Travel: 2025

Norway Viking Jupiter Cruise Pre-Tour 19 - 23 June 2025

View from roof bar Clarion Hub Oslo

Our pre-tour group at Vigeland sculpture park Oslo

Granite and bronze by the same sculpture, Vigeland - largest sculpture park in Norway

Viking ship replica under construction at the Maritime Museum Oslo

Vikings coined the terms "port" and "starboard." Their “long ships” had the rudder on the right rear side, so they docked with the left side facing the wharf to protect the rudder. Therefore, the left side was called "port," and "starboard" comes from the Viking word for rudder.

Oslo street scenes

Oslo - Bergen train above the tree line

Stop at Finse near the highest altitude ~3000 ft

Arriving Bergen

Salmon and whale steak (tastes like beef not fish - duh) dinner

At dinner, we spoke with a couple from Manchester. They noted that Brexit has led to unrest about immigration, as European immigrants left the UK and were replaced by less favored non-Europeans.

Bergen classic scenery

Throughout history, Bergen's neighborhoods of wooden houses have experienced multiple fires. Our bus tour included a visit to a village featuring restored houses from the 16th century. These structures were reminiscent of reconstructed American villages from the colonial era.

We visited an archaeological museum, where exhibits demonstrated how excavations following the most recent fires revealed multiple layers of Bergen's civilization.

Our tour bus was a comfortable electric battery-powered model manufactured in China (E-Coach, Tourist Coach or Intercity Coach-Yutong), offering approximately 225 miles of range. For improved maneuverability, the bus featured both front and rear wheel steering. According to our guide, 25% of cars in Norway and over 40% of cars in metropolitan areas are battery-powered.

Grandson, Allan, graduated Montana State University – BS physics. Parents Julia and Nathan, brother, Tad and my sister, Nancy plus Priscilla Salant joined Lauve and me for a long weekend to celebrate.

Hanging out at Allan's rented apartment, a 100-year-old house. Tad spent his "gap year" here working, climbing and hanging with his brother and friends.