John Muir once said.... We know exactly what he felt. Jason and I are also drawn towards the mountains whenever we are near them. We were up very early this morning and driving 5 hours north to the mountains and fjords of Norway. We have already done so many wonderful things so far, but Jason and I both agree that today tops them all so far. Our little rental car - whom we have named Olaf, was very good to us. It carried us north from the Oslo region, through farm country, and heavily treed landscapes. Through many long mountain tunnel passes. It took us on two separate ferries across the fjord. It also took us up a steep steep steep winding ( did I mention how steep and winding it was) one lane road in which two small cars could barely pass, never mind when an SUV, motor home, or heaven forbid coach bus came along. But we sucked up some of the fear, and drove up it to what seemed like the top of the earth. Wait until you see the views and what we found up there. We just got back to the hotel in Oslo, and are very tired after our 17 hour day. But we are also excited to share this day with you. (Sleep is overrated). So lets begin..... The countryside and critters we met along the way. On our way to the Magnificent Fjords -UNESCO World Heritage Site The fjords - You will not find fjords more beautiful anywhere else in the world, nor more of them. From the north to the south, Fjord Norway presents an amazing array of fjords surrounded by varied terrain. In summer 2005, the Nærøyfjord was nominated to UNESCO’s celebrated World Heritage List – but they have drawn tourists here since the early 19th century, including the thousands who come by cruise ship every year. The Nærøyfjord is the most spectacular arm of the Sognefjord and the narrowest fjord in the world, at one point only 250 metres wide, with mountains towering more than a thousand metres above its tranquil waters. Our first ferry was a quick 10 minute ride from Fodnes to Manheller. Our second ferry, which we had prebook reservations for was the popular Kaupanger to Gudvangen Ferry which took 2 hours and 45 minutes down the famous Naeroyfjord. So many great pictures to take, and none of them do it justice. It was a beautiful sunny day. We have sunburns from the sun and reflection of the water. We saw so many waterfalls, and unbelievable rock faces that were so high up there was snow on top of them. We even spotted a porpoise in that water! After the ferry, instead of taking a long tunnel back outside the fjordland, we decided to take the snow road up and over the mountain. It is only open in July and August and once we were up there we understood why. It is a treacherous drive. But oh, the views!!!! But this view is not where this road ended, it continued going up!!!!!! We found the snow, at the top of the world!!!! It is such an exhilarating feeling being that high. Yes...we truly are Canadians standing in the snow in our shorts and flipflops! But , it was time to come back down from the mountains and make the long drive back to Oslo. We came down the mountain and so did that melting snow! A few more photos from our day of exploration.
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