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The boat arrived into the harbor in Flåm, Norway. We had the rest of the afternoon and the next morning to explore the area. We took a hike that afternoon, had dinner at the Viking restaurant next to the hotel, and had a leisurely morning before catching the train out.

Thursday April 18, 2019 - Friday April 19, 2019



001-DSC_2936-header: Exploring Flåm 001-DSC_2936-headertext:

After we arrived, we checked into our hotel room, had a quick rest and then went to explore Flåm a bit. We hiked to the Brekkefossen Waterfall, but that's covered in the next Albumn/Folder. But on the way to that trail, we saw a little of the area.

001-DSC_2936: The train honked its horn just before passing us. Holy shit it was loud! 002-DSC_2937: Looking across the Flåmselvi River. 003-DSC_2938: The Brekkefossen Waterfall across the Flåmselvi River. 004-DSC_2939: I don't know what the black house is. A raised guesthouse? 005-DSC_2940: Cute house. Weird trees. Mountains and waterfall. Quite nice. 006-DSC_2941: Another waterfall. There are many around this region. 007-DSC_2942: A cute house with easy roof access. I don't know why. 008-DSC_2943: The trees are a bit weird, but intriguing. 009-DSC_2944: I don't know what a FagStrikk is but it has to do with knitting. 010-DSC_2974-header: Around the Flåm Hills 010-DSC_2974-headertext:

Heading back from the Brekkefossen Waterfall, we were on the west side of the Flåmselvi River, the same side as the falls, the opposite side as the pier. There had been recent roadwork and there were large piles of rocks and gravel. And the hills were still neat. 010-DSC_2974: The rock was neat, it had gray and pink components to it. 011-DSC_2975: More gray and pink rocks. 012-DSC_2976: Gravel mounds with mountains and a waterfall in the background. 013-DSC_2977: 014-DSC_2978: Snowy, mountain waterfall. 015-DSC_2979: A little kid is climbing on a gravel pile. 016-DSC_2980: The kid's parents are nearby watching him climb on the gravel. 017-DSC_2981: All things Flåm-related to the left. The bridge to the left is the E16 route and goes into a tunnel. Taking it the opposite direction will go to Gudvangen (through other tunnels). We continued on the road, going left a bit till we hit the next bridge. 018-DSC_2982: We crossed this bridge which took us back to the pier and the hotel. 019-DSC_2985-header: By the Pier (Flåmsbrygga) 019-DSC_2985-headertext:

The town of Flåm is pretty small, some houses and a few businesses. By the pier are more touristy places, like the hotels, gift shops, restaurants, and so on. The train terminal is also here. 019-DSC_2985: The ship parked here in the night, in front of our hotel room. 020-DSC_2987: Spring break cruise, woo! Or not. 021-DSC_2988: Scienic Flåm at the base of the Aurlandsfjord. 022-DSC_2989: Flåm is small but very scenic. 023-DSC_2990: Stephanie points to where we are (on Earth). The globe floats on water. 024-DSC_2991: A cruise ship docked at Flåmsbrygga. 029-DSC_2997: Information on the West Norwegian Fjords. 030-DSC_2998: Information on how the Flåm valley was formed. 031-DSC_2999: We were there, then. 032-DSC_3000: The pier, as a woman gazes off into the fjord. 033-DSC_3001: The touristy area with gift shops and such. 034-DSC_3002: The touristy area with gift shops and such. 035-DSC_3003: A map of Flåmsbrygga (the Pier and vicinity). 036-DSC_3004: They fjord tour boats will be going to all electric, zero emission. 037-DSC_3005: The dock for the ferries. 038-DSC_3006: A map of hikes around Flåms. We took #3 Brekkefossen waterfall. 039-DSC_3007: A map of the hikes around Flåm valley. We went to Brekkefossen waterfall. 040-DSC_3008: A monument to the Flåmsbana (railroad). 041-DSC_3009: The Flåmsbana tracks are in the distance in the center by the black signs.. 042-DSC_3010: A pier for a cruise ship. In the summer they can be stacked up 3 deep. 043-DSC_3011: The bigger hotel in Flåm by the pier. 044-DSC_3012: Looking across the water to the far side of the pier. 045-DSC_3013: 046-DSC_3014: Frank in Flåm. 046a-DSC_2935-header: Hotel and Restaurant 046a-DSC_2935-headertext:

We stayed in the Flåmsbrygga Hotell which is right by the water. Aside: I learned in Bergen that bryggen is the world for wharf or pier. And en as well as aas a suffix for the definite article the.

They provide a great breakfast that's included with the stay (no pictures of it, sorry; I was too busy eating) at the Flåmstova Restaurant. We had dinner at the associated Ægir Brewery and Pub (Bryggeripub). Sort-of Viking-themed or inspired food, plus Viking waiters. 046a-DSC_2935: Frank sitting on the patio outside of the hotel room. 047-DSC_3015: Flåmstova with Ægir behind it. The Face Tree is off frame to the right. 048-DSC_3016: Remains of a tree with faces carved into the various branches. 049-DSC_3017: Shooting into the sun (behind the Face Tree). 050-DSC_3018: More faces on the Face Tree. 051-DSC_3019: Frank doing his Gondor-statue impression with a lens-cap shield. 052-DSC_3021: Entrance to the Flåmsbrygga Hotell. 052a-DSC_2992: The Flåmsbrygga Hotell. 053-DSC_3022: The Flåmstova Restaurant, where the hotel serves breakfast (and other meals). 053a-DSC_2993: Ægir Brewery and Pub. Note the Viking Dragons onthe roofs. 053b-DSC_2994: Ægir Brewery and Pub, designed to look like a viking hut. 054-DSC_3023: The fireplace in the center of Ægir. 055-DSC_3024: The fireplace and balcony above it at Ægir. 056-DSC_3025: Tables off to the side while wating. 057-DSC_3026: Beyond the fireplace is the bar at Ægir. 058-DSC_3028: By the entranceway to Ægir, the wood is carved into a serpent/dragon. 059-DSC_3029: Doorway into Ægir. Bottom: