We went to Bergen, and had the most beautiful train journey!

We had planned on going to Ireland for the summer of 2020, but due to the situation, we decided to go to Bergen instead. As we were not comfortable flying, we decided to take the train both ways.

The train journey between Oslo and Bergen might very well be one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, and I highly recommend giving it a go if you ever get the chance!

The piece of music used in this video is «Flowing», composed and played by Øystein Holmen, who’s a friend of mine. Read more about the story behind the song in the blogpost «The greatest gift».

The music is used in the video with permission.

Bergen, we were in you!

So, having my first week off work this summer, my girlfriend and I went to Bergen. On the morning of Tuesday 1 July we hopped on the bus, and headed north. The bus trips usually takes about 5 – 5 1/2 hours, but it isn’t so bad, as there are two ferry trips included. It breaks it up, and makes it more varied.

Photo: Hidden in a Book © 2014
My girlfriend and I on the first ferry.
Photo: Hidden in a Book © 2014

After checking into the hotel, we went to Bergen public library, where we walked around, and I borrowed a couple of Neil Gaiman books I hadn’t read. It’s a nice library, and I am planning on an entry for that all by itself.

We had dinner at Hot Wok, and the food was fresh and nice. Needless to say, going for a walk after dinner was a great plan, we even walked along the harbour, and had a nice view of Bryggen.

Photo: Hidden in a Book © 2014
Bryggen
Photo: Hidden in a Book © 2014

Saturday we had agreed to meet up with a friend of mine, so after breakfast we first walked around a bit before heading for Det lille kaffekompaniet, which in my opinion, is the best coffee place in Bergen. I must admit I was so thrilled about the good coffee there, I had three hot beverages! My friend met us there, and after he had had some coffee too, we headed for Fløyen.

Photo: Hidden in a Book © 2014
Inside Det lille kaffekompaniet.
Photo: Hidden in a Book © 2014

The hike up to Fløyen was really nice. It was nice to have a bit of a feel of the “woods”, which I don’t get very often where I live, and we had also some stops where we could enjoy the view over Bergen. At the top there’s a café/restaurant, where we just had a break eating ice creams, before walking back down to the centre of Bergen again.

Photo: Hidden in a Book © 2014
Bergen seen from Fløyen.
Photo: Hidden in a Book © 2014

After the hike, it was nice to relax with a cold beverage at a café. We found a book café called Krok og krinkel, after the recommendations from someone I know online, and had a bit of a rest there before we Went to have some pizza for dinner. After dinner, we said goodbye to my friend, and then headed back to the hotel.

Our main plan for Wednesday was to visit Bergen Aquarium. I’m a huge fan of penguins, and was very excited to see some live again.

The aquarium also had a sea lion show, that was much fun! It was so fun we decided to watch it twice! The penguin feeding was fun too. They had two chickens, the youngest beig only a couple of days old, the chicken of the same sex couple. Yes, the Bergen Aquarium has a same sex penguin couple! The seals were in mating season, so they were just occupied with eachother, than putting up a show for us. Which, of course, is totaly understandable. The aquarium has lots of other animals too, turtles, fish, reptiles of different kinds, and so on. Lots to watch!

Photo: Hidden in a Book © 2014
Lionfish
Photo: Hidden in a Book © 2014

Photo: Hidden in a Book © 2014
Proud penguin parent with the oldest chicken.
Photo: Hidden in a Book © 2014

Photo: Hidden in a Book © 2014
Sealion kiss.
Photo: Hidden in a Book © 2014

In the afternoon we met up with my girlfriend’s friend for dinner and later something sweet. It had been an eventfull day indeed.

Friday was our last day in Bergen, and we mostly spent time at cafés or walked around. Walking down Bryggen was interesting, with lots of tourists. We ended up having diner at Pygmalion, which serves organic food. I think we agreed we had the tastiest meal of our Bergen trip.

In the afternoon it was time to hop back on the bus, and head back home.