Bergen

We stayed one night and a day in Bergen – only enough time for a brief glimpse, but we thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Bergen seems to be an interesting and picturesque city, with a friendly and peaceful atmosphere.

We spent most of our time exploring the area around where we stayed, in the older part to the north of the city on the lower slopes of Floyen, above the Bryggen. This is a view over rooftops toward the city centre. In the area where we stayed, weatherboard houses and pots of colourful flowers line the steep cobbled streets.

Businesses sit among the houses, like the Armadillo Bike Shop at the bottom of the hill. The woman there was really friendly and helpful to us when we needed a taxi at the end of the day and we didn’t trust our ability to pronounce the name of the street or make ourselves understood over the phone.

Pots of flowers are really pretty but I like the escapees that grow in cracks, up stairs, and in stone walls beside the roads…

With its flowers and flags and handcrafted window decorations, the part of Bergen we saw looked as though it was dressed for a special occasion, but I suspect it looks pretty festive on any day…

Because the streets are so narrow there aren’t many cars in this area, so this one with skis really stood out …

as did the badge on the saddle bag of this old motorbike and side car

We discovered a couple of welcoming and stylish places that served great coffee (black, strong, and not bitter at all) and other yummy treats…
Det Lille Kaffekompaniet, where we sat outside and watched a few locals wizz around the hairpin bends on their bicycles

and Bar Barista, where old vinyl records decorate the tables and the window is dressed in bling

From the doorway of Bar Barista, we watched a local Buekorp march by with their colourful uniforms (and weapons) …

Down in the town centre, it was busy. Fishing boats with bright flags filled the harbour

and fishermen relaxed on board their boats

The fire brigade seemed to be doing some kind of diving exercise…

The market square was bustling under the watchful eye of reindeer

and Ludwig Holberg …

The variety available in the fish market was amazing!!