Bergen is Norway’s second biggest city, and the capital of Fjordland.
Despite this, it still retains a quaint, big small-town feel.
This scene is popular on postcards, and you will see as soon as you leave the ship. The little houses all seem to be leaning in different directions.
In times past I have taken the funicular up the hill, but today I walked around the town. It was a beautiful day.
The usual markets were open -
selling seal pelts, fruit, handicrafts and sea food.
The shrimp on the left are boiled in sea water, right on the boats. They give samples of everything to try. The shrimp were delicious. Boiling them in seawater is a great idea.
They give out samples of their smoked fish.
“Smoked Whale Meat?” Don’t mind if I do…
No obligation to buy..
Another free sample. It tastes like greasy Ahi Tuna. I couldn’t finish it and had to find a spot to discreetly get rid of my whale meat.
One of the most giant and expensive sandwiches I have ever seen, I knew I had to have one. I blew the rest of my ice cream money on the cheapest sandwich of the bunch.
With the exchange rate I got the other day, I would price it at about $16.
Grandpa, if I could have bought one for you to bring home in my suitcase, I would have. I was out of coins, though.
The black stuff is caviar.
This internet cafe charged $20 per hour. No thanks. We were lucky enough to find a free signal in the town square.
After sitting there until I completely ran out of batteries, I went with Jim, one of the two computer geeks from the ship that I was seeking out the free wi-fi with.
We took a walk through the houses of the town
Saw the nice parks
And a really unflattering statue of Henrik Isben the author.
These signs have always made me laugh. The symbol for a pedestrian street crossing looks like an old blues man crossing the road. 
I sit and enjoy the park. It is so nice to get outside and find a patch of grass once and awhile!
Um… parking for Grieg fans only
A quilt with an interesting flower-shaped quilting pattern
A confused bee was trapped inside this store buzzing around a fake flower.
And sunburnt, I have my final licorice ice cream.
2 responses so far ↓
Ginnie // July 17, 2007 at 2:54 am
Licorice ice cream. How could I forget that. I want to try it some day and know I will fall in love with it!
I am so glad you take the time to get off the ship and wander around, Stacey. What a lifetime of experiences you have!
Expat Traveler // July 17, 2007 at 7:50 pm
love the pics and love the visit, so many colors.
And I totally agree – I think you have had a lifetime of experiences all in this year alone!!!!