All Our Bags Are Packed!: May 2026

Europe Blog # 16: Bergen, Norway, Paris and Home

Last day of touring

Brand new bus - has that "new car" smell. Many safety features including extra cameras such as the one next to the driver.

We've been to Bergen on previous trips. This is the first time we toured parts of the inner city and the first time the weather was not warm and sunny! The concert hall in the background survived WWII although both the left and right side were destroyed during a bombing raid.

Chill factor: 40's! It's good to have a seat when listening to the guide.

Bergen started a newspaper in the 1860's in this building. Still in business!

Jerry loves his manholes. When other passengers were watching what Jerry was doing, they started taking photos of the manholes.

Bergen has a great city light rail system. It even has an inexpensive tram route that goes directly to the airport.

Edvard Grieg statue in background: famous Norwegian composer - well known for Peter Gynt!

One of the central meeting places in Bergen

Pretty architecture in all directions

A wealthy mansion years ago now converted over to apartments

Although chilly, still fun to tour and be together

It turns out Bergen is the rainiest city in Europe. Flowers throughout the town cheer up the gloomy atmosphere.

The older, harbor area is always an interesting place to walk around...

However, the ambiance is very different when it's cold and the usual hoards of people are not sitting in front drinking pints of beer.

By looking carefully, visitors will be able to see figures like this high up on top of the historical buildings.

Old castle is one of Bergen's landmarks

Bergen at night is very quiet!

Unique walkway artwork at the Bergen airport

The cruise is over; we're off to Paris for one night. Similar to other European airlines and unlike American carriers, British Air served a complete (and delicious) lunch in one hour which included champagne and wine.

Jerry LOVES staying at the Paris Sheraton Airport Hotel -- watching airplanes from the room is -- the best!

We knew this plane was in trouble when the engine cover was removed around 4:00 PM. Well into the night, people with flashlights were trying to fix something. Using an App, we knew the 10 PM departure had been pushed off to 2 AM. The Dubai flight was eventually cancelled - the airline had to find accommodations for hundreds of people. we met some of the passengers the following day - "not happy campers!"

The Charles de Gaulle airport is a major hub for international airlines.

Paris airport purchase: Our favorite cheese

While watching airplanes from our hotel room, we had dinner from one of our favorite "grab and run" places. Wine from the plane complemented our meal.

We've been to the CDG airport many times. There is also a major train hub at the airport. After years of wear, the facility is beginning to go through a renovation process. This is the result of a recent passenger survey. We agree with the results!

The next leg of trip home was flying to London and connecting to LAX. Delicious vegetable concoction!

Overall, lounge ambience and food was quite good

"When in London": Jerry had a (sort off) "Fish n' Chips" meal.

The "Good, Bad and the Ugly!"

The London Airport wheelchair assistance operation was awful not only for us but for other travelers. One wheelchair would arrive when two were needed for a couple; or none would arrive for us. (This happened on our last trip to London). Tram service from one terminal to another was bad. Staff seemed to be standing around, almost unwilling to do their job. One manager was helpful; another (after we got angry) threatened to call security on us! It looked like many passengers needing assistance would miss their flight. Even with a three hour layover, we barely made our flight! Grrrr...

"Poop" facility: London airport is more sensitive to a pet's needs than assisting the handicap!

British roast beef salad - the best!

As we flew over the River Thames and headed toward home, it was fun to reminisce about staff we met on the cruise. Everyone has a story:

Martin (bar tending) uses his last name on the name tag. It's "Zulu." From Zimbabwe, he's actually from another tribe; the Zulu's are closer to South Africa. He is the type of person that enjoys engaging and using "Zulu" does just that. People ask questions.
A woman (server) from Johannesburg is trying to start an online cosmetic business with her sister.
A restaurant manager offered to take us around Delhi.
Once staff knew about our experiences in India, Philippines and China, they were happy to share experiences with us.
One server's home was in "District Nine" (Saigon). Jerry worked very near the server's home - a high-tech district i.e. Intel has a large facility in that district. He was so excited that I knew "District Nine!"
A young woman had a exotic name. She comes from India but looks Asian. She speaks "Tangkhul" -- her background is Mongolian/China - She would be considered a very small "minority" living in India.
Many staff wear braces. They emphasize braces could only be afforded by working the long months they do on a cruise.
Most staff willing to sacrifice family and personal growth so one day they can afford a better place to live, their children (rarely seen) will get a better education and medical care can be afforded.
I's not uncommon for staff to work six months straight, non-stop.

So, our trip ends. It was a good one. We learned a lot. Thanks for all your comments. Happily, we continue looking forward to "Our bags are packed...leaving on a jet plane..."

Europe Blog # 15: Eidfjord, Norway

Many passengers love spending "hours" working on jigsaw puzzles. This one had 3000 pieces.

Galley kitchen tour. 110 staff support all meals and 24-hour room service

Executive chef and "Corporate" plan months in advance!

Visual aids

Room service trays ready to go

Deck "C" is for the bulk storage of food, Deck "B" is prep and "A" is for cooking. Yes, there is a Deck "D" -- the engine room! That will be our next tour on a future Viking cruise.

Working our way up the Fjord

Although overcast and at times drizzly, still magnificent!

Quaint homes dot the countryside

This hotel has great views until a ship docks in front!

Glaciers...

...carve out the fjords...

...feed the waterfalls!

Interesting museum emphasizing geological as well as animal and human life changes

Reindeer was a major food source for both animals and man

Plenty of interesting displays

Unique antler configuration. Hooves: split (being able to spread apart) keep reindeers from sinking into the snow.

"Other small children" were waiting in line to have their picture taken or to ride the reindeer.

To keep valleys from flooding, water cascading down falls is controlled through a network of underground pipes, conduits, etc. This process protects the homes and keeps the inhabitants safe.

We were in awe with all of the natural and beautiful scenery.

If there was room in our luggage, we would take all of them home with us.

Most nights Viking has a "theme" dinner. Tonight was "surf and turf!"

High on our list was visiting the ship's laundry. 10 staff (including the "Laundry Master") support the all of the laundry needs for passengers and crew (uniforms). The crew have their own laundry area if they do not want to be charged for cleaning their personal items.