Alesund

I want to make a quick note here that I may not post some days and some I may post two or three entries. I keep notes, but it isn't always possible to get online. Often because of our ships position, we have no satellite service. I do check email and see comments that I share with Bob, but Internet is quite expensive here on ship, so I won't answer now, but I will later and we love seeing your comments. Thanks so much for following along. The blog is fun to write, plus it helps me feel connected and not quite so far from home.

I awoke at 6:00 A.M. With Bob saying, "Cherie, get up, you have to see this!" There we were out on our balcony in our pajamas clicking pictures right and left. We were easing up a fjord to the village of Alesund. It was breathtakingly, teary eyed, giving thanks, beautiful!

            

As soon as we docked, we hurried to shower and get some breakfast down. Everyone had the same idea and the dining room was packed. We ended up sharing a table with some friendly English speaking people and then we were delighted to learn that they were Aussies from the Brisbane area. The lady (whose name I haven't learned yet) was traveling with her son, her brother and sister in law. Her husband had passed a few years ago and she pushed us to go and do while we could as we don't know what tomorrow will bring. That theme seems to keep popping up. We had the greatest conversation and said our good byes vowing to meet up again on the ship.

We learned it was a holiday in town, so most shops and services were closed. We packed up some water, snacks, and our cameras and left the ship. It was fresh and gorgeous in the air. We picked up a map at the dock and set out to explore. We had decided not to take an excursion as we just wanted to go out on our own. We walked through town and found the park with a path and 451 steps up the side of a mountain to a lookout. It looked rough, but Bob promised to go easy on me with frequent gasping stops to catch my breath. Others on the trail were friendly and encouraging and told us to keep smiling. Of course, they were on their way down. Each turn brought such spectacular views that it gave me energy.

When we got to the top, it was a real sense of accomplishment, but we met up with others who were happy they were there too and they had ridden the bus or tram. Oh well. I did it and have the shaky legs to prove it.

We learned that Alesund once had all wooden structures but had had a horrible fire that wiped out the town. Kaiser Wilhelm used to vacation there and helped with funding the reconstruction. They used architects from all over and built the town with brick and concrete. Many of the structures have ornate flowers and decorations on them.

We wanted to find the museum and church, but with all of the morning coffee, it became important to find a restroom or toilet, as they call them. We saw signs for toilets, but everything was closed. We finally, with determination, entered a local pub. They were polite, but not very friendly. It didn't matter. We used their facilities and found ourselves relaxing with a beer at 11:30 in the morning.

We found the museum up another steep walk, which was closed but had outdoor displays, a great view and informative posters to read. We had to get a picture of this tiny ship, the Brudeegget. Four men traveled 5 winter months from Norway to north of Boston in this first covered lifeboat.

We also saw many interesting statues dedicated to the fishing industry and to men lost at sea.

We saw the old church, but weren't able to go inside.

We went back to the ship, had a lovely snack on our balcony and then found perfect deck lounges in the sun while listening to a small band play island music. All seemed very right with the world as I watched an older woman walk by with a spring in her step as she stopped for a couple of cute cha cha moves and then continued on. I think we're all feeling content.

Oh, and here is a picture from the ship of the lookout up the mountain we climbed.

We set sail at 4:00, again snapping pictures all the way. After a delicious dinner, a "Welcome Back" appreciation cocktail party,  more conversation with our Swedish friends, Myra & Louie, and a fun show with 40s swing music by the Royal Caribbean cast, we turned in for the night. We felt we'd earned it as we pulled the curtains on the brightly shining sun at 10:45.