Trollstigen, 01.08.2017

Taking advantage of the favor and brightness of the night hour, we drove through the night again. At night, the streets are free and it doesn't really get dark even south of the Arctic Circle. Furthermore, we had our next destination in mind: the Trollstigen (Troll's path) near Geiranger. This narrow winding road through the landscape must be an absolute highlight here in Norway - and accordingly well visited. That's why we wanted to arrive there at a time when the Trollstigen is as empty as possible. So at five o'clock in the morning, after we had rested for two hours, we actually sneaked up the hairpin bends. It was cold, temperatures in the single digits, and there was drizzle in the icy wind. Behind the large modern concrete building, the reception hall for tourists, a narrow footbridge zigzagged over shallow water. It was just like in China. There they believe that evil spirits are unable to go around corners, so you can only reach many restaurants via small zigzag bridges, for example. However, tourists obviously aren't deterred by zigzags. Not even at this early hour. Nevertheless, we were very impressed! And half frozen when we reached the car again. In order to save ourselves the cost of several ferry rides on the way to Bergen, we took the E39. However, due to a violent storm and heavy rain in recent days, this road from Loen was completely closed. According to a friendly Norwegian woman, the recovery and clean-up work will take another two to three months. Trees were lying across the road and parts of it had already collapsed. For us, this meant having to take a two-hour detour, including three ferry rides. In retrospect, the ferry was always a welcome change with clean toilets. We paid between 120 and 140 NOK per water transport. It was wobbling ominously when we departed and arrived. This feeling was familiar to us .. and then we remembered: at the North Cape! Important addition: We experienced an earthquake at the North Cape! How could I forget that? I don't know. But there's no doubt the earth was shaking when we were up there. Full of anticipation for the coming night, we reached our accommodation in Bergen after a total of twelve hours of driving - including breaks, of course: a cool 4 star hotel room.