Saturday Coastal Days 1 (add pics)

Before I forget. Quick few paragraphs.

Today was a big combo of several things in Bergen, including huge seasonal sales up to 70% off everywhere; Coastal Days Festival including Viking games at the Fortress, Traditional Food markets at Bryggen and Fish Market; the usual tourist things; and all the large ships along the Pier area were open for walking tours and eating traditional food on board, a few boats took visitors out to sea a bit for a short trip. I walked around to all of these, adding photos. Next year I will be volunteering on one of the ships:) yaya! so excited!

Everything was fantastic, so interesting, fun! The ships were tall masted with sails, some were steam engines, some of wood, some of wood and iron. Restored, many nearly 100 years old! So beautiful. Spent several hours walking around them, enjoying the details, talking with others, learning the history of the ships, sitting on the decks in old wood chairs looking out at the sea to the other ships and boats, kayaking, etc immediately surrounding. 

Local nearest minibanken (ATM) was out of money! Had to walk to the Fortress for cash, so stopped off there to check out their festival (another post)....then walked back to the ships, to finally eat! Walking up tiny barely 2 foot wide plank up to the ships, feeling like a little time traveled back in history, spectacular ships! This should probably have TWO posts!  I will make a second one for more photos if necessary!

Watched my heart-shaped traditional Norwegian waffle made on a iron griddle, while near by slightly more fluffy traditional pancakes were made on a huge circular-shaped iron griddle. There was a table around the corner, in the main dining area, which had fresh brewed actual coffee made from ground coffee beans, as is usual here in Norway. Tiny cups of cream, milk. Pitchers of iced water. Hot boiled water for tea, and types of tea. The usual selection of toppings for waffles: fresh fruit jams of strawberry, raspberry; sour cream; sugar.

Everyone helped themselves, then paid at the counter, the price on the wall. I had 3 waffles with a tiny bit of all the jams, a tiny bit of sour cream, and a tiny bit of sugar sprinkled over that. Poured a strong black coffee, with lots of fresh cream! delicious!

I chatted with some of the volunteers, learning more about the ships. This one is nearly a 100 years old! 

Photos added when time.