Day 9: Telemark
We were sorry to have to leave our hotel/chalet way up the mountains far removed from commerce or any other tourists or cruiseboats. However we pulled out at 8.00am to drive the 300kms to Bergen. It was a day of Norway's best  scenic wonderland punctuated by numerous lengthy tunnels through the rocky mountainsides.  Norway and NZ are the only countries  to have these natural fjords. NZ is the condensed version. Apparently we were extremely  fortunate to have such clear conditions. We went through magnificent green grass farms with their bales of hay known as trolls' golf balls. The only animals we saw were the goats on the shores of Lake Totak with their musical bells tied around their necks.
There are 1600 glaciers in Norway but they are rapidly receding. Most spectacular were the waterfalls with the most awesome being Latefoss Waterfall. The whole experience up in the remains of winter snows was further enhanced by Greig's Peer Gynt Suite played on the coach.

At 1.30 we arrived at the Hardanger Fjiord ferry terminal ready to line up for the 20minute crossing into Bergen. More driving through tunnels, farmlands and rural wonderland brought us into this picturesque 11th century harbor city bulging with 3 cruise ships. It was very difficult to appreciate any of it because of the density of the pedestrian and motorised traffic.
After a brief catchup with our hotel we were whisked away to an old bank which has been converted into a spectacular restaurant. Of course by then the teaming masses of cruiseboat visitors had returned to the ships which left breathing room for us. After yet another magnificent local meal we walked around  to the Funicular up to Mt Floyen. What a smooth ride up the vertical side  of  the  mountain to be transported to this viewing area of the entire city in the evening light. The sun sets here at 11.00pm and rises again at 2.00pm. The pastures up here are tended by 10 very pampered goats
who were just settling down for the night in their own purpose built chalet. They are contained in the park grounds by GPS system in their collars.