Oslo-Bergen R/T in 24hrs (6-22-12)

Hey Everybody,

I can honestly say that the 24hrs of this day's adventure into the unknown has been the most challenging since trying to get out of Florida by traveling up the east coast in the spring.

Left Oslo at 6:31am on 6/22; Returned to Oslo at 6:19am on 6/23.

The formal name for this trip is "Norway in a Nutshell" and it's a popular way for people to see some beautiful out of reach places. It has been said that the Bergen Railway is one of the most beautiful train rides in the world....that's why I tackled it. It doesn't have to be done so fast. I could have stayed in Bergen.

The Oslo train takes you to the mountain rail station in Myrdal, which was tough to build because of the steep slopes and sharp bends. Then the Flam Railway was built - it took us inside to the corner of Aurlandsfjord - a branch of the world's longest fjord. There are about 20 tunnels along the way - 18 of them were excavated by hand! This is a pretty cool ride through steep mountains and river valleys. This trip is probably the best way to get a sense of Norway's mountains, unless you opt for some of the wild hiking and biking paths in this area! I didn't have any time to explore them, but could see them from train station platforms & would definitely like to.

As soon as the train arrived in the Flam Valley we jumped on a boat for a 2hr fjord cruise. The cruise was immediately followed by a bus to Voss.... an amazingly good bus driver took the bus flawlessly down a steep old & scenic mountain road with switchbacks that could put Beartooth Hwy (in MT) to shame a few times.

In Voss we caught the train to Bergen, where I spent just under 4 hours before boarding an 11pm train back to Oslo. Thank goodness for all the daylight!

Quite beautiful, but very long day, especially the overnight train ride. I would recommend a sleeper car if you decide to do the 24hr trip. I didn't have one, but it would have helped! It was about 10pm on 6/23 before I felt recovered.

Tired yet? Here's why it's worth the trouble:

Kjosfossen Waterfall from the Flam Railway. If you squint you might see the dancing blonde. The train stops here for a few minutes on a very wet, narrow platform for photos & suddenly there is Norwegian folk music and a dancing woman on the hillside.

The Flam Valley at the end of the Flam Rail.

This is the view from the boat. How cool would it be to have this house?! How they ever got the building materials up there is a mystery to me. But I know how they kept the tax man away. A long time ago there were ladders that people used because the mountain was so steep. The house served as a great lookout point. People pulled up all the ladders & the tax man couldn't collect!

Entering the narrowest part of the fjord as we head for Gudvagon to catch the bus to Voss.

This is the biggest troll I saw the entire time I was in Norway! Thought you'd like to know :-)

Bergen is known for these wooden buildings....They were the first buildings in Bergen and located at Bryggen. It's just a minute to walk from the Fish Market to these old, leaning buildings. Bergen really seems like a WAY cooler place to wander & hang out than Oslo. I just didn't know it soon enough! This particular area in Bergen is kind of like walking back into Norway's Middle Ages.

And so you know it's modern too...a 7/11 store & Louisiana Creole Cafe.

I will skip the last few Oslo pics for now, except for this one because if you braved this post, then you deserve a laugh! I was walking down Karl Johan's Gate - the center of town road that leads right to the palace - when something caught my attention - perhaps because it's right across the street from the cathedral. Or maybe it's the guarantee on the front door. If you ever need to run away to an open minded country....Norway might work :-)

You guys are awesome....we have survived Norway! Will begin Iceland soon....