Pinning for the Fjords - Day 3 Stavanger

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Today was our first port day and when we went up to Cabanas for breakfast we saw that we were sailing into dock next to a sporting stadium, looking over the side we also saw sand and it apears that the stadium was for beach volleyball, in Norway? After breakfast we headed down to Fathoms to check in for our adventure, slight panic as we realised that Celia didn't have any photo ID on here so had to pop back up to the room to grab her driving license. but then we were check in given a number (3) and went into Fathoms to wait for our bus to be ready, which just took a few minutes.

We left the Magic by the Forward level 1 doors and walked around the dock to the waiting buses, we noticed that yes the Beach Volleyball courts were for an international tournament.

It was a short drive from our Dock to the ferry port where we boarded the ferry to Tau, on the way over we all had to leave the bus and wait in the lounge at the top of the ferry, as we crossed over I did spot what I thought was a Sub, but with zoom I saw it was just an island.



As we came into dock we all reboarded our buses (there were 5 heading to the climb) and we were driven for another 30 mins or so to the start of the Hike. There was a small shop and a loo block so bladders emptied before we started. Lunch was provided but it was just a polystyrene box with a Cheese sandwich, an Apple and the Norwegian kitkat, so we left Celia's box in the bus and was glad that we had packed some energy bars for her to have instead.

The Hike was tough, it took about 2 hours with breaks to hike 4.2Km but that did include over 300m of elevation. See here for more details

Finally we reach the top and the views were spectacular, in fact the views all the way up and been brilliant but as we knew that time could be tight we only took some photos at the top and on the way back down.








Whilst at the top, we also had a bite to eat (the sandwich was barely worth the effort of bringing it up the mountain, but I also had some energy bars to replenish the effort.) and there was a slight uproar as one of the other hikers from teh Magic got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend. After about 30 mins we decided that we needed to start the walk back down, and although slightly quicker it was probably harder to make sure that you had sure footing and didn't fall, there were some very steep sections and some of it was damp and slippery.







By the time we got back to the buses we only had 20 mins till we were off, retracing our steps but at the ferry we decided to not take the bus and instead took a walk through Stavanger so we could at least say we saw a bit of the town. Returning to the dock the Beach volleyball was in full swing but they all were wearing body suits under their skimpy outfits but they still looked cold.

Back on the Ship we freshen up and decide to skip the show (Hector is Magic) but as we were sitting in Preludes they started to setup for a Thor photo op and a meet and greet for Hector, we somehow found ourselves at the front of the Thor queue just by being there relaxing so got a photo.



Also in the queue we did see a lady in her 30's in a Thor dress
which did seem a little bit odd.

Tonights dinner was at Animators Palate and finally Celia had a worthwhile dessert which she did say could she have again but we never saw it again. But earlier in the meal she had had a Egg and Bacon salad without the bacon, which seemed odd but the Chef that day Billy from Scotland who was earning his ears and had only been on the ship for just over a week did come out to try and sort out the issues. Not sure if it was going wrong for Billy but after this day we only ever saw him at Cabana's at breakfast.

After dinner we went to Fathoms for the evening adult show, which was a Juggler called Pete Matthews he was funny and the show was entertaining but we were shattered by the end and straight after the show went to bed. Getting back to the room today we got a Towel Elephant and it was still strangely bright for 11:30 pm.

[caj]

That pud looked lush! And deserved after a hike like that! You must have taken all the correct layers and clothing ... so many clothes for a cruise!

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Wish we did take the right clothes, had to result to the launderette later in the week.

[Gill H]

Wow, that dessert looks beautiful. About time Celia got something nice!

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Originally Posted by Gill H

Wow, that dessert looks beautiful. About time Celia got something nice!

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It was and we woudl have been happy if that just came again and again very night, but alas...

[Gill H]

Very impressed with your hike.