Olden & Rugsund
Already at 6 am our alarm called us for breakfast and at the same time the Endeavour pulled up alongside at Olden, in the Nordfjord, one of Norway’s many deep fjords.
By definition, a fjord was carved out by the glacier. The glacier was also the aim for the day but nowadays the glacier has retreated far inland.
As we made our way further up the valley, with three coaches, we saw the typical blue green water in the river, which always is a good sign of a glacier. The huge amount of silt gives this peculiar color.
We also saw the typical small Norwegian farms and it has always been a hard struggle to be a farmer in this area. The only good soil is found in the lower part of the valley and during summer the cattle have to be taken up along the steep hillsides. The scenery is beautiful but also dramatic as the cliff faces rise almost 500 – 1000 meters.
As we arrive to the glacier, “breen” as it is called in Norwegian, any one who wants can stretch out for a long hike. Everyone was rewarded by an impressive and adventurous scenery of waterfalls pounding millions of gallons of water down the steep sides.
Along the walk we literally had to walk through one waterfall and could feel the force of nature. Some of us were also rewarded by good birds along the trail, like the White-winged Woodpecker, which nowadays is a very rare bird in Europe. Bramblings, Redpolls, Chifchaff were still in song, even though it is late for any breeding. It is already July!
In the afternoon we found a small island Rugsund, a good example of a typical old trading station along the fjords of Norway. Old wood buildings but also an opportunity for a great Zodiac cruise. Our first White-tailed Eagle was spotted as it circled over the Zodiacs, the Eurasian relative to the American Bald Eagle. It is slightly larger than its American cousin!
A long day already but still before any one could reach the bunk it was time for the Captain’s Welcome dinner. What a start on this voyage!
Already at 6 am our alarm called us for breakfast and at the same time the Endeavour pulled up alongside at Olden, in the Nordfjord, one of Norway’s many deep fjords.
By definition, a fjord was carved out by the glacier. The glacier was also the aim for the day but nowadays the glacier has retreated far inland.
As we made our way further up the valley, with three coaches, we saw the typical blue green water in the river, which always is a good sign of a glacier. The huge amount of silt gives this peculiar color.
We also saw the typical small Norwegian farms and it has always been a hard struggle to be a farmer in this area. The only good soil is found in the lower part of the valley and during summer the cattle have to be taken up along the steep hillsides. The scenery is beautiful but also dramatic as the cliff faces rise almost 500 – 1000 meters.
As we arrive to the glacier, “breen” as it is called in Norwegian, any one who wants can stretch out for a long hike. Everyone was rewarded by an impressive and adventurous scenery of waterfalls pounding millions of gallons of water down the steep sides.
Along the walk we literally had to walk through one waterfall and could feel the force of nature. Some of us were also rewarded by good birds along the trail, like the White-winged Woodpecker, which nowadays is a very rare bird in Europe. Bramblings, Redpolls, Chifchaff were still in song, even though it is late for any breeding. It is already July!
In the afternoon we found a small island Rugsund, a good example of a typical old trading station along the fjords of Norway. Old wood buildings but also an opportunity for a great Zodiac cruise. Our first White-tailed Eagle was spotted as it circled over the Zodiacs, the Eurasian relative to the American Bald Eagle. It is slightly larger than its American cousin!
A long day already but still before any one could reach the bunk it was time for the Captain’s Welcome dinner. What a start on this voyage!
