More boathouses with a sailboat.
I’m guessing that’s a hotel?
I love those trees!
We took a train to see this waterfall called Kjosfosson. It’s 305 feet from top to bottom and only accessible by train.
It was very chilly when we arrived at our final destination. We were provided hot chocolate and delicious waffles, which were much appreciated. Did I mention that this was in July?
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
Just one photo today. I believe this is the Hardangerfjord area. Look closely and you’ll see tiny houses. I love the way the greenery is reflected in the water.
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
Houses overlooking the Geirangerfjord. Remember, white is a status symbol. I imagine these houses are pretty expensive.
This house is kind of built into the rocky hillside. If you look closely you can see the bluish-green water under that add-on.
A nice-looking sailboat and some speedboats.
A lovely floral arrangement.
More kayaks.
Such a scenic area.
A beautiful vista. Thanks for going along!
Great weekend, everyone….
{carole}
I’ve wanted to see the Geirangerfjord for years and it didn’t disappoint. The only problem was photographing all of it. You really have to see it in person to take in all of the grandeur.
We had to take these tenders because the cruise ship wouldn’t fit.
As you can see, the mountains are really high.
I love the greens and blues.
When I first looked at this photo, I thought the little red things were some kind of markers, like they have in swimming pools to show lanes. But when I blew up the photo I saw people in kayaks! The white thing is the size of a tugboat. This gives you an idea of the scale of the area.
Some areas were really rocky.
I imagine everyone who lives in this area would have to own a boat.
When we got out of the tenders there was kind of an outpost where there were restaurants…
A grocery store named “Joker.” I think Norwegians pronounce “J” like a “Y.”
A bakery…
…where they were offering pastries like these.
Wish we could have tried them, but we weren’t hungry at all.
One last shot of waterfalls. I’ll have more next time.
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
I love these little boathouses in Flåm. We took a train there and got to see the Sognefjord, which is where my Norwegian grandmother was from.
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
Near the Geirangerfjord there were a lot of waterfalls. If you look closely you’ll see houses. Can you imagine being right next to falls on top of those rocks? I’m not seeing any roads, but surely there are some? This is also really high up. I know my Norwegian grandmother’s family emigrated to the U.S. because farmland was so scarce. Now I see why.
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
And I have proof….
I took this photo of our clock right as the sun was setting. I don’t remember where I got the newspaper–I was probably saving the crossword puzzle for later.
The sunset in question.
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
Really like the colors here. See below for the building reflected in the water….
A stone church.
It’s a little battered, but I like the color and details on this door.
I zoomed in on this to see what it says in the shield. “BLOD OG ILD,” then underneath, “FRELSES-ARMEEN.” Google translated this as “Blood and Fire, Salvation Army.” Did a little research and discovered that the Salvation Army played a role in WWII to help the Norwegian Resistance efforts against the Germans.
I went back to capture this beautiful sailboat.
The sky was so blue that day!
A hotel in that great shade of yellow.
Can you imagine designing an entire city? I can’t.
Such a picturesque little city. See the yellow school?
One last look.
And we’re off again.
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
The Art Nouveau Center.
Art Nouveau is a late 19th and early 20th century aesthetic movement influenced by the natural world and defined by organic shapes and sinuous lines. Art Nouveau’s broad influence across architecture, design, and visual arts allows for the creation of what are known as total works of art, where every element of a structure from its windows to door handles to decorative flourishes create an Art Nouveau experience.
I’m just realizing now that I’ve been a fan of art nouveau architecture for decades.
Let’s walk through Ålesund once again….
This is a school. I really like that shade of yellow. I imagine it helps to look at this when the winter days are so dark.
Another view. It really is a pretty school.
And the playground.
The phone booth isn’t art nouveau but I imagine the phone company has strict guidelines?
There’s that lovely mint color again.
I always like to get at least one window display.
Even the parking garage is aesthetically pleasing.
I’m kind of a sucker for window boxes. They remind me of when I lived in Southern Bavaria.
Blue and white.
More blue.
This looks to be a combination bar and shop. Love the castle theme.
Part III coming next time. I took a LOT of photos here.
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
After looking back at my photos, I think Ålesund might be my favorite city in Norway. We didn’t make it to Oslo, but Ålesund is pretty hard to beat. I read that Ålesund is known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904. Let me show you….
I really like the way the buildings are reflected in the water. Ålesund is a seaport, and the gateway to the Geiranger fjord.
I’m guessing this is an interior design place.
A closeup of the detail.
The main bridge…
…where we found this accordionist.
How cool is this doorway? And the building that goes with it….
I like this doorway too.
Would you believe a convenience store?
Love the blue on this building.
I also like this mint green, which we saw more than once. I’ll post more next time.
Lastly, couldn’t resist taking this shot of a hydrangea….
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 