During the night the winds picked up in the North Sea.The entrance to Nordfjord is treacherous and the captain was very concerned if we would be able to make a safe passage and make our way to Olden.
He did a good job and we arrive safely. Olden is a very small town of 1000 residents. Walk off the ship and you are in the center of the town. The scenery is georgeous.
Our tour today is about an hour's bus ride and then a boat cruise on the Geriangerfjord, one of the most scenic in Norway. The road is very narrow but traffic is almost non existant. When we meet a bus from the other direction the driver must slow and run with half the bus on the shoulder. The countryside is pretty, small farms, rugged terrain with many waterfalls.
Fuel is very expensive here, about 8 or 9 USD per gallon. Many vehicles are electric, and the country is on goal to be fossil fuel free by 2035. Much of the power is generated by small hydroelectric plants, most of which are totally concealed from view.
It rains on and off most of the way. Cunard has organized most tours into english speaking and german speaking. Unfortunately those instructions must have been in english as many non english speaking germans wind up on the english tour.
The fjord is picturesque. There are many waterfalls, with more than the usual amounts of water due to all the recent rain. The water originates from the melting glaciers and lakes in the mountains. The catermaran carries about 150 passengers, it is nearly full with just a few empty seats inside. We are all treated to a belgian waffle and a cup of coffee. The rain comes and goes.
Back on the bus we are the last of three busses to leave, but we are short one passenger. Anxious calls to the tour office and it is thought he may be on one of the other busses. We leave regardless.
Shortly at a photostop overlooking the fjord we are treated to a rainbow. The other busses are already there and it is confirmed the missing passenger is on the other bus. Of course the other busses leave long before ours, as three passengers consistantly can't seem to get back to the bus on time.
The driver isn't quite sure where the tour is supposed to go, and the guide needs to keep directing him. A few more unscheduled stops. The ship starts calling us when we haven't arrived at our scheduled time. The tour guide cares less and says we are on the way and will be there in a few minutes. 25 would have been more accurate. Overall it was a good tour for a drizzly foggy day.
Back on the ship with 30 minutes to spare before sailaway.
Dining room food continues to be good. Service overall is excellent.
Anna-Jane Cassey a very talented singer from London is half of our show today. Probably one of the most professional and talented perfomers I have encountered on a ship. She has be continuously employed in theater her entire career.
Tonight we depart for Bergen, our next port of call.