looking down, and what did I find, a penny, Norwegian of course. I showed Ellis ( I had heard this a long time ago, that when you find a penny near a special place it is someone that has past on sending their love.) Well I still get a lump in my throat, and then walking back there was another penny. I said to Ellis who could it be? He said Mom and that one is for you. We finally got back in the car and went to the church that Mom used to go to every day, we couldn’t go in because they were practicing, but it was a beautiful and we stood listening to the singers practice. We then were taken to their beach, yes, they have beaches in Norway. Schell told us that the gulf stream comes up there and brings warm waters that keep them almost snow free every year. In fact if it does snow the children get the day off to have fun. We went to a cove where the Vikings defended their land and there were 3 huge swords that were made of iron/steel, sticking in the ground as a memorial for these valient vikings who protected there land. We loved the little cottages to the beautiful sprawling homes. The cows as the laziest I have ever seen. Most of them are just laying around in the fields not standing and walking like we usually see here at home. They also have wild horses that live off the land and will be eatting grass right on the roadside. Not afraid of man at all.
We ended our visit in the oil drilling museum and they had a nice outdoor area on the dock to have lunch. We bought us all lunch, and one warning make sure you have plenty of Kroner, it is expensive in Norway We were glad they excepted credit cards. We went back into the little town with narrow streets and alleyways. There was hanging planters just blooming with colorful flowers. Then it was time to say good bye to our friends, hugs and kisses and plans to meet again in Florida, but this was before we booked the cruise for next year. Things looked almost the same to Ellis, but there were many changes over the years, still had the ferries to get around to the islands that surround us, but now bridges can be seen in the distance and we also were told there were 2 tunnels made to connect 2 of the islands with the main one where the hospital was located. We now look forward ot our return trip.

On to Bergen, Norway.We took a panorama tour of the area then went to take the finicular up mount Floien to the overview of the city. Another beautiful place, awsome views from up there. It gets crowded so go early, or you’ll be on a very long waiting line. The next day we stayed on the ship while we dropped passengers off to take the 7-8 hour tour coach from Hellesylt, just a drop off point and then the views we waited for so long, going to Geiranger. We went thru the fjords that you see on postcards and paintings. WOW!! Look at that waterfall! WOW! There is the bridal veil falls. We were told it had been dry there and just a day before we arrived they had a heavy rain and so we were able to see the beautoful water falls that were in so many places we passed. The ship stopped for picture taking and the lecturer was busy telling us all the history etc about the area. Lunchtime and we arrived in Geiranger. It is a tender stop, so had lunch then jumped on the next tender to the area, which is a very large camp grounds, motels, cottages and up on the mountain a hotel overlooking this breath taking view. It started raining so back to the ship we went, to take a nap and then get ready for tomorrow and Alesund.

Alesund is still another beautiful place, we took another coach panorama tour with still more breath taking views. Quaint cottages sitting on outcroppings on the side of the mountains. They don’t mow their grass, they have heards of goats and sheep to do that. Some places had thached roofs and we asked who mowed the roof. Our guide laughed and s aid they just put a goat or sheep on the roof for a couple of days and its “mowed”,( eaten) . We all laughed to think of the sight to see the animals on the roofs. The sun was setting after 10 PM and was risen each morning before we were up. As we did lose an hour a night crossing to the east, we gained them back one hour a day and was grateful for the extra hour each night to catch up on our sleep. I awoke to darkness, but felt we were still moving, opened the drapes and there she stood in all her glory, Miss Liberty with her shining torch, welcoming us home. Woke Ellis up to take her picture and then the New York City skyline, which still was sparkling at the pre-dawn hour. I am so thankful to God that we were able to make this trip and just to know we’ll be back next year and even see more of Norway . Anyone who knows me knows how this cruise was definitely our best cruise ever.
If you ever get the chance do it! You won’t be sorry!

. The End or maybe not!
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~Jeanne~

linda1 · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:37 pm Post subject:

Wow..I really want to go. Thanks Jeanne for doing a review. I can just imagine how excited you are about your next one...But where are the pictures?? I wanna see.
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"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is God's gift, that's why we call it the present."

Linda

Fllady · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject:

Hi Linda, I thought I sent you the pictures. Let me know and I will resend them. We had a problem with our internet for a couple of ddays. grrrrr
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~Jeanne~