To get from Stavanger to Bergen we had to do a bit of island hopping and more tunnels.

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The ferries here are different from the ones in Washington in that the front (and back) close to keep the water out when the water is rough.

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Here is the ferry with the front closed. When it is opening it almost looks like a whale's mouth opening :-)

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Along the way we got to see some beautiful farms.

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The Gulf Stream blesses Bergen with a benign climate and an ice-free harbor but it is also the country's wettest city with some 89 inches of rain a year. We were very lucky to have warm, sunny weather.

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There were many statues scattered around town. I particularly liked this one.

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Edvard Grieg composed much of his music (such as the score for Per Gynt) here in this house in Bergen.

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This beautiful view of the lake was Grieg's inspiration.

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We rode Floibanen, a funicular to the top of Floyen Mountain for...

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...this panoramic view of Bergen and...

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...this meeting with a friendly troll!

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Back down at the harbor we visited the open-air fish market where fishmongers from as far afield as Asia sell from their tanks that are teeming with live cod and crawling crustaceans. We were given samples of salmon prepared and seasoned several different ways as well as whale (which I'll never eat again!)

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These buildings of the Hansa Merchants have been meticulously preserved and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking this area is like stepping back in time to before the Reformation.

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