We have been travelling the tourist routes in Norway, and we just had to do the Atlantic Road, as images of this road are so magical, and so often publicised. There was a lot of opposition to the building of this road but it went ahead and is now a popular tourist route.
 
To reach the start of the road near Bud from our last few days stop in Alesund we had to take another ferry. We were happy that the day was at least not foggy. 

The Atlantic Road is only a small section of the road between Bud and Kristiansund - only 8 kms in all. The road zig-zags across the islands that are now joined by 8 bridges that jut out over the sea. It takes a reasonable time to travel it as there are a number of stops, but I was still surprised at how quickly it was over. 'Is that all there is....is that all there is....?', went through my head. 
 

 
But then we had to drive back over the same route, or otherwise go a long way round to Trondheim. It was seeing it again that allowed me to take it all in. The scenery along the route is panoramic. It has that wintery, rocky look that reminded us of Brittany in France. 

The rest area near the Storseisundet Bridge on Elshusøya island is the standout, as it has been constructed to take advantage of the scenery in a way that causes minimal impact. A walkway of a type of mesh-like material mounted on poles makes an environmentally friendly path that allows walkers to see the rugged water views.

But it was that night, when I went through my photos, that I could appreciate fully the experience. It is the magnificence of nature in the area that truly makes it worthwhile.

Our next stop in Trondheim was also a surprise, as it had far more to offer than we expected. It has wonderful rows of old warehouses on the shores of the Nidelva River - far more than in Bergen. It also has more old-style wooden houses than we have seen anywhere. The inner city, surrounded on all sides by the river or the fjord, can be easily walked. 

Unusual here was the Nidaros Cathedral. We have become used to seeing the Norwegian wooden churches, so this was a surprise. Inspired by Westminster Abbey and Lincoln Cathedral it is a mass of spires and sculptures.
 
There was plenty to see, but the days are long, so it is not a problem. More a problem is getting enough sleep, as not many places have dark curtains. 
 
Today : Sunset 23.37 Sunrise 3.05 

This is something that we do not have to deal with in Australia. We really feel as though we have reached the midnight sun.