6th September 2023
It is time to link up with our cruise ship after a great few days in Norway as an introduction to this amazing country. A transfer from the hotel to the ship has been booked for 11am, so there is no rush to have breakfast and check out.
Our transport arrives on time and 15 minutes later we are at the cruise terminal unloading our luggage and getting ready to go through the check in process to board the ship.
It is a pretty slick operation. Our bags are whisked away with a promise of being delivered to our rooms by 2 pm, passports etc checked and we are all checked in, through security and on board by 11. 45 am.
Viking Jupiter
After a bit of a look around the ship we headed up to the 7th floor where the buffet restaurant was open for lunch. The restaurant wasn't all that busy, and the food was up to the expected high standard, as was the wine. There is no rigid plan for this afternoon, so we took our time and had a relaxing lunch.
At 1pm there was an announcement that our rooms were now ready to be occupied and our luggage is in our rooms. This was an hour ahead of the expected availability time.
When lunch was over we went to our rooms, unpacked, met our cabin steward and were then ready to venture out into the town for an afternoon walk. It is a bright sunny day and warm enough for a short sleeved shirt.
Bergen Harbour Map (cruise ship terminal at the top left)
The dock is only a few hundred metres from town, so not a terribly challenging walk. First we pass the site of the Bergenhus Fortress.
Bergenhus Medieval Fortress Tower
The waterfront is lined with colourful buildings housing shops and offices and it is very touristy.
The original section of these wooden houses are the remains of a German enclave that occupied this area as part of the Hanseatic League. It is known as Bryggen and is a World Heritage site. It also the only remaining structures of the Hanseatic Leagues Enterprises outside Northern Germany. The Hansa (The German Guild of Merchants) established their presence in Bergen in 1360, gradually took over Bryggen and for almost 400 years dominated this side of town, putting Bergen on the International map. They controlled the trade of cod fish out of Norway.
The buildings are being now preserved, as the land has moved beneath then, they lean in all directions, but appear stable and those not occupied with shops and offices are undergoing preservation.
Further down the road are the open air fish markets where you can buy a wide range of seafood delicacies and dine in one of the many restaurants attached to te merchants stands. Seafood isn't the only food on offer with Reindeer and other game also sold.
The markets are located in a square along the waterfront
One of the market restaurants
A view from across the water
Reindeer, Moose and Whale preserved sausages are on offer
As are a selection of seafood delicacies
We continued on around the end of the harbour and up the other side where we could get a view across the water of the side we had walked along after leaving the ship.
Carole and Sharon taking in the view
It was time to head back to the ship having taken in the harbour sights on foot. We look forward to seeing it all from the water tomorrow on a harbour cruise.
A walk through the back streets took us past St Mary's Church, located behind the wooden buildings in Bryggen. Construction is believed to have started in the 1130's to1140's and completion around 1180. It is the oldest remaining building in the City of Bergen.
Almost back at the ship we once again came to the Bergenhus Fortress, this time from a different angle.
Back on board, it was time for a drink, so after a quick freshen up, we headed off to the Explorers Bar on the 7th Floor at the bow of the ship for some pre dinner drinks. We have no special dinner bookings for tonight, so wandered down to the main restaurant when we were ready to dine.
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