2012 Cruise of Coastal Norway III: Flaam & Stavanger

Wednesday, June 27 AT SEA

Since today was a free day, we took our time at breakfast in the Coral Dining Room. The menu special of Corn Flake French Toast sounded interesting. Both of us thought it very good.

The Adagio Body  Balancing Act again was

performing at the atrium. 

Formal dress for dinner tonight in the Coral Dining Room.

Shaved dry ham for starters:

Steak and vegetables for the main dish

Showtime "Caliente"

Thursday, June 28, Flaam

Today Fred signed up at the last minute for this all day adventure. Annette begged off, preferring to relax on board instead. When Fred boarded the excursion bus, he found fellow table mates had been assigned to the same #11 bus.

Our bus took us through a long, long tunnel into fjord country:

At the end of the tunnel was Gudvagen, located at the end of the Naeroyfjord.

The bus parked here, giving us time to explorer the park-like setting. Bus #12 had also stopped here giving me a chance to meet with our good friends from England.

We continued up the scenic Naeroy Valley 

and witnessed evidence of landslides.

Our immediate goal was the Stalheim Hotel where we were treated to pastry and coffee.

This historic hotel was located on a scenic overlook that gave us a commanding view of the valley below.

Off to my right was another nice viewing platform that faced rushing water.

A Norwegian flag flapped in the wind:

Flowers were gorgeous:

The only thing left to be photographed was me:

We left this wonderful place and started the deep descent into the valley below.

Passing magnificent waterfalls along the way:

The highway eventually leveled off and we drove along flowing water until we reached a serene lake-like setting.

A little further on we came upon a majestic waterfall off to our right. The bus driver pulled over for a planned visit.

From here we headed to Voss for a Norwegian buffet and Norwegian Hansa beer :

With a little free time before boarding our train, I ambled over to this historic church:

At the appointed time we gathered at the train depot for our first of two train rides.

While waiting on the platform I found photo opportunities:

Our first train ride was on the regular Bergen line to Myrdal and the cars were just passenger cars:

But it was on our second train that we picked up in Myrdal that offered the great scenery en route to Flaam. We journeyed from 3,000 feet to sea level on a 12 mile ride

The train stopped at the 280-foot Kjofossen Waterfall for a photo shoot. Our car was actually in a tunnel and we took a boardwalk to the viewing platform.

 

And then on to Flaam and the waiting Caribbean Princess.

We made it back for dinner and headed to the Coral Dinning Room. The menu included Orange Roughy:

To celebrate Fred's birthday Annette ordered German white wine and a birthday cake.

Showtime tonight was a double-header: Vocalist Emily Reed and Comedian Kevin Devane:

Friday, June 29, Stavanger

Annette and I decided to stay on ship for this port. We had a nice view of the waterfront buildings from the promenade deck.

Dinner tonight was fantastic. Starters above. Annette also ordered a smoothie.

The waiters made a big deal out of Annette's lobster. Fred ordred Beef Tenderloin Wellington.

Showtime presented "Born to Be Wild".

Late night festivities included the ballon drop at the atrium.

Saturday, June 30, AT SEA

Today was a day of liesure and packing. We had our last dinner together with table mates at the Coral Dining Room.

 Annette ordered New York strip steak and Fred chose American style meat loaf.

Showtime presented the International Crew Show and the Princess rendition of "If I Were Not Upon the Sea."

And thus ender our Princess Cruise of Coastal Norway.