Wandering Publicist

Flam was our next destination as we toured the fjords. When we told our friends in Balestrand that we were heading to Flam, their faces fell a bit. They told us Flam is like Times Square (saying that to a New Yorker is one way to crush our dreams,) and bursting with tourists. One of the reasons it is so popular, aside from its beauty, is the Flam Railway, which has been dubbed the worlds most incredible train journey by Lonely Planet.

While we were a little bummed to leave Balestrand and head to Times Square, I was excited to discover a new destination. Upon arrival, we immediately sense the difference. Buses everywhere, cruise ships, and hundreds of people milling about or shopping in the various touristy stores. This was very much in contrast to Balestrand where we encountered about 10 people. We left the crowds to check into our hotel. It was more peaceful in the evening as many people only stopped here for the day.

We chose Flamsbrygga hotel for its rustic cabin style vibe and unlimited free coffee (can I get an amen?)! We lucked out again with the room view and were able to enjoy the stunning scenery from the comfort of our balcony, with a coffee in hand of course.

After settling in, we headed for a hike to Brekkefossen waterfall. The trail presents some challenges as you are essentially going straight uphill for the entire distance. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the waterfall and see the absolutely breathtaking view of the village. We even encountered several goats complete with goat bells around their neck, happily eating the foliage. The weather was perfect; I couldn’t have asked for a better day to embark on this hike.

At the top, I encountered one other person. Her name was Julia. She took my photo and we enjoyed a nice conversation. She told me Norway is the best place to work. Why? Because they have the highest minimum wage in Europe! Just another example how Norway is awesome

For dinner, we went to the brewery that is connected to the hotel: Aegir Brew Pub. It opened in 2007 and is one of the biggest attractions in the area. It produces quality beer and delicious dishes. The ambiance very dark and moody, reminiscent of the Viking time. Everything on the menu is inspired by the era and how they used food. I definitely recommend!

With a park directly across from our hotel, I indulged my inner child and went crazy on the swings. Sometimes it feels so good to let loose and be silly.

The next morning we happily set off for our boat tour to see the Naeroyfjord. This fjord is the most narrow and deepest in the Sognefjord and is protected by UNESCO. It is only 250 meters at its narrowest point. We used Fjord Safari and booked their Heritage Fjord Safari option, which is about 2.5 hours. The staff was very helpful and professional, taking the time to answer everyone’s questions and take photos :p It wasn’t the best day weather wise, but we still had an enjoyable time seeing the beautiful coastline of the Norwegian fjords.

Once we returned, we had a few hours to enjoy being tourists before our journey on the Flam Railway. We discovered a quaint cafe with unbelievably delicious pastries, baked right in front of our eyes. The pastries were delicate, flaky, and still warm from the oven. They were so good, we took a few for the road!

The railway was truly an incredible experience. There is an interactive video that explains each site you are passing.

At one point we disembarked from the train to see a huge waterfall. To add to the fun of the moment there were two people dressed in Flamingo style red dresses dancing to music

However, it got really otherworldly on the connecting train from Myrdal to Bergen. This is when we journeyed among the top of snow capped peaks. I couldn’t believe my eyes; I felt like I was on a different planet.

While Balestrand was my favorite fjord stop, I still think Flam is worth experiencing, if only for a day and then taking the railway back.

Stay tuned for my city guide on Bergen next!

XO,

Sarah