• Two to Travel
  • Ahmet Erkun
  • Two to Travel
  • Ahmet Erkun

2019 Nautical Explorations

After our self-drive trip around Ireland, we embarked Oceania's Nautica for 50 days. Our extended voyage consisted of multiple segments that took us to places around Europe ... both new- and old-to-us. Les mer
  • Flåm: Brekkefossen Hike

    21. juli 2019, Norge ⋅ 🌧 55 °F

    The map we picked up from the visitor center at the train station gave the length of the Brekkefossen Hike as 1½ to 2 hours.

    Following the directions on the map, we headed out of town about 1 mile to get to the trailhead. This section was flat and followed a road through farmlands.

    Then, we walked through a gate and started going up, and up, and up. The trail, which consisted of stone steps in places and a dirt path in other places, was steep. And because there was a light drizzle most of the way up, it was muddy and slippery, too.

    Was the hike worth the effort. You betcha. Especially since the rain let up shortly after we arrived at the plateau overlooking The Valley, with Aurlandsfjorden in the distance.
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  • Flåm: Lunch Time!

    21. juli 2019, Norge ⋅ 🌧 55 °F

    After our hike in 2017, we had lunch at the Flåm Marina Terrace. It was a fairly rustic place ... at least that was our recollection. But it had three things going for it. Good food ... amazing views of Aurlandsfjorden ... and a location away from the hubbub around the train station, which is the heart of all of the tourist activities.

    The food, views, and location were just as good as we remembered when we went back to the restaurant for a late lunch today. The only difference? Improved facilities, with a glassed-in terrace that provided protection from the elements ... without hindering the amazing fjord views.

    We both ordered the perfectly grilled salmon. Mui got the locally-bottled apple juice … I ordered a local beer. A great meal ... and even the weather cooperated. The rain held off long enough so as not to veil our view of the fjord. In fact, it wasn’t until we were back on the ship that the wet stuff resumed falling.

    Next Up: Copenhagen, Denmark ... 508 NM away ... but first, a day at sea.
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  • At Sea

    22. juli 2019, North Sea ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Our last day at sea was a rainy one. Foggy, too.

    It was a quiet day, with nothing exciting to write about. A couple of lectures ... massages ... reading and writing ... breakfast and lunch at the Terrace Café ... dinner in the Grand Dining Room with our group.Les mer

  • Next Up: Vikings & Czars

    22. juli 2019, Skagerrak ⋅ 🌧 63 °F

    When we arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark tomorrow, most of the passengers will be disembarking Nautica. Not our group. We are amongst some 75-100 passengers who will be staying on for a 32-day adventure on the high seas.

    Mui and I are booked on the two-segment extended voyage that follows this cruise — (1) Copenhagen to Southampton and (2) Southampton to Southampton. So are the Gelmans and the Sweets. The Severinovskys, on the other hand, will keep us company for just one more segment.
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    Reisens slutt
    24. august 2019