The days in Norway are getting longer and longer. It’s well after 10:30 p.m. before it gets dark, and then it’s light again early, EARLY in the morning. We are often up by 6 a.m ready for the day. That’s huge, as neither of us are typically morning people.
Today we walked through the beautiful University of Bergen old botanical gardens. The newer, and much larger one is out of town. Here, many types of flowers were in full bloom while others were just beginning to bud out. I spoke with one of the ground keepers and she said that the gulf stream passes by the western coastline of Norway, so they can raise many more types of flowers here than in Eastern Norway.
Our plan this morning was to visit the University of Bergen Cultural Museum. Their website said it was open, but we found that the building was closed. I walked over to the Maritime Museum to find out if we had read things incorrectly. Unfortunately, they had not updated their website, and the museum was indeed closed…not just for today, but up to ten years to raise the necessary money for a major renovation. So much for that plan! A few blocks away was the University of Bergen Natural Museum, so we spent the time in there. For those of you who know me, you know that a place like that is perfect for me!
There were two exhibits that really caught my interest. One was the geological display showing the formation of sedimentary rocks changing into metamorphic rocks, and explaining how an entire mountain range in Norway disappeared through multiple geological events. The second was the display of whales, particularly the Blue Whale, the largest in the world. One of the guides talked about how it was endangered, and that when you see whale meat for sale here, it’s the Minke whale - the only whale that can be hunted in Norway because of it is not on the endangered list. Even then, Norwegian fishermen (women) do not hunt the amount that is allowed by the government.
While there, we came upon the best thing that could be used in one of Kathleen’s books. While we will share it with her, we won’t share it with others in case she writes another book from Norway!
As we were walking back, we saw a group of children practicing for the Syttende Mai parade. They were singing “Ja Vi Elsker” and chanting while waving their flags….so cute!
The group arrived to the hotel after 1 p.m. They looked so tired! Much like we felt coming into Oslo on May 5th! After answering questions and helping them as much as we could, we went up to the second floor to set out the Syttende Mai pins and ribbons I made for each participant. All day long, the hotel has gradually added more and more decorations and flowers to the room. What a great way for the tour participants to begin their first evening in Norway!
Dinner was at 7 p.m. for the group. It was so much fun to meet people in person and match a name to a face. Everyone was so pleasant and appreciative. For those without a dietary restriction, the meal was asparagus soup and bread, lamb, smashed rice with vegetables, and a riskrem (rice pudding.) I was amazed how long people stayed, given how late it was and how little sleep they must have had. But in listening to the various groups, they were all ready to celebrate Syttende Mai. Hopefully no one will be frightened by the cannon(s) firing 17 times in the morning!
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