Bergen is one place everyone must visit. The city is a horseshoe shape around a harbor filled with boats and ships. The town itself is built high into a mountain with white houses all the way up its steep slopes. The streets are narrow and cobblestoned. Bergen has always been a city of traders and it remains so with its numerous shops, restaurants and street fairs. Although there is an average 270 rain days here..... we didn't see it or think about it. We so lucked out. Not only was it sunny, today was a heat wave. !!! Haven't had temps or days like this for years in Bergen! Temperatures rose to 81+ degrees and the city just loved it. Not only were the cruisers out and walking about, so were the towns people. Regent had a shuttle to town even though it was walking distance. There were tents set up all around this lovely port town. Berries and fish..... were sold in most tents. Fresh. Fresh. Fresh. Everyone was cooking all kinds of fish, lobster, king crab legs, and shrimp all to order. A feast for the eyes and all senses. Perfect in every way. People everywhere were warm and welcoming. You want a nordic sweater? mittens? You will find it here. Delightful in every way. I would be uploading a thousand pictures of my day had my camera not run out of battery life.
I visited The Bergen Museum with 50 old wooden homes and buildings taken from across the country and reconstructed to look like a town from the past. It is a living museum and people are dressed in costume and welcome you into their home or shop. You get a feel of life from the past. Well done.
Visiting The Hanseatic Museum was interesting. This is the oldest and best preserved wooden home in the area. The city wanted to tear down the whole block and they did...except for the one home where the owner refused. Good thing! The area became run down, infested with rats and an eye sore to the city. The one remaining home is the only home left standing from the past. Obviously money had to be put in to restore it and keep it. The interior has all original interiors from the Hanseatic period. It gives a picture of the life of a Hanseatic merchant during the period 1360-1754. It is so well made I wondered how wealthy the man who owned it must have been. No fires ever allowed in these wooden houses. The beds are soooo small. They must have slept sitting up...
Sail Away? Again? Life can be cruel on a cruise.
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