Geiranger- June 27

Early this morning I got up and watched us as we sailed into the small town of Hellesylt to let some passengers off for a trekking excursion. It was a sail through a narrow channel and snow could be seen on the surrounding mountain tops. Birds were chirping as the green trees and mountains glided by. I keep using the word "amazing" because it is amazing around every turn.

After dropping people off at about 6:30 for a hiking/trekking tour,  we sailed along to Geiranger- arriving at about 8:00. The reflections in the water were just unbelievable. This town has 240 citizens and in the 3 month season 600,000 tourists come this way for kayaking, hiking, camping and cruising. We were the only cruise ship in port today and that was great. Tomorrow the Queen Mary II with 3000 passengers will be there. Can't imagine! 

Many farmers are no longer farming but are now involved in tourist related businesses. 

In the town the doctor visits on Wednesday and any medical emergencies require waiting 2 hours for the ambulance to come to drive you 2 hours back to the hospital OR taking a helicopter. All banking transactions are made via ATM. Interesting life style. 

We were tendered into Geiranger and met by buses that began our journey up to the 5000 foot peak of Mount Dalsnibba. The road was curvy and finally became a dirt road to the top of the mountain. Our driver was excellent and a really funny man. He told us the bus had a bathroom but only women could use it. OR men could go but they had to promise to sit down. Guess he had to clean the bathroom. 

Much of the road we traveled is closed in the winter because it is covered in 40-50 feet of snow. The Deep Lake we passed was beginning to melt and the water was blue for lack of oxygen. We saw lots of small cabins that are not accessible when the road is closed- some second home!  The cabins looked pretty remote to me anyway. Clearly not a spot for a house swap.

We did see four reindeer heading up into the mountains. The reindeer are white in the winter to blend in with the snow and light brown the rest of the year. These were in the midst of changing colors. Animals native to the area are also moose, white foxes, deer and lemmings. 

Lemmings, these rodent like creatures, multiple so fast that every 4-5 years there is such a shortage of food that the creatures throw themselves off a cliff....thus the term" following like lemmings to the sea."

We stopped several times for "amazing" views and after the summit we came back down to a hotel and had a wonderful coffee and cake snack. All around the summit and up the road we saw piles of ricks. The tradition is that if you make a pile of rocks of at least 4 rocks you will come back to this area next year.  Sure saw lots of piles f rocks that make you think folks believe this idea and want to come back. It was a very beautiful place.

When we got back to the ship we rested a moment and went to the 11th deck to watch a Norwegian choir from the area brought on board just to sing as we saild away. Perfect ending to a perfect day!!!

Had a great dinner and at 10:15 PM when we are headed to bed it is bright outside. The sun is in the sky. Strange!