Wherever We Go

Very early morning sailing thru the fjords to Flam Sunrise in the fjord If I thought that the slow trip up the fjord to Oslo was spectacular then I just don't have the words to explain the one to Flam.  The pictures will back me up but even they don't give you the true visual treat that seeing it does.   Flam is a village on the Aurlandsfiord which is part of the vast Sognefiord.  Get those names?   And when I say village, think small.   There isn't a lot to do in Flam but that doesn't mean there isn't a lot to see.  It is a deep water port so we get off the boat and walk about 150 feet and get on the train.  It is all that close together..  When the Flam Line Railway train pulls out we are about to embark on what some call the most beautiful train journey in the world. WELCOME TO FLAM The Flam Railway Line is only a 12.6 mile journey but it takes you thru 20 tunnels, one bridge and 10 stations as it climb...

We are going thru some very scenic cruising up the Oslofjord to get to Oslo, Norway.  The landscape is both rugged, jagged mountain side and also green rolling hills with small towns dotting the coastlines.   These have to be some hardy people living up here.  Nature does not make it easy on them and transportation alone would be a major challenge.   Steep roads or long boat trips to get anywhere await you.  But they get their strength honestly as most of them are probably able to trace their roots back to some pretty vicious people called the Vikings. While the Vikings are long gone, their heritage and histories are well documented at the Viking Ship Museum.   There we saw 3 authentic longboats dating back to the Viking Age.  These boats are known to exist but they are very difficult to find and restore.  The boats the Vikings built were of a simple but very useful design.  Some were strictly rowed by those on-boa...

Welcome to Copenhagen I know it is May and the blooms are blooming and the greens are greening there but as we have been on a boat since January, and in the southern hemisphere for much of the time, it seems we cannot escape winter altogether.  We are arriving in Denmark today, Specifically, Copenhagen.  You cannot help but feel a little chill still in the air, even though they are enjoying an early spring.  Denmark is a land of 6 million bicycle riding people that believe that they have the right-of-way no matter the obstacle in front of them.   People, cars, buses, trains.  It doesn't matter, you best look both ways before you step out.  Like other European cities, it is also the land of taxes.  Based on income they will tax you from 44 to 60% and then throw a value added tax of 25% on stuff you buy.  Ouch.  But get over the tax structure and come and visit because it is one of Europe's most visited cities for good reason. A...