Sightseeing On the Bus to Bergen

After a pretty good nights sleep, we wake up before our alarm. Our bus is not until 1015, a purposefully planned time, so we could sleep in a little. Another nice breakfast at our bacon less motel. They have quiche, cold cuts, bread, hard boiled eggs, granola, yogurt, etc. not as lavish as the last places, but still very good.
After checking out, it is on to the bus terminal, only 10 minutes away. While waiting for our bus, we talk with a very nice Norwegian lady. She has been visiting her son and his wife, watching the grandkids. Unlike the USA, so many people here use the bus and train systems to get around their country. Might have something to do with the 7 to 8 dollars a gallon, gas prices. Norway is oil rich, yet their gas prices are very high. I am guessing it is taxed to pay for the healthcare, school, and other programs that they get for “free.”
Our bus leaves on time and it is a scenic ride. After 45 minutes, we drive onto a ferry for a crossing to the next highway.

Our Ferry

We have to get off the bus, which is good as we can use the facilities, and have a snack. Crossing complete, we continue our drive. It is very pretty and much of it so far has been along the coastline. We leave the coast for a bit and climb into some hilly terrain. There are lots of hugh conifers here and sometimes the coast looks kind of like Maine. We stop at Leirvik, which seems to be a popular stop to get on the bus as we add quite a few people. The stop is right in their harbor. I find a map of our route in the seat pocket and am relieved to see that we will be getting on another ferry soon. It is starting to get a little uncomfortable on this bus, as the water I had on the first ferry over two hours ago wants to find an exit. This is where regional trains and boats have an advantage for some travelers. At Sandvikvag, we wait for the incoming ferry. The bus drives on to the boat and I get to feel much better.

Second Ferry Crossing

It is a 40 minute crossing and when we get off, we are about 30 minutes from Bergen. We feel that we have been on a scenic tour, which we have both enjoyed.
As we pull into Bergen, we are surprised at how large of a city it is. For some reason, we were expecting more of a small town feel. The bus terminal is in a very busy area but we manage to get our bearings and start too walk to our hotel. We make all the right turns and we are at the hotel in about 20 minutes. Checking in is easy and we find our room, which is very nice. We have been really happy with our hotel choices so far. All the rooms have been clean, and the breakfasts have all been good.
Carol does not want to walk far today since her feet were a little sore from yesterday. We decide to try a place called Zupperia, which has soup and also entrees which are supposed to be good. It is about a .5 mile walk and we find it pretty easily.

Norwegian Salmon

We ignore the soup dishes, including the reindeer soup. Carol orders Norwegian style salmon and I order teriyaki salmon. The portions are very large and both dishes are excellent. Carol’s dish has mashed potatoes that are super creamy smooth and delicious. She even lets me try a little. After dinner, we still take a little stroll to help us digest. We go down near the harbor and walk along a fish market, where they sell seafood and a few other items. We try some reindeer, moose, and whale salami. They are all pretty good but I would say that he moose was my least favorite. We walk back to the room and are relaxing by 6:00 P.M. Carol mentioned something about the laundry lady deserving a massage (probably includes her feet) so this is where I will end tonight.

Expenses
Bus from Stavanger to Bergen 920 NOK
Hotel Hordaheimen 879.75 NOK
Dinner at Zupperia 403 NOK
Walked 4 Miles