July
2023
Norway
walk &
canoeing
July
2023
Norway
by Ferry
July
2023
Norway
Bike Tour
July
2023
Norway
by Boat &
on Foot
July
2023
Norway
Sugar Lump
Mountain
July
2023
Norway
Voss
Gondola
July
2023
Denmark
by 19:40
| Arms | Date | Port | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5th July 2023 |
Bergen Norway |
Twelve mile walk & canoeing |
|
6th July 2023 |
Nordfjordeid Norway |
Folk Museum by Ferry |
|
7th July 2023 |
Geiranger Norway |
Sky to Fjord Bike Tour |
|
8th July 2023 |
Trondheim Norway |
Trondheim by Boat & on Foot |
|
9th July 2023 |
Aalesund Norway |
Hiking Sugar Lump Mountain |
|
10th July 2023 |
Flaam Norway |
Spectacular Voss Gondola |
|
12th July 2023 |
Copenhagen Denmark |
Home by 19:40 |
| Arms | Date | Port | Comment |
I awoke at six o'clock and had TWO eggs Benedict at 6:30 in La Terrazza. At eight o'clock I was off the ship and walking north to the Old Bergen (Gamle Bergen) open air museum. Despite having been here a couple of times, I took lots of photographs and recorded TWO pieces to camera.
I started my MapMyWalk app and headed back along the coast to the New Fisheries museum. They told me that the museum's shuttle bus service had been discontinued, but they have launched the new Blue (Blaa) Aquaculture exhibition nearby.
I then climbed up the western flank of Mount Floyen. At the top I bumped into Linda from Maryland and I bought her a coffee to go with my strawberry smoothie (100 NoK = $10). We then walked to the little lake where I partook of the free canoeing, something which I had never done before! Linda sat and watched from the shore, taking some delightful pictures.
Back at the top station of the funicular railway, I said goodbye and then walked back down the hill. At the bottom, I went in the Arven gold and silver factory for the first time and the military museum at the fortress for the umpteenth time. Back at the ship at two o'clock, I had a small puttanesca pizza and then slept for an hour and a half. I then had a lot of sorting out and unpacking to do, as well as updating my talks.
At six o'clock we had the safety drill, followed by the introductions in the Panorama lounge. At 7:15 I hosted the solo travellers with ACD Joanna and cruise saleswoman Carmen. Deb from Vancouver and Robert from New York City attended, so Jo and I led them down to the Atlantide main restaurant at 7:30. Here I had the shrimp bisque again, the prime rib of beef again and just one glass of red wine.
I had to slip out at 8:40 ready to set up for my 9:15 lecture. Bruno introduced me and I gave my forty five minute talk on both Nordfjordeid and Geiranger. At the end a gent was asking about Loen, Lodalen and Briksdalsbreen, so I showed him the time lapse of the glacier's retreat. Back in my suite, I watched my Nordfjordeid and Geiranger talk on the telly. I went to bed at 11:15 having done over thirty one thousand steps, equal to over twelve miles of walking during the day!
I got up at six o'clock a quarter of an hour before my alarms. I had a lot of smalls to rinse out under the wet room shower! At seven o'clock I had the full English breakfast to eat with one glass of V8 vegetable juice to drink.
At eight o'clock I was on duty in the Venetian lounge to escort my first choice Nordfjord Folk Museum by Ferry tour ($109). Thais led my guests down to the tender and I followed. I got off the tender first and raced past Olena to meet my Spanish guide Anna and driver Artur. We headed off through the new tunnel to Lote to join the ten minute all electric ferry ride across to Anda.
Here we followed the old road to Vereide stone church. The organist showed up and let us in to see the lovely interior. He then played one piece (by Bach?) on the organ.
We continued to Sandane where we went in the outdoor Folk museum. Ingvild led us into one of the old domestic buildings for our introduction, whilst the Japanese rep simultaneously translated for those Japanese guest with headsets. She was in full flow, so I slipped out to make sure I saw the entire site, including the waterfall at the top end.
Back at the new main building, I whizzed through the museum to get my panackes with sour cream and jam. I had both the strawberry and raspberry with lashings of cream! I drank one cup of Earl Grey tea, but most of the guests had the coffee. We then drove back to Anda via the new road, crossed the fjord again and went through the new tunnel back to Nordfjordeid.
I was back on the ship at 12:30 when I had the egg drop soup and the salmon en croute with cauliflower cheese for lunch in La Terrazza. I then slept for an hour and a half. I caught the three o'clock tender back ashore to walk to the Klypet waterfall, but it was too steep in the warm, close afternoon, so I turned back. I followed the river walk upstream, before photographing the town hall. I then caught the 4:15 tender back to the ship.
At 5:20 I did my first six lengths of the warm pool this cruise, followed by ten minutes in one of the jacuzzis with a couple from Toronto. I wish I had tried the pool on my previous cruise, not thinking it would be so warm! At 6:45 I went to the Captain's cocktail party, followed at 7:15 by the solo travellers meet up. Deb and Robert arrived, together with international hosts Christiano and Thais both from Sao Paulo in Brazil. The two guests had a dinner reservation in La Terrazza Italian restautrant, so I dined alone in the Hot Rocks Grill by the pool.
The sun was shining and the sky was blue as we sailed past Maloy and out into the Norwegian sea again. I had the New York blue cheese salad to start, followed by the filet mignon which I cooked on the hot lava stone myself. I also had one vegetable skewer and one jacket potato with bacon bits and sour cream. I ended the meal with the warm apple tart with cinnamon ice cream. I had just one glass of cider to drink.
At 9:45 I went to the excellent Uprights and Grands production show with the six Voices of Silversea. I partiuclarly enjoyed the Billy Joel and the Elton John medleys. I went to bed at 10:45 having done fifteen thousand steps, equal to six miles of walking, during the day.
I got up at 6:15 and had TWO eggs Benedict in La Terrazza when it opened at seven o'clock. At 7:45 I touched base with Max at the Shore Concierge desk to check on last minute availability for Trondheim. At eight o'clock I put my wet smalls into the tumble drier on deck eleven.
In the lift I bumped into Zaira Duka the Hotel Director who had said she was from Salerno at the Captain's introductions yesterday. I asked her if she could comment on my Salerno slides ready for my next Oceania cruise, which she did immediately. She pointed out some Italian spelling mistakes, like 'di' instead of 'de' and gave me some additional tips to add to my presentation.
At nine o'clock I collected my dried smalls from the launderette. At 9:15 I was on dispatch duty in the Venetian lounge ready to escort my second choice Sky to Fjord Bike Tour ($179). I led my group of sixteen guests and the RIB people down to the tender and then got on last, so I could get off first.
On the quayside, I met Italian guide Daniel who led us to his old wooden hut on the main street. Here we donned helmets, hi-vis jackets and gloves, before walking to the coach park. Here we were met by coach driver Bubleen from Bulgaria. We had a forty five minute drive through heavy tourist traffic on the narrow roads to the top point at over one thousand metres high. Here we had twenty minutes of free time for the loos, shop and cafeteria overlooking a mist draped lake.
We got on our bikes with the help of fellow Italian Francesco and then headed back down the road we had driven up with SIX photo stops en route. One Mexican lady had her brakes on the whole way down, so we were the last arriving at every stop. Her husband raced on down and then doubled back uphill past us and then back down again. He was determined to maximise his use of the bike!
At the Queen's chair I recorded my piece to camera. The leader didn't stop at the famous Geiranger church, but I did to get two quick photos. I then hurtled down the last hill to catch up with my group.
Back at the quayside, I did some more photography, before catching the tender back to the ship. Here I had an almond ice cream cone in lieu of lunch. At four o'clock I gave my thirty five minute talk on Trondheim, followed by a three quarter of an hour nap.
At 5:45 I was out on the top deck to watch the sailaway past the angry giant's face, the seven sisters and the suitor waterfalls. At seven o'clock I hosted the solo travellers with Thais and singer Martim from Lisbon. At 7:30 I led Deb from Vancouver, Robert from New York City and Martim from Lisbon down to the SALT restaurant. Here I had the shrimp bisque with fish balls, the roast duck and the Norwegian waffles to eat and two glasses of red wine to drink.
When the party broke up at 9:30, I did a couple of circuits of the top deck in the evening sunshine as we exited the Great Fjord (Storfjord) back into the Norwegian Sea. I went to sleep at 10:30 having done ten thousand steps, equal to four miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at 6:15 ready for my full English breakfast in La Terrazza at seven o'clock. When Thu Thu came to service the suite, I did eight circuits of the top deck equal to one mile. At nine o'clock I was the first person off the ship.
At 9:25 I departed on foot with curly haired Norwegian/Spanish guide Martin and nineteen guests. He walked rather quickly to the quay by the derelict fish market. Here we donned life jackets and entered two small boats with outboard motors. We traveled along the canal by the railway station before turning right into the river. We went under the old bridge, before turning around by the Cathedral. We doubled back to the starting quay but didn't stop, instead turning right under the railway lines to the new port. We turned around near the large cruise ship AIDA Perla moored at the usual cruise berth.
Back at the quay, we all jumped out and restarted our walk. We wove our way around the city centre with five minutes at the Old Bridge and ten minutes outside the Cathedral. In the main square most guests wanted to stay in the city centre, so only two Italian ladies walked back to the ship with the two Martins.
Back at the ship I had a large puttanseca pizza and then dozed for half an hour. At 2:15 I walked back into the city taking photographs in the hot bright sunshine. I went in the Torg shopping centre and the Olavshallen concert hall to visit the two tourist information offices. In the K-U-K art gallery (which is Norwegian slang for cock!), I took the lift to the sixth floor to see the statues on the roof with views across the city.
At 3:45 I caught the shuttle bus from behind the theatre back to the ship. I touched base with Olena to elicit the last minute tours availabilty, before giving my thirty five minute talk on Aalesund. At 7:15 I hosted just Harriet from New York City, but she had a dinner reservation and left me at 7:30.
At 7:45 I dined alone in the Atlantide main restaurant on the water melon starter, the Tournedos Rossini and an eclair. I had two glasses of red wine to drink and this was the first time this cruise that it went to my head! At nine o'clock I staggered to my suite to update this blog and backup my photographs. At 9:45 I listened to Jade's excellent Divas & Dames cabaret in the Venetian theatre. I particularly enjoyed her Judy Garland and Julie Andrews medleys. I went to bed at 10:45 having done nearly twenty five thousand steps, nearly equal to ten miles of walking during the day!
I got up just after six o'clock and ate TWO eggs Benedict with one glass of V8 vegetable juice at seven in La Terrazza. At 8:30 I touched base with Olena to get the last minute tour availabilities ready for my afternoon's lecture. At nine o'clock I was on duty in the bus park with driver Frank from Aalesund and guides Luka from Italy and Hugues from France. I was accompanied by second escort Nikki on my first choice Hiking Sugar Lump Mountain tour ($99).
We left on time at 9:30 with twenty nine guests for the ten minute drive to the start of the hike. I had to ask Hugues to wait for the tailenders to arrive before starting talking at the stops en route. I also asked him to request that the guests gather around him, rather than be strung out along the path. We got to the top at 11:10 and started to descend again at 11:25 in glorious warm sunshine. We had Norwegian driver Osbjorn for the return coach journey.
Back at the ship, I had the trout fish and chips by the pool for lunch, followed by an hour and a half's deep sleep. At four o'clock I gave my thirty minute talk on Flaam and its famous railway. At five o'clock I watched the sailaway from Aalesund, past the Sugar Lump, in glorious weather. At 6:40 I did six lengths of the warm pool, followed by just five minutes in one of the hot tubs.
At seven o'clock I hosted Deb and Robert at the solo travellers gathering. He had a reservation at La Terrazza, so Deb popped up to deck seven to see if we could join him. Just as Thais arrived at 7:30, Deb returned and the three of us had to go for dinner.
We began with a glass of prosecco and the sharing cold plate of anti-pasti. I had the lasagna, whilst the other two had different sorts of pasta. All three of us had the Ossobucco veal shank, but as always it was a little bit fatty. I finished with my favourite Cassata Sciliana and three praline chocolates to share.
At ten o'clock I went to the excellent Musica Maestro crossover production show. At one point Jo had to sneeze heavily and so briefly left the stage. I particularly enjoyed the Funicular song (6/8 time, 3 x 6 = 18 beat phrasing) and the Les Mis medley. I went to bed at eleven o'clock having done twelve thousand steps, equal to nearly five miles of walking during the day!
I awoke at 5:45 fifteen minutes before my alarm, ready for the continental breakfast at 6:30. I had a warm smoked salmon panini, a berry smoothie and a berry detox water in the Arts Cafe. I was first off the ship at 7:30 ready to escort my first choice Spectacular Voss Gondola tour. In the coach park I met Italian guide Lucia, Norwegian driver Bernadette and our thirty four guests.
We departed at eight o'clock passing through two long tunnels to reach Gudvangen, where we had twenty minutes of free time. At the Tvindefossen waterfall we had another twenty minutes of free time. At ten o'clock we reached the cable car in Voss. At the top we had lovely waffles with three types of jam and cream to eat, together with coffee or tea to drink. With plenty of free time, we descended from the top station at 11:15. At 11:35 we departed from Voss in our bus getting back to the ship at 12:50.
Here I had a small puttanesca pizza for lunch, followed by a twenty five minute doze. I then walked up the Flaam valley to find the steep footpath up to the magnificent Brekkefossen waterfall. I continued up the valley, but didn't get as far as the old church, before turning back. Back at the port, I finally received my joining instructions and tour booklets for my next two Saga cruises.
Back on the ship, I updated this blog and wrote up my morning's tour. Up on the top deck it was raining as we sailed away from Flaam, so I sat under the Spaccanapoli pizzeria awning. At 6:20 I did six lengths of the warm pool in the drizzle and then spent 2 x 5 = 10 minutes in one of the jacuzzis.
At seven o'clock I arrived at the solo travellers area of La Dolce Vita where Deb was sat with newly found friends. They left as Thais arrived, followed by Robert and then by another lady from British Columbia. The three solos had a reservation at La Dame French restaurant, so I went to my favourite Hot Rocks Grill on my own. Here I had the New York blue cheese salad and the filet mignon with jacket potato and vegetable skewer as usual. I had just one glass of cider with my lovely meal. I didn't have any dessert, saving myself for the famous chocolate dessert extravanganza later in the evening in La Dolce Vita lounge.
At 9:45 I sat at the bar for the gala display. I was joined by Deb as we listened to the six Voices of Silversea singing pop songs. When DJ Rio took over, he played YMCA so we all joined in. We disco danced with Thais, Christiano and Lisa amongst others, before returning to our seats at the bar. When Deb went to bed, I stayed on hoping for some swing music in order to dance with Lisa. I went to sleep at 11:10 having done over twenty one thousand steps, equal to over eight miles of walking during the day!
I got up at eight o'clock, but was still in my luxury dressing gown / bath robe when Thu Thu arrived to service the suite, so I updated this blog whilst she worked. I then had the full American breakfast with one glass of V8 vegetable juice.
I had to work on my Copenhagen presentation ready to give my forty minute talk at eleven o'clock. I had a lot of questions to answer at the end!
At noon, I lunched on the pea soup and the seafood salad, before sleeping for an hour and a half. When I awoke, I did twelve circuits of the pool as the top deck was too wet and windy, whilst my smalls were in the tumble drier.
Back in my suite, I watched my Copenhagen talk which had appeared on the telly. I spent most of the afternoon finishing my blogs ready for uploading when I got home. At 6:30 I sat with Deb in the Venetian theatre to watch the Musicals production show. I stayed to the end to see the crew parade, before adjourning to La Dolce Vita lounge for the solos gathering.
No-one showed up, so I went down to Atlantide and was seated on my own. Then Deb, Joanne, Robert, Bruce and his wife Laurie arrived and asked me to join them. I had the spinach ravioli to start, followed by the sirloin steak and finishing with the raspberry cheese cake. I had one glass of the Australian red wine and then one glass of Bruce's Bordeaux claret. The party broke up at ten o'clock, when I was able to finish my packing. I went to bed at eleven o'clock having only done five thousand steps, equal to just two miles of walking on a wet day at sea!
I awoke at 6:40, twenty minutes before my alarm ready for my final TWO eggs Benedict in La Terrazza! I left my suite at eight o'clock and moved up to the Observation library on deck eleven. Here I chatted to Laurie & Bruce from North Carolina and a couple from San Diego.
At 9:10 orange tags were called and I descended to deck three, where I said goodbye to International Hostess Thais. Our bus was only a quarter full and left at 9:40. The city centre was remarkably quiet, as it had been two weeks previously, and so it only took half an hour to get to the airport.
Here I quickly printed my boarding pass and dropped off my large bag, getting an aisle seat in row five. I then went walkabout to the mainline and metro stations, the latter charged only 30 DKK to go into the city. I found a seat and at eleven o'clock I had some cheese, biscuits and chocolates from the ship for lunch. I had one small can of Zero Sprite to drink.
At 11:25 I started queuing for security which took forty minutes of standing in line. Once through, I finally found a power socket to charge my laptop and smart phone. At 14:10 the gate was announced and I proceeded quickly through passport control.
I was the first person to arrive at a deserted gate with locked doors and only a few seats. I dozed for half an hour only to be awoken by the American lady sat next to me, to tell me we were being led down a staircase. This proved problematic for the lame customers! At the bottom of the stairs was a small, crowded area with no seats.
Eventually we filed through the gates and into the elevated corridor. Half way down, those in the rear of the aircraft had to descend an outside staircase in the rain! They had to walk across the hardstanding and climb up the portable steps at the back of the plane. I was so glad I had moved my seat choice forward, even if the USB charging port wasn't working.
We took off only fifteen minutes late and made up the time en route as usual. I had two small cups of strong coffee to keep me awake on my evening drive home, but no food was forthcoming. Halfway through the flight I got out my laptop and updated this blog.
We landed on time and I whizzed through passport control, but had to wait for my bag to appear. I caught the tube to Hounslow West and drove off in my car. I bought the £1.99 wrap of the day from McDonalds and did some shopping in the BoMoH Co-op. I got home at 19:40 after a fabulous cruise.
There is no doubt that, after my fifth cruise on her, the splendid Silver Dawn is my all time favourite cruise ship!
7 Day cruise 7 Old ports 6 Port talks (not Bergen) 6 Silversea ships 5 Cruises on the Silver Dawn 5 Lectures (NFE & Geiranger combined) 5 Tours escorted 5 Roomed suite! 4 Cruises on the Silver Moon 3 Cruises on the Silver Spirit 3 Production shows 3 Puttanesca pizza lunches 3 Eggs Benedict breakfasts 3 Full English breakfasts 3 Atlantide dinners 3 Telephones 2 Cruises on the Silver Wind 2 La Terrazza buffet lunches 2 Toilets 1 Cable car (Voss) 1 Arts Cafe continental breakfast 1 Cruise on the Silver Muse 1 Cruise on the Silver Whisper 1 Fish & chips lunch 1 Cabaret (Jade) 1 Bidet 1 Great cruise!
Thirteen Cruise Lines:
* Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines * Saga Shipping Company * Voyages of Discovery * Seabourn (Carnival) * Princess (Carnival) * Cunard (Carnival) * P&O (Carnival) * Celebrity (RCCL) * Silversea (RCCL) * Oceania (NCL) * Marella (TUI) * Ambassador * CrystalForty Two Cruise Ships:
Silver Whisper Silver Spirit Silver Wind Silver Muse Silver Moon Silver Dawn Black Prince Black Watch Boudicca Balmoral Braemar Bolette Celebrity Silhouette Celebrity Solstice Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Edge Celebrity Apex Saga Rose Saga Ruby Saga Sapphire Saga Pearl II Quest for Adventure Spirit of Adventure (Old SofA) Spirit of Adventure (New SofA) Spirit of Discovery Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) Queen Elizabeth (QE) Queen Victoria (QV) Queen Mary 2 (QM2) P&O Arcadia P&O Aurora P&O Oriana P&O Iona Crystal Symphony Crystal Serenity Seabourn Odyssey Seabourn Sojourn Marella Explorer Oceania Sirena Ambassador Ambience Sapphire Princess VoD Discovery