Day 8 – Geiranger Fjord – Norway

As we awakened this morning, the Jewel of the Sea was entering Norwegian waters and the Geiranger Fjord. Called the “Diva” of Norwegian fjords, the ‘Geiranger’ is 1,600 feet wide and 1,200 feet deep, with snowcapped mountains as high as 6,000 feet lining the waterway. The lacy curtains of snow melt that cascade over the steep cliffs, many into the fjord itself, are given romantic names such as; Bridal Veil, The Suitor and Seven Sisters.
Marina and I were scheduled for a kayaking excursion on the fjord this morning, and we were grateful for a clear, warm day with calm seas. 46 passengers occupied 23 double kayaks and we were off on an hour and a half trip on the fjord. We were exhausted by the time we returned, but had been rewarded with a magnificent experience of this wonderful fjord, including a close up view of the Seven Sisters waterfall! We ordered two hamburgers and sodas at a local Bistro and were shocked by the $40 bill! Hardly left us with any resource to shop, but we managed to plunk down a few more kroner (Norwegian currency) before we returned to the ship for a well earned nap! I also got back in touch with my ancestral Troll, and am happy to introduce him to you! (See picture, and note the resemblance!!)
Late this afternoon, while the sun was still high in the sky (it doesn’t set until 11:45pm) the Jewel weighed anchor and set off down the fjord, headed for Flam and the Aurlandsfjord, a tributary of the 204 kilometer long Sognefjord. Should be another magnificent day, and the weather promises to hold for the rest of our trip. Wow!!