Bergen

The Captain has several meetings this week in the coastal city,  Bergen, Norway. The week will end with a Christmas party given by his company and because of this the wives were invited on this trip as well, all expenses paid by the Captain’s company! How could anyone say no to that kind of offer? When my wonderful boss told me to just go and have a great time and the kids told me not to worry they could handle things at home, it was a done deal and after a short 50 minute plane ride we arrived in the gorgeous city of Bergen.

The Captain’s days are filled with meetings so I’ve been left to my self to discover this town which I’ve never been too before. Bergen is known as the wettest town in Norway with the most rain days of any town in this country, however the weather Gods have been good to us and despite a chilling cold wind there hasn’t been a drop of rain or frozen snowflake so far!

   

First I need to apologize for the bad photos, I’m not a pro photographer and so I’m not that great with the lighting and the town had several areas that are shaded. The entire city is surrounded by seven mountains and then ocean on the other side. I think this is what makes this city special is when you look up at the buildings there are mountains rising up behind them…it gives a very intimate cozy feel to the town.

Also the blend of old and new in this town is amazing. Bergen is now on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The Bergen tourist website says the following about their famous Brygge:

“Bergen grew up around its colourful harbour - it was the hub of commerce, seafaring and crafts-manship. We became the north's   largest city, Norway's first capital city and the seat of royalty. So important was Bergen by the 13th century that the Hansas - the German medieval guild of merchants - opened one of their four European offices on the wharf called Bryggen.

Some of the Hansas chose to become Bergensers. And so have many others throughout the centuries. But Bryggen stays the same, its contour just as it was in the 11th century, untouched by shifting times. It has become a symbol of our cultural heritage and has gained a place on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Bergen has become a World Heritage City.”

There is plenty of interesting shops and unique shopping around Bergen and also a lot of tourist shops. I loved stumbling upon a Julehuset (Christmas House) store and a real Moose Shop (My family will understand why that is neat for me!!) There was also Bergen’s famous fish market, which to be very honest, I was a bit disappointed about, it was smaller then I thought, but perhaps in the summer it’s bigger? There was also a neat little shop in a tent that was selling furs and fur products. I know the fur business is in a lot of hot water these days in Norway but I have to admit, a blue fox winter hat with ear flaps really caught my eye while I was looking around…had it not been as expensive as it was it might have come home with me…

Fishmarket

Besides the shopping Bergen is just a neat town to wander around and explore…walking through cobbled stone streets and wondering what you’ll find behind the next turn…

There are statues all over the town as well…some are of famous people from Bergen such as Edvard Grieg and others are not nearly as famous but perhaps just as much a part of Bergen…though I’ll tell you I didn’t see many (if any) of the following…

We ended our day with dinner at Bergen’s Bryggeloftet & Stuene which was recommended highly by our taxi driver and we can totally recommend this place warmly! The food was wonderful, the atmosphere was very cozy and intimate, the only thing we would recommend and our taxi driver suggested this too but we took our chances and got lucky- make a reservation!!!! You can check out their website here: Bryggeloftet & Stuene

However, before dinner we visited one of Bergen’s best known attractions…Floien, which is a cable car that takes you to the top of one of the seven mountains around Bergen and gives you the most amazing views of Bergen!!Absolutely a must do if you’re ever in Bergen!! Although we sat right at the back while we were going up and I can’t tell you how I kept thinking, man I hope the brakes don’t give out on this thing and we go downward in hyper speed and crash!! Would not be good and for those with a fear of heights (which I think I suffer a tad from) it’s not recommended to sit all the way at the back going up or down…hahaha..but the views are amazing. I’m sorry the quality of photos here aren’t that great but you get a general idea, some photos were taken in the car on the way up and others at the top…

Nice view eh?? hehehehe….

Today is Thanksgiving in the USA and I plan to try and catch the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Day Parade HERE. There won’t be any turkey today, nor family around me except for the Captain but I’m sure we’ll have an exciting day. I am thankful for so many things but most importantly my family, that my marriage survived the big hump in the road this past summer, and that my health seems good. I’m happy, I have a great life, great friends, family, job, and there are so many small things that happen every day that I’m also greatful for, thankful for. I hope everyone will have a great day!

Today is also the Captain’s 38th birthday!!!

Happy Birthday handsome, I love you so much!!!

Until next time my friends…..