Our ship sailed up yet another fjord, this one called Sognefjord, the largest fjord in Norway. Sognefjord has several smaller arms with individual names, and we sailed up the arm called Aurlandsfjord to the little village of Flam, Norway. Interesting to note that the village of Flam itself isn’t much to look at…to the point I didn’t even take a photo of it until we were about to depart. Just a bunch of little tourist shops near the dock. It’s what Flam provides access to that makes it special.
We boarded a bus for a roundabout tour of the area that will also include two rail lines. After traveling through some VERY long tunnels we arrived at our first stop, Gudvangen, which provides you with a view up another arm of the Sognefjord called Naeroyfjord. The Naeroyfjord is the second of the two UNESCO World Heritage Fjords in Norway, the first being Geiranger. Just one look and you can see why this was recognized by UNESCO!
From the same vantage point, up on the side of the canyon, was yet another waterfall, this one is called Kjellfossen. There are so many here I’m surprised they bother to give them names! The sun was just about to come up over the side of the canyon.
Our next stop was about 15 minutes away at the Stalheim Hotel, where we had an early lunch. The original Stalheim Hotel opened in 1647, when Stalheim became part of the Oslo-Bergen postal route.
The view from the back of the hotel is incredible!! The views from Stalheim are said to have inspired numerous artists dating back to the 18th century.
One popular Norwegian artist, J.C. Dahl, has a famous painting from 1842 called “From Stalheim” that is hanging in the National Gallery in Oslo. We were at the gallery, but I don’t recall seeing the painting at the time. It’s a much more impressive painting if you click on the photo for the larger version.
Back on the bus and 25 minutes later we are at Tvindefossen, yet another gorgeous waterfall (how many times have I typed that now? I’ve lost track).
Time for a Peterson Portrait! Handing my phone to somebody else always works out better than a selfie…as long as they don’t take off running!
Another 15 minutes on the bus and we were in the city of Voss. This is our kind of bus trip….with lots of stops! The Voss Church, built in 1277, is particularly beautiful….a very unique church. I’ve never seen a design quite like it. Unfortunately it was closed so we only got an exterior view.
The lake adjacent to the city is a real stunner!
There were multiple people in parachutes flying over the lake from the nearby mountain summit. We kept looking to see if we could spot Phil from Amazing Race fame!
After a half hour stop we entered the Voss train station and boarded a train that was headed toward Oslo from Bergen. We were on this modern train for 50 minutes, passing farm after farm, and waterfall after waterfall.
The train pulled into Myrdal, a transfer point in the mountains above Flam, where we disembarked and waited for our next ride, the famous Flam Railway. This is our train coming into Myrdal.
The views from the train are incredible….this is a must do ride! About halfway down the train stops and everybody gets out to walk a short distance to a viewing platform to see Kjosfossen Falls. This one is massive….the photo doesn’t do it justice….you could hear the roar of the water and feel the mist in your face!
Then this dramatic music starts and this woman in red starts dancing around up on the rocks next to the waterfall. It was bizarre! I took several photos and after zooming in I’m nearly certain it was a dude in a wig and a dress. As Seinfeld said, “not that there’s anything wrong with that!”, except that it’s freaking weird!
More waterfalls and cute farms on the way down. No “Ladies” in Red thank goodness!
Oh look, another waterfall!
This was our best excursion of the cruise, and the Stalheim hotel lists the same route we took as “Norway in a Nutshell”. That is the perfect description!
After boarding the ship I noticed these clouds starting to form over Flam. I’d like to think they were just clouds, but I’m pretty sure that’s the exhaust gasses from our ship. This is the reason UNESCO is trying to shut the fjords down to cruise ships. The original plan was to cut cruise ships off as of 2026, but in just the past few days this potential ban has been extended to 2032. You have 8 years to make your plans!
We again settled in on your stateroom balcony for the ride out of the fjord. The views from the starboard side are excellent once again…plan accordingly!
Little villages are dotted here and there, and fortunately lit up by the setting sun.
Every time the ship turns a corner of the fjord you get yet another breathtaking view!
I’m super happy we we took a cruise that hit these beautiful fjords! These are some of the most stunning scenes we have ever witnessed. The fact we got extremely lucky with weather is not lost on me!
Coming up next, we visit Bergen, Norway, the second largest city in the country, and one of the most historic and scenic!
Told you it’s the best scenery we have ever seen! Love your photos. Have fun in Bergen. Tell Kim thats where I found my Norwegian creche.
You were definitely correct….the fjords are incredible! See you guys soon!