Day 6, Friday, Haugesund, Norway

Rachel took this incredible photo of Olden yesterday from the ship.  What a charming scene!


We enjoyed the scenery as we sailed away from Olden yesterday, from the suites lounge. Here’s the only photo I have, but it’s typical of the views along the fjords.  We had a nice dinner at Giovanni’s Table, then Charlie and I returned to our stateroom and watched more scenery until the ship entered the sea again.


This morning I took a couple of photos as we arrived in Haugesund, part of a region famous in Viking history.  



From the ship, it’s a long (to us) walk up and over a long, steep bridge to the town.  We were slow, but we made it.  Here’s a photo from the top of the bridge.


The downward trek aggravated Charlie’s knee and forced him to get out his cane.  He was content to sit on a bench while I explored the several-block shopping area and a nearby church. There were lots of bookstores and three yarn shops! I guess reading and knitting get the residents through the long, cold winters. Here are a few more photos.

Yellow loosestrife 



The organ was playing when I entered Var Frelser Kirke, a parish church of the  Church of Norway.




Rachel supplied this photo of the legendary King Harald Fairhair, famous for having unified Norway into one kingdom, reigning from 872 to 930 (according to tradition).


And here’s Rachel, on what she described as “a long trek” so Rob could see the soccer stadium. 


Rob provided the next two photos!  


One other tidbit from our deck—a guard has been posted outside an interior cabin down the hall 24 hours a day for the past few days.  We don’t know if the occupant did something egregious or has a contagious illness, but suitcases appeared outside the door yesterday, and today those and the guard are gone. Good luck getting home from Haugesund!  We’ve seen people escorted off on previous cruises, so the Security team means business!

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