Nautica - 21st August 2013 Geiranger, Norway

I set the alarm for 5.45 am to watch the sail up the fjord into Geiranger but as I got up onto the deck I realised we were already well into the Fjord by then. I made it just in time to see us sail past the Seven Sisters Falls and about 20 mins later we were at Geiranger itself.

 

Just as we were having breakfast, staring out of the window, we saw the tip of a white bow appearing round the mountain. It was Artania (ex Artemis, ex Royal Princess) which arrived to join us.

 

Instead of anchoring however, she sailed past us to moor at the two floating buoys closer to the village. The tendering operation was like any other – as independents we had to get tender tickets and wait in the Nautica Lounge, but we were called to board almost immediately. Because of my walking limitations, we were each doing different things here. I bought tickets for the Sightseeing bus to Flydal and up the Eagle Road (200NK), to the two famous view points.

 

Unfortunately it was a very wet day, but in many ways that just added to the atmosphere and the waterfalls were stunning!. Back in the village I wandered around the head of the fjord finding some lovely Xmas decorations as well as interesting buildings to photograph. 

We were leaving at 1pm so at noon I tendered back to ship. I had a quick lunch (delicious vegetable burger) at Waves Grill as I wanted to watch our sail back down the fjord to pick up the passengers who had gone on an extended overland tour at Hellesylt. I wondered why one tender remained afloat as we hauled up our anchor but it soon became clear. Captain Ressa was going to give every passenger an amazing view of the Seven Sisters and the Suitor fall.s With the tender acting as a range-finder for the ship, the captain did a slow 360 turn in the fjord. 

 

 

Halfway through the turn we paused to one side to allow Artania and the Hurtigruten steamer Nordlys, to sail past us then continued until we faced back down the fjord and sailed to Hellesylt to pick up our tour people.

 

Despite the heavy rain, standing on deck staring up at the huge mountains, with the wonderful music of Grieg coming through the speakers on deck was total magic. Had it not been raining the plan had been for the orchestra to play Grieg live. After the turn, I sat on a sunbed under cover and watched the rain and just absorbed the whole experience.

 

Our pickup at Hellesylt was uneventful, Nautica remaining in the fjord and dropping tenders to do the collection. Then we went in to do the Trivia quiz – only managing third. Changed , had our usual cocktail, and went in for dinner. Unfortunately we were taken to table 25 and, as the water was getting increasingly bumpy as we headed out into the North Sea, the table began to vibrate quite a lot. I left before dessert and decided on bed as getting soaked all day and the vibration was making me feel unwell.