Day five (cont), Bergen, Ulriken & home

****NB**** Due to the vagaries of Blogger, this is the LAST posting, if you want to go to the beginning, use the menu on the right, or just click HERE


This replica of a Viking ship was tucked away in a dock near to the Fonnafly planes.

I though it such a shame that it wasn't on show more.

People sitting out in the sunshine, drinking. They must have all been millionaires - have you SEEN the price of alcohol in Norway {;-0

Famous for it's buildings, Bergen is a tourist magnet.

Also famous is the fish market.

All fresh, and all looking deliciously tempting.

But maybe not this!

Alongside the whale meat - fresh seal meat and blubber.

I made my way to the base of the cable car for the trip to the top of Ulriken mountain.

Another 'must do', especially on such a clear day as this.

How LUCKY were we to get this weather? The captain said it rains every other day in Bergen!

WOW!

Arcadia looks small from up here.

At the top, we all got off for the pictures.

This is the marker for the summit at 642 metres.

Back down again, we toured the city and it's beautiful buildings up close.

Even the manhole covers are special.

Then, it was back on board Arcadia for our last leg homeward.

Tonihgt, we dined in the Orchid restaurant.

If you click on this picture for a larger version, you will be able to see the 

mouth-watering menu.

What can I say?

Drinks on board were surprisingly fairly priced.

Lots of sea air available on deck.

With this clear sky, I was looking forward to yet another good sunset.

Course after course of perfection.

Here we go.........

I watched the stunning sunset, before going back in for sweet - my very favourite - creme brulee!

There's always something to do on these cruises, and one offering on this one was a trip around the galley.

Well, to a foodie like me, there was no question!

Stainless, everything.

Attention to detail is everything down here.

Then, it was back to the restaurant for the 'chocoholics delight'.

The pastry chefs were REALLY showing off their creative side.

No wonder they say you put on half a stone per week on a cruise.

My choices.

I wish I was more hungry to do all this justice!

A chocolate eagle - why not?

The cruise was coming to an end.

I went on deck, melancholy at the thought of the end.

This had been the perfect cruise, and as I stared at Arcadia's signature in the waves, I counted myself very lucky.

You can see a video of the Arcadia signature, click HERE

You can see a collection of videos HERE 

Day five, Bergen charter flight.

Today saw us berth in Bergen, our last port of call. Before the cruise, I heard there was a light aircraft flight that could be booked through P&O, but when I enquired, I was told they didn't do that anymore.
Not to be put off, I investigated further, and got in contact with Fonnafly in Bergen; WEBSITE
They told me that they'd been dropped by P&O, but I could still book a flight privately. Long story short, I booked the plane, five seats at £125 a seat. I took the chance I could sell the others to other passengers. How right I was - I could have sold them ten times over!
I can only say it was one of the best decisions I made on this trip - the flight was about 50 minutes, and you just HAVE to do it if you go there.

Anyway, we tied up, had breakfast, and left the ship.

A dream in white - she looks stunning in the sunshine.

Fonnafly planes in Bergen harbour.

Ulrich, our pilot, fired up the plane, did his checks, and we were off!

Looking over to Arcadia. 

All too soon, we were looking down to Arcadia, as we flew out over the harbour.

Cool in his shades - Ulrich the pilot.

He took us over fjords, glaciers and the city.

We saw sights only WE would see on this cruise.

Inaccessible valleys.......

Innominate lakes........

Rock cliffs, islands.......

Remote roads.....

...and best of all - GLACIERS!

It passed very quickly, and all too soon, we had Arcadia in sight again.

Ulrich flew around her in a wide circle to allow pictures.

We made a perfect landing, and taxied back to the Fonnafly dock.

Time for lunch - we still had the rest of the day in Bergen.