Haugesund, Skjolden, Olden - Norway - June 2024

 Leaving Southhampton, the Caribbean Princess headed out to cruise the Norwegan fjords. The weather was stable but rather cold and rainy at times.  When driving around Norway in 1998, we went through many tunnels and took ferries here and there in the northwest, we did not see much of the Norwegian fjords then. Cruising is the way to enjoy the majestic and beautiful landscape of the many famous fjords of Norway. The ship cruised through the fjords with three ports of call: Haugesund, Skjolden and Olden.

Haugesund port: is centrally located at the northern entrance to Haugesund region in Fjord Norway. It's also known as "Home of the Viking Kings".  It was a Sunday. Many shops were closed in the business center. We took a local bus to Avaldsnes, south of Haugesund. 

First port of call, Haugesund.

View of Haugesund port from the ship.

The bridge to Haugesund city center.

Bridge connecting the city center from the harbor.

Our Savior's Church.

Sushi restaurant in city center.

Marilyn Monroe statue in the harbor.

Avaldsnes,Village of Viking settlement, on the island of Bukkoya.

Avaldsnes Church @ Viking Village.

Avaldsnes Church sanctuary.

On the path to the Viking Village.

Potato storage.

Skjolden: Our second stop, Skjolden is located along the innermost point of Sognefjorden, Norway's largest and deepest fjord.

Arriving in Skjolden.

Walking to Asafossen Waterfall.

On the Lustravegen trail to the waterfalls. Silver birch trees in the background.

Waterfalls in the distance.

Asafossen Waterfalls.

Hanging bridge by the waterfalls.

We're at the end of the fjord. The ship faces the mountain. Can we reverse?

Getting out of the fjord.

The stave church visible among the village dwelling (Borgund). Very picturesque!

Olden: Our last stop in the fjords is Olden. Tender boats took us to the village pier. Olden is a beautiful little village located at the inner and at the end of Nordfjord with majestic scenery.  It's a pleasant walk to Loen, the next village about 4 miles north of Olden. Loen is home to some of the oldest farms in Norway.

Taking tender boats to the village.

Lake Lovatnet and Briksdal Valley and Glaciers in the background.

Fruit orchards, tidy farms and Loen skylift can be visible in the village.

Loen Church up on the hill.

Loen Church, a wooden church built in 1838 with an octagonal design. 

View of Olden village and the fjord from Loen church.

Alexandra Marina.

Alexandra Marina on Fjordvegen.

Cruising the Norwegian fjords was very much enjoyable despite the rain from time to time and the cold weather of early June. We had a good time visiting small villages along the fjords. These peaceful hamlets nestle in a picturesque setting with green valleys in contrast to gleaming glaciers and mountains. 

After Olden, we officially left Norway to cross the North Sea to make our way to the Shetland Islands.