We awoke to Elaine’s birthday. While we were out and about, Viking delivered a birthday cake and a bottle of sparkling wine to the room. Nice touch. I didn’t order or request it. Viking, of course, knows the birthdays of passengers because they have passport information. I’m impressed they took the initiative to deliver a surprise.
We had breakfast in the World Cafe, the Saturn’s casual cafeteria-style venue. They have everything you could want. There is also a picture of the long corridor to our stateroom.
At 8:30 we left the ship to take Viking’s complementary “Panoramic Bergen” tour. It was 2 hours, by bus, and made three stops. We saw some interesting graffiti (note especially the one of a seagull shitting on Putin’s head), some ruins, a Lutheran church, the National Theater, beautiful flowers, and some other stuff. Can you spot Elaine amongst the tour group participants? Actually, you need to spot her twice. We departed the tour at Bryggen (Old Town) as we had already strolled that. From there it’s but a 10 minute walk back to Saturn.
Back on board we had lunch at the Pool Grill – burger for me, hot dog for Elaine, both accompanied by Norwegian amber ale. We sat with some people we met at dinner last night. I was talking about my time in the Army when the guy at the next table heard me mention Schwetzingen, Germany. It turns out he was stationed at Tompkins Barracks in Schwetzingen too, and our times overlapped by a few months. That was 57 years ago! Small world. After lunch we did more of a ship walkabout and played a 9-hole round of miniature golf on the sports deck. I won by a stroke.
Then nap time before sailing at 5:30 pm. We left on time. Very smooth sailing. The Norwegian Sea on day one was like a lake. Drinks in the Living Room. Dinner in the Restaurant. After dinner drinks in the Explorer Lounge. All good. We had a nice conversation with a Norwegian couple at dinner. So far, all EXCELLENT.
Tomorrow is Constitution Day in Norway, a national holiday. We will be in port in Geiranger. More on all that tomorrow.
Good night.
Happy birthday, Elaine! Ane-card awaits you whenever you get Internet access. Billy loved your card. A red letter birthday for him since it ends in zero. Trip looks great. Can’t wait to see the fjords.
It sounds like you are already getting settled in and I am happy Elaine got a cake and wine. Nice touch for sure. Glad you are meeting ship travelers too. Have fun…..
Again, Happy Birthday, Elaine. It looks like you’re having a wonderful day.
Bon Voyage. Praying for calm seas.
Happy birthday, Elaine!!!
Happy Birthday to Where’s Waldo, Elaine who sports those very cool blue mirror sunglasses. I cannot hold on to sunglasses for months, never mind years!!! Cake and wine…..very nice.
Interesting museums.
And, of course, thank you and your friend for your military service. Coincidental. Soldiers rule!
I chuckled when I saw the Ibsen monument/structure…too many Ibsens in HS!
Looks lovely up there, cheers!
So funny we are all on Viking in different countries!!
Have a great trip and another fabulous year❤️❤️love Russ and ann