Our first morning in Bergen. We slept way later than we meant to after 30 hours without any sleep. You’ll have to forgive my typos - I’m using my iPad with a wireless keyboard with pretty small buttons...

After we arrived, we found the light rail station and took that into Bergen - about a 45 minute ride. The sun as out and the countryside was beautiful. Everything is very Nordic, but I guess that’s appropriate. Norway doesn’t look like any other city - Paris, Frankfurt, Genoa. It truly does have a flavor all its own.

We had quite a bit of time to waste since we couldn’t get into the BnB until 2:30. So we headed to the tourist information center where we got info about what was open and what our options would be for Saturday. A lot more - museums that are open and tours at museums - were open than the guidebooks said would be open. Sept/Oct is out of season a bit, so lots of things close up. But there is a lot more available than we thought, thank goodness.

We had lunch at the fish market, an icon or sorts, where dried cod hangs from the ceiling and all kinds of fresh seafood is for sale. Right on a very busy quay. We both had hake which tastes like a classic white fish. Very good.

Then we finally took off, our two suitcase a piece bumping along over the largely cobblestoned streets. It was a bit of a jarring hike of maybe 1.5 miles from the train station but easy to find the right street thanks to the Bergen city guide map. Not too much traffic, so crossing streets was easy. The street we’re on - “Strand garden” means walking street, according to our host, Vegard, so a good
section of it bars cars. There are all sorts of little shops like several bike shops and even a yarn shop. It does not have the sophistication of Florence but rather a small town European flair.

We finally arrived at our BnB and Vegard was waiting outside. It’s a high rise and we’re on the 2 floor. Kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom and two bedrooms. Just the right size and well equipped. Plus - great wifi! Large windows looking over the Main Street which had quite a few commuters on bikes. (Later in the middle of the night when I was up I saw dog walkers, cyclists.)

After unpacking, we took off down the street to the shops and bought some essentials - coffee, fruit, milk, etc. And browsed in a girls’ “bike shop” as the proprietor referred to it. Lots of flower garlands I guess to decorate the bikes? Funky bells, girly helmets and a very cool work bike in white.

Next came dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant (Caesar salad and pizza  which we split as we were full from lunch). But the best part was the gelato in all kinds of flavors. Betty had mocha (my favorite which I’ll maybe try tonight) and I had pistachio chip. (Krista: it was as good as Italy!)

I took lots of pictures. I hope I can label them. If not, the one that’s all blue was the public bathroom that cost 10 NOK (just over 1 cent) and was lit by ultraviolet light. Maybe to de-germ the place??

Public bathroom

Sights along the trai line

Inside light rail car

Outside airport

Along the wharf.

One of the light rail stations