In Alesund, my parents agreed to keep Belle for the day so Mike, Allison, Cyle and I could take an all day excursion that would take us to Trollstigen Road.
It was a two hour bus ride to get to the road, ...
but the scenery was so beautiful along the way that we didn't mind the long bus ride.
We also made several stops, which helped to break up the time spent in the bus. Our first stop was Old Stordal Church. The white, wooden, octagonal church was built in 1789 to replace an earlier stave church on the site.
From the outside, it look like an ordinary church, but the interior is so richly decorated that it is called "the Rose Church". The walls and ceiling are covered with painted vines, coiling foliage, roses and depictions of Bible stories.
The old farmhouse outside the church.
View from across the street of the church
Next stop is the viewing point at Gudbrandsjuvet gorge which is located in the Valldalen valley. Over time, the Valldøla River has cut large potholes and intricate formations into the rock.
The viewing platform is shaped like a garland in the terrain, leading down to to the very edge of the foaming river.
Next stop is Trollstigen. As you can see from the pictures, you would have thought it was still the middle of winter! Our guide later informed us that the road to Trollstigen had just opened that day and we awere among the first buses to make the journey through the pass. I was starting to question whether or not we should have been allowed to make that journey!
At the top of the pass, we stopped at an overlook to get a better of Trollstigen Road, which we were about to descend. Unfortunately it was so rainy and misty that you could not see down to the roadway.
Our attempt at trying to get to the overlook. After trudging through snow and pouring rain, we decided to turn back. Allison's husband made the journey and claims that just as he arrived the clouds lifted and he was able to see a perfect view. I'm still waiting on the photographic evidence! ;)
According to Dangerous Roads.org, Trollstigen Road is difficult and a nightmare in the wet or dark (or both) because occasional rock falls, bad weather, extreme hairpin bends and very narrow with little room to pass. The eleven hairpin turns of Trollstigen are pretty nail biting, but breathtakingly beautiful. .
Each of the hair-bending turns is named after one of the engineers who helped to design and construct the roadway.
It is unfortunate that the clouds are so low today and you can't get the full effect of the valley below and the waterfalls
After a few mild panic attacks, we made it to the bottom! It was a disconcerting at times to look out the bus window and realize the bus was only inches away from the side of a cliff.
This is the only place in Norway where you'll find an official troll road sign. According to the Norwegian fairy-tales the Trolls change into stone when they are hit by sunlight, and they are only to be seen when the sun is down. The mountains surrounding the path are said to contain the faces of trolls who unfortunately were hit by sunlight.
After surviving our harrowing adventure, we stopped for a typically Norwegian lunch. (I forgot to take a picture of the buffet, but I can assure you that it contained several types of salmon)
Notice Mike and Allison photobombing our picture
Do you see the trolls faces in the sides of the mountain? (I never could see it but our guide claims its there)
We found some trolls!
Before heading back to the ship, we stopped at an overlook to take in a picturesque view of Alesund.
While today was a long day spent mainly on the bus, the scenery and experience was worth it. Again, we got to experience the beauty, peril and adventure that is Norway.
While we were busy looking for trolls, Belle, Grammy and Grandpa spent their afternoon exploring the quaint city of Alesund.
It looks like Belle found a troll too!
They also did a little shopping....
...and I think Belle shopped 'til she dropped!
As we sailed deeper into the fjord to reach the city of Geiranger, this was our breathtaking view.
