Canal cruise in Telemark

Since Norway is THE place to vacation this year of pandemic, I talked Penny and Roger into going east to Telemark with me. The draw was the canal cruise from Lunde to Dalen, with an overnight in the historic and gorgeous Dalen Hotel. We had not explored Telemark. It's east, toward Oslo, and near Notodden, where I attended the blues festival in 2013.

On the ferry 

We drove over the mountains on Saturday, stopping many times to recharge the electric VW even though we didn't actually need to. There are a bazillion Tesla chargers on the way, and a couple of chargers for other types of cars in many places. No problem finding a place to charge, and we had a chance to snack and relax. The drive was filled with waterfalls and views - and road construction.

Here's the Røldal Stave Church. We didn't go inside, but wandered the graveyard outside. Norwegians do take care of their graveyards! The bad part, for me, was the grass in bloom. I could not stop sneezing.

Lunde Vandrehjem was our reservation. Surprisingly comfortable! I kinda expected a dorm, but it was a former old-folks home. Every room was spacious because they were handicap accessible, with a private bathroom. Our names were on the doors to our rooms. There was a community kitchen and dining area, and if it hadn't been raining, we would have eaten our breakfast outside on the picnic tables. Very friendly folks.

Right after lunch on Sunday, with a true downpour to start us off, the MS Henrik Ibsen came to pick us up. Not at the Vandrehjem - down at the dock! Wonderful ship, restored in 1920s Agatha Christie style, with red plush on the couches in the dining room below decks and crystal lights overhead. Salmon lunch to die for, with wine. Looked out the window at the wall of the locks inches away, while sipping my wine. Heavenly.

Toot your horn!!!

After a few hours, we arrived at Dalen, and everyone started walking toward the left. We followed. A few times, we thought, "Why did we follow the crowd?", but it turned out we WERE all going to the Dalen Hotel. It was built in 1894, and then after a 10 year restoration, reopened in 1994.

Spectacular dining room

We had a 3 course dinner, awesome, and bought a red wine with the main dish and a Tokaj with the dessert. I had forgotten how delicious Tokaj is! After getting back to Bergen, I bought myself a bottle and am sipping it while blogging. Any mistakes are the fault of the wine!

After dinner, we walked out toward the spa on the lake. We admired the antique cars. We enjoyed the ducks who had learned that they had to go into their fenced area about the time the flag was lowered.

Breakfast was also in the package, and it came with champagne! The weather was colder than I packed for, so at 8 am, I was standing outside the grocery store saying, "Open, open, open!" I ran in and bought a couple pair of tights to get me back to Lunde on the Henrik Ibsen. I ran back in time to catch the bus to the boat. Whew!

Farewell, Dalen Hotel!

The Ibsen was apparently a Post boat

Deep, and tight, those locks!

The way back was not distracted by lunch, so I was up top to watch the action in the locks. Young folks, mainly women, cranked the apparatus with their whole bodies. Way to get in shape!

The plan was to drive back Monday afternoon. It took even longer than Saturday, because there was even more road construction. I guess you have to do that in the summertime. So many thanks for Roger and Penny, who did all that driving! And for agreeing to come with!