Today we bring you the sequel to “Train, Boat, Boat, Train, Train“.  Today’s episode is called “Train, Bus, Boat, Train, Train”. Actually, the tour guides call it Norway in a Nutshell, but we like our name better. Whatever you call it, it required getting up early to catch the local train out of Bergen. At Voss, we joined the throngs of other camera-toting tourists who had booked a similar journey and were waiting to board a fleet of buses. Our driver told stories as she navigated the steep hairpin turns down into Stalheimskleiva gorge, stopping for photo-ops at all the waterfalls along the way. Well, she had one story at least, and she drove very slowly past the falls. The route used to be the post road from Oslo to Bergen, and reaches an 18% gradient at the steepest point, so it felt like the coach was performing Downward Dog the entire way.

Once in Gudvangen, we grabbed a picnic lunch and boarded the good ship Fanaraaken. Holy hordes of people, Batman – the boat was crowded! Finding space where we could, we took as many photos as possible of the beautiful scenery while avoiding the chock-a-block deck chairs. Our route took us down the Nærøyfjord and its 1200 meter walls, then up the Aurlandsfjord to the resort village of Flåm.

Flåm is the terminus of the Flåmsbana railway, built with great effort in the early 20th century. It rises half a vertical mile over its 12.5 mile length, passing through twenty tunnels along the way. (It is nicknamed the 20 railroad: 20 km long, 20 tunnels, and 20 years to build.). The cars are driven by hydroelectric power produced onsite at the Kjosfossen waterfall. The train makes a stop here so everyone can get pictures, but the line seems to have some trouble with Huldra (local fairy spirits similar to the Sirens). During our stop, one of them appeared near the falls and held everyone entranced for several minutes before letting us board the train again.

In Myrdal we boarded an Oslo-bound train on the main Bergen line. Dinner from the cafe car, more fabulous views, and even wifi and power!