We left Hotel Marin early Sunday morning. Driven to the harbor, we boarded the boat that would take us westward from Bergen and then up the coast to the north. The small island of Utvaer is the western-most point of Norway and features a tiny little village and an impressive red lighthouse (see the picture above). There is only one permanent resident of the island who operates the lighthouse; must be a lonely job!
Interesting story about this lighthouse. The British bombed the top of it during World War II in order to deprive the Nazis of the navigational beacon atop the lighthouse; it was restored after the war. Our guide from The Travel Designer, Christine, had a key to let us climb to the top of the 31 meter lighthouse, and we also enjoyed a hot lunch on the island - salmon, cod, potato salad, and a wonderful dessert, all of which were prepared in advance by Christine.
Back on the boat, we continued heading north, eventually entering the Dalsfjord (see the twin waterfalls casdading down the cliffs). The end of today's journey was at the Opera Farm, a very cute and wonderfully maintained home that is now a small inn. Tiny bedrooms and baths, but if you're looking for charm and a wonderful dinner (including the best chocolate cake I have ever eaten), this would be an interesting place to stay. During the summer months, they put on live opera recitals in the barn - a most unique setting!copyright (c) 2010 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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