A visit to Trondheim is a dive into history through different periods. The strategic location attracted residents from early on and beckoned kings and bishops and later also the German occupiers. Nidaros Cathedral is the magisterial cathedral in Gothic style where you can admire the crown jewels. So far, 7 kings and 3 queens have been crowned in the church...
Once again we set the alarm early, the route to the Royal City of Trondheim runs through a long fjord, the Flakkfjorden, and we don't want to miss that. The routine is already settling in nicely, around 7 o'clock we go to the breakfast buffet, then have a second cup of coffee and change clothes for the Norwegian climate. Once outside we come home from a cold fair, temperature -12 degrees and a strong wind from the East. Unfortunately, Trondheim was on an Eastern route, which made it impossible to stand at the front of the boat. Unlike the city, the port of Trondheim was quite disappointing, but luckily there was still a city walk on the program. The young guide Julian, son of a German mother and a Dutch father, born and raised in Trondheim, made it a fun walking tour with the necessary humor. No long stories about various statues, just that in the statue of the king birds are allowed to poop on his head. Towards the old town we walk over the Gamle Bybro, the oldest city bridge over the Nidelva River. The bridge is popularly called the Portal of Happiness, whoever crosses the bridge has luck on his side and couples who kiss each other under the 2 arches stay together forever... of course we kissed each other just to be sure. .Along the Nidelva River are the well-known colored warehouses, most of which have now been converted into homes. These warehouses are standing on stilts in the water and some of the poles have almost completely rotted away, which are then replaced by concrete poles. Quite a job. The typical red paint used originally comes from Sweden; it was cheap, it contained certain substances that protected the wood well and it was easy to process because it came in powder form. Add water, mix and paint.Of course, a tour of the Nidarosdom (Trondheim Cathedral) could not be missed. The photos of the church are more beautiful than the church actually was and the crown jewels there were nowhere to be found. There have been fires in this church so many times that it is a miracle that this cathedral is still standing at all. Ultimately, several coronations of Norwegian kings and queens took place in the Middle Ages and from 1818 to 1906. The churches in Florence with all their bling bling are more beautiful than this cool church. Fortunately we couldn't stay too long, because the Post Boat leaves right on time, so hop on the bus and back to the port. On the way back to the port we are told that the sun's energy is now focused on the earth and that this increases the chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Can't get any crazier.At 12:45 the boat leaves for Rørvik and around half past four we pass the red colored Kjeungskjær lighthouse which is located at the entrance to the Bjungfjord. Meanwhile, the easterly wind increases and the temperature drops. This promises something for later when we sail on the open sea around 7:00 PM and we can have dinner at 8:30 PM. Early tomorrow morning we will pass the Arctic Circle and this is the Aurora Borealis area.
