Europe 2023 September 7th Day 35 - Oslo to Voss and another Train

Had a fantastic sleep till 3.40am and the buggered if I could get back to sleep. Must have fallen asleep around 7am and Jane woke me at 8.30. Feeling a lot better this morning, so down for a full breakfast ( brilliant bacon here) and then packed up and checked out of the Karl Josef Hotel which was excellent in both location, comfort and amenities. Must say Oslo was a delightful city to visit. Extremely clean and efficient as expected but also some beautiful parks and excellent and engaging museums and art galleries.

Just a gentle 15 minute walk downhill to the Oslo Central station where our train to Voss leaves from. As usual arrived well in advance of departure so had the customary coffee, black tea with milk and some pastry.

When the train was ready for boarding we were in our seats quickly ( 2 seats each side of the aisle) and ready. We sat opposite an older Scottish couple who had been to Australia fourteen times so far as her two brothers lived there (Brisbane and Devonport) and a school friend in Bendigo. They were quite chatty throughout the day without being over the top or imposing. It was an 8 carriage train that was going all the way to Bergen where we will be Saturday but two nights in Voss on the way. A very comfortable ride and we were soon travelling through the mountains on our seven hour journey. Brilliant train with buffet car and also a kids playroom (think of a small McDonald's kids area) which I've never seen on a train before.

Trust the Norwegians they think of everything. After a couple of hours we were well into the mountains and the scenery was everything we were hoping for, absolutely spectacular. The photos don't do it justice and if you ever get a chance to get here I would highly recommend it. Not much else occurred for the trip, a couple of stops along the way at what appeared to be remote places, numerous tunnels and we finally got to Myrdal about fourty minutes from Voss where we had to wait for the train from Fläm to arrive for people to transfer over to our train.

We finally pulled into Voss just after 6pm and once out on the platform our hotel Fleischers, was immediately behind, a less than fourty metre walk. A large rambling building at its peak in the 1900's and still pumping and in very good condition. Excellent room overlooking the lake and all the ambiance of a 1900's hotel, waiters with waistcoats, chandeliers etc, a great choice.

We went for a short walk around town before heading back for a wine and something to eat. Salmon for Jane and a Burger for me which were both good and a couple of wines. The young guy behind the bar was having a few troubles with the influx of new tourists for the day and let's just say not the quickest bartender around, especially with 20 plus geriatrics demanding drinks and dinner. Found out later he was from Argentina, spoke Spanish and reasonable English and have only been in Norway for a week and spoke no Norwegian; poor bastard, I did feel sorry for him, massive learning curve and probably only early to mid twenties. Chatted to a couple of New Zealander ladies staying here as well and finished with a small Aberlour whisky for nightcap.

Went to book our train for Saturday from Voss to Bergen and of course, line repairs all trains cancelled for 36 hours, FFS!! All good though, as you would expect with the Norwegians, buses replacing the trains and in more frequent intervals, so booked for 10:05am Saturday, so should be in Bergen before midday.

An excellent day again and looking forward to tomorrow's adventure.