Bratland Camping, Bergen - 16 July 2018

Geoff

We decided to go into Bergen today. The no. 90 bus passes right outside the campsite. The cheapest way to buy tickets is to first download the Skyss app and buy tickets just before you travel. They are then valid for use within 90 minutes. The senior fare for within Zone Bergen is 19kr but considerably more if bought from the driver. The bus took us to Nesttun where we switched to Bergen Light Rail, a tram service, to Byparken, the end of the line in the city centre. 

Having arrived, we made for nearby Espresso House, for coffee. A good place. We had no "must sees" to tick off. We made our way to the open air fish market. So many stalls selling fish (mainly all sorts of smoked salmon), lobster, prawns and whale. We sampled wild salmon and whale, both delicious. 

Then we wandered around Bryggen, the old quarter, comprising tall wooden buildings along the quayside.  It was busy with tourists. Cruise ships visit regularly and moor nearby. 

Returning to the fish market, we bought some smoked wild salmon and whale, together with a tube of Kaviar (a cod roe concoction) which is very nice. 

We really enjoyed our evening meal back at the site. Wild salmon, whale, potato salad with lettuce and tomato. Whale is meat, not fish, being a mammal. Not unlike cold roast beef. 

Amanda

As beautiful cities go, Bergen must be right up there with the best - and the weather was amazing to show it off. People have told us that it usually rains a lot here so we are very fortunate.

The bus and then tram ride into Bergen from the campsite was very easy, and a bargain for an interesting hour's journey from country through suburbs to city centre. "Seniors" are over 67 here, so Geoff qualified, as of Friday, for a much reduced fare and as his spouse I was entitled to it too. £1.75 each single!

We had already decided that we would just mooch around, enjoy the two Fish Markets - outdoor and indoor - and Bryggen, the old town, and this we did. We refreshed ourselves with a coffee in a very atmospheric coffee house, before setting off via the main square. The fish markets were, of course fabulous. The buildings on the quay of the old town, just past the markets, are familiar from all the photos, but I had no idea that behind them was a warren of old timber buildings with little alleys between them, now often in use as little shops and suchlike. The only museum we might have been interested in, a small Resistance Museum, was closed today. We returned to the Fish Market on our way back to the tram for some push-the-boat-out  purchases of smoked salmon and whale(!) and Bryggen Caviar - otherwise known as cod's roe - for supper tonight.

And supper has duly been had - very good it was too!