Having travelled only 261km over night at 4:02am ORIANA reached the entrance of the Sulaf Fjord to await the embarkation of the local pilot who would like in Bergen the day before take conduct of ORIANA on her trip up the fjord to the village of Geiranger.
Having spoken with the Cruise Director I was expecting the journey to be a somewhat different experience from the previous days sail in and indeed it was much different, being much more valley like with the mountains towing far above ORIANA .
Deciding initially to observe from the cabin balcony, the atmosphere was a remarkable calm with ORIANA making her way at low speeds up the fjord the only sounds to be heard was the muffled sounds of conversation from the other balconies and of the water gently breaking at ORIANA’s bow.
The scenery was truly awe inspiring its rural and mostly unspoilt beauty was evident for all to see and as this was my first time seeing it I was truly impressed by more things than can be adequately describe in words but the lasting memory I have of the sailing through the fjord was the amazing contrast of colours on display and how wherever I looked there appeared to be a waterfall nearby, it was quite interesting to see the grey of the rocks contrasting with the green of grass on the mountainside and above topping them the peaks of the mountains capped in snow.
Unlike the previous day there were very few houses around the coastline instead higher up the mountain farms which had long been disused due to being for the most part inaccessible sat seemingly undisturbed.
Scenes from sailing up the Fjord.The Geiranger fjord its self is actually only a small fjord of only 15km which branches off from the considerably larger Storfjord, on this morning ORIANA’s route took her first into the Sunnylvsfjord before reaching the Geiranger fjord where ORIANA would anchor.
As the time headed towards 6:45am and ORIANA neared Geiranger on her portside we passed the famous and much photographed Seven Sisters Waterfalls in local legends the story of the Seven Sisters is that that they joyfully play and dance down the mountainside while on the opposite side of the fjord a single waterfall known as friaren playfully attempts to encourage the sisters to join him.
Legends aside, the sisters more practically indicated that we were now only about 6km from ORIANA’s anchorage point.
Legends aside, the sisters more practically indicated that we were now only about 6km from ORIANA’s anchorage point.
Fjords and Waterfalls.In amongst the majestic fjords ORIANA who had dominated the terminal in Southampton now seemed to humble in comparison.
After watching more for a few minutes more I headed down below for breakfast before embarking on my first shore excursion.
After watching more for a few minutes more I headed down below for breakfast before embarking on my first shore excursion.
Over the course of breakfast ORIANA made her final approach to anchorage quoting the ships log “Captain Pembridge then took conduct of the vessel and commenced the swing of the bow to starboard.
With the swing complete the order to ‘let go’ the starboard anchor was given at 0738.”
After a short run of 261 km overnight ORIANA had arrived serenely.
With ORIANA secured on at the designated point her crew began to rig the tender embarkation platforms and the ships tenders were lowered and took position ready to ferry the passenger ashore.
With the swing complete the order to ‘let go’ the starboard anchor was given at 0738.”
After a short run of 261 km overnight ORIANA had arrived serenely.
With ORIANA secured on at the designated point her crew began to rig the tender embarkation platforms and the ships tenders were lowered and took position ready to ferry the passenger ashore.
Geiranger.During the course of breakfast the captain announced the arrangements for disembarking the ship, because of the limited space available on each tender those passengers not taking a shore excursion were required to collect a numbered ticket from a predetermined room on board and wait until the group number on the ticket is called.
Since we were booked on a shore excursion we were scheduled to meet on deck 5 of the atrium before being taken down one deck to the tender embarkation platforms.
After having the cruise card scanned by the security at the door it’s a short stair way down to the platform where the tender was waiting.
I was sure that for me it was an interesting experience having never before been on a tender boat.
Quickly and efficiently crew members filled the tender to capacity and before leaving ORIANA’s side and heading towards the pier on the shore, the journey was relatively short lasting around 5 minutes for me it offered a new perspective to see ORIANA from and as the boat departed I recall thinking that despite the unpleasant weather of several days ago ORIANA looked no worse than we had boarded in Southampton.
Once reaching the pier we were quickly directed by a member of the shore excursion team to direct us to the excursion coach which where we greeted by our local tour guide Christina.
Since we were booked on a shore excursion we were scheduled to meet on deck 5 of the atrium before being taken down one deck to the tender embarkation platforms.
After having the cruise card scanned by the security at the door it’s a short stair way down to the platform where the tender was waiting.
I was sure that for me it was an interesting experience having never before been on a tender boat.
Quickly and efficiently crew members filled the tender to capacity and before leaving ORIANA’s side and heading towards the pier on the shore, the journey was relatively short lasting around 5 minutes for me it offered a new perspective to see ORIANA from and as the boat departed I recall thinking that despite the unpleasant weather of several days ago ORIANA looked no worse than we had boarded in Southampton.
Once reaching the pier we were quickly directed by a member of the shore excursion team to direct us to the excursion coach which where we greeted by our local tour guide Christina.
As the first to arrive we needed to wait for a short period of time for the other passengers, which gave us a few minutes to look around, my first impressions of Geiranger was that it certainly was what I had been told it sure was small and to call it picturesque was a understatement.All arrived and with our driver Hans on board we headed off towards the mountains.
Our tour today was a coach trip to the top of one of the local mountains Mount Dalsnibba whose summit is some 1,476 metres above the sea level and locally is well known for hosting The Geiranger-From Fjord to Summit a bike and running race which is held once a year.
My first thoughts as the coach began to climb the roads were how close to the edge the coach was and how very narrow the roads were, the driver I assume must have guessed that several on the coach were thinking the same thing and decided to lighten the atmosphere by commenting that all should be ok on this journey because he hadn’t drunken any alcohol today!
As we headed further up the mountain I thought that I felt a popping sensation inside my ear, something which is usually associated with flying or higher altitudes.
During the drive our guide gave us an excellent talk about the local area including historical information, general knowledge and local myths and legends.
Passing by another half abandoned farm the guide retold an old story about it being used as a rendezvous for eager young lovers.
Our first stop during the tour was at the Flydalsjuvet Gorge which is famous with holiday makers for the views over the village from the gorge, from here the village looked so peaceful laid back almost detached from the outside world.
Moving on we headed on towards the summit of the mountain and it was at this time that mountainside became covered in snow.
Reaching the peak the view was not exactly at its best due to the low level cloud but it still was breath-taking in its awesome natural beauty.
Joining us at the summit was a selection of other travel groups from Europe and East Asia.After a 20 minute break to photograph and rest it was back on to the coach to begin on the descent this time stopping off at the Djupvasshytta Mountain Lodge for a coffee break.
My first thoughts on seeing the lodge was that it was a wonderful traditional wooden mountain lodge, moving inside the lodge we were greeted by a typical Scandinavian sight, a troll statue, I was told that Norwegians do have a thing for trolls and this one being dressed in a Viking helmet and holding a sword.
After a drink coffee, which like the beer the previous day was expensive it was back to the coach and continuing back to the village, as we drove in the distance group a family of deer was visible playing and bounding in the wilds of the mountainside.Coming off of the mountain we slowly drove back through the village and as we did our guide gave us some interesting facts about the village its self, including some of the amenities in the village and how in the winter when the heavy snowfall closes all the roads to the larger urban areas of Norway the village becomes completely self-sufficient.
ORIANA and Geiranger. Our last interesting fact before reaching the end of journey was relating to the village’s church, it was said that the original church had been burned down when the keeper did not want to go and open it every day instead he set fire to it.
Arriving back at the pier side I took a short walk around the village enjoying the small village feel before catching the tender back to ORIANA.
Since The Peninsular Restaurant was fairly full for lunch we decided take the alternative option of having a light lunch in in the relaxing ambiance of Tiffany’s.
Arriving back at the pier side I took a short walk around the village enjoying the small village feel before catching the tender back to ORIANA.
Since The Peninsular Restaurant was fairly full for lunch we decided take the alternative option of having a light lunch in in the relaxing ambiance of Tiffany’s.
After lunch had finished as I was walking along the promenade deck the shape two ships appeared entering the fjord as they too came to join ORIANA on anchor, arriving first was Transocean Tours ASTOR followed quickly by Classic International Cruises OCEAN MONARCH making for a contrast of ships in the small village.
Throughout the remainder of they stay in Geiranger I chose to remain on board ORIANA although there was still many of the tours still out and about round the village and surrounding areas including a the chance to try out Kayaking.
Nearing the end of the stay at Geiranger ORIANA began to prepare departure which was scheduled 6pm compared to a regular departure departing on anchor involves a few more procedures including stowing the tenders for sea.
At 5:55pm Captain Pembridge gave the order to heave up the starboard anchor, with the anchor ‘home’ and ORIANA secure for sea the Captain blew ORIANA’s horn to indicate departure which was replied to from ASTOR and OCEAN MONARCH and as ORIANA made her way back down the fjord a local saluted her by letting off several fireworks.
Passenger of all ages enjoy the sounds of the 60's & 70's.
Throughout the remainder of they stay in Geiranger I chose to remain on board ORIANA although there was still many of the tours still out and about round the village and surrounding areas including a the chance to try out Kayaking.Nearing the end of the stay at Geiranger ORIANA began to prepare departure which was scheduled 6pm compared to a regular departure departing on anchor involves a few more procedures including stowing the tenders for sea.
At 5:55pm Captain Pembridge gave the order to heave up the starboard anchor, with the anchor ‘home’ and ORIANA secure for sea the Captain blew ORIANA’s horn to indicate departure which was replied to from ASTOR and OCEAN MONARCH and as ORIANA made her way back down the fjord a local saluted her by letting off several fireworks.
As the late afternoon transitioned into early evening ORIANA once again began to bustle with evening activity, this night was a semi-formal and the highlight of evening after dinner for many would be the 60’s and 70’s night something of a tradition on board ORIANA but first of course another exquisite meal on board in The Peninsular Restaurant was ready to be served.
In general a typical dinner in ORIANA’s main restaurants lasts around an hour and half although passengers take it at their own pace, although for such good food no time is long enough to savour.
With dinner finished and after much persuasion it was to Harlequins for the all-night party where all the finery of the previous evenings formal dance made way for the platform shoes and flared trousers of 60’s as the we entered Harlequins the entertainment team were dressed like something from said decades.
With the music beginning ORIANAs largest dance venue filled with music that was newly released when ORIANA’s predecessor CANBERRA had sailed the oceans on route to Australia and a time many of my fellow passengers remembered first hand.
In general a typical dinner in ORIANA’s main restaurants lasts around an hour and half although passengers take it at their own pace, although for such good food no time is long enough to savour.
With dinner finished and after much persuasion it was to Harlequins for the all-night party where all the finery of the previous evenings formal dance made way for the platform shoes and flared trousers of 60’s as the we entered Harlequins the entertainment team were dressed like something from said decades.
With the music beginning ORIANAs largest dance venue filled with music that was newly released when ORIANA’s predecessor CANBERRA had sailed the oceans on route to Australia and a time many of my fellow passengers remembered first hand.
Passenger of all ages enjoy the sounds of the 60's & 70's.To pay homage to the “good old days” of music as many call it the band played all the way to midnight.
Choosing to remain and enjoy the classic vibe of the music I settled in for the night before at a minute to midnight a countdown by the band and a mass of streamers from all directions welcomed the start of next day on board ORIANA as she a mere 144 km and about 8 hours remaining before we reached our next destination olden.
Choosing to remain and enjoy the classic vibe of the music I settled in for the night before at a minute to midnight a countdown by the band and a mass of streamers from all directions welcomed the start of next day on board ORIANA as she a mere 144 km and about 8 hours remaining before we reached our next destination olden.
Map Copyright:Google Maps , Photos Copyright :Steve Martin
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