 View
up the fjord on the ferry from Gudvagen to Lærdal, a two hour fifty
minute ride. This was our longest ferry ride and gave us the best
view of a fjord from the water on this trip. Other fjords with
even better views were recommended but we ran out of time to go on
them. (Next time!)
The Flämsbana, a spectacular train ride that climbs over 866 meters
in the length of the valley is something else we missed (again due to
time constraints) Many have told me that this is a ride to make
time for. If the trip on and from the ferry had been ten minutes
shorter we would have made it. |
|
 The
Fläm church is at the original location of the town by the same
name. Sharon's great-great-grandfather immigrated from
the
Fläm valley. We went up the steep
valley on a "very" small road looking for the area where the
farm was located.  Although
we didn't find the actual site we have a good idea of what rough terrain
the farm had to have been on. The picture at the left is looking across
this narrow valley and down into the deep floor 200-300 meters
below. One can easily imagine how difficult earning a living here
must have been. |
 The
road trip from Lærdal to Fläm went through a new tunnel 24.5 km long,
the longest car tunnel in the world. It took over 20 minutes driving
time to get through it. At the 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 points there are
widened areas with intense blue and yellow lighting  for
those of faint heart who have trouble being under mountains. Like
all the tunnels we passed through this one had many curves and both
climbed and descended within the mountain. (On the way back to
Lærdal we stopped in the middle to take a picture just so I could show
you what it was like.) |
|
Many of the older tunnels were dark from many
years of accumulated dirt and exhaust. The tunnel's darkness plus
narrowness made meeting trucks
and buses a bit harrowing at times. The newer tunnels are wider and
better lit. Still going back and forth from bright sun to near total
darkness was a difficult adjustment for the eyes.
Speaking of darkness, since this was nearing the summer solstice it
never really got dark.  Sunset
was close to 11 PM and sunrise came very early in the AM. In
between was twilight! This picture was taken at 1 AM across
the fjord at Sogndal (You can tell it is night by the lights on buildings
near the water in the center of the picture!). There was still
enough light for my poor eyes to read typed text if I stood by the window.
A fun experience! |
