YA Eco Mysteries, Memoirs, Novels & Travel
Geirangerfjord Travel Blog
22/01/15 12:31 Filed in: Travel
Fjords, Mount Dalsnibba, Geiranger
The world famous Geirangerfjord with its sheer rock walls and tumbling waterfalls is justifiably listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We got up early to enjoy the fjord in the tranquil early morning sunrise.
I’d imagined the landscape to be dominated by ice and glaciers, but as it was summer, lush, green forests cloaked the fjords, and waterfalls—formed by the melting, snow-capped mountains—gushed down the cliffs. Standing on deck with a 360-degree view of fjord on either side, I sensed the dark pull of the abyss, the powerful force of the rapids, and savored the untamed beauty of the landscape. Nearing Geiranger, colorfully painted houses, dotted the steep hillsides. Higher up we could see abandoned cliff-top farms.
The world famous Geirangerfjord with its sheer rock walls and tumbling waterfalls is justifiably listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We got up early to enjoy the fjord in the tranquil early morning sunrise.
I’d imagined the landscape to be dominated by ice and glaciers, but as it was summer, lush, green forests cloaked the fjords, and waterfalls—formed by the melting, snow-capped mountains—gushed down the cliffs. Standing on deck with a 360-degree view of fjord on either side, I sensed the dark pull of the abyss, the powerful force of the rapids, and savored the untamed beauty of the landscape. Nearing Geiranger, colorfully painted houses, dotted the steep hillsides. Higher up we could see abandoned cliff-top farms.
Magdalene Thoresen, Henrick Ibsen’s s mother-in-law, described the fjords in this way:
This fjord is surrounded by the steepest and, one is almost tempted to say, the most preposterous mountains on the entire west coast. It is very narrow and has no habitable shore area, for the precipitous heights rise in sheer and rugged strata almost straight out of the water. Foaming waterfalls plunge into the fjord from jagged peaks. There are, however, a few mountain farms here, and of these one or two have such hazardous access, by paths that wind around steep precipices, and by bridges that are fixed to the mountain with iron bolts and rings, that they bear witness in a most striking way to the remarkable powers of invention which the challenges of nature have developed in man.
The ship anchored right at the foot the town of Geiranger. We quickly went ashore to explore this small tourist town, which during the summer welcomes well over a hundred cruise ships a year.
We took time to browse in the tourist shops where we savored delicious chocolates, purchased pewter troll keychains cute reindeers, and other small gifts.
Continuing along the main road, we came to an amazing, multilevel stairway, following the path of a waterfall cascading into the fjord. Naturally, Boris took every advantage of the stunning vistas unfolding below us.
By the time we reached the top, we had only a short time to explore the modern Norwegian Fjord Center. The multi-media show, "From Mountains to Fjord" depicts this World Heritage Site through the four seasons with magnificent photos—a great way to absorb the history, culture and ecology of the area.
In the afternoon, we took a bus trip to Mount Dalsnibba, 4,600 feet above sea level, which promised breathtaking views of the fjord. As the bus ascended, the driver negotiated a series of hair-raising switch back loops. Before the mists descended upon us, we made a short stop at “Flydalsjuvet," and “Knuten,”one Norway’s most photographed viewpoints.
Unfortunately, by the time we reached the summit, the stunning panoramic view of Geirangerfjord, the town, and the cruise ship were completely obliterated by dense fog.
On a way back to the ship, we tried to imagine what winter is like for the residents of Geiranger. As charming as it is in the summer, we had to admit that the place, despite its overwhelming beauty, seemed far too isolated with no hospital, no resident doctor, and only a small elementary school.
I hope this brief visit whets your appetite to travel there one day. In the meantime, you can enjoy armchair travel with The PassionateTraveler: Eastern Caribbean and The Passionate Traveler: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and The Passionate Traveler: Highlights of Norway. For more information visit: www.mediamint.net. In addition, you can download free sample chapters from the iBook Store.
Bon Voyage
Explore more Travel Adventures
Click on BOOK for more info
The Passionate Traveler enhanced iBooks Vol 1-3 available now in the iBook Store
WANT TO SHARE OR COMMENT? Please click on the icons(s) of your favorite social media to share, or to comment.