Flam, Norway

We actually started to see the sunset as we headed south in Norway. It was gorgeous. In Flam, we rode a train up to another spot. Passed a waterfall where we stopped and they told the story of how a lady comes out and sings and brings you into her cave where she turns you into a troll (think Homer...yes, I did pay attention in 9th grade History when we read the Odyssey, though I disliked it!) They had a yummy treat at the hotel at the top...coffee and small waffles with homemade raspberry jam and some sour cream/whipped cream combination. Delish! Although the apple juice I had in town was outstanding. The apples are grown, juiced and bottled right here in the Fjord. Wow!!

Norwegian sunset.

The Fjord on our way into Flam.

There is a face carved into this tree...never did discover why.

Dave and I.

Debbie and Dave

Our token troll picture.

The apple juice!

View from the train.

Waterfalls are truly everywhere.

The lady is on the left in red-orange (Jackson's favorite color).

Lake at the top.

Art, grinning!

Dave, right before he threw a snow ball...yes, in June.

Nat, Dave, Debbie and Art enjoying the local brew.

Alesund and Gerainger, Norway

We finally made it to Norway, and we were needing to do some walking so we decided not to do the bus thing. In Alesund, we all took a walking tour of the city. Dave, Debbie and I ended up cutting out mid-tour and walking up 486+ stairs to an awesome restaurant that wasn't open when we got up there. We ended up walking through the mall (wow, things are super expensive in Norway) and finding an Irish pup with Norwegian beer and free wi-fi. 

Goes through the center of town.

Another phone booth.

Houses and hotels that align the water. Can you imagine waking up to this?

A church.

Linda and her girls!

Dave and I.

The boys.

The girls.

Dave and Debbie and their beers in mug #2.

We walked up to the white domed building at the top. :)

We lucked out and the ship added a second group to the kayaking in Gerainger. So Dave and I got to go with Debbie and Dianna. We were expecting much the same as before. Well, the group was huge. Close to 30 people, in double kayaks. They didn't give us water proof anything, so it was do your best not to get wet! Dave rode in back again, but this time the kayak was bigger and our rudder worked...yay for us! Dave discovered that I do not pull as hard (at all he says) on my left side. Not true...both hands and arms hurt the next days! But we had an awesome time. And in fact, we didn't start to get wet until the rain started. Yup. We had rain. It was gorgeous though because we were in a fjord and surrounded by waterfalls, plus we had rain falling on us. Once in a life time chance, but it was definitely cold. My hands were the only thing that were really freezing! All was worth it though because we ended up in an amazing chocolate shop to warm up. He made all his own chocolates and cut a few for us to try with our hot chocolate...which he made by steaming his milk and then giving us a shot glass of chocolate chips to stir in (we all chose dark). He had chocolate covered norwegian sweet cheese that was divine. His other one that we tried that was out of the norm was chocolate covered blue cheese...sounds gross, but wow! 

The best hot chocolate ever!

Trying to warm up!

Still smiling.

Waterfall running right through the middle of town.

Dave and I.

After walking through town, we were hungry so we got pizza and the token beer. Pizza (which is one of the best selling foods in Norway) was a little sweeter, but still good and Debbie and Dave enjoyed their beer!

The trolls are everywhere in Norway. 

A viking ship.

The Seven Sisters waterfall down the Fjord.

It just comes off the rocks!

Beautiful!

Lerwick and Scalloway, Shetland Islands, Scotland

The Shetland Islands were probably one of my favorite stops. Dave and the golfers golfed because golf originated in Scotland. They had an awesome time, although they had to walk the entire course, and this course was not flat by any means. Since they golfed, Linda, Dianna and I took a walking tour of Lerwick, and then jumped on a bus (there's the bus again although this one they made us put on our seat belts...not a bad thing especially because we drove on the opposite side of the road) to Scalloway to see a castle and the Shetland ponies. The architecture in Lerwick was amazing. In fact, just looking at the rooftops was definitely a highlight. 

View from the ship as we docked.

Getting ready to take our tour and this was on the left.

A cannon at the fort in Lerwick.

I can't remember what this building is...but I loved it.

Another view...closer up.

Yes, that is a telephone booth...they still exist, although we did not see anyone use them. At least my kids will see them in pictures!

In between their houses, they had these walkways...this was their longest one. And it went on for a ways.

This walkway had stairs...would be an awesome photo site!

Building in the water. Kind of wonder how they built it...

Rooftops.

We went to Scalloway Castle next. It was an amazing three story castle that was still preserved on the outside. It would have been three stories when it was built (1700's), but the Earle who lived there was not a nice person so they didn't try and preserve it when he left (he was eventually be-headed). 

Inside the castle

More insides, you can see where the floors would have been,

View of the castle looking up.

Scalloway Castle...

Last, but not least, we visited some Shetland ponies. They are just as strong as a clydesdale horse for their size...and we decided that Charlie is as tall as a shetland pony...ha! In fact, when Dianna asked when Addison was getting one, I replied that she already had one! The babies had just been born in May, so they were all over the place. 

Mamma and her baby.

The herd..

They were helping each other get rid of their winter coat. 

I just love their signage....Yield!