Bergen, Norway - our last stop

Bergen, on the west coast of Norway, is Norway’s second largest city. We were happy to see that our ferry docked near the center of old town and it was just a short walk to our hotel.

While walking to our hotel, we passed the fish market with vendors selling reindeer and moose sausage, every variety of fish imaginable, and caviar. The signs urged us to “bring home a a piece of Norway” but we knew better. No meats or vegetables are allowed through U.S. Customs!

Our hotel was next to the Bergenhus Fortress, which was built in the 13th Century to house the King, and it included a huge banquet hall.

Bergen’s old town, known as the Hanseatic Quarter, was a fun and interesting place to explore.

We rode the funicular up Mount Fløyen for a beutiful view of the city and the fjords, and we found a troll garden too!

One of the restaurants in Bergen had whale on the menu, so of course we had to try it. We were told that it is best served medium or medium rare, so I had mine medium rare and it was delicious. I asked and found out that it was a minke whale, and Norway is one of the few countries that harvests whales. No, it didn’t taste like chicken, it tasted and looked like beef! Bob’s reindeer was delicious, too.

When we were talking about where we should travel we thought about going as far north as possible for a chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis, but it just didn’t suit to go that far north. We didn’t see it in Scandinavia, but a few weeks later after we arrived home, we looked out our back windows and there it was!

It was a great vacation, filled with beautiful scenery, delicious food, and new friends, but it’s always good to be home.