I awoke about 4am and looked out to see that we were sailing past snowy mountains rising straight out of the sea. About 6am, we entered Geiranger Fjord. There was no way to take one's eyes off the beauty, the waterfalls, the magnificence of it all.
Dawn
Coming into Geiranger Fjord
The high point (literally and figuratively) of our time in Geiranger--other than just the fact of being in it, of course--was a drive up to Eagle's Bend. We traversed 11 hairpin turns as we edged our way up a very steep slope, culminating in the view to end all views. This road presents quite a challenge for bus drivers. They know their way, for sure, but neither the drive nor the ride is for the faint of heart.
The beginning of the 11 switchbacks
Views from the top
After reveling in the gorgeous views of the fjord, the village, and the waterfalls (especially the Seven Sisters), we visited the Nordic Fjord Center where we saw a slide show of what the area looks like in different seasons and got to see exhibits on life in fjord country.
There was an interesting Waterfall Walk, a constructed walkway that skirted along a stream and waterfall just above the village, that gave us a chance to stretch our legs.
Our ship rested in the fjord until about 6:30pm, when we had a narrated "Sail Out." It was standing room only in the Explorers' Lounge, the large panorama lounge at the front of the ship. Some of us braved standing out on the deck to enjoy the scene up close and personal and to squeeze in just a few more shots of those spectacular waterfalls and vistas of the fjord as we snaked our way back out of this long arm of a larger fjord system.
The Seven Sisters (not all seven in view this early in the year)
Geiranger "Sail Out"
This day will definitely be one of the highlights of our time here.
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