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The Norwegian Fjords
  • Ceri Chaplin

The Norwegian Fjords

A week around the Norwegian fjords on the P&I ship Iona. Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 27, 2023
    Ceri ChaplinThe Norwegian FjordsTraveler

    Southampton

    May 27, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    After a relatively painless trip to Southampton we parked the car in the city centre and took a taxi to the port. It became clear that we could have walked the short distance!

    Check in was painless. We dropped our bags and after checking in we went aboard and found it cabin before heading to the nearest bar to wait for Charlotte, Ed and the family!

    We spent the rest of the day relaxing, trying out the food and exploring the boat. Once it was time for Maddox and Lilah to go to bed we headed to our cabin and spent the evening relaxing next door with a short trip to the bar when glasses were empty!    Read more

  • Ceri ChaplinThe Norwegian FjordsTraveler
    1

    A day at sea

    May 28, 2023, North Sea ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Our first day at sea started with a leisurely breakfast in the Horizon restaurant after which Ed and I went to get a coffee in the atrium. I managed to bump into someone else on the ship that I know at breakfast!

    Next was a walk around the promenade deck. It got really windy at the front of the ship but the back was very calm and so we stopped at the sunset bar for the first drink of the day sitting in the sun.

    We met up with the others soon afterwards by which time it was time for another trip around the deck before getting food. We returned then to the sunset bar for a few more drinks and then just before 4 Ed and I headed inside for bingo! Sadly we didn't win!

    After bingo we played cards high up in the sky dome before returning to the cabin to shower and change for dinner. We didn't manage to book anywhere and so we simply had a more informal meal at the street food kiosks.

    By now it was time for the kids to go to bed and so Ed and I headed for a drink and some more cards before returning to our cabin for a night cap.

    Amazing where the day went really! I fell asleep with the boat rocking as it made its ways across the North sea.    Read more

  • Ceri ChaplinThe Norwegian FjordsTraveler
    1

    Stavanger

    May 29, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    We had military start with breakfast before heading out to explore Stavanger. Ed TS stayed on the ship so five of us headed out intrepidly into the town.

    The ship docked right in the heart of the town and today was the last stage of the tour of Norway cycle race so it was pretty busy.

    We wandered around the port and then walked up through the town and then through a woods to a viewpoint where we had fantastic views of the fjords and the centre of town where the ship was docked.

    After admiring the views we walk downhill to a bus stop to take a bus to the monuments where there are three swords that are over 10 m tall.

    After seeing the swords we found the bus stop before we caught the bus back to the town. It was pretty overcast and so we walked quickly back to the ship via the old town.

    Back on boards we met back up with Ed. TS and went 4 hour first drink of the day before some food at the restaurant. Next step was a quick dip in the infinity pool and a sneaky 15 minutes in the jacuzzi for Charlotte and me.

    One quick shower later and it was time for sail away and the obligatory sail away drinks.

    Maddox fell asleep in the bar and the Ed's were not feeling 100% and so by 7.30pm it was just me, Charlotte and Lilah. After watching a show in the sky dome we dropped Lilah off for bed and Charlotte and I went for dinner food in the coral restaurant before some drinks and a comedian in the bar and a bit of a late night!    Read more

  • Ceri ChaplinThe Norwegian FjordsTraveler

    Olden

    May 30, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    We arrived in Olden before 8 but we had a leisurely start and met for breakfast at some 9.30am.

    After breakfast Ed and I took a walk into the higher decks and some photos of the beautiful scenery around the Fjord.

    Just after 11am we left the ship to meet for our tour to the Briksdal glacier.

    The coach took us up the bakery passing pretty lakes before arriving at a parking area. We headed off for the 3km walk up to a lake into which the glacier flows. The first part of the trip was pretty steep and then the park levelled off for the last stretch. On reaching the lake there were beautiful views of the glacier with steep cliffs rising up from the lake.

    We returned along the path back to the parking area where cake and coffee had been laid on. We also saw photos showing how much the glacier has retreated since 1989 when the edge actually met the lake.

    The return to Olden retraced the route that we'd taken earlier in the day with one quick stop for photos and after a look at the souvenir shops we boarded the ship.

    We spent the rest of the day chilling and eating and admiring the views with a meal at Aqua restaurant and late night drinks in the bar.    Read more

  • Ceri ChaplinThe Norwegian FjordsTraveler

    Hellesylt

    May 31, 2023, North Sea ⋅ 🌬 9 °C

    By the time we had woken up we had already docked at Hellesylt. The little town with just over 300 residents is situated right at the end of the fjord and the main attraction here is a waterfall that we could see from our cabin.

    After having breakfast in the pearl restaurant we met up with the others and headed off the ship for the short walk in to the town.

    We did a bit of a circular walk across the lower bridge and then the upper one to see the waterfall from all sides! With the additional meltwater it was a pretty impressive sight. On the wander back to the ship we also stopped by a pretty Norwegian church.

    There wasn't a lot else to do and so we boarded the ship and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing. We were on the Crow's nest bar for the sail away to see the stunning route back out to sea.    Read more

  • Ceri ChaplinThe Norwegian FjordsTraveler

    An unexpected day at sea

    June 1, 2023, North Sea ⋅ 🌬 10 °C

    We woke to an announcement from the captain to say that we were unable to call in to the final destination as the winds were too strong (a force 8 gale)! There were no other suitable ports and so we were advised that we would start the return trip back to Southampton.... But very slowly.

    Despite the strong winds the boat felt very stable and it wasn't unpleasant.

    Ed and I had breakfast in the coral restaurant before spending the day playing cards and watching the sea go by. Another unsuccessful bingo game, this time with Lilah who shouted bingo in the wing place.

     The sun was warm and with the wind behind us I spent a very pleasant couple of hours before tea on the balcony chatting before some of us went for food and then back to the cabin for a nightcap.    Read more

  • Ceri ChaplinThe Norwegian FjordsTraveler

    Final day at sea

    June 2, 2023, North Sea ⋅ 🌬 12 °C

    Not a whole lot to say about today. A second day in a row at sea so time spent relaxing, in the pool with Lilah and Maddox and sampling more of the food on offer before a final steak at the Keel and Cow!Read more

    Trip end
    June 3, 2023
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