| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
|---|---|---|---|
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25th Aug 2024 |
BoMoH to Hounslow |
Ensconced by 14:00 |
 |
26th Aug 2024 |
LHR to Stockholm Sweden |
On board at noon |
|
27th Aug 2024 |
Stockholm Sweden |
am City pm Siesta |
 |
28th Aug 2024 |
Mariehamn Aland Islands Finland |
am Forts Tour pm Train |
 |
30th Aug 2024 |
Gdansk Poland |
am Old Town pm Westerplatte |
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31st Aug 2024 |
Ronne Bornholm Denmark |
Walking tour |
 |
1st Sep 2024 |
Warnemunde Germany |
Schwerin Castle tour |
|
2nd Sep 2024 |
Copenhagen Denmark |
City Walking tour |
|
3rd Sep 2024 |
Aalborg Denmark |
West Coast tour |
 |
4th Sep 2024 |
Oslo Norway |
Norwegian Explorers tour |
|
5th Sep 2024 |
Oslo Norway |
Botanical Garden & Cemetery |
|
6th Sep 2024 |
Stavanger Norway |
Taste of Stavanger tour |
|
7th Sep 2024 |
Eidfjord Norway |
Viking Village all day tour |
|
8th Sep 2024 |
Bergen Norway |
Electric Bicycle tour |
|
9th Sep 2024 |
Bergen Norway |
Turn Around Day |
| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
I awoke at 6:25 to finish my packing and then phoned for a taxi at ten o'clock. I caught the 10:50 National Express coach from BoMoH coach station. Once on board, I had my Boots sarnies as my elevenses, before sleeping for most of the journey. It had an extra call at SoToN en route, so was fifteen minutes late arriving at LHR terminal five. Here I caught the Piccadilly line tube train just four stops to Hounslow Central, not Hounslow West as usual. I had a short walk to the Imperial guest house, where I had a small single room.
Having settled in, I had a mug of tea, before walking around multicultural Hounslow. I bought food in the Iceland store and in the ASDA supermarket, I bought drinks in the H&B health store and in ASDA and I bought maps in the WHSmith bookshop. Back at my digs, I had another packet of Boots sarnies that I had brought from home, augmented with some Polish Gouda cheese slices from ASDA. (I would be in Poland a week later.) I then began work on this weblog (blog). I spent the evening watching television, going to bed at nine o'clock.
I got up at four o'clock, half an hour before my alarms. I finished up my Polish Gouda cheese and the last of my milk, before abluting. I then updated this blog, before departing from the guest house at 4:45.
I caught the five o'clock tube train to LHR Terminal 5, where check-in worked smoothly for a change. My carry on bag was picked out by security and there was a long tailback of bags to be checked. Fortunately, as I was wearing a jacket, I was taken to the far end for faster processing. My small health drink bottle from H&B, my sunscreen and insect repellenant were picked out and the latter two tubes (not bottles) thrown away.
In Terminal 5B three power sockets didn't work, so I was unable to update this blog or charge up my phones, so I ate my chicken nuggets that I had bought on Hounslow High Road the previous day in lieu of breakfast. The plane was only two thirds full, so I had an empty seat next to me. We pulled back on time and took off in the bright sunshine. I got given a small packet of crunchy corn niblets to eat, but initially missed out on the complimentary bottle of water, as I dozed for the first hour.
Halfway through the flight, I got out my laptop and updated this blog and got given my water. The flight took only two hours. We had to queue for half an hour when only two passport officers were on duty in the arrivals hall.
At baggage reclaim I met the two Viking reps and was led out to a waiting taxi. George drove Emma the journalist from Norwich and me to the ship, but deposited us at the wrong terminal, so we had a bit of a walk in the hot sun with our baggage in tow.
I was on board the Viking Sky, berthed by the Photography museum, soon after noon. Emma joined me for lunch in the buffet, where I had the mixed grill, the blue cheese and the cherry ice cream to eat. I had TWO glasses of bubbly to drink.
At 1:30 the state rooms were released and I found I had a double bed state room with picture window in the crew area on deck one (10034). I then slept for one hour. At 2:30 I walked into the old town alongside the prom on the east side, taking photos in the sunshine. Back at the ship, I signed up for tour escorting for the next two days.
Back in my state room, I had to prepare another Viking bid for the Med at Christmas. At 5:30 CD Bruce recorded the next morning's TV show with the three lecturers: Dr Bryan Babcock, Flint Whitlock and myself. At six o'clock I waited outside the Main Dining Room (MDR) until the queue had subsided, before requesting a sharing table. I was sat with a couple from Palo Alto near Stanford in Silicon Valley, California and a couple from Michigan. I had the sweet potato soup, the Caesar salad, the scallops & shrimps and the lovely cherry ice cream (again) to eat.
I slipped out at 8:15 to explore the ship as dusk fell over Stockholm. I popped to the back office to see if I was escorting in the morning. I went to bed at 9:30 after a long day travelling.
I awoke to the dawn at 5:30, having slept for eight hours. I got up at six o'clock and had a full English breakfast minus any eggs at 6:30. At seven o'clock I was off the ship walking along the quayside into the city. I took the elevator up to the Gondolen restaurant with extensive views over the extensive road works. These were at the sluice (Slussen), the lock between the sea and Lake Malaren.
Back in the old town (Gamla Stan), this time I walked along the west bank to cross to Riddarholm island. I photographed the royal church and the view across to the city hall. I recorded my piece to camera in front of the parliament house (Riksdaghuset). I crossed on to the mainland north of the old town into the modern city centre. I went in the central station, but they charged for the toilets, so I used the free one in McDonalds instead, where I took advantage of their free wi-fi as usual without buying anything.
In the graveyard of the Adolf Fredriks church, I found the monument to Olof Palme, the assassinated prime minister of Sweden. I followed the main pedestrianised shopping street (Drottningsgatan) all the way up to Observatory Hill. On top of a subglacial esker, the views were mainly obscured by three hundred year old lime trees (German: Linden, American: Basswood). I particularly liked the dog dirt sign: "Pick up after me!" (Plocka upp efter mig!)
I caught the 11:30 shuttle bus from outside the Opera House back to the ship. That morning I had done twenty thousand steps, equal to eight miles of walking. In the World Cafe buffet I had the mixed grill with chips and vegetables to eat al fresco a la veranda with the view across the harbour to the old town (Gamla Stan). I then slept for an hour and a half, before updating this blog.
At three o'clock I went to Flint Whitlock's excellent forty minute talk on the Finnish-Soviet wars to a nearly full house. When that had finished, I had three cups of tea with UHT milk, but no food, in the Wintergarden. At 4:30 CD Bruce gave a five minute introduction to Mariehamn in the Aland islands. Then shorex manager Chantelle spent ten minutes quickly going through the tours on offer. At the end CD Bruce gave a five minute conclusion, so the whole Port Talk only took twenty minutes.
At 5:30 I went to the solo travellers meet up, hosted by ACD Hazel. Only New Zealander Sylvia, now living in Darwin, Australia, turned up, so I chatted to her as we watched the sail away through the Stockholm archipelago. I had just one glass of Mimosa which we call Buck's Fizz. Don't even think about the Spoonerism of the latter, which reminds me of the unintended consequences of Brexit!
At 6:30 I went to Dr Bryan Babcock's excellent fifty minute lecture of the history of Scandinavia. He is the Viking Resident Historian, so he had to use their slides in his talk. When he finished speaking, I reserved a table for him & his partner Nanci and the other lecturer Flint Whitlock (no relation to Viking's Kelly Whitlock). I had the chowder soup, the rather fatty pork ribs and the cherry crumble with ice cream to eat. I had just one glass of red wine to drink.
At 8:45 we all sat in the front row of the Star theatre for the Welcome show, with various singers performing. The Captain introduced his senior officers and we introduced ourselves. I then collected my tour escort's bag from the back office near my state room. I went to sleep at 10:45 having done twenty four thousand steps, equal to nearly ten miles of walking during the day.
I awoke to the dawn at five o'clock, but it was now six o'clock on Finnish time. At 6:40 I had the full English breakfast, but with no eggs, al fresco a la veranda, with the marvellous view of the tall ship Pommern permanently moored behind us.
I was the first guest off the ship just after seven o'clock. First I walked north through the seaside woods for about half a mile. I doubled back to the ship and secondly walked south along the boardwalk and into another wood. I went about one mile to the little fishing harbour which also housed the local pilot boat.
Back at the ship at nine o'clock, I updated this blog and found out that I had done ten thousand steps already that morning, equal to four miles of walking in the sunshine. At 9:30 I was on escort duty in the coach layby with Finnish speaking guide Paivi and Swedish speaking driver Dan for my first choice tour. We drove through Mariehamn going north then east to the great Russian fortress of Bomarsund. This was captured and partially destroyed by an Anglo-French attack during the Crimean war, which took place in the Baltic as well as the Black Sea. This was at the extreme westernmost extent of the Russian empire. The huge new visitor centre had several movies to watch. We then drove up to the northernmost tower in the complex for great views over Aaland island.
Back at the main site again, we had our refreshments. I had one large bun and TWO cups of strong coffee, so I was hyper all afternoon and evening. I walked back to the main fortress to do some more photography of the huge pink granite masonry.
Our next stop was at the excellent Jan Karlsgarden outdoor museum (Garden in Swedish means The Farm). These are always my favourite places to visit, particularly in the Baltic Sea ports like Tallinn and Aarhus. We then had a short photo stop at the Kastelholm castle, before returning to the ship at two o'clock.
I gave lunch a miss and jumped on the free trolley train into town. I jumped off at the maritime quarter, which is really another outdoor museum with free admission. I then walked back to the ship photographing all the important sites, except for the Swiss Chalet which I missed for my second time here.
Back at the ship, I spent five minutes in the spa pool which is very similar to the ones on the SAGA ships, except here there is a separate jacuzzi as well. I dried off on one of the luke warm stone beds. I gave the cold water bucket shower and the ice room a miss!
At 6:30 I went to Flint's forty five minute talk on Scandinavian artists of the 19th century. I only recognised three: Edvard Munch, Gunnar Berg (Lofoten) and Michael Ancher (Skagen). At 7:15 I dined in the MDR with a couple from Denver, Colorado and a couple from Dallas, Texas. I had the cabbage & bacon soup, the duo of lamb and the mini baked Alaska to eat. I had two glasses of red wine to drink with my meal.
At nine o'clock I went to ACD Hazel's excellent cabaret of great Diva songs (and one of Michael Bolton's too). I particularly liked the Whitney medley and she ended with "You Raise Me Up" which reminded me of the SAGA crew's famous hand mime. Back in my state room I updated this blog, going to sleep at 10:45, having done twenty six thousand steps, equal to over ten miles of walking during the day. In the early hours the Captain woke nearly everyone up to warn us about a medical evacuation (medevac) by helicopter.
I awoke to the dawn just after six o'clock, but it was now only five o'clock on Polish time. I photographed a beautiful sunrise over a calm Baltic Sea, unlike the previous cruise here by the Viking Sky last week which missed THREE ports due to the wind. At seven o'clock I had the full English breakfast, but without eggs, al fresco a la veranda.
When I got back to my state room, Komang was servicing it, so I went exploring the ship. I spent the morning working on my laptop. At 9:30 I went to Flint's excellent forty five minute lecture on Poland in WWII. I then did six circuits, equal to one mile of walking, around the top deck jogging track in the bright sunshine.
At 11:30 I had my first Viking burger with fries at the Pool Grill. I then slept for eighty minutes, before squandering the afternoon. At 3:25 I spent fifteen minutes in the spa pool and jacuzzi. I chatted to a couple from Maldon in Essex.
At 4:30 I went to the Gdansk port talk. CD Bruce began with a ten minute introduction, followed by Shorex Chantelle with twenty five minutes on the tours. Bruce gave a five minute conclusion to the forty minute session. At the end, I set up my laptop with Aldrin & Mike (ex FOCL). I then did six more circuits of the top deck jogging track in the bright evening sunshine.
At six o'clock I was on door duty to welcome those guests coming to my lecture. At 6:30 I gave my forty five minute lecture with one final video to a nearly full house, which was surprising as dinner had already started! At the end I had to field a lot of questions in the bar outside the venue, so I didn't get to the MDR until 7:30.
Here I was too late for a sharing table, so I dined alone. I was sat next to a couple from Kentucky. I had the excellent beef & tomato soup, the New York strip steak with chips and the chocolate mousse to eat. I had two glasses of the French Merlot wine to drink.
At nine o'clock I went to the fabulous ABBA tribute production show with ALL the great songs, plus one from their 2022 album. Back in my state room, I watched my Story of the Baltic Sea talk on the telly. I went to sleep at eleven o'clock having done eight thousand steps, equal to over three miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at 6:50 ready for my full English breakfast, al fresco a la veranda, but without eggs to eat. I had one glass of grapefruit juice and one of sparkling water. I was the only person on the eight o'clock shuttle bus, the first away that morning.
In Gdansk I walked along both sides of the inner harbour, before photographing the quiet main street. I visited half a dozen Roman Catholic churches, all built in the North German brick gothic style (Backsteingotik). It was awfully hot and humid in town, with hordes of krauts bussed in from Mein Schift berthed in Gdynia, not Gdansk where we were parked.
The noon shuttle bus failed to appear as a triathlon event had caused gridlock around the port area. The young man on bus dispatch duty outside the Novotel arranged for us to get back to the ship on one of the tour buses instead. This went passed the Solidarity monument and museum outside the Lenin shipyard, but took half an hour to negotiate the gridlocked roundabouts.
Back at the ship, I had the bacon chowder soup and the roast pork for lunch al fresco a la veranda. I then slept for eighty minutes, before exploring the Westerplatte peninsula, where the Nazis had first attacked Poland in 1939. Back at the ship again, I had three cups of tea again with UHT milk, but no food in the Winter Garden.
At 4:30 CD Bruce gave a five minute introduction and a five minute concluding section to Chantelle's fifteen minute tours talk on Ronne the capital of Bornholm. At 5:45 I went to the pool where I did six lengths under the covered roof and spent five minutes in the large rectangular hot tub partially open to the blue sky. At 6:30 I heard Flint Whitlock's excellent lecture on a US Army winter force during WWII.
When it ended, I went to the MDR where I was sat with a couple from Dallas, Texas. He had an Opthamology company, so I told them about my laser eye surgery. She was a foster child advocate and her daughter was adopting THREE foster children. I had the cheese & beer soup, the lobster and the profiterole for dinner. I had TWO glasses of the Portuguese red wine.
Back in my state room, I updated FaceBook and this blog. I went to sleep at 10:30 having done twenty one thousand steps, equal to eight miles of walking during the day.
I got up at 6:25 ready for one egg Benedict AND one egg Royale al fresco a la veranda in the sunshine. At 7:25 Komang was servicing the state room, so I did six circuits, equal to one mile, of the top deck. Back in my state room, I worked on my laptop submitting two FOCL bids.
At eleven o'clock I went to the Getting to Know the production cast interviews. Bruce answered general questions from the audience for the first fifteen minutes, before introducing the four singers. One girl was from Nottingham and another was from Leeds. One boy was from Glasgow and one was from Transylvania in Roumania!
At noon I lunched al fresco a la veranda on the salade Nicoise and the salted caramel ice cream. At 12:30 I was on dispatch duty on the quayside with Danish/Canadian Lars and 22 guests with one no show. At 12:55 we walked across the huge, gravel quayside to the nearby woods. Here Lars spoke at great length about the history of the whole of Scandinavia. We saw a circular defensive tower, before walking into town. I had to wait for various guests to use the toilets in various cafes en route. They will drink too much coffee!
At the Hjorth Fabrik ceramic factory, ten guests opted out in the warm sunshine and made their own way back to the ship. At the Erichsens Gaard museum, we had a bonus visit into the two period houses and their attached garden. At St Nicholas's church we all jumped on the packed shuttle bus back to the ship. Here I had three cups of tea, this time with skimmed UHT milk.
At 4:30 Bruce gave a fifteen minute introduction complete with a Viking Cruises video on Warnemunde & Berlin. Then Chantelle gave a twenty five minute talk on the complex logistics of getting six hundred people onto the train to Berlin. At the end Bruce gave a five minute conclusion with another Viking Cruises video on German cuisine (i.e. sausages and sauerkraut).
Back in my state room, I filled in my tour escort form and dropped it off in the back office. Here I picked up my next assignment: Schwerin castle at 7:40 in the morning! At 6:30 Dr Bryan gave his fifty two minute lecture on German History, using the Viking slides. Afterwards I dined in the MDR with an elderly couple from Ohio both of whom were educators. He was ninety and they had twenty one great grandchildren! I had the turmeric & chickpea soup, the poached salmon and the no sugar added strawberry tart.
At nine o'clock I enjoyed the excellent Stage Door musical theatre production show. I particularly liked the songs from the 'cockney' musicals like Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Oliver. They ended with a Les Mis finale, which always goes down well. I went to sleep at ten o'clock having done ten thousand steps, equal to four miles of walking during the day.
I got up at 5:30, half an hour before my alarms, as we arrived in Warnemunde. At six o'clock I had the full English breakfast, but with no eggs, al fresco a la veranda in the cool of dawn. Back in my state room, I updated this blog.
At 7:30 I was on duty on the quayside with East German guide Rougui (not Rogue) and driver Rolandus from Lithuania driving an Estonian bus. We had just twenty seven guests to look after. We had a seventy five minute run out to Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg / West Pomerania.
We then had a half hour cruise on Lake Schwerin, which is the third largest lake in Germany, in the bright sunshine. Whilst Rougui was getting the tickets, I flew around the small but perfectly formed gardens at the rear of the palace. After some confusion at the entrance to the huge castle, we had two local guides to tell us about the huge Victorian palace. Our final walk took us to the impressive market square with a statue to Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony, in front of the massive brick gothic cathedral (Dom).
Back at the ship at two o'clock, I had the seafood minestrone soup to start, but the pork ribs had finished, so I made do with just one small slice of pepperoni pizza. I had two scoops of the lovely Black Forest ice cream to finish my al fresco meal. I then slept for eighty minutes, before heading into town to do some photography.
Back at the ship again, at six o'clock I went to the German buffet. I had the cream of potato soup, the mixed grill of bockwurst, schnitzel and minute steak with various vegetables. I again had two scoops of the lovely Black Forest ice cream to finish my meal al fresco a la veranda. I spent most of the evening revising my Hamlet talk.
At nine o'clock I spent half an hour in the Torshavn nightclub listening to the two singers and four musicians play easy listening music. I went to sleep just at 10:15 having done seventeen thousand steps, equal to nearly seven miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at 6:40 ready for my full English breakfast, but without any eggs, al fresco a la vernada as we sailed into Copenhagen harbour. I caught the 8:35 shuttle bus into the city and walked the length of the Stroget pedestrianised shopping street to get to the Tourist Information Office opposite the Tivoli pleasure gardens. I walked back via the harbour taking lots of pictures in the sunshine. I had done thirteen thousand steps, equal to over five miles of walking. I got back to the ship at 10:45, half an hour before I was on escort duty.
At 11:15 I met seventy year old guide Henrik with twenty seven guests on the Leisurely Stroll Around Copenhagen. Unfortunately it was the same timings as the Copenhagen on Foot tour, so four guests soon had to turn back. We had twenty minutes of free time at the Amalienborg Palaces, but there were no shops or cafes there. Some guests decided to press on, on their own. In the main square at the end of the walk, I had only twelve guests left to take the coach back to the ship.
Here I had the lentil soup and the BBQ pork ribs al fresco a la veranda. I then slept for eighty five minutes, before updating this blog. At five o'clock I did six lengths of the pool and spent five minutes in the hot tub with the roof partially open to the sunshine. At 6:30 I gave my forty minute talk entitled "Hamlet: Prince of Denmark".
At 7:30 I dined in the MDR with a couple from Chicago. I had the smoked haddock soup and the New York strip steak with chips, but no time for dessert. I had TWO glasses of claret to drink.
At nine o'clock one of the girl singers was indisposed, so we had an ad hoc cabaret from the three productions singers plus the singing duo and ACD Hazel, who used to be a professional singer. At ten o'clock I watched my Hamlet lecture on the television. I went to sleep at eleven o'clock having done twenty thousand steps, equal to eight miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at six o'clock to the dawn with my curtains left open. After my usual full English breakfast without eggs al fresco a la veranda, I watched the turning and berthing in Aalborg.
At 8:30 I was on duty on the quayside with guide Nicholas (perfect English), driver Karsten and just fifteen guests. We had a one hour run out to the north west coast on the North Sea, although Aalborg is on the north east coast on the Baltic Sea. We jumped on a metal carriage towed by a tractor for the short, but bumpy, ride to the huge sand dunes on the coast. We trekked over the soft sand to the lighthouse, which had iron steps up to the top, with fabulous views of the dunes and the beach. Half the guests walked back to the coach, whilst half took the iron carriage back.
Our next stop was a coffee and warm apple strudel break at a period hotel. We then had half an hour of free time in the charming seaside village of Lonstrup. I went in the Tourist Information Office to grab a map of the village, before walking up to the modern, brick built church which was open for visitors. I doubled back through the village to find the footpath alongside the stream down to the beach. I walked along to the little fishing harbour, but without any fishing vessels these days. Back in the centre of the village, we reboarded our coach for the one hour run back to Aalborg. One single American lady insisted that I accept her five dollar tip!
Back on the ship, I had the corn chowder soup and the beef rib with vegetables and pasta in cheese sauces. At 2:30 I went to Flint's excellent forty five minute talk on Wartime Norway. I then slept for an hour, before updating my Norwegian Railways talk and this blog.
At 4:30 I listened to the Port Talk on my television. Bruce's introduction lasted twelve minutes, followed by Chantelle's twenty two minutes on the many shore excursions. Bruce then finished with a six minute long conclusion.
Instead of going swimming, I watched my Hamlet talk on the telly. At six o'clock Derrick set me up and at 6:30 I gave my thirty five minute lecture on the Norwegian Railways. My high speed line video didn't work, but all the others did.
At 7:30 I dined with a couple from Melbourne in Australia. The wife had been with me in Schwerin Castle the previous day and had just attended my Railway lecture. I had the Calabrian lentil soup, the Caesar salad with extra anchovies, the roast duck and the vanilla with chocolate strings ice cream to eat. I had two glasses of claret to drink.
I gave the classical guitarist show time a miss, and watched my Railway lecture on the telly instead, whilst updating this blog. I went to sleep at 10:45 having done ten thousand steps, equal to four miles of walking during the day.
I awoke to the dawn at 6:30 ready for my usual full English breakfast with no eggs al fresco a la veranda. Unfortunately it started to rain - Welcome to Norway! At 8:15 I put my smalls, that I had rinsed out in my shower, into a tumble dryer.
At 9:15 I was on escort duty in the coach park with Welsh guide Iori, driver Peter and thirty five guests. We had a short panoramic drive around Oslo, before parking on Bygdoy Island. Our first museum contained Amundsen's ship the Fram, but we didn't have time for the second boat the Gjoa, which I have seen previously. The second museum contained Thor Heydahl's Kontitki balsa wood raft and his reed boat Ra II. The third museum was the less interesting Maritime museum. The famous Viking Ship museum was closed for enlargement and won't reopen until 2026 at the earliest.
Back at the ship, I had the soup, followed by the roast duck AND sweet & sour chicken for lunch al fresco a la veranda overlooking Oslo harbour. I then slept for over an hour, before heading out. At the Tourist Information Office I found out that the Munch museum had free admission on Wednesday evenings. I walked along the pedestrianised streets going north to the Nedre Foss waterfall. I then followed the river side walk back towards the central station.
I got to the new Munch museum just before the 5:30 free evening began. I took the dozen escalators up to the top floor to photograph the Viking Sky on the other side of the eastern harbour. On the way down I went in the various galleries, including the one with the famous Scream painting.
Back at the ship, I went up to the top deck pool, but a cocktail party was in progress, so I descended to the spa pool instead. Here I couldn't get the shower to turn off. I had a quick dip in the small, hot pool, before getting dressed for dinner.
At seven o'clock I dined with Sylvia from Darwin in the Chef's Table speciality restaurant. Here we had the set Korean menu of eel starter, a first for me, followed by the crab salad. Next we had the Korean soup, followed by the BBQ beef. The dessert was cheesecake and yuzu ice cream, which was more like sorbet. I had three small glasses of white wine and one of red with the main course.
At nine o'clock I went to the Dancing under the Stars, but the huge roof was kept closed. I did one jive with one of the professional singers and one lady guest asked me to dance with her. I led off YMCA as usual, but only one of the singers joined me on the dance floor. I went to sleep at 10:30 having done thirteen and a half thousand steps, equal to over five miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at 6:25 to the dawn and had breakfast as usual at seven o'clock. At 7:25 Komang was servicing the suite so I went back up to the top deck to do some more photography in the sunshine. I was off the ship at 7:45 walking north along the Riverside Park as yesterday. I turned off to find the beautiful Botanical Garden, which had a fine geological display outside the Natural History Museum.
I walked back to the river and continued to the Nedre Foss waterfall again. I then headed uphill passed some period wooden house to the big cemetery. Here I photographed the graves of playwright Henrik Ibsen and painter Edvard Munch.
I retraced my steps to the waterfall for the third time these two days. I walked back along the Riverside Park to the Central Station (Sentralstasjon). On the other side of the station, I bumped into a line dancing couple from BoMoH who go to Karl's class on a Thursday evening, whereas I usually go on a Wednesday evening. During the morning I did fifteen thousand steps, equal to six miles of walking.
Back at the ship at eleven o'clock, I went to Dr Bryan's excellent lecture on the Bayeux Tapestry, which decorates all the Viking ships. At noon I had the carrot soup and the southern fried chicken with chips. As the buffet had opened at eleven and the sun was shining, all the outside tables were taken, so I had to eat inside for a change. I stood on the side veranda as we departed from Oslo, going passed the Celebrity Apex that the BoMoH couple were travelling on. I then slept for eighty minutes.
At 4:30 I went to the Stavanger port talk which began and ended with five minute pieces by CD Bruce, sandwiching a twenty minute talk on the ship's tours by Shorex manager Chantelle. At 5:15 I did six lengths of the pool in the sunshine, but with the roof closed. I then spent just five minutes in the large jacuzzi.
At six o'clock Derrick set me up, ready for me to give my forty minute enrichment lecture on Edvard Grieg at 6:30. Afterwards Dr Bryan invited me to dine with himself and his partner Nanci. I had the turkey noodle soup, the Caesar salad, the monkfish and the Sicilian cannoli to eat. I had two glasses of the Spanish temperanillo red wine to drink. When the party broke up just after nine o'clock, I retired to work on my laptop. I went to sleep at 10:20 having done seventeen and a half thousand steps, equal to seven miles of walking during the day.
I awoke just after six o'clock, despite having my curtains closed. At seven o'clock I had baked beans on a toasted muffin with mushrooms, bacon, sausage and a hash brown, but no eggs, al fresco a la veranda in the sunshine. I then worked on my fjords lecture and updated this blog on my laptop.
At 10:15 I met local guide Bent (sic) on the quayside with just twelve guests to look after. We walked around the harbour to the old town, where we began with a visit to house number 80. Here the guests were given four sardines of increasing spicyness to eat. One of the ladies gave me her plate of four to have with plain water to drink.
Next door was the Canning museum where Piers from Guildford gave us a guided tour. He operated some of the vintage machinery for us. We then walked back around the harbour to house number 18 which was a Kulturkafe. Here the guests had waffles and coffee. Again I got given the waffles one guest didn't want.
Our final stop was at the Chili Chocolate shop. Here we had hot chili chocolate with cream and sampled half a dozen delicious chocolates. At the end we were given a gift box containing two chocolates to take home. We finished the tour outside the Oil museum, where Viking had set up a stall dispensing apple juice.
Back at the ship I had Burgundy beef and Saltimbocca with pasta and sweet potato fries for lunch al fresco a la veranda. I then dozed for an hour unable to sleep properly because of the amount of chocolate, which is a stimulant, that I had consumed on the morning's tour. Back ashore, I walked back to the old town (Gamle Stavanger) to do some more piccies in the bright sunshine. I also photographed the cathedral, the watch tower and the oil museum.
At 4:30 CD Bruce did his usual five minutes before, and five minutes after, Chantelle's half hour long port talk on Eidfjord. At 5:15 I did six lengths of the top deck pool with the roof fully open for the first time this cruise. I also spent five minutes alone in the large, rectangular hot tub.
At six o'clock Aldrin set me up ready for me to give my thirty five minute talk on the Story of the Fjords at 6:30. At 7:15 there were no sharing tables in the MDR so I went up to the surf & turf buffet. I dined al fresco a la veranda as the sun went down over the Norwegian sea. I had the parsnip soup and a single roast oyster to begin. For the main course I had lobster, beef steak and pork ribs with baby beetroots and a jacket potato with sour cream and bacon bits to eat. I had just two glasses of sparkling water to drink.
Back in my state room I watched the first half of my Fjords talk on the telly. At nine o'clock I went to CD Bruce's musical theatre cabaret. Back in my state room again, I watched the second half of my lecture, before updating this blog. I went to sleep at eleven o'clock having done fifteen thousand steps, equal to six miles of walking.
I awoke at 6:15 ready for my usual breakfast al fresco a la veranda at seven o'clock. At 7:20 Komang was already servicing my state room, so I did two circuits of the promenade deck, equal to half a mile of walking. Off the ship at 7:45, I walked one mile north along the side of Hardangerfjord, before doubling back. I circled through Eidfjord and watched the kayakers in the bay. I did thirteen thousand steps, equal to over five miles of walking in the cool early morning.
At 10:30 I was on escort duty on the quayside with young Italian guide Luca from near Venice and driver Chapan (?) from Stavanger. We had twenty three guests on bus number twenty three for the hour and a half's run out to Gudvangen via the Twindefossen waterfall. At the Viking village we had a tour of the interesting exhibits, before lunching. We began with a fine vegetable soup with bread rolls and garlic butter. We continued with beef, chicken and fish with vegetables and pearl barley. We finished with yoghurt and honey. We had cranberry juice and coffee to drink. During the one hour of free time, I hit the archery target in two out of my three shots.
On the return journey we visited the Skjervsfossen waterfall which was new to me. In both directions we crossed the Hardanger suspension bridge which is the longest in Norway. Back at the ship just before six o'clock, I did six lengths of the pool with the roof closed and spent five minutes in the hot tub.
At 6:30 I went to Dr Bryan's interesting talk on the Hanseatic League, but had to slip out when I got a call from one of my agents, with another last minute contract that I couldn't do. At 7:15 I dined in the MDR on the duck & lentil soup, the soft shelled crab, the Osso Bucco veal shank and the Carnevale dessert. I had two glasses of red wine to drink, sat next to a well-travelled couple from Canberra in Australia.
At 8:30 we had a pre-show cabaret from the singing duo, before the Crew Parade arrived. The four production singers and the four musicians then performed their Coast to Coast show. This featured Frank, Elvis, Aretha and Neil tribute songs, continuing with the Beach Boys and the Four Seasons. They finished as ever with New York, New York. I went to sleep at eleven o'clock having done nineteen thousand steps, nearly equal to eight miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at 5:30 half an hour before my alarm, excited about going electric biking in Bergen. In the back office, I signed up for tour escorting for the follow-on cruise to Barcelona. At 6:45 I had my usual breakfast al fresco a la veranda as we went under the two suspension bridges. I was one of the first guests off the ship, where I met Norwegian guide Arild, who has spent some time in the USA. He sounded just like Matt LeBlanc and was very funny!
We had a dozen guests to look after on our electric bike ride with assistant Maria from Madrid. We headed north, before turning up the west side of Mount Floyen. We reached as far as the halfway mark on the funicular railway, before descending.
Unfortunately a lady braked on a steep curve and the gent behind her slammed on his brakes too hard and went flying. He was a bit shaken but continued down to St Mary's German church. Here I gave Maria one of the accident report forms and she took him directly back to the ship. The rest of us continued through the old town, where eventually Maria caught us up. At the end, she gave me the completed form to hand in.
Back on the ship, I had an early lunch of cream of artichoke soup, some Zurich veal, an Italian meatball and some sweet & sour pork with pasta and lots of asparagus. I finished with my new favourite Black Forest ice cream al fresco a la veranda. I then slept for one hundred minutes.
At two o'clock I walked into the city and got as far as the tourist information office, before it started to rain. I only had my small camouflage coloured umbrella with me, so I hastened back to the ship. Bergen is the wettest city in Europe! In my state room I updated this blog.
At 5:15 I did six lengths of the main pool, with the roof firmly closed. I then spent eight minutes in the large, rectangular hot tub. At 6:30 I went to hear the Norwegian violinist in the Star theatre. I only recognised one tune, Morning by Edvard Grieg. At 7:30 I dined on the sweet potato & chickpea soup, the New York strip steak with fries and the chocolate dessert in the MDR. I went to sleep at 9:30 having done ten thousand steps, equal to four miles of walking during the day.
I got up just after six o'clock ready for my usual breakfast al fresco a la veranda, but it was raining heavily. Whilst tumble drying my smalls, I watched my Baltic Sea talk on the television in the launderette. At 9:30 I said goodbye to Emma who was flying back home to Norwich.
I then walked into the city under my large, red Viking umbrella. I did a little photography in the light rain. I walked along my two favourite pedestrianised streets: Marken & Strandgaten.
Back at the ship at 11:30, I chatted to CD Bruce on the gangway. At noon, I had the corn chowder soup with extra sweet corn, which will measure my gut transit time! I had a mixed grill of various meats with various vegetables. I finished with one scoop of coconut and one scoop of salted caramel ice cream. I was out on the veranda, but under cover, as it was still raining.
I then slept for eighty minutes, before climbing up to the difficult to find upper fortress. I continued into the city, before turning around near the cathedral. On the way back, I went in the military museum which has free admission. I have been in here several times in the past, but the historical maps and the story of the Nazi occupation always fascinate me.
Back at the ship, I did six lengths of the warm pool under a closed roof, followed by eight minutes in the large, rectangular hot tub. At 5:30 CD Bruce recorded interviews with three of the four speakers: Jennifer Hastings Caithness, Dr Bryan Babcock and myself. At 6:30 I listened to Dr Bryan's interesting talk on the Hanseatic League for a second time.
At 7:30 I dined with Dr Bryan & Nanci, Jenny & Neil and then Dr Samuel Glassner joined us in Manfredi's Italian restaurant. I had the pasta & bean soup, the insalata Caprese, the rib eye bistecca and the caramello dessert to eat. I had two glasses of Tuscan red wine to drink.
One of the waiters was from Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, so I said that I give a lecture on Cecil Rhodes. Neil asked why do I talk about a man born in Bishop's Stortford, so I replied that I grew up in nearby Harlow in Essex. Jenny then said that she came from Hunsdon, just across the border in Hertfordshire! She said that she was born in the Bahamas, when her father worked for Sir Freddie Laker, so I said that my cousin is Lady Laker and she still lives there! Jenny further revealed that her first husband was one of my agents! Furthermore we both had masters degrees from Keele University. What a small world it is. I went to sleep at 10:30.
Fellow speaker Flint Whitlock wrote: "It was great to work together. Best of luck on your future cruises!"
Fellow speakers Nanci Kopack and Dr Bryan Babcock wrote: "Thank you for being part of the Viking Sky Enrichment Team. Your passion for history for this part of the world was inspiring! We hope to sail again in the future with you soon."
Assistant Cruise Director Hazel wrote: "Martin, it has been a pleasure working with you. Thank you for taking care of our solo travelers. You are an additional asset to the Viking Family. We will see each other again. Take care and all the Best."
1) "The Story of the Baltic Sea"
Martin, who has degrees in geography, geology and theology,
covered the natural history and human history of this great sea.
2) "Hamlet: Prince of Denmark"
Martin shared his love of drama,
with reference to Shakespeare's greatest tragedy.
He had given this lecture on eight previous cruises.
(The cruise sailed passed his castle)
3) "Norwegian Railways"
Martin, who has degrees in geography, geology and theology,
covered the story of the railways of Norway.
He had given this lecture of five previous cruises.
(Ship's tours included the famous Flaam railway)
4) "Grieg: Norway's Greatest Classical Composer"
Martin shared his love of music with the guests.
He had given this lecture on two previous cruises.
(Edvard Grieg was born and lived in Bergen)
5) "The Story of the Fjords"
Martin, who has degrees in geography, geology and theology,
talked about these dramatic landforms.
He had given this lecture on five cruises.
(includes Eidfjord)
1) "Hitler & Putin: A Tale of Four Cities"
Martin could have outlined the similarities between these two leaders.
He has given this lecture on seven previous cruises.
(includes Gdansk / Danzig)
193 Cruises 50 Cruise ships (see below) 15 Cruise lines (see below) 14 Night cruise 13 Full English breakfasts 9 Tours escorted 5 Restaurants (MDR, CT, WC, PG, Manfredi's) 5 Enrichment lectures given 4 Beef dinners 4 Production shows 4 Band members 3 Storey atrium 3 Hot tubs 3 Pools 3 Female singers 3 Male singers 2 Cabaret shows (Bruce & Hazel) 2 Beef lunches 2 Pork lunches 2 Panoramic elevators 2 Cinemas 1 Double state room with picture window 1 Theatre (Star) 1 Nightclub (Torshavn) 1 Viking heritage museum 1 Dinner in the Chef's Table speciality restaurant 1 Egg Benedict & Egg Royale breakfast 1 Violinist 1 Classical guitar 1 Pop trio 1 Classical duo
Captain Fredrick Nilsson Cruise Director Bruce Allen Scudder Ass. Cruise Director Hazel Crudo Shorex Manageress Chantelle Stage Managers Mike (ex FOCL), Aldrin and Derrick Resident Historian Dr Bryan Babcock Military Lecturer Flint Whitlock Cultural Lecturer Martin P. Lee
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