Bergen, Norway - Day 1

We have a 3-day stopover in Bergen, Norway.  This is a scheduled layover for the Viking Sun to resupply and exchange passengers who only book a 15-day cruise segment.  Tropical storm Dorian has affected our weather for the past week.  As the storm travels north along the Gulf Stream, it will be dumping rain on us for the next three days.  Dodging rain showers all morning we visited the island villa of Norwegian Ole Bull, a 19th century violinist virtuoso and composer who traveled the world entertaining audiences.  A small ferry provided us with transportation to Lysoen Island.

As it started to rain Jan grumbled, "The tour guide said it was only a short walk to the house. Are we there yet?" 

Finally the villa comes into view.  Ole Bull designed the summer villa himself under the supervision of renowned Norwegian architect Conrad Fredrik von der Lippe.  The various elements of the house each represent an architectural style from countries in which he performed.  While relaxing in the villa, the various elements would bring back memories of where his world travels had taken him. 

The great room of the villa illustrates several different European architectural styles.

Our next stop was the Lyse Abbey.  That was until a downpour caused an accident shutting down the road.  In Norway the roads are very narrow and the clearance between oncoming traffic (especially if one is a bus or large truck) is but a few inches.  Often it is necessary for one vehicle to back up to a slightly wider part of the road to facilitate passing.  We skipped the abbey visit.
 

Next we visited the 12th century Fantoft Stave Church.  It was moved to this picturesque site in 1883 to preserve it for the nation.  The church is constructed entirely of timber with elaborately carved decorations.  In 1992 it was destroyed by a severe fire, after which it was painstakingly rebuilt.

The interior pine timbers are refinished each year with bees wax to maintain a newly finished fresh appearance.

Even the roof tiles are wood.  No nails or other metal fasteners are used.  Each spring the exterior is refinished with pine tar.  Notice the intricate wood carvings and features.

On the way back to the ship we viewed Gamlehaugen, the royal residence of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, the reining monarchs of Norway.


As I complete this post, we have just been notified that our itinerary has changed.  On departing Sunday, we will bypass Lerwick, Scotland and proceed directly to our next port in the Faroe Islands.  This change is due to tropical-storm Dorian that is creating high waves and rain as it passes to the north of us in the Atlantic.