The snow white journey to Flam and Bergen

Some of the spectacular landscape

As I had to wake up too early in the morning, Peter was so kind to drive me to the station in Mysen so that I can take the train to Oslo (See the first part of my Norway trip). It was a working day and there were so many people in that early hour that were going to work. In 50 minutes I was already at the Oslo S and easily took my ticket to Myrdal, the place where I was supposed to take the tourist Flam train. So, with a coffee and a sandwich I got on the comfortable train. There was a group of maybe 20-30 people, dressed in ski clothes, going for some winter holiday. They were at different ages and all seemed happy and enthusiastic for what they were about to experience.
I spent most of the time looking through the window and enjoying the view. I've been told that the line Oslo-Bergen offers one of the most scenic rail journeys and I guess it's true, at least from what I have seen before. The thermometer in the train was showing the temperature outside -17/-18 degrees but it was sunny and I felt warm inside. Those few hours passed pretty fast and soon I was at Myrdal Station impatient for the next  hour trip - the one I have come for, the wonderful Flam Valley!

The sky above Myrdal

In the train I met two Brazilians on their Europe tour (they have already passed through Bulgaria and I was surprised we were talking about my home place) and we were helping each other with the pictures in the next one hour. The train was moving too slow so that we can revel the landscape and feel it. There were few stops, even they let us go out of the train at Kjosefossen waterfall which was frozen in the all shades of the white - so beautiful! We passed through numerous tunnels, winding along the way and spectacular valleys. I can only imagine how amazing it would be in the summer to see it all green and blue...We arrived at Flam, where my friend was waiting for me and we proceed to Bergen. All the way in the mountain was so beautiful again, we passed through Naeroyfjiord which is an arm of Sognefjord - the biggest one in Norway. On our way was also Vossevangen town, famous with its water but we didn't stop as we were hurrying to catch Bergen at least 2 hours before it gets dark. By the way, in Norway I drank the most delicious water ever. People there don't buy water, they drink it directly from the tap and it is more than tasty.

The touristic train

Kjosefossen waterfall

The tunnels on the way

Naeroyfjord

At the market

In Bergen, we parked in the center of the city and our first stop was the Fish Market. It used to be an open market but an year ago they have made it indoor. They say it is the biggest market in the region as Bergen used to be the most important fish producing and trading center in Norway (and still is one of the significant industries).
There was a huge variety of fish and seafood and all looked so fresh, like just caught from the sea. And of course, it didn't seem cheap at all - the prawns were 15 EUR/ half kg...but this is Norway.

Bryggen 

Just about 200 m away from the    market is the soul of Bergen, the old  warehouses Bryggen (translated from Norwegian - dock) overlooking the harbor. Their characteristic front is emblematic for the city. Once they were the center of the Hanseatic League and now they are turned into ethnographic shops and galleries and are part of the World Heritage of UNESCO.

Behind the facade they are formed like a little village with small streets, wooden buildings and interesting architecture.

Behind the beautiful facade 

Slightly behind the iconic houses begins the Old Town of Bergen. Fabulous small steep streets with white houses are crossing around it. I noticed that most of them are paved just as in my home city - Plovdiv. Interesting paintings on some house walls's diversify the visitors. Even the small table with flowers in front of one house was really charming in the sunny winter afternoon. It was so quite and it was hard to realize that I'm in the middle of the second biggest city of Norway.

It was time to take a look at the city from above. Railroad Floibanen drove us to the top of the nearby hill. We were thinking of climbing on foot but we were afraid not to miss the sun and the day so we took the funicular. It goes through the Old town and has few stops. I have no idea how people live there, it seems so sheer.
Already on the top, a spectacular view of the city oped in front of us - the harbor, fjords and the sea in the distance. For sure it was one of the best city views I've seen, just breathtaking! I didn't feel the cold weather, just feeling the sun and the freedom. Thanks again to my friend for bringing me there!
There is also a souvenir shop on the top and a cafe so that you can stay little longer and warm yourself with a cup of coffee or tea.

From the Floibanen

The day started to get down and we still had to drive few more hours to Karmoy island. On our way out of the city we stopped for the last time to see Fantoft Stave Church. The Stave Churches are characteristic wooden churches of the Vikings. In Norway there are about 25 of them reserved and in northern Europe 5-6. This one dates from 12th century but after a huge fire it was completely devastated and rebuilt in 1992. I hoped to see it from inside too but in the winter season it is closed for visitors...as I always say - next time.

Late in the evening we arrived at my friend's place tired but full of emotions during the day. A wonderful island trip was planned for the next day....

Here you can see more pictures from Bergen and Oslo and Flam Valley.

A day trip to Kutna Hora from Prague

After 2 days in Prague we have decided to visit Kutna Hora,a small town-museum close to the capital.I thought that 4 hours would be enough to spend there so we decided to go with the train at 12.00 and visit Vysehrad first.(A tip - if you can afford it,I recommend a whole day in Kutna Hora,there is plenty to see). Vysehrad is a beautiful and green place(in early April) and great for walks,going through the gate,the Rotunda. We also entered the Cathedral and the cementary. At the end of the park there is a small summer theatre and then come the views . The castle is located on a hill and there is amazing view to Vlatava river and the building roofs.

The gate

The Rotunda

The summer theatre

A view from Vysehrad

The time passed very quickly so we hurried to the train station(by the way - very nice building and well organised,easy to orientate there).The journey took us an hour but we were exploring the nature through the window so I couldn't feel how we found ourselves there.(A tip - check the schedule only for direct trains.It is only 75 km far from Prague so you don't have to travel more than one hour.)

We walked to the center(around 45min) in stead of taking a bus(only 10min) and I recommend that walk because you can see the whole town and also you don't have to miss the main attraction - Kostnice . This is an ossuary which is decorated all inside with bones and skulls,all done by the monks of the monastery that used to be located there years ago.

In the ossuary

We continued to the town center where we visited the Italian Court, the Gothic church of St.James and then just hang out around the buildings.

The Cathedral

Italian court

It was time to go back and we took the bus to the train station.

We stayed one more day in Prague just enjoying the city,its streets,shops and restaurants. Since I turned from a tourist into a traveler I understood that besides the sighseeings and the famous places we have to pay attention on the little things - talk to local people,try their food and just forgetting about your map at least for a day.

Autumn in Nurnberg

As I started in my previous article I was invited to be a witness for my best friend's wedding in Nurnberg. And as this was(and still is) such an honor for me I was waiting this event with impatience.
Our flight was at 6 am from Sofia to Frankfurt Hahn,we moved to Frankfurt then for 2 hours and a half and at 2 p.m. we were already on the train for Nurnberg, comfortable and clean,compleately different from what we have seen in Eastern Europe.
Stefka was waiting for us and she brought us to her friend's place where we stayed the next 4 days. I'm not going to tell you all the nice moments we had together,you all know how wonderful it is to meet good friends and spend few days with them. The wedding was also great and althought I got ill I managed to meet my duties and have a great time.

River Pegnitz

In the next lines I'm showing you the places we've been and that deserve to be visited. The main destination is the Old town(Altstadt in German).You could not get lost easily but it's better to have a guide and knew some history.
We started from the Marriage Fountain that refers to the poem "Bitter-sweet Married Life" by Hans Sachs. He has described marriage from the first stages of a love through exhausting fights, and right to the death bed.

The Marriage Fountain

Wine garden

The we were walking along one of the main streets and we found ourselves on a wooden covered brigde(Hangman's bridge). After crossing the river and turning right we passed through a small square where in the past people came to trade with wine.

 Then our walk went on through St.Lawrance Cathedral and The Hispice of the Holly spirit.

The Hospice of Holly Spirit

In a while we were already at Hauptmarkt,the main square in Nurnberg. Around Christmas it becomes the most visited place.People come to the market to buy Lebkuchen(local cookies) ,Gluhwein(the typical German sweet hot wine) and to have fun. Well,in October they were selling only fruits but we stopped to take a cup Gluhwein.

Hauptmarkt

After some rest we kept on walking and passed through the Beautiful Fountain. There are 2 rings - one for tourists and one for local people. Don't miss to turn the ring,it is said you'll be back again there.

Beautiful Fountain

On our way to Albrecht Durer's House( a famous poet lived at the end of 15 century ) we stopped in St.Sebald Church,that has been completely burried in the WWII.

In St.Sebald Church

 We arraived at Durer's house museum and entered to take a look around(I recommend it).

Durer's House

On the next day we started from the Hauptmarket,made a round again and went to the toy museum.It was lovely to remamber all the toys we have played as kids and to see how people in the past have enjoyed themselves when they were children.
Then we moved to the south part of the Old town and stopped to admire the Sclupture garden and then the Craft yard.

Sclupture garden

Craft yard

We took a long walk then to the north part of the Old town,passing this time through its modern part - the biggest IMAX cinema in Europe,through some beautiful gardens and the river.
Our aim was The Castle - the symbol of the city. The view from there is amazing.We spent there 2 hours till we decided it was time to go.

View from the Castle

That was my simple experience in that beautiful and historical city. Next time I will visit Nazi party former rally ground.
Oh,I forgot to tell you to taste the little Nurnberg wursts,they sell them everywhere around the city and are great solution for hungry people.
   

What to see in Frankfurt for 2 hours

In October 2010 we finally took our way to Nuremberg ,Germany. My best friend was getting married and she invited me to be her witness. It was really a worthy reason for visiting.

We flew to Frankfurt Hahn airport which is 120 km far from Frankfurt am Main. I have checked that there are regular buses from that airport to the main station in Frankfurt for 12 EUR per person. Then we found a train (ICE - the fastest trains in Germany) that would take us to Nuremberg for only 30 EUR both of us, that was a good deal! Our bus should have arrived in Frankfurt at 11.00 a.m. and we planned to take the train for Nuremberg at 12.00. But then my friend advised me to take the one at 2.00 p.m. because she couldn't pick us up before 4 p.m. and take a walk in Frankfurt. That was a great idea and we booked the late train. As usual I started to check where we could go and then I remembered that I knew somebody living there. I called Milena and she offered her help with pleasure.

The day came and at 11.00 a.m. we dropped off the bus at the central Frankfurt railway station. Milena was already there waiting for us. We went in the station building to leave our luggage, it costed us only 5 EUR for the 3 bags we had.

The twins of Deutshe bank

And our walk began.We were walking along Gutleutstrase blvd and in 10 min we reached the European bank. I didn't miss to take a picture with the EURO sign. There we turned left on Neue Meinzer str. This was already the business area. As you probably know, Frankfurt is famous with its skyscrapers and being the financial center of Germany. So going along that street you see skyscrapers everywhere until you reach the Old Opera House or Alte Oper (10 min) - nice old building that used to be an opera but now is working as a concert hall. After taking few pictures at the square in front of the Opera, we turned right and in 5 more min we were already at Zeil street - the central shopping street. (A tip - be sure that you wear a hat in autumn and winter because it is very windy and only after 30 min outside your ears would be freezing).

Alte Oper

Milena suggested to see the Old city first and then come back to walk along the street and look at some shops. So we proceeded to Altstadt (the old town) along Liebfraunenstrase and it took us about 10 min to reach Romerberg - the main square. I bet that in sunny weather all the cafes are full and it should be very enjoyable having a beer there. We crossed the square and went to Main just to admire the quiet river. Then we went back and entered the Frankfurt Cathedral - typical Gothic church where for 4 centuries German kings and emperors were crowned.After another 10-15 min hanging around we turned back to Zeil.

Zeil street

Romerberg

Main

Inside My Zeil

We spent the other one hour in eating, walking along the street and going around the biggest trade center My Zeil. From its last floor you can sit and enjoy the street and people. It was already time to go and we hurried to the train station. We were there 15 before the train, just enough time to take our luggage and buy some water.




Thank you, Milena for being our guide even for 2 hours. We spent some pleasant time although it was rainy and windy. And definitely, we wouldn't have seen so much for the shortest time we had, without you.