Geiranger and Ålesund, now back in Amsterdam

After a magnificent day boating around Geirangerfjord and moseying through the little town of Geiranger, and after a lovely stop in Ålesund, a town on Norway's western coast which burned almost completely in 1904 and was then rebuilt in art nouveau style, we spent a final day at sea before docking back in Amsterdam (pics from Amsterdam will follow in subsequent posts as the number of photos here might fully overwhelm you).

Geirangerfjord  

 Ålesund:

fresh fish soup at Lyst

View from early in the climb to the top of the fjell (mountain) 

Ol gleefully working his way up

getting close

view from the top! 

commemorating the rebuilding effort

Art nouveau style drives me wild!! 

I mean seriously, just look at that! 

gorgeous slate work on the roof of this church

Eidfjord

This morning we disembarked in Eidfjord, a tiny town situated on the Hardangerfjord, Norway's second longest fjord and one of the deepest and most spectacular. Depths can reach more than 400 meters.

Tom, the boys, and I set off on a three-hour kayaking expedition, an experience I highly suggest should you find yourself in this part of the country. 

The views are spectacular and the air and water so clean, crisp, and pure. The skies are ever-changing, a feature that enhances the beauty in dramatic ways. 

waterfall behind us

Ol and Tom shared a boat.

Jack and I shared a boat. 

I love this product. 

Leaving Eidfjord

Telegram from the North Sea

Left Amsterdam aboard Koningsdam and entered a lock for access to North Sea via English Channel. Stop.

Kids swimming and eating ice cream with cousin. Stop. 

Sailing north and soon to enter Arctic Circle. Stop.

Sunset beautiful as are the two rainbows we've seen. Air moderately cold. Soon to Eidfjord. Stop. 

Tonight formal night on ship. Tuxes abound. Feeling very Titanic. Glad lifeboats updated. Stop. 

Sea kayaking tomorrow. More when next with service. Stop.