Exploring Bergen

We enjoyed wonderful scenery sailing up the Bergen Fjord. The landscape here is very hilly. The Norwegians have a penchant for painting their houses white (with either red or the more modern black tiled roofs) and their outbuildings red whether they be barns or boathouses. All buildings seem to be perched atop bedrock. These colours showing between the evergreens and birch make for some stunning scenery.
Our shore excursion was a hike up Mount Floyen. We met our guide, a Portuguese marine biologist!, at 9:00 a.m. On our walk to the famous Floybanen Funicular (the most popular attraction in Norway according to some), we strolled past the Bergenhus Fortress parts of which were built around 1250. He then took us through the historic waterfront of Bergen known as Bryggen. It has the largest collection of wooden buildings from the Hanseatic League left in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The buildings give the appearance of holding each other up leaning on each other for support and that if one fell down the rest would be sure to follow.
We took the funicular to where we began our hike up the mountain. Of course, the Norwegians walk up to where we began our hike - they are so fit, I am sure they look on us as wimps for cutting our walk by a third. Norma and I were quite pleased with ourselves as we made it all the way to the top above the tree line. I added a stone to the cairn at the top. Most of it was uphill in 30 degree Celsius heat. Bergen broke a heat record yesterday. On the way we enjoyed a few breaks by beautiful clear lakes and as we got above the tree line, spectacular views of the city and the numerous fjords. After the ride back on the funicular, we were left to explore on our own, so we ventured to the fish market. The ship's chef took advantage of the market to load up on fresh fish which we plan to order for dinner every chance we get. We shopped for souvenirs in the Bryggen area and then returned to the ship after 5 hours on our feet. Needless to say we enjoyed our afternoon naps, I didn't even hear the blast of the horn and the captain's announcement that we were leaving. There was a cocktail "block party" where we gathered in the corridors to meet our neighbours before going to dinner at one of the specialty restaurants with Anne and another couple. Tomorrow a sea day and a chance to do nothing but relax.