jin loves to eat: Scandinavia Trip Day 4: Voss, Gudvangen, Flam

After a carbolicious breakfast at Scandic Bergen City’s Restaurant Amalie, we board the bus for a 1.5-hour ride to Voss.

On the way, we see…

Lakes and tiny wooden houses (well, at least they look tiny from our bus)

Bridge and church

More wooden houses and bits of snow on top of the mountains

Real snow-capped mountains this time, and a frozen river, too! I suddenly dream of becoming a figure skater. I imagine myself gliding and twirling as light as a feather on thin ice and OOOPS! The ice suddenly cracks under my weight. I fall into the water and freeze to death. Feather and me, I don’t think it’s a match.

We have a 5-minute stop at this site just quick enough for a group photo op (and lots and lots of solo pics. Ha!) That’s Vibson, Me, Frances, Felisse, Ernest, and Erwin.

Then we’re back on the road again to continue our journey to Gudvangen Fjordtell. This time we see…

More wooden houses and snow-capped mountains

Waterfalls

Gushing white water rivers. I so want to go rafting here!

Snow, snow, snow

Finally, we arrive Gudvangen Fjordtell where we board the ferry for the 2-hour cruise
that will take us to Flam

One of the soldiers that guard the entrance

But first, we make a quick run to the souvenir shop

Felisse and I luurrrve these boots

That’s our ferry on the left

Boarding time!

Auntie Anita, Auntie Jacky, Auntie Baby, Auntie Atis, Auntie Rosie, Uncle Harry,
Uncle Boon Tian, Auntie Nita, Florence, Frances, Felisse

We cruise along the scenic Nærøyfjord, one of the many fjordarms in the 204-km long Sognefjord, but the most scenic and dramatic of all. In fact, in 2005, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

To say that it is breathtaking is simply an understatement. The water is so serene you see in it a clear reflection of nature’s magnificence.

Pristine white seagulls soar above, and we take turns capturing the beauties in action.

Frances’s bird shots:

Vibson’s bird shots:

My bird shots:

Nyahaha! But they are flying too fast!!!

This one’s a little bit better, but I give up!

So I just take a photo of Auntie Babie and Frances.
They are not birds, I know, but they are chicks! Winking smile

Other people trying their luck with the seagulls

Stripey pair

Uncle William, Uncle Boon Tian and Uncle Frank

8 Aunties and an Uncle

Errr… Rose and Jack wannabes, this is NOT Titanic

If you’re lazy to drive, the ferry will take your car in, too

Calmness

Speeding up a bit

As we cruise closer to Flam, we see houses dotting the foot of the mountains

There’s a lovely small community

And wooden houses built on stilts

A long and skinny waterfall, too

Felisse so badly wants a photo of herself feeding the seagulls, but after standing and waiting with her arm stretched out for half a day, no seagull would go near her Skyflakes

That is until she finally gets lucky when one big and hungry seagull swoops down and snatches her cracker

Big seagull is starving. Is it time for lunch yet???

This place looks like there’s food in it. Yey!

Our “Welcome to Flam” group picture

Bye bye, ride!

Lunch today is at Furukroa Restaurant

Buffet spread:

Breads Salad and cold appetizers

Salmon prepared different ways Desserts

My plates:

Cream of asparagus Salmon, penne, beef, fish cake, etc.

Smoked and baked salmon Pudding, mousse, fruit cocktail

I especially love this area of the restaurant. So warm and cozy.

And this chandelier made from wooden branches is just brilliant and rustic

After eating we check in at Fretheim Hotel, settle in our rooms, tour the old (but so much prettier) wing of the hotel, and set out to stroll around Flam.

Turns out Flam is not a very big place. Tucked in the innermost corner of the Aurlandfjord, Flam is a small jewel of a town surrounded by steep mountainsides, waterfalls and deep valleys. There’s not much to do, but really, you don’t come to Flam to do anything (except maybe fishing).

You come here to relax, recharge, breathe fresh air, and simply exist in the paradise that it is.

Flam