Ferry Trip from Bergen to Balestrand


We got an early start and rolled our luggage up and down the cobblestone streets to the ferry dock. 







We took a ferry ride from the Bergen Harbor traveling through the fjords to Balestrand which is on the Sognefjord. Sognefjord is the largest and deepest fjord in Norway stretching 250 kilometers inland from the western ocean shore. For over a century, a boat has followed this same route carrying passengers along with goods such as fresh fish and cattle for slaughter. The original trip took 21 hours including all the stops to load and unload goods and supplies. In 1971, the trip was revolutionized with the introduction of a passengers-only express boat that now takes only 4 hours. It was a very comfortable way to travel!



Balestrand is one of the classic tourist destinations in Norway hosting writers, artists (who wanted to paint the beautiful fjords surrounded by mountains) and international royalty over the years. German Kaiser Wilhelm II would spend several weeks every summer in Balestrand until the start of WWI abruptly ended that!



Our arrival at Balestrand also gave us a first glimpse of Tjugum Church, located across the fjord "arm," Esefjorden located on the north side of Sognefjord. We had seen postcards and photos of Tjugum Church in the materials we had from Greg's mother from her visit to Norway in the late '70's.




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