Back down the coast

The only place we have a signal is in the bar and the lounge act is very distracting. 70's light AM rock sung with a "wery" thick Norwegian accent. I am giggling almost too hard to type.

Today we crossed back down over the circle. The landscape is magnificent. The water is so clear and green-blue in places it looks almost tropical. The beautiful shade of green-blue is from the melting glaciers. There are mountains plummeting into the sea with crags and holes created in the ice age - stupendous. As we sail down the coast, small towns appear - each one clutching to the side of the surrounding mountains. Sparse places covered in only in shrub and fir trees, rock in shades of gray and brown filling the landscape. This afternoon and evening it is incredibly rainy and cold. Still the surroundings are beautiful in their desolation.

We have passed under and around the Atlantic road. It really is an engineering marvel. Seeing this long thin suspension bridge connect hundreds of kilometers of islands along this lonely terrain is truly amazing.

My body is finally adjusting to the constant light – just in time for the trip to almost be over. We have been so tired from the lack of sleep and constant running that I think we ran out of steam in time to get onto the ship. The ship ride is refreshing because it is forcing us to be still - though after all the motion from the last week and a half, it is awkward. I feel like we need to be moving or running to catch a train.

The passengers are mostly older retired folks, a large group are your stereotypical tourist, whether from the US or Europe, they are the same – embarrassing – but not unkind. Then you have the travelers and observers - those who are more interested in absorbing the surrounds not just taking and leaving. I hope I am part of the travelers. I have done my best to be a gracious visitor.

We are heading towards the south, fjord country. The Norwegian landscape has been a marvel. Each region has been so very different. I look forward to seeing the fjords. I have heard so much about them and only had small glimpses in Oslo and Trondheim. Our destination on this part of the trip is Bergen. We should arrive Sunday afternoon. Everyone we chat with says, “Hope you have an umbrella”. I laugh, and respond, “Yes, I have two.”

I will post new pictures for you later. Love to all. Klem fra Maria!