With the need to travel from Stavanger to Bergen a number of options were available. There is a direct flight. A bus runs regular trips or one can sail as both are port cities.

I chose a option that experienced first hand two of these and a third was present.

As this trip is about motorcycle travels i felt the best option was to ride.

The distance was short only some 220kms but it took most of the day as the speed limit is a maximum of 80kms but more importantly the road is a series of bridges and tunnels linking up with a ferry network as in places no road exists.

Another reason to travel the road route is the construction of a 26km long tunnel due to be finished in 2026 that will changethe whole character of the trip.

Weather was predicted to be fine and sunny but true to form that was not the case so much of the trip was spent in wet weather gear which had the added advantage of keeping out the bitter winds.

The first 34kms out of stanager consists of tunnels and bridges that account for approx 1/3 of the trip. The countryside is farming mainly cattle but is also home to those who do not want the urban aspect of Stavanger or have holiday home for the winter sports they enjoy so much.

The ferry first encounted was a Boknafjord so we were not sure just what type f a trip we would have but it turned out just the opposite. The first clue was once the assembled motorcycle were allowed on board they simply parked and not tie downs were offered and riders were encouraged to leave the deck area and go into the warm and commercial centre of the ferry.

Despite some aprehension I did just that and after the $20 20minute ride returned to find the bike exactly where I had left it on a slope aimed at the front Bow opening doors of the ferry.

The journey continued to the second ferry in a similiar landscape where visible to what was seen earlier. This trip appeared to be much longer but arrivial was 20mins after departure so it appears a higher cruising speed was possible. The waterways are by no means isolated as far as both traffic and habitation.

Vessels of many different types passed our vessel. There were passenger cruise vessels (much much smaller then Queen Mary 2), freight carrying ships, sailing sloops, speed boats and fishing vessels. The fishing vessels were often attending salmon ponds located in netted enclosures on the fjords.

Evidence of human occupation ranged from common but isolated homes to whole villages serviced by a large fleet of ferries.

Emerging out of the gloomy misty weather early afternoon was Norway's second largest city Bergen.

Riding in the size and extent was not evident and true to form even in the city tunnels provided access but blocked views.

despite knowing the location of my accommodation Bergen Budget Hostelm Tom Tom took me via a left turn only street and then told me to make a U turn when possible not the easiest of taks on a busy road in the rain with a laden motorcycle but having managed it was only some 500m down that road to the unmanned hostel and armed with door codes and bed number I was soon unpacking and rugging the Triumph up for the night. Dinner at The Amor cafe was a shrimp salad and a glass of home made Lemonade.

Tourist day arrived with again overcast weather and a light mist at times but not enough to stop any activities. First up was a puncture repair job at Triumph Bergen on Greg's bike so I led out the 13kms only to be told the workshop is located back in the ity only 2.4kms from where we started. No repairs possible so a rather expensive, by Australian standards, new tyre was fitted.

Gathered together it was lunch of reindeer hotdog and a shrimp sandwich after tasting whale and moose meats at the local historical fish markets.

Opposite the markets located at the main wharf is Bryggen in Bergen. This is the oldest part of the city and was built on the foundation of settlements ating back to the 12th Century. The area has undergone change largely due to fires that ravage and razed the wooden buildings such as the great fire of 1702. This fire reduced the whole city of Bergen to ashes.

The port called Hanseatic wharf after the German based Hanseatic League set up a shipping businnes at Bryggen in 1360 and maintained it as a import export site for the next 400 years.

The Bryggen area is still wooden structures,narrow alleyways and interconnecting buildings some of which have staircases that would defy climbing by any who had so much as one drink. Dale of Norway is a typical woollen garment manufacturer whose products can be found in these Bryggen shops with prices commencing around $420 for a woollen jumper. Many of the products sold are of Norwegian manufacture and also included are local art and jewellry pieces.

I decided to lash out and grabbed a genuine down lightweight jacket with hood, well under 400g, which at $120 seems a bargain considering the next nights accommodation and dinner will be well over the jacket purchase price.

Resisting other great woollen articles my next stop was Floibanen Funicular which takes passenger from the shops up a 5:1 gradient as it rises to 330m to offer stunning views of Bergen. The goat population has been reintroduced and are located in the surrounding hills only by radio signals and GPS tracking as no fences exist, however they are smart goats and dispite the signage stay close to the tourists lookng for food handouts, so really the signs are not read by the "silly goats"either.

It was only from this height that the extent of Bergen was visible and the way it has spread around not only the main harbour but encompassing many smaller harbours,well over 50 are developed, where every type of maritime activity can be seen.

The city central lake called Lille (lake) Lungergardsvann which creates a green space seems typical of many cities of Norway and contains the usual fountain and seating which I guess on a sunny day would be well used.

A farewell dinner and on to Ron in the mountains where I am sure to find more great sights both culturally and enhansed physical features that have made Norway a star performer on this the ABC's of motorcycle travel