Norway – the Land of Majestic Fjords

Often compared to the head of a tiger-shaped Scandinavian peninsula, Norway has long been globally renowned for its thousands of various-sized narrow fjords, considered the world's ideal destination for exploring the magnificent beauty of natural wonders dating back to the ice age.

Traveling in Norway – the Realm of Narrow Fjords

Ranked as the 61st largest country globally by land area, Norway is home to just over 5 million people. Many regions here remain relatively untouched by human impact, preserving their pristine beauty.

After consulting the popular Norway in a Nutshell tour program in Norway, we decided to embark on a budget-friendly journey to avoid breaking the bank in a country where the cost of living is notoriously high compared to the UK or France.

Bergen – Tranquil Ancient Capital

Once the capital of Norway throughout the 13th century, boasting picturesque landscapes and a distinctive cultural heritage, Bergen stands as the country's second-largest city (after Oslo), nestled on the western coast. It serves as a bustling port with regular visits from fishing boats, tourist ships, and serves as the gateway to Norway's most famous narrow fjords.

Surrounded by seven mountains, with Floyen mountain being the tallest, Bergen is famously known as the rainiest city in Europe. Bergen's old town exudes romance with its steep, tranquil streets. The houses lining the mountainside showcase quintessential Scandinavian charm with their vibrant, eye-catching colors.

In Bergen lies the Bryggen harbor district, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1979. Preserving the iconic pointed-roof houses of various colors dating back to the 12th to 17th centuries. These buildings face the harbor with private courtyards behind them.

Initially constructed from wood, these houses were later expanded and rebuilt using stone to store goods, as Bergen endured several devastating fires that heavily damaged wooden structures. Bryggen suffered a similar fate, with only about a quarter of the houses and warehouses remaining after the fires of 1702. Most of the current buildings date back to the early 20th century, following designs by architect Jens Zetlitz Monrad Kielland. Only a few stone-built basement floors from the 15th century have been preserved.

In 1955, a section of Bryggen was once again destroyed by fire. Today, this area is used for building museums, shopping centers, and eateries catering to tourists. The city boasts numerous historic buildings such as Saint Mary's Church (dating back to the 12th century), Bergenhus Fortress, Håkon's Hall, Bergen University, and the music institute.

Adjacent to the harbor is the Fisketorget fish market, bustling with activity from early morning until late at night. Established around 1200, it is one of Norway's most famous outdoor markets. Initially, we were a bit confused as there are two fish markets, one indoor and one outdoor. With some spare time, we decided to visit both. It turned out to be a delightful experience as at the indoor market, visitors can indulge in fresh seafood and enjoy street musicians' performances.

Walking through the fish market, we were invited to try various dishes, from smoked salmon to whale meat. We decided to wait for grilled fish in the chilly North European breeze to observe the differences between Norwegian and Vietnamese grilled fish. The distinction was quite apparent as the fish here is from the sea, with entirely different accompaniments, offering a fresh and novel experience...

To behold Bergen from above, many opt for the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen - one of Bergen's seven highest mountains. It takes about ten minutes to ascend to the 320-meter-high Fløyen peak. It's fascinating to gaze down at the serene city of Bergen below. It feels like stepping into an Andersen fairy tale kingdom, with the most impressive sight being the tiny houses basking in the golden afternoon sun.

After feasting our eyes on the panoramic view of Bergen, instead of descending by funicular, many weekend tourists choose to hike through the forest. Amidst the romantic forest scenery, with the golden sun still casting its glow on ancient fir trees, occasional wild strawberries dot the path. Breathing in the fresh air, we delight in the sweet taste of northern wild strawberries.

Following the delightful forest hike, the group decided to venture into a restaurant by the harbor. Outside the dock, seagulls call out to each other. Diners flock to the roadside eateries to enjoy cold beer, watching the sunset gradually fade beyond the shimmering sea.

Encountering Huldra on the World's Most Beautiful Railway Journey

Norway's railway journey is hailed as the most beautiful in the world, so tourists are encouraged to experience it. Operating for over a century, the railway remains in excellent condition, with trains equipped with the latest modern amenities, providing passengers with utmost comfort. The railway traverses mountains, plains, rivers, allowing passengers to enjoy various serene landscapes.

After approximately three hours on the train, we arrived at Flåm. The terrain here comprises towering mountains reaching nearly a thousand meters high, standing tall like sturdy stone walls. Below the mountains lie narrow fjords - the result of geological changes from the ice age. As colossal layers of ice melted rapidly, the gaps between the mountain slopes were formed and later filled with seawater, becoming the deep fjords that penetrate the land, known as fjords by the Norwegians.

From the Flåm station, we embarked on a 20-kilometer train journey lasting about an hour. The train ascends from an altitude of 59 meters above sea level to the Myrdal station located at 867 meters above sea level. Such a height difference dramatically alters the scenery. While Flåm is adorned with budding greenery along the roadside, Myrdal retains its snowy white blanket covering the mountain slopes. A dazzling white hue stretches along both sides of the road. Nestled amidst the sparse forests are skiing areas and summer cottages.

At the Kjosfossen station, the train paused for about five minutes to allow passengers to disembark and explore. Amidst the roaring sound of the waterfall, within those fleeting five minutes, we heard a melodious singing voice emanating from somewhere. Suddenly, amidst the midst of the waterfall, a maiden in a red dress appeared, singing and dancing.

According to Nordic legend, there is a woman who dwells in the woods named Huldra. She is exceedingly beautiful but has an unsightly cow's tail, deterring any man from approaching. She uses her beauty and sweet voice to enchant solitary hunters in the deep woods and make them her husbands. During the stops at Kjosfossen, one wonders if this red-clad Huldra manages to captivate any bewildered tourists.

From Myrdal, travelers can either return to Bergen or continue on to Oslo. The temperature shock and air pressure sometimes cause slight dizziness for some passengers as they step off the train. However, a few minutes of breathing in the fresh air quickly restores equilibrium. We took the opportunity to snap a few more souvenir photos before heading back to Flåm.

In the final leg of the journey, we opted to rent a small 12-seater boat to explore the Naeroyfjord - a small branch of the Sognefjord with cliffs rising 1,400 meters high, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. We then returned to Bergen via cruise, passing through the majestic Sognefjord, stretching 204 kilometers, the largest and deepest fjord in the world. The captain cum guide occasionally announced highlights for passengers to capture. Everyone eagerly held their cameras ready, akin to professional photographers.

During this season, the skies of Northern Europe are poetic, while the water surface is as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the mountains and drifting clouds. Boats pass through many beautiful towns with colorful houses, surrounded by the fresh green of the mountains. The picturesque scenery leaves almost all passengers on the train quietly admiring, as if afraid that even a loud breath could blur the magnificent landscape before their eyes...

By Lan Huong/Entrepreneur Saigon

***

Reference: Travel Handbook Mytour