Exploring Bergen

We started off our lazy Sunday morning in Bergen with a great breakfast in our apartment. It took me awhile to figure out the Norwegian directions on how to make pancakes from the mix we bought, but surprisingly, they didn't turn out too bad! With a little strawberry jam smeared on top, they were consumed quickly. Scrambled eggs were also on the menu and I must say, they have great eggs in Norway. They are huge and like the pancakes, they too were devoured rapidly by the four men I'm traveling with.... Oh, and the bread, it's amazing too. It's hearty and thick, yet soft, with a crispy crust. I'm going to miss it. 

After our version of a Sunday brunch, Bob and I struck out on an adventure to visit the home of Edvard Grieg and a stave church just outside of Bergen. 

It's always a bit of a challenge getting from point A to point B using a foreign country's public transit system and there can be moments of frustration, like when our non-chip American credit card would not let us purchase tickets from the automated machine; however, sometimes you just get lucky.... Bob and I lucked out by asking a few of the right people along with using our trusted travel instincts to finally reach our destinations via the Bergen light rail system.  

I enjoyed exploring the museum and home of Norway's most famous composer, Edvard Grieg. His Victorian home and "composing hut" are nestled along the picturesque coastline near Troldhaugen. Who woudn't be inspired to write such mangfiicant music here? Anyway, I was inspired by the beauty. It was amazing to see some of his original handwritten scores and learn a bit about his life. This native-born Bergen, whose mother was a concert pianist, was discovered by the infamously Ole Bull. At the age of 15 Griege was whisked away to study in Lepzig, Germany. He started composing in his early 20's, married his first cousin and eventually he traveled Europe extensively performng in concerts. He used his home to entertain many other contemporary artists of the day. I especially like his pieces "Morning Mood", "Wedding Day at Troldhaugen" and "In the Hall of the Mountain King".

After we successfully retraced or 20-minute walk back to the train station, we proceeded to our next stop at the Fantoft Stave church. It was a beautiful, large stave church that was rebuilt by hand with original tools in 1997 after it tragically burned down in 1992. The wood carving on the pews and altar were incredible! Since it was Sunday, Bob felt compelled to hop up onto the pulpit. It was a natural fit!! 

For our last night in Bergen we decided to eat at an authentic Norwegian restaurant on the Bryggen. I had the most incredible salmon and Bob had a mouth-watering white cod dinner that would have made his grandmother Della smile! Both were served with boiled potatoes, ya sure. Oh, and we just had to stop for an ice cream cone on the way back. 

We spent the rest of our evening playing cards in our apartment with the boys while listening to some of Grieg's symphonic masterpieces! What a great day!