Eidfjord
Day 15
During the night we entered the
Hardanger Fjord and
began making out way up to the end and the community of
Eidfjord. At
6:30 am I detected a change in the ship motion and sound and peered
out to find we were fjording. Again we had steep walls on both sides
of us which were so high they were barren of trees on the top, above
the tree-line. The shores were rocky and the cliffs generally came
right to the water in most places. Farms and small communities
appeared now and then in steeply sloped spots. Many waterfalls could
be seen. At 9:20am we secured to the pier, port side overlooking the
fjord, starboard side overlooking town. That made our side the fjord
view.
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| typical scene |
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| approaching bridge |
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| one of many waterfalls |
The town has a population of about
900 and hosts about 500,000 visitors a year. It is located at the end
of Hardangerfjord in Eidfjord. This is a walk-off port which means we
may troop down the gangplank and walk to cafes, restaurants, shops,
museums and such. The town was busy gearing up for a mini Iron Man
triathlon and was busy with many people and bicycles. People from all
over the world are visiting and the languages we overheard were many.
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| Eidfjord logo/crest |
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| Eidfjord |
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| Eidfjord | | | |
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| view from our deck while at Eidsfjord |
For the morning we took an organized
ship tour up country. Just as we were leaving the ship the ships
alarms went off and the crew rushed to their emergency stations for
abandon-ship drill. We knew about this but the shore people didn't so
it was fun to watch their reaction. This line has several practices
and drills a cruise, only two of which the passengers are involved
in; two emergency station boat drills where we report to our assigned
life boat, receive a briefing and review life jacket procedures.
The tour bus hauled the jolly company
along the white water river through tunnel after tunnel, climbing in
altitude until we reached the Fosssli Hotel where we climbed down and
observed Norway's most famous waterfall Vøringfossen.
I think it has a drop of something close to 600'.
Then
after driving higher along narrow roads and past many summer homes we
stopped at Sysendam, a huge rock wall dam and reservoir overlooking
the valley. Rain began just as we returned to the bus. So far we
have been very lucky weather wise.
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| Voringfossen |
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| view from Sysendam |
Back
down to Eidfjord the same way, as that is the only road. I noticed
many cars pulling camping trailers and many small campgrounds. Also,
there are many bicycles about. Bicycles are not permitted in the many
tunnels so cyclists are supposed to use the old road that runs
parallel to the new tunnel road. The old road by replaced due to
falling rock danger. Maybe that is why many bike riders wear helmets.
On the way back the rain stopped, the sun reappeared and we stopped
at HardangerviddaNatursenter for an 8 screen audio/video Imax type adventure over
the fjords and glaciers and a walk through the displays of the nature
center. A large gift-shop and restaurant were next door, the roof of
which is of turf and two goats were munching the greenery.
Continuing
the tour we arrived back in town, dropped our day bags off aboard
ship and returned to town for a walk around. We found fresh
strawberries at the grocery store, molte jam and a detailed chart of
the waters of Northern Norway. We visited an art gallery then
strolled back aboard and waited on deck for departure. At 5:40pm the
lines were slipped and we pulled out into the fjord. Just ahead, in a
side fjord, a rainbow appeared. Until dark we watched the scenery as
we passed back through Hardangerfjord. Easy to see why this is the
fjord of the year.
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| downtown | |
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| Leaving Eidsfjord |
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| fjord scene |
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| MS Rotterdam at Eidsfjord |
The
noon report showed: 60º
28.08'N and 007º
03.96'E, at the pier. Speed 0. Temperature 57º
Wind 4. Humidity 84%. Sunrise 0517. Sunset 2156. 592 nm to next port.
Total voyage 3,745nm.
God
Natt (goo-naht), Norwegian for “Good Night.”
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