One of the things I heard about this country was Fjords. When I came here got to know there is a cruise to Fjords. When inquired, it came out to be reasonably costly. But since have to see it, booked the tour called Norway in the Nutshell for almost kr 2000. Everything was set for the Saturday 19-Jun. Come that day and we were on the bus stop at 5:30 am. Reached the NSB railway station at 5:50 am and the train was at 6:30 am. Too early.... But somehow this time went by and we boarded the train. It was moving slowly, stopping for signals. At @ 8 am it came to standstill and the conductor came over to tell that there is a power failure ahead and train cannot move for at least next 2 hrs. So our tour was canceled and we returned to Oslo. Stood in a queue to get the ticket postponed to next day i.e. Sunday. But due to this incidence, one of our members dropped out. But guess what another one joined in his place. So we were still four planned for next day. But inside there was very much frustration. Can power on a railway line fail. This does not happen in India and this is supposedly developed country. But lets keep our hope alive.
Next day was bit casual. We planned for slightly late bus and reached railway station at 6:15 am. Train was on the platform. We boarded and the train was almost full. We could notice quite a few yesterday's faces. But the day seems to be better. Bright and sunny, no clouds at all. Train was running at quite nice pace. At @ 10 we were reaching Finse. What a spot. The water is less than 50 mtrs from the platform and on the midsummer day, it had snow. Amazing.. We were thrilled. Don't know what was in the store.
After reaching Myrdal, we had some food that gave us some energy for second half of the day. And there comes Flamban. The Flam railway has outstanding view outside. It has to be experienced. Crystal clean water, dense woods. Fabulous journey it was and we met a doctor from Kolhapur on that train. He was in Oslo for a convention and was out on weekend. We heard announcement that there is a photostop. And suddenly everyone shouted wowww....
The Kjosfossen waterfall was amazing. The sprinkles were coming on the camera lens but no one bothered. It was an awesome feeling. Everyone was trying to save it to them. Total experience in the Flam train is fabulous. The train we had been told that takes a 180 deg turn in order to go round the rock.
Then came another beauty of nature. Fjords cruise. It was wonderful 2 hours. Looking at the mammoth natural structures, we realise how small creatures we are. They are wonders of nature. There is lot to write about the experience. The only thing that can describe what I experienced there is 'peace'... At some moment there was silence and I think it can happen at such a serene place where everyone on such a big cruise would like to be peaceful and enjoy the nature.
We got down from the cruise and headed towards bus towards Voss. Thought the tour is over but there was a surprise. We were headed to a road that was having 1 in 5 gradient and hairpin turns. The driver was telling us the history and I was thinking "Man look straight and drive" That is the oldest road that connects Oslo and Bergen. The bus took us to Voss and then the train to Oslo.
All and all an amazing experience and I am sure I would not have enjoyed the same had I done it on Saturday in the bad weather. So it was meant to be for best.
For some more photos check out this.
No comments:
Post a Comment