12th July – Saturday – London to Southampton
After a late night, we were up and out of the house at 7.45 (though there was a brief return to get playing cards for all the others on the trip). We drove for an hour, to our per-designated meeting point – a service station on the A33 (the M3 was partially closed). Nirmal and Anji had set of super early at 7 so they had been there for ages, but we arrived minutes after Miten and Milan. We spent a little time there, people got drinks etc, while I distributed my sour dough bread.
It was then off again, to Southampton and the ocean cruse terminal. We arrived 10 minutes ahead of other 3 cars, not bad considering I drive the slowest. When they all had come to the terminal we left the luggage with the rest whilst Milan, Nirmal, Miten and I drove the cars (with me leading) to Hamwic Hall, where I had booked parking for all the cars. From here it was a short 15 minute walk back to the terminal. The rest had checked in the bags and we join them in the boarding queue. Our embarking time was meant to be 11.45, and we actually went in a little after 12.15 to the terminal, where we finised the checkin and boarded. Our Muster station was the Emerald Bar on deck 6, where we reported, before going to the Horizon on the 16th floor for food. We found a space and helped ourselves in the buffet.
Our rooms were called out as being ready just around 2. We went to them – floor 14 and chilled for a bit. All of our groups went our separate ways to explore the ship separately. After a while we met Miten and co in the emerald bar area. Whilst the others went back to the room, we had a well deserved drink. After I met Bhavni and Airyen at the room, we then made our way to the open upper decks where the rest had vaguely made there way. We went to the aft for the sendoff music party – Prisha and Saanya joined – though Airyen was not enjoying the music scene.
After the ship had departed all the families went our separate ways again. We had a wonder to look at the Cinema quiz, it was way too hard for us (silver screen trivia).
We went back to the room to change and get ready for the evening, going to an acrobatic show in the Sky Dome, before going to Horizon, where all the families met up (though a few had eaten before).
After dinner it was time to go for a (musical) show, which stated at 10.30 – Milan pushed the door, so we got good seats at the start, though had to wait for a while. It was a musical with the theme of air travel. Most of us were quite tired so it was not appreciated as much as it could have been, but some nice songs in there. After the musical it was straight to the rooms, with Airyen going to sleep, very soon followed by us.
13th July – Sunday Sea Day
We woke up quite late, especially as the time was changed to Norway time – 1h ahead. After getting ready we left to go to breakfast in the Horizon restaurant, it was quite busy. We met most of the rest of the group there as we had a buffet breakfast.
The 3 of us after went down for a Quiz after on level 7. The quiz was on guess the magnified objects, individually. I personally got a decent score. Leaving we met Miten wondering around with his family, so we had a explore with them for a bit – Bhavni went her own way. I also ran into Anji and Mothering, who i dropped into a health talk – was not really that good for Airyen and I.
Soon it was approaching mid day, so we went to the show areas, sitting ourselves at 11.40, for the Animal Guyz show at 12. It was a decently entertaining show, especially for the children.
After the show it was time to go for lunch at the Horizon restaurant – with all of us gathered around the same area. After the leisurely lunch I went and dropped Airyen to the children’s club – a bit of a queue to get in, then went and rejoined the rest.
Some of us wondered down to deck 6 and the Emerald Lounge, where we chilled while Bhavni and some of the girls went for a painting class. Then as the plan was fluid we tried to do a gathering on floor 17 at 4pm, but due to strong sea breeze, we decided to go indoors and ended up in the SkyDome area where some played cards, and some of us had a drink. I picked up Airyen at 4.45 and get him some chips from the restaurant here to keep him going.
Soon after it was time to go and get ready as it was formal night. The plan was to meet outside the rooms at 6.15, but with the many we were it did not go to plan so we met in Emerald at 6.30, where we took some photos of all of us as well as a professional picture.
Dinner was booked at the Italian restaurant for 7pm. We all had the starters and mains together (on the two tables that we were given), then Bhavni, I and the 2 girls went to see the nights show – music for soul. The person who was hosting was singing old but famous mo-town music. It was all good until he said the words that he was going back to the 60s, whereupon the girls looked at each other and left quickly. Bhavni and I stayed for a bit, but not too long as she did not really recognise any of the music.
Back to the Italian where all the rest were. We had time now to order some deserts for us. After we had some chilling time including photos of the sunset. Whilst most retired, a few of us tried to go to the stand up comedy show, however it was too busy, so we went to the cabins. Here I found the Kidz playing cards (phase 8) meaning we did not sleep until very late.
14th – Stavanger
We woke up with the ship docked at Stavanger – the oil capital of Norway. We all met at Horizon for breakfast, after which we all decided to meet around 9am to disembark.
We spit into 2 groups, some to walk to the petroleum museum, whilst the others were to take a taxi. In the end, they also ended up walking but being 30 mins after us. Walking we arrived at just opening time and went in. It was decent enough a museum explaining the timeline of oil production here and the origins of oil as well as future energy.
We were in the museum until just after 11.30, where the whole group got out and had a walk around town. Bhavni and I got tempted and got a pastry each – mine was a pistachio based one. A bit more wondering around and then we stopped at a bakery for lunch, sitting on the tables outside. Some decided to get Mc’ds and others chips as did not want breads. It was pretty nice as the sun was quite strong. After we did a bit more walking around – including going to a chocolatier, before most of the group decided to go back to the ship.
So it was the 3 of us plus Milan and Rajvi that remained. We had to catch the bus to there, which was on the side of the lake area. It was a bit of a scramble to get the app installed to buy the tickets – as its cheaper. We got on the bus for the 20 min journey to the 3 swords, with a small walk after the stop. The swords (representing Harold defeating the tribes and having peace) came into view right on the edge of the water. We took some photos – the scene looked different when the wind picked up. Then we had some ice cream as we had a bit of time before the bus came. We were all impressed about how the bins got emptied there.
Back on the bus and to the port area of the city where Bhavni and Rajvi tried bargaining for keychains – pretty non interested sellers – “This is Norway”. So it was back to the ship, where we got ready.
A few of us then went to a quiz in the bar – not great scores I must admit, then it was for dinner at the Pearl restaurant for 5.45.
After dinner we had a show called “festival” at the theater, which was pretty decent. Bhavni and Airyen then went to retire to the rooms whilst I chilled with some of the group for a while.
15th – Olden
Today we woke up at around the time the ship was docking. We all met at various times in Horizon for breakfast. We three left the same time at 9am as Milan, Neer and Prisha (the rest were going at a later time). We had not booked so we looked to see if we could do the lift – it was full for the morning. This was a blessing as we heard later the lift was overcrowded and you had little time at the top – just some photos and back down. So Bhavni booked us on the same tour as Milan and Co for the Glacier walk.
We were ushered to the “overflow bus” whilst Milan and co went on another bus, but amusingly ours left first arriving just before them. The commentary on the bus was pretty good. At the place we waited for them and then after the obligatory rest rooms, we started the walk. There were lots of people on this walk (we saw the “Troll” cars go), but it was pretty simple a walk to the glacier with a cold shower from a waterfall to cool us off in between. Pretty nice scenery on the walk, though the signs did show how far back the glacier had retreated over time. At the end of the walk we got to the scree and lake around 5 mins ahead of the rest – we had a good view of milan going through the water with his children clapping – took some photos and when they came took some more.
The walk back was even easier as it was mostly downhill. There was a bit of time to look at the gift shop before we had to board the buses. We passed the rest of the crew as they had their troll car rides going on.
At the ship port we decided to not worry about the Lauren lift and we all headed to the Horizon restaurant for lunch.
After filling our selves up, we decided along with Milan and Neer to go to Olden town. So we packed a bit and headed out. We went 5 minutes the wrong way towards the lift first, before going to the town. The town was mostly just tourist shops which we saw in a few minutes, whilst Milan and Neer looked for souvenirs.
We found an area near the river to chill at for a little while before we headed back to the ship. On the way back to lift was visible and looking at it we have been on taller lifts.
Back on ship, we went to our rooms and decided to go to a Jacuzzi with Prisha joining Airyen and I at around 4pm. Bhavni also joined a bit after – complaining about my directions.
I left the others to chill in the hot tubs, whilst I showered and headed to Brodies for the general knowledge competition – I got an ok score.
I went to the higher decks to join all the rest, watching the buses arriving late – from the Lauren lift – due to the queues. Because of that that the ship departed late, however there was a lovely send off for it, with music and flag waving.
Most of us then headed for a show which was in the skydome – Acrobatics and dancing – it was standing room only for us, though the children could sit on the stairs.
After everyone got ready, dinner was at the Perl restaurant downstairs.
After the show everyone headed down to the Emerald bar to play cards and or chill for a while. We even watched the sun set – though it did not get dark.
Putting Ayren to bed, I grabbed some tea from horizon and Bhavni and I had it in our balcony.
16th Flaam.
Today when we woke up, we were docked at Flaam, the view out of our balcony was of a large cliff wall. After getting ready, we headed for breakfast, which today was at the Pearl restaurant at 8.15am – I quite enjoyed eating this way rather then the self service upstairs, but we still at a lot.
We then all went back to the rooms to get ready, before meeting some on the lower decks and heading out of boat around 10am. There was the usual waiting for some of the group to arrive. Whilst they were arriving we had a look at the pricing for Kayaking as Bhavni said she and Airyen could do it – its a bit expensive as its a 3h hire, so not really worth doing in the morning.
When everyone had arrived we had a wonder around, in the heat – there was not that much to see – shops and a small museum about the train line to here. As it was a hot day most just wanted to sit around, but we all got into line for the train at 11.30, boarding just before 12, so we got decent seating. The train was meant to leave at 12.10, but there were engine problems so the train actually left 25 minutes late.
The journey to Myridal had some impressive scenery – mountains, forests and waterfalls. Bhavni’s camera unfortunately ran out of charge so had to rely on her phone. We had a really brief stop at the famous waterfall – where a person was singing – just enough time for a quick photo, then we were ushered back to the train to end up in Myridal.
The train was meant to have a 20 min stop at the station before going back, but due to the delay setting off they gave only a few minutes. So a quick bye to all apart from us, Miten and Neer. We tried waving but not many saw us doing so.
We got a few refreshments then started our walk down – it was a longer walk then I anticipated – nearly 1h, with plenty of switchbacks, but plenty of time to admire the scenery (and see the train go back). I played a colour game with Airyen to keep him occupied. As we got to the bottom (where the zip line terminates), we found the bike place – there was definitely no shortage of bikes here.
We took a while sorting out our bikes and our helmets – getting correct sizes for Bhavni took a bit. Then we had some of our food – deciding not to use the facilities as they were gross (drop).
When starting the cycling, Bhavni said to stick together as a group, this however only lasted around 10 minutes, before we had Neer race ahead, followed by Airyen (and I for him), with the other 2 trailing.
It was an easy ride as it was really downhill, which was just as well as bikes were heavy and not well geared, which made the couple of uphills a bit more of a struggle than normal. I tried asking Airyen to wait at a point, but this was pretty much ignored and he carried on. From a bike you could appreciate the stunning scenery more than the train, but it was hard to stop with all the people cycling.
We got to the end of the cycle a little after 4pm and returned them. Airyen still wanted to go on to the water, so while the rest of out group went back we went to the boating place (past all the sunbathing locals), meeting Milan and Rajvi walking en route.
So asking about kayaking we got a canoe instead as it was cheaper, though still £80. Due to the limited time I ended going with Aiyren rather than Bhavni. We spent a bit of time on the water and rowed a decent way out, getting back quite wet. We took our shoes and socks and returned to the boat, getting ready.
Dinner was booked at the pearl, after which we went to a show called Greatest Days (that took inspiration from Take That), it was a bit of a tragic story.
I took Airyen up to sleep, luckily Prisha was in her cabin and volunteered to baby sit, so I could go down where the rest were for a while.
17th – Hogensford
Today we woke up whilst still sailing in to the next stop – not that we could see much as there was a dense fog. We soon docked, the piers and surrounds not really visible.
Breakfast was at the Pearl, where we all met – another filling meal.
After returning to our rooms and getting ready we joined Rajvi’s familly and & Miten’s as they were going out.
We planed to do the tourist walk which is what most people were doing. It was a decent walk from the pier to the main town, over the bridge. The fog meant it was cool.
We left Miten at the walking street, while we continued the rest of our walk, seeing the sights such as the library (where Airyen tries to hide from us) and various churches. We found a decorating shop and I introduced us as a potential supplier giving our details – you never know.
We find the rest of the crew at a shop there – before we continued our walk. We had to stop for a bit of pastry and coffee at a cafe, after which the rest except for Milan and I headed back – we finished the last bit of the walk
We then got back to ship around 3pm, meeting Bhavni who had lost her ship ID card, so helped her for a bit before Airyen and I went in, and headed to the jacussi which was still with a foggy view.
We spent a while there, with other people coming in and out, before getting out and going to the room.
Airyen and I got upstairs to find there was a party going on next door in Milans and Neers rooms. Wine and other drinks. Whilst here Neer said it was time to open his degree result email, which he had kept unread. He got a first ! No dry eyes in that family.
After quite a bit I left all of the guys and went for my usual quiz at Brodies before coming back in time for dinner.
Dinner was a celebration dinner in the Pearl restaurant, with some Champaign and non alcoholic bubbly.
Today service on our table was a bit slow, so we had to skip desserts, to go to the magic show at 8.30.
We spent a bit of time after at the Emerald bar, after which I went up with Airyen and put him to bed.
18th Sea day
Today was a sea day. Breakfast was again a served meal in the restaurant on 7th floor
I had booked the children’s Animal Guyz show for 12pm, but as we had finished our breakfast early enough, I took Airyen to the 10.30 show. After a few of the others went for a art class to paint with wine colours, including Airyen and Bhavni. I in the mean time I enjoyed the outdoors (in a sheltered area).
We all then went for lunch to the Horizon restaurant, with me dropping Airyen to the Kids club for an afternoon session at around 2pm.
Bhavni and I wondered around the shops for a bit, before we met up for Ice cream with most of the others at 3pm and then we lazed around for a bit, until I picked up Airyen at 4.30 and took him for a last Jacuzzi.
Dinner today we at the Horizon restaurant. I got some mushy peas and chips from the restaurant on level 8 for Bhavni and I. I also got a picture with Airyen and the Animal Guys, when going through the sky dome.
Our show today was at 8.30 – Digital. This was a really good show with brilliant lighting effects including on the dancers suits.
After the show we finished our packing and left our main bags to be collected. Then we spent the time after downstairs. Including some late drinks – Espresso Martinis. Though the second one from Brodies was not that amazing.
19th Homeward
After a bit of a limited sleep, we were all upstairs for breakfast in Horizon just after 7.15. It was really busy so we did not sit all together today. We then were back in the room to finish off our checkout. After a bit of chaos on where we were meeting, we settled on floor 6, where we soon joined the queue out.
Our bags were soon collected. Milan, Nirmal, Miten and I walked to get the cars, returning back to the port to load up. The plan was to go for lunch at Rajvis (except the Volvo) – again we arrived first.