Never such devoted…read moresisters The Seven Sister Waterfall is an impressive cascade of water that comes off the top of a mountain and ends up in a fjord. The tallest one is 722 feet high and the other vary in height and also intensity. Even though the falls are named The Seven Sisters, the amount of sisters actually hanging around at any one time differs. In fact sometimes five, six or even eight are seen but seldom seven. Kind of like the Pleiades Star Cluster, which is also known as the Seven Sisters, but virtually nobody sees seven stars. Five, six, eight or nine but almost never seven. How and why the amazing falls were named The Seven Sisters might not be known, but there is no denying that falls are indeed an amazing sight. The amount of water depends on the time of year and the amount of snow melting and can range from four or five kind of whimpy falls to a massive amount of water pouring off the cliff. It's difficult to get real close to the Seven Sister because they are one of those things that are just so dang big that you can't even see them if you get close. Best seen from a boat in the middle of Geirangerfjorden, these devoted sisters will probably hang out together for a long, long time.

Stopped on the drive from Ålesund to Trollstigen Road with Trond from Local Trips…read more This was really a beautiful place to stop during the sightseeing tour. We were dropped off at the start of an elevated boardwalk which gave a beautiful view of narrow, high ravine which the Valldøla Rivers rushes through. The waterfall is such a nice view. Love the rainbow that it creates. The boardwalk is also so interesting. The iron walkway weaves back and forth leading to other short hikes. Check out the information board to find other trails. There are also free bathrooms and a few farmers selling the most delicious strawberries and raspberries. A nice place to stop on the way to Trollstigen from Alesund.

Mountains and lakes…read more The small village of Oppstryn has had a church for a long, long time. At least as far back as the 13th century and very possibly several centuries before that. Like most buildings in the small villages, the churches were constructed of wood and tend to burn down from time to time and have to be replaced, The present church in Oppstryn was built in 1863 and was designed by Hans Linstow. It holds about three hundred people and like virtually all churches in the area is Evangelical Lutheran. The church is still very active and a vital part of the small community. The church is in a lovely location, right on the shores of Lake Oppstrynsvatnet with towering mountains all around. Difficult to imagine a more picturesque and beautiful location. Whether or not you are religious, standing next to the old church with the surrounding mountains, lake and gorgeous scenery all around, will prove to be sublime and inspiring.

Octagons and fjords…read more Geiranger Kyrkje is an old church that sits at the end of the spectacular Geirangerfjorden in the small Norwegian town of Geiranger. It's looks a bit strange because it has a funky octagonal shape that somehow seems to fit. The present church was constructed in 1842 but there have been other churches on this site since at least 1450 and probably longer. The church is surrounded by a cool and ancient graveyard and has incredible views in every direction. Towering mountains and of course Geirangerfjorden makes this a very special place. Inside the church itself is rather simple but it's decorated with all kinds of cool, poignant and elaborate religious symbols and art. Northern Norway seems to be full of amazing churches and buildings, and even if you aren't particularly religious places like this somehow make you leave with a lot more spirituality than when you arrived.