Up and Adam today at 7:50 to escort a tour to the top of Mt Floien, one of the seven hills around Bergen. The tour was described as a "hike" but it's tough to gauge what that actually means. Most of the guests on the ship I wouldn't consider "hikers" i.e. they are generally older, less likely to volunteer for exercise. I flicked on the TV in my room at 815 to check the weather and to my surprise it looked clear. Skeptical, I brought a hat and a scarf just in case looks were deceiving. Among its many nicknames is "the rainy city," (it rains like 300 days a year) and I didn't want to take a chance. We struck out from the ship at 9 and walked along the very picturesque and very Norwegian old wharf or Bryggen pier where Hanseatic merchants set up shop long ago (see pic). We took a funicular part way up the mountain and started to ascend by foot. We passed a kindergarten group and runners and bikers of all ages. The weather held up. Could of gone with shorts had I trusted my eyes back in the cabin. The hiking trail was very well maintained and while it got moderately steep, was still very enjoyable. Once at the top, I found a seat on a rock and took it all in. Great view, clear skies, good exercise. It was another "what the hell am I doing here" moment.
We made it back down to the funicular by 1230. Quickly checked out the fish market by the old harbor and walked past open tanks of shrimp and clams and carts of Norwegian sweaters and flags and variety packs of caviar. Caught the last ten minutes of lunch on the ship and took a brief nap before heading to the gym.
Oh, not sure I mentioned this before but two nights ago, the night we were at sea, was the busiest night in the club yet. The place was just about packed with people and everyone was in a party mood. By about 1045 the crowd was electric, or as electric as they could be. I had them singing Country Road and Hey Jude and really got them warmed up for the full band set that happened after me. The next morning the cruise director, my boss, came up to me and told me she had never seen a solo guitar player get people singing like that in the club. I was pretty proud of myself.
Met a Mount Holyoke College alumna class of '86 in the club tonight. Small world. I told her my older brother probably dated her roommate.
The sunset tonight was amazing. It didn't actually set until about 11:15. The sky was pale blue and pink and for about an hour after that. It was really beautiful.
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