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Dec. 7, 2007
ANITA ALAN Contributor- Carmel, CA
Part Two [Part one can be found in the November
30 issue.]
We
set sail for Bergen and an afternoon cruise through the spectacular branch of Storfjord called
Geirangerfjord. This time, miniature lighthouses and buoys marked the shoals, rocks and other navigational
hazards, instead of the sector lights we observed in the small dark hours of our journey. Gulls
followed us through the fjord diving for tossed and hand fed meals. I doubt anyone missed being
on deck for this part of the cruise, the smooth sail by spectacular waterfalls—Bridal Veil, The
Seven Sisters, and just across from them, The Suitor. The overcast day gave a clearer view of the
lush canyons than sun and shadow could offer. However, those snuggled on deck in red plaid blankets
might have welcomed a bit more sun. Inside, we rested from the full day and welcomed Afternoon
Tea with the Kreutzer Quartet and Martin Shorr entertaining.
Passengers compared notes on various shore excursions. In addition to Eagle Road, and Mount Dalsnibba,
Flydal Gorge, Eagle Bend, the Herdal Mountain Farm, the Fjordsenter, the Octagonal Church, Geirangerfjord
kayaking, some cruisers took longer tours to Hellesylt and Briksdal Glacier with lunch at Briksdal
Lodge. Others hiked to Westras Mountain or took the overland tour and returned to the Veendam via
tender at Hellesylt. Fortunately, several passengers left photos with A Prairie Home Companion’s
Camera Club for possible inclusion in the slide show that preceded each night’s entertainment.
That gesture meant everyone aboard could take a small part in all the excursions. Tonight’s Five
Star Diamond Award dining experience marked the second of two semi-formal evenings held during
the cruise. Just some of the offerings aboard included: Phoebe Hanson’s ”My Father, the Norwegian
Exile,” naturalist Rick Strimbeck’s “To Freeze or Not to Freeze: How Plants and Animals Survive
the Cold,” Nancy Bazilchuk’s “The Norwegian Whale Hunt: History, Culture and Controversy,” the
movie “Happy Feet,” “A Prairie Home Companion Quiz Show” with Sue Scott and Tim Russell, Pat Donohue
and Andy Stein in the Explorer’s Lounge, Butch Thompson at the Piano Bar, Robin and Linda Williams
and Gary Raynor in the Ocean Bar, and Frigg in the Crow’s Nest.
Garrison Keillor provided the main shows, early and late, not to be missed, in Ruben’s Lounge; a “Pro Am Duet Slam” with The Guy’s All Star Shoe Band, Andy Stein, Dan Newton, Prudence Johnson, Maria Jette, and Robin and Linda Williams. Still other cruise choices included Scotch tasting, “Murder Most Nordic,” with Dr. R. Guy Erwin, a Knitting Get-Together, Coastal Commentary by the naturalists, Awesome Abs Class, Stretch and Relax in the Greenhouse Spa, Flaming Spanish Coffee specials, Cigars Under the Stars (with fine ports and cognacs). If we could pack more into a day, the day would need more hours than Earth’s 24. Three publications arrived each day The Ballast, A Prairie Home Companion Cruise Norway 2007 production, The Holland America Line Daily Program and a shortsheeted, cruise version of The New York Times—all you need to see of All the News That’s Fit to Print (less than one tenth). We would beg pardon this day for not taking part in the world at large. This small, grand part of Norway provided more than enough.
Photos from top left clockwise: 1. Veendam passengers on deck for cruise through Geirangerfjord. 2. Chime signals end of early dinner seating. 3. John Saucke, A Prairie Home Companion guest, plays the pipes for Geirangerfjord’s famed Seven Sisters, the perfect complement of sounds to send you back in time. 4. At several ports, Italian liner Costa Magica mirrored routes of the Veendam. 5. Gulls eye passenger offerings, photographers eye gulls. 6. Gull trails the Veendam through Geirangerfjord. All photos: Anita Alan
Norwegian American Weekly
