After our extended stay in Bergen followed by a sea day we arrived in Alesund. This visit was re-scheduled due to the bad weather. Our visit was originally scheduled to be on Thursday 2nd March.
Passengers who had booked visits to the islands of Giske and Godoy were disappointed to be told that the local agents had been unable to re-arrange their excursion.
Day 6 : Thursday 23rd February: Alesund
Overnight the seas were again rough. We were woken up at 12:30 am by some particularly large bumps and bangs.
In the buffet, I had Eggs Benedict for breakfast, but added bacon and sausage, which was way too much. Saga provides lots of different extras for breakfast and I discovered that I could have Yakult. This was available alongside the daily pots of yoghurts.
Walking into Alesund
Docked close by the Spirt of Discovery was a very large oil support ship.
Looking from the bridge over the Alesundet we had our first views of the buildings reflected in the river.
After crossing over the bridge I noticed these birds congregating in bushes making a lot of noise.
We walked past the small park with statues onto the start of Apotekergata.
I could see a some art and after a brief diversion…
Then it was back onto Apotekergata.
We passed KUBE (the nouveau art gallery) and kept walking and walking past the hotels until we reached the Fisheries Museum. Then we could see our destination the lighthouse at the end of the breakwater.
Molja Lighthouse
We had a clear view of the viewpoint with all those steps!
To our left we could see the renovated house that is now full of apartments.
The Molja lighthouse.
On the door of the lighthouse this sign which describes the room there is the honeymoon suite of one of the local hotels.
Looking back along the breakwater.
At the end of the breakwater we watched a yacht leave the harbour.
Walking alongside the Alesundet
We retraced our steps back to the swing bridge over Alesundet and crossed to the other side. After the small square with a fast food place we walked down metal steps to the walk way alongside the water.
We followed the floating metal path up down footbridges, past hotel entrances, a canoe hire place until we came to a garden up to our right. Above us was this sculpture of birds in flight.
From the paths at the side of Alesunet we were now on Skansegata and could see the Molja lighthouse across the water.
Below us at a small quay a small fishing boat was selling its catch.
Further up the quayside was a monument to the Norwegians who went to and from Shetland in small fishing boats in World War 2.
Further along the quay was a small space that and in which a statue that celebrated Margit Johensen. In the Second World War she joined Norwegian sailors on a convoy to Malta. For this was awarded the St. Olav’s Medal with Oak Branch making her the only woman to have ever received the oak leaf award and the British Emipire Medal. (More dotails of her bravery and other Norwegian heroes see this post.)
Walderhaug Bakery and Confectionery
On the corner almost opposite us was a cafe – Walderhaug Bakery and Confectionery. It was time for coffee and doughnuts. The café was busy and we sat and watched the other people there while we drank our coffees and ate delicious cakes.
The map we had picked up, directed us to the Hurtigruten pier. This did not look at all familiar from when we were here on the coastal voyage.
Back towards Alesund centre
Rather than walk back alongside the water we followed the streets away from there to Storgata.
We walked back under the castle through a tunnel. At the start there was a row of closed portaloos. Along the tunnel walls were pictures of Alesund in the past, and at the end we emerged next to an art gallery.
Once back on board we went into the Living Room for a rest.
A later announcement warned that between 9 and 10 pm, the sea would become rough as the ship left protected waters.
Leaving Alesund
Evening onboard
Dinner was in the Grand Dining Room before we went to theatre to see the ship’s company perform – ‘Frequencies’. This was billed as selected songs from modern musicals.
We were now our way over night to Trondheim for our unscheduled visit.