Our Nordic Expedition, Part 5 -- Crossing the Stadthavet Sea

We left Bergen in the middle of the night and morning found us at the small trading town of Maloy, a waypoint on our voyage across the Stadthavet Sea. 

From there we sailed for hours past some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. I, along with a few hardy Germans, spent most of the time standing near the bow of the boat, camera in hand, excitedly snapping shots of the glorious sights.

There were several of these isolated farmsteads clinging precariously to the cliffsides and I wondered what it would be like to live in such remote and rugged circumstances. Our tour guide said that Norwegians were often people who don't like to talk to other people. If they came from such places I can see why.

Eventually the cold and the increasing pitch and roll of the boat in choppy seas got to me and I headed inside to warm up and calm my stomach.

Our Nordic Expedition, Part 6 -- Torvik

We continued our northbound voyage on toward Torvik, another small trading port. As usual, the scenery along the way was spectacular.

Arriving at Torvik.

The harbor at Torvik.

After a short stay to unload freight and pick up passengers we resumed our northern journey.

And once again the scenery we passed was glorious.

Our Nordic Expedition, Part 7 -- Skipping Alesund

Our next destination was the city of Alesund where we were scheduled to spend three hours. I, however, did not see much of it. As we approached the town I retired to my cabin and took a nap, fully expecting to be awakened before we left, but nobody disturbed me and I lay asleep until we were again at sea. "She", ever alert, took a walking tour of the town but did not take a camera with her. So, there are no pictures here of Alesund, just some more views of the wonderful scenery we were passing.

This bridge spanned the entrance to Alesund harbor and after taking this picture I went inside to rest. 

When I awoke we were already at sea. I went outside to see if I could take a picture of the town receding into the distance, but this is all I saw.

A fishing boat with its attendant gulls. 

The snow-covered peaks became more and more common as we neared our next destination -- the town of Maloy.

Our Nordic Expedition, Part 8 -- Molde

As we continued northward we entered the Romsdalsfjord, one of the most beautiful scenic areas in Norway. Because we were traveling on the winter schedule [even though it was only September] we skipped the side trip to the even more spectacular Geirangerfjord. Still what we did see was nice enough.

Those snow-capped peaks in the distance are the Romsdalen Alps.

And now we are approaching the harbor at Molde, a small trade and manufacturing center of about 25,000 inhabitants.

Molde houses climbing the slopes of the mountains. Most of these have been constructed in the past half century.

The Rica Silet hotel, the most prominent building in town.

The Molde Cathedral.

This is the view Molde residents see every day.

Leaving Molde we passed an oil rig. Oil is a major source of Norway's contemporary prosperity -- something that sets them apart from the rest of the continent.

As the moon rose we again embarked heading northward toward another gorgeous port -- Kristiansund.