Rare PATRLR Posted July 16 #126 Share Posted July 16 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Esprit said: with no high street retail therapy available would not make her a happy bunny So be sure to keep her away from Skjolden. I was surprised at just how little retail there is in Skjolden. It was actually refreshing to be able to see a village and not be overwhelmed with tourist (or much any kind of) shops. Edited July 16 by PATRLR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 16 Author #127 Share Posted July 16 1 hour ago, PATRLR said: So be sure to keep her away from Skjolden. I was surprised at just how little retail there is in Skjolden. It was actually refreshing to be able to see a village and not be overwhelmed with tourist (or much any kind of) shops. I know. On our 3 hour tour today, I don’t remember even going though one gift shop! 😂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 16 Author #128 Share Posted July 16 (edited) 1 hour ago, PATRLR said: We did a RIB tour up this fjord. We learned that many of these houses are no longer lived in, some completely derelict, others just used as vacation or holiday homes. For example, in the picture below we have what looks like a quaint village and indeed for many years dozens of families lived there (I think he said 100-200 inhabitants). Now, only one family still lives there and many of the "houses" are abandoned or only used occasionally. The square white building at the far left of the picture is the former school house, long ago abandoned. The area is still used for agriculture, just only one family still lives there. Our guide told us many of the "homes" we see along the fjord are similar situations. Thanks, that kind of makes sense. But I have to say, the properties sure looked well managed. Just after posting this, we turned the corner and saw this fjord coastline community. So my guess is some instances not all communities are only made up of summertime vacationers. Here’s where we were at when we passed this community. Edited July 16 by Ken the cruiser 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 16 Author #129 Share Posted July 16 (edited) What a fun night! After another tasty dinner in the Reserve DR, we headed to the theater to watch this new high tech production show, 5-SK1-E-5! As usual there were plenty of seats available 30 minutes before showtime. But 10 minutes before, not so much. Here are some scenes from this new show, or it was at least new to us. The CD said it took the stage crew 6-7 hours to set it up and another 6-7 hours to break it back down. Then we headed to Princess Live to participate in the very entertaining game show, Rock The Room, where the audience plays a very active role! 😂 Edited July 16 by Ken the cruiser 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 16 Author #130 Share Posted July 16 Day 5 - Jul 17 - Olden, Norway 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 16 Author #131 Share Posted July 16 (edited) After posting the above around 10:30 pm, I went out on the balcony to check out this rock we were passing by. Then I glanced towards the bow to see where we were heading and saw this! Yes! We finally get to hopefully watch our first sunset of the cruise from our balcony! Then as we continued to move closer towards the sunset, the colors really started to come out! Then an opening appeared and the ship was turning towards it. Then off in the distance, we saw a wind turbine farm with blinking lights! This sunset was just getting cooler and cooler! Then I looked back, and the colors from the sunset were reflecting off this rock formation, which was now behind us! Once the ship finished making its “S” turn through the opening, we were finally able to see the sunset just as the sun dipped behind the island in front of us! What a way to end an awesome day!! 😁 Edited July 16 by Ken the cruiser 34 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PATRLR Posted July 16 #132 Share Posted July 16 4 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said: Just after posting this, we turned the corner and saw this fjord coastline community. So my guess is some instances not all communities are only made up of summertime vacationers. Agreed. After my post I saw what I am certain were many robust communities off the port side. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 16 Author #133 Share Posted July 16 Our Olden excursion tomorrow. We’re hopefully going to be able to get pretty close to the Briksdal Glacier! 😁 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 17 Author #134 Share Posted July 17 (edited) We have arrived at Olden, Norway! This will be the route we will probably be taking back to the glacier. And this is looking back from whence we came. Hopefully those clouds will stay back there! 😂 Edited July 17 by Ken the cruiser 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 17 Author #135 Share Posted July 17 (edited) We sure are glad we switched from the 2-hour roundtrip hiking version of this excursion to using the “troll car” to get us back to the Briksdal Glacier! 😁 The first part of the tour was by bus to the Briksdal Inn. Jostedal Glacier A closer view of the Jostedal Glacier These are the troll cars we switched to once we arrived at the Briksdal Inn. Both my DW and I were in the last bus of three arriving at the Inn, which meant by the time we got to the troll cars, the only seats left were the single seats next to the driver. As it turned out, those were the best seats. At least we thought so! 😁 This was my view from the lower front seat next to the driver! And we’re off for our drive back to the glacier! We then arrived at the final stop where we had to walk the final 550 yards. We were allowed approximately 60 minutes before having to come back for the return troll car ride back to the Inn. Fireweed Briksdal Glacier But the return troll car ride offered some beautiful scenery as well! After enjoying the provided snacks and either coffee or tea at the Inn, we had plenty of time to explore the area before getting back on the bus. Common Tansy Bellflowers Then it was time to head back to the ship, admiring all the waterfalls and scenery along the way! 😁 Even saw some cows! This little Common Chaffinch landed pretty much at my feet just to say hello and have its picture taken! 😂 BTW we are sure glad we did a morning excursion, as the rain finally showed up around 3 pm. Edited July 17 by Ken the cruiser 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogladyrider Posted July 17 #136 Share Posted July 17 @Ken the cruiser..WOW just STUNNING photos and looks like a great excursion! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 17 Author #137 Share Posted July 17 1 minute ago, Hogladyrider said: @Ken the cruiser..WOW just STUNNING photos and looks like a great excursion! Thanks! Norway is an awesome country and these last two ports have really been over the top when it comes to some offering some unique scenery! Who knew Norway had some many glaciers! When we were here back in 2018 on a HAL cruise, a tour guide told us they all disappeared 20,000 years ago! 😂 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esprit Posted July 17 #138 Share Posted July 17 48 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said: BTW we are sure glad we did a morning excursion, as the rain finally showed up around 3 pm. It's been said often about Norway. If it's not raining, then it's snowing! 😂 Superb pictures Ken 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 17 Author #139 Share Posted July 17 And we’re off! Next stop Stavanger, Norway at around 10 am tomorrow morning! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phabric Posted July 17 #140 Share Posted July 17 I have been to Norwegian Fjords 3x and think Norway is more scenic than Alaska. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 17 Author #141 Share Posted July 17 2 minutes ago, phabric said: I have been to Norwegian Fjords 3x and think Norway is more scenic than Alaska. I have to agree with that. But there is A LOT MORE visible wildlife in Alaska, both on land and in the sea. 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PATRLR Posted July 17 #142 Share Posted July 17 3 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said: BTW we are sure glad we did a morning excursion, as the rain finally showed up around 3 pm. You got that right. We did the Loen Lake and Kjenndal Glacier cruise (via Olden Adventure) and were on the early cruise. This was our view of the Kjenndal Glacier - look at that sky! After this we had a snack and coffee and by the time we boarded the boat for the return cruise it was raining. It was as if the skies cleared just enough for us to get some magnificent views. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PATRLR Posted July 17 #143 Share Posted July 17 39 minutes ago, phabric said: I have been to Norwegian Fjords 3x and think Norway is more scenic than Alaska. 33 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said: I have to agree with that. But there is A LOT MORE visible wildlife in Alaska, both on land and in the sea. 😁 Agreed 100%. Scenery is superior in these fjords, but far more wildlife in Alaska. I think the only animals we've see are sheep and cows at various farms 🙂 ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare karatemom2 Posted July 17 #144 Share Posted July 17 Thank you for sharing this wonderful live review. We just returned from the 6/15 cruise and loved everything about our experience and the beauty of Norway. We are regular Alaska cruisers as well and our son lives in Anchorage, so I quite love Alaska as well and find it equally as beautiful in different ways. Both places are amazing and choosing between them would be like picking a favorite child - impossible! I will enjoy following along as you continue on the Baltic segment as we are considering that itinerary for next year! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Justpackingmybags Posted July 17 #145 Share Posted July 17 Oh @Ken the cruiser, thanks to your wonderful photos of Norway, I’ve only gone and booked the summer solstice cruise on Sky to the North Cape in June 2026! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 17 Author #146 Share Posted July 17 (edited) Tonight after dinner we went to the theater to watch a truly hilarious comedian who very effectively intertwined comedy into his magic acts and kept everyone laughing throughout the show! Here he successfully stuck a sewing needle through a balloon. I’m sure their was a “trick” to doing it, but he had us laughing the whole time and that’s what made it so fun to watch! 😂 Then it was time to head to Princess Live to watch the always funny Liar’s Club! Edited July 17 by Ken the cruiser 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 17 Author #147 Share Posted July 17 (edited) Day 6 - July 18 - Stavanger Our excursion tomorrow is going to be a pretty relaxing one, as compared to the ones we’ve been on the last 3 days, and we get to sleep in too. Yay! 😁 Not much of a sunset tonight. But at least we’ll have the option of seeing them from our balcony as we continue to head in a southerly direction on this leg of the cruise. 😁 Edited July 17 by Ken the cruiser 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Meer Posted July 17 #148 Share Posted July 17 4 hours ago, PATRLR said: Agreed 100%. Scenery is superior in these fjords, but far more wildlife in Alaska. I think the only animals we've see are sheep and cows at various farms 🙂 ! On a week’s Alaska cruise and one week pre-cruise tour, we saw 1 bear and a few goats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted July 17 Author #149 Share Posted July 17 4 minutes ago, Lady Meer said: On a week’s Alaska cruise and one week pre-cruise tour, we saw 1 bear and a few goats! That’s too bad. We were just there in May for 22 days on the Grand Princess and took photos of a bunch of wildlife (see Live From in my below signature area). However, I will say we only saw bears on excursions in Sitka and Haines and only in protected habitats. But we did see some fresh bear scat a few times along the roadside. So they were definitely around. We also saw either Humpback and Gray whales at most of the ports, especially while on excursions in Sitka, Juneau, and Ketchikan along with a bunch of bald eagles at all the ports as well as quite the variety of other bird life along with plenty of otters, seals, goats, and even a few porcupines. But again, most of the time we were on excursions when we saw them. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTrail Posted July 18 #150 Share Posted July 18 I'm loving this thread, it's getting me so excited to go on the Sky next year but also bringing back so many memories of when I did a similar cruise. I actually have a picture of the sunsetting behind the island in your last pic on Tuesday. It's such a beautiful place. Just one question though, is there anything in the daily newsletter regarding solo meet ups? I've been trying to read down the schedules but didn't spot anything 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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