We flew from Cincinnati (CVG), to Paris (CDG) to London's Heathrow airport (LHR) via Delta. We always pack our carry on luggage as though we could do a whole vacation with just that....but Air France didn't have enough room from CDG to LHR for them, so they tagged and stowed and assured us they'd have it for us when we landed. Unfortunately the gate agent then turned and DEPLANED us and that caused our luggage to stop and not go on the plane. We landed and never got our luggage. According to the Air franceemployee at Heathrow, we were never on that flight....but we're here!
Awaiting luggage that never arrived until after the cruise left England!
Terminal K at CDG
Eventhough we didn't have luggage, we continued on with our plans. We stopped at Stonehenge and had dinner in Salisbury. Our driver from Smith's transport also stopped at a Tesco (like our Walmart) so that we could pick up toilletries and clothes for the night.
If you wish to save $20 GBP you have this view from the road, but we actually enjoyed walking around it. Plus we had to get the obligatory "O-H-I-O" pose. Dan, an Iowa fan, even helped!
Dinner in Salisbury was pleasant. I had the impression weather was always like this in England. I was wrong! We stayed at Meon Valley Marriot. The golf course looked amazing but we had to get to the ship and then back out to Southampton for clothes shopping. Thanks Air France.
The ship was Celbrity Eclipse, sister ship to Silhouette and Solstice. We really enjoy this class of ships. The first night we dined at Qsine and then did silent diso. Sadly I lost my video of silent disco but if you get the chance to do it, we highly recommend it. Not all Celebrity and Royal ships offer it.
The Molecular bar, which we loved, had changed to the World Bar, a private company. We were disappointed in this and found only 1 drink that we cared for. We migrated more to the martini bar.
The World bar did offer a mixology class. It was different from previous classes but we did learn more technique than drink tasting.
The onboard entertainment was better than I recall on a ship. The duo Gilly and the Girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYeE5igCKxM were fantastic and Ukebox band equally entertaining.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGqgFM3I2f0
Our first port was Bergen, Norway.
The day was a soaker. In Norway theu say there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing! Good attitude. Yes, he's mowing the grass in the rain.
We visited an old village where prior to their oil discovery they lived off the cod liver oil manufacturing as well as the eel and herring industry. Fires frequently destroyed the town and still appears to be happening today.
This is an Unesco World Heritage Site
We then rode the furnicular up the hillside to the overlook.
Do you see the track on the hillside?
I felt that I couldn't almost figure out some Norsk! Student was easy:
We also got all of our luggage!
The Next day we went to Flam Norway. This was my favorite of all the stops, just for the sheer beauty. Usually the port stop is not this pretty.
We took a train ride up the fjord and stopped at one point to photograph the falls. The train stopped and a sirene did a dance that lured men into the falls. I had to keep my hand on Jim so that he didn't chase her into the falls!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4b5OSFmHxo
The train continued to the top and we got off. Some rode bikes down while we hiked 6-7 miles. 21 hairpin turns down into a valley. The walk down was surreal it was so beautiful.
At the base of the valley there were goats everywhere. It was so bizarre but reminded me that this was their land.
One was trying to eat my string on my jacket.
We had a light lunch at the farm in the valley. Thankfully, it was not goat!
People were also eating fresh raspberries along the way as well.
The scenery never stopped in Flam. We had a lovely walk.
Jim even found a swing!
When the train let us off there was a cool market area where they had craft beers, reindeer meatballs and crepes.
Even leaving the fjord was just as pretty.
Onto Geiranger Norway where we rode troll cars up to the Birksdal Glacier, another 8 hour tour in beautiful Norway. As we enter this fjord, which is also an Unesco World Heritage Site, we stop and hear the tale of the 7 sisters and the suitor fall on the opposite side. The ship stops and does a 360 degree turn at 8am.
When the 7 sisters all find a suitor Stavanger Norway will flood with a tsunami, or so the legend goes. The scenery up to the glacier is gorgeous. When you want to mow your roof you put a goat up there. The grass insulates the hut and keeps it warmer.
We had lunch then headed out for the troll cars, past a big waterfall which may spray you, and to the glaciers we went.
We went to the otherside of the glacier/fjord. It was drier and there was a winding road that we came down.
Can you see the 2 buses passing each other? Whew!
Hey can I ride with you?
Lookout for the sheep in the road!
Goodbye Geiranger!
The next day we stopped in Alesund and did the Path of the Trolls. I don't know that I would spend the money for this again. It was beautiful but nothing compared to the last 2 stops.
Best raspberries I've ever eaten
Finally we went to Stavanger, Norway. This was a bit of a hipster town. We did the Lysefjord cruise and had lunch in town. A shorter excursion was nice.
Our guide was Lila and about the cutest person I met. Her microphone kept cutting out and she'd say "Hello...it's me" Getting her Adele on.
We went under Pulpit rock, stopped for some dramatic music and a story about runaway bandits. We had wonderful waffles with strawberry and whipped cream.
An oyster and mussel farm below
Pulpits rock from the top, which we did not see
Then we headed into town for shopping, eating and pubbing.
Very cool town. We'd visit Norway again!
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