Fjord voyage

  Our last evening on the ship was spiced up with an excellent show taking key moments from West End musicals, including my particular favourites West Side Story and finishing with a spectacular and dramatic extract from Les Miserables. We were asked to keep our seats whilst the staff paraded in the theatre and paused for a photograph as above. Many of the staff carried their national flags. The cruise line, Ambassador,  employs staff and crew from 27 different countries. The largest number come from India, followed by Indonesia and the Philippines. We agreed between us the multinational staff had been lured to Ambience because of their competence and good humour. The cruise line has a little tradition of having baked Alaska on the menu on the last evening, which was also embellished with a pirate theme.

 The views from the ship were wonderful and a rainbow spanned the water near a bridge across the fjord.  

I imagined retracing my steps from last time I was in Eidfjord from the top of the deck. (8/8/240 I had walked to the church and further on to a little museum and violin makers and repair shop, which displayed "Hardanger" fiddle, which has four strings and four extra strings. It can make an almost ethereal sound, unique to the instrument and to Norway. Also in the picture above is the little supermarket, where I bought plasters for my blisters.  In fact our tour with Ambience left Eidfjord in early afternoon, so we were able to enjoy the spectacular views from the deck. Below are pictures I took on my walk on my visit five years ago.

  Yet again, the impressive design of the ship, this is the central atrium, was utilised for an engaging performance from one of the troupe, who hails from Ukraine and has an impressive vocal range from falsetto to baritone depending on the song. (7/8/24)

It was fortunate we had visited Haugesund before. This time the weather was different and I didn't disembark. Nearly two years ago, we had taken a coach trip to a museum, church and Viking village. It had been a long walk from the museum, but well worth it, with re-constructed long boat houses, feasting halls, dwellings and other utilitarian reconstructed buildings. Here is a picture of the path we took to the Viking village to the church, a couple of years ago. (7/8/24)  

Leaving Flam was conveniently after dinner, we made for the top deck to enjoy it.

I paused to take a picture before I boarded the ship. the light had changed, transforming the view. It was time to put my feet up, as I had been instructed. (6/8/2024)

  I was joined at the viewing spot by a group of friendly young Italians. They were wearing T shirts with "IOS" on them and one had "Animator" on his back. I was impressed with the "port security" whose duties included sweeping up every fragment dropped by visitors and regularly changing the bags in bins. One of us took the little sight seeing road train, which I had watched from the top deck and took visitors all round the fjord. After relishing the view, supported by my crutches, I explored the fast food and market stalls and entered a well-stocked shop. I selected some small items and I was amazed that I was able to pay for them contactless, with my card.

We had been to Flam before, and, as our captain, who was from Maldon, Essex, reminded us, it is pronounced "Flom". On our last visit we took the train, which, as can be seen, is ideally placed for the harbour and the road and water transport. From the ship, I noted how pedestrian-friendly the port was. I had seen a viewing spot and decided to walk to it. Again, I was helped off the ship by staff. Whilst views from the port side of the ship were of Flam, the views on the starboard side were breathtaking.

 With most of the passengers exploring Bergen or out on trips, it was an opportunity to find the area at the top of the ship, which had wing arm chairs facing the windows. As with all the public areas, I thought the layout and designs were exceptional. There were huge "pouffe" seats and tall bentwood chairs by the curved bar area. I particularly loved the "sea creature" coffee table legs. (5.8.2024)

Ambience approaches the port of Bergen, Norway  It was with trepidation I walked off Ambience supported by my two crutches and assisted. by a member of staff. I had seen what looked like a public park opposite the ship from the top deck. As it was only across a road, it appeared to be accessible. Walking was slow and I thought there would be seats in the park. It was, in fact, a former fort. There were no seats in evidence, but as in our public park near our home, a huge stage had been erected flanked by fluted tents and, as the work was progressing there was no access. We found some seats, offering a lacklustre view of an un-stocked bar ready for the later performances. One of us walked to the World Heritage Site, the  Bryggen, which was not far from the park. We discovered a Norwegian King's statue and a small regiment of cannons facing the harbour on our walk back to the ship, this time daring to cross the road without deviating to the crossing. It had been an adventure for...

The theatre on Ambience is so well designed we could almost have been in London's West End. "Masquerade" which was premiered on the ship was West End quality. We had a smooth ride from the Thames Estuary to the North Sea and Bergen on the Norwegian Coast. It included a day at sea and time to familiarise ourselves with the ship. The arrangement of the furniture in the cabin, the design of the furniture in the public places and the way in which it was easy to access the open decks added to the pleasure of remaining on board. In the evening was an exceptionally impressive show by he resident company. "Masquerade" was carefully chosen songs and dance routines. We were sampling the delights of the cappuccinos in the "botanic" bar, and chatting to some other guests when the show was recommended, so we went to the second showing, which delighted us. I especially enjoyed watching it in my mask an engaging touch, as the were lights on above us, so the performer...

This view of Gravesend shows a disused quayside railway station and the Pocahontas church. In about an hour we had left our homes in a taxi, with our luggage, and arrived at Tilbury, a delightful small Thames port, where passengers from the Windrush disembarked for a new life in Britain, and the "Ten pound Poms" embarked to start a new life in Australia.    Our embarkation was admirably quick and we started to explore our home on the ship for seven days, before Ambience left port, and we started on our voyage.    For me, this was a major adventure. My left leg had been in plaster for nearly two weeks and in a moon boot for eight weeks. I was walking on crutches. It felt like a major achievement to have boarded the ship for a week.