After a morning exploring the Mostraumen Straight and the fjords around Bergen the boys are ready to stretch their legs and I am ready to explore the city. We disembark our Rødne Fjord Tour boat back at Zachariasbryggen wharf and walk around the Harbour past Bryggen to the Bergenhus Fortress.… Read the rest
The Flåmsbana
We have spent the morning in Flåm followed by a cruise of The Fjords and now, after lunch, we board the Flåmsbana train to journey some more through this incredible Norwegian landscape.
The Flåmsbana is a railway journey that travels 20km from Flåm at the Aurlandsfjord, a tributary of the Sognefjord that we have just explored, at least partly, this morning, and up along the line to Myrdal in the high mountains.… Read the rest
Flåm
Flåm has the greenest of greens. The bluest of blues. The whitest of whites. The horizon closes in, jagged against the most expansive of skies. The clouds drift in between, not willing to take sides.
There is a breathtaking beauty in nature that slips the mind when living in the city.… Read the rest
Copenhagen by Canal
It’s my birthday and I am out to explore Copenhagen by canal.
I wake up feeling better than yesterday. I haven’t been well and despite being rather desperate to get out and explore Copenhagen, I spent the previous day in bed, somewhat resigned to the fact that today may be spent the same way.… Read the rest
Helsinki
Finland’s capital, Helsinki, sits on a southern peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. We have arrived at the port and I’m itching to get into the city but as usual, it’s a bit chaotic getting five people ready and out the door in the morning. … Read the rest
Tallinn, Estonia
The wind whips through my hair as we walk along the pier to our first glimpses of Estonia. There’s not much by way of sign posts to the Old Town but I know Tallinn is going to be special. … Read the rest
At Sea
“Forgive me for saying so, but you’re too young for cruising” my work colleague quips a few weeks before our departure. On the contrary, I rather wish we had discovered this way of travel long before now.
We’re on our first day at sea travelling from Warnemünde, Germany to Tallinn, Estonia where we will dock tomorrow morning. … Read the rest
La Dolce Far Niente
La dolce far niente, a fabulous Italian saying for just mooching around. But this is far from wasting time. This is the art of doing nothing. In fact, we’re not quite doing nothing. We’re on Lady Pinto with Candida for a boat trip and day out in Antarctica. … Read the rest
New Year’s Eve
It’s New Year’s Eve and I’m determined to put my slightly tragic (from a sightseeing perspective) visit to Abu Dhabi this morning aside and concentrate on enjoying the build up and anticipation of the encroaching New Year.
My husband has given the boys lunch and put them to bed for a sleep. … Read the rest
Venchi Reunited
OMG Venchi! Yes, this gelato deserves not just its own post, but another post as I discover MSC makes its own Venchi gelato on board. As if I wasn’t sold with cruising already. I’m sold again!
So, it seems, is Harley, although I dare say he isn’t as fussy or as entirely impressed as I am. … Read the rest