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Jewel of the Seas — Norway; Arriving Flåm


Jewel of the Seas arrives to Flåm, Norway — 28 June 2022

This long, long trip began with a transatlantic voyage on 7 May aboard Vision of the Seas. And I’ve been blogging about this trip since 1 August 2022, shortly after our return. Now, five voyages and two side trips later, we’re slowly coming to an end on this extensive travel series. Today I begin a four-part look at our visit to Flåm, Norway. After that there are only two destinations left to cover, and both of those are in Norway.

Flåm, Norway, as seen from the top deck of Jewel of the Seas

If Flåm appears small, that’s because it is. The full-time population was 350 back in 2013, and I doubt that it’s much more than that today. As such, Ursula and I decided to walk through Flåm quickly so as to make for another destination. More on that in a moment, but first some views of Flåm and the surrounding terrain as seen from Jewel of the Seas:

Stepping down the gangway and onto dry land, here’s Jewel in Flåm:

Jewel of the Seas in Flåm

Our immediate destination is the rail station:

Flåm Rail Station

It is from here that we will board a train for one of the great European rail adventures — the Fmsbana (Flåm Line) connecting Flåm with the Myrdal Station on a 20.2-kilometer/12.6-mile journey on which we will ascend 866 meters/2,841 feet through the spectacular Flåmsdalen valley.

Flåmsbana (Flåm Railway)

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Fun Photo Friday — 9 Ålesund Favorites 3


“Mina Morska” — Norwegian “sea mine” from World War I

Today’s Fun Photo Friday concludes our look at Ålesund, Norway. Next week I’ll show you another Norwegian destination from 27 June 2022, the city of Flåm and a scenic journey aboard the Flåmsbana (the Flåm Railway). The Flåmsbana is rated by National Geographic as one of Europe’s best train journeys, and beginning next week I’ll show you why. Until then, here’s our final look at Ålesund from 26 June 2022:

What Happens When Your Chute Doesn’t Open
Seeing Red in Ålesund
Harald Grytten — local historian and philologist
Englandsfarten — Monument to WWII North Sea Traffic
And Even the Clocks are Accurate (11:51 a.m.)

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Jewel of the Seas — Norway; Ålesund — On Nørvøy headed back to Jewel of the Seas


Ålesund street corner across from Ålesund Kirke

With the exception of the photo above, today’s collection of Ålesund images were snapped during our leisurely trek back to the Jewel of the Seas. Some of the sights I’ve already described to you, but today’s images are included for different perspectives or were taken under afternoon conditions. Many of the images are water related. For instance, here’s the light marking the northern entrance to the Ålesundet:

Ålesund, northern entrance

This image presents the previously discussed Løvenvold Theater, and I’ve included this different perspective to give you an idea of the hilly nature of this area:

Løvenvold Theater

I’ll finish up with this photo tour of Ålesund on this week’s Fun Photo Friday. Next week it’s on another Norwegian destination. But for now I’m going to lump together the remainder of today’s photos in a photo gallery/slide show:

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