Flam, Norway - land of the midnight sun, fjords, mountains and waterfalls!

- May 14, 2019

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 climbs 2,831 feet. The steep gradient is 5.5% which is 1:18. The rail line was started in 1924 and opened in 1940. Much of it was done by hand work so when I say 20 tunnels, think of the work involved.

The scenic train - credit to our friend, David

One of the stops is at the Kjosfossen Waterfall which allows us to get off and take some very scenic shots. While there, everyone is hopeful to see the dancing waterfall fairy named Huldra. This is a land of fairies, mind you, and husbands must be careful not to be seduced by the song of Huldra high atop this particular waterfall. Some of our group reported a sighting of her and thought they heard her song.

Do you see Huldra? We heard her!

We change trains at the Myrdal Station and continue up the grade to the Gravhalsen Tunnel and then down the valley to Voss. Voss is a well known resort area in both the summer and winter seasons with it's charming buildings surrounding Vangs Lake. Lunch at Fleischer's Hotel and restaurant built, owned and operated by the same family in the 1800's awaited us. The 4th generation proprietor came out to welcome us all. She was proud of her resort and it was easy to see why. The food was delicious and plentiful, and the drinks were free-flowing!

The fast train - courtesy of David

Fleischer's in Voss

Our most gracious hostess loved her hotel!

We boarded the bus after a little shopping - no Viking helmets were bought - to continue our journey. We stopped at another waterfall. There are so many this time of year with all the snow melting ... we came at just the right time! At the Tvinde Waterfall, we got out to get a taste of the cold water and take some photos, and then it is on to the steepest road in Norway, the Stalheimskleivane. It is so steep that it is only traveled one way....down. No traffic is allowed up or our buses would never be able to make some of the turns. Once down the side of the mountain we continue on thru a 6.8 mile tunnel and then a 3 mile tunnel. That is a lot of tunnel!

The Vikings settled this area via the same fjords we traveled today. Our ship is a bit more well appointed, to say the least, and definitely warmer and more comfortable! The views however are the same - spectacular, breath-taking, and etched in our memories forever. Good-bye to Flam.