When in Denmark, Prinecess Mary, an Australian from Tasmania, was unable to see us when we visited the Royal Residence.

So it was a great surprise when arriving at Stavanger harbour to be able to have the presence of Queen Mary 2 while enjoying morning tea.

If that wasn't a treat also present was Koningsdam from The Netherlands.

Let me explain both QM2 & Koningsdam are great cruise vessels from Cunard & Holland America Line both having slipped into the harbour in the early hours of the morning and were tied up right in the street. The mere size of these giants had not only us,tourists, but also locals keep to witness this event.

The Queen Mary 2 which cost around a $1Billion when constructed between 4 July 2002 and her maiden voyage on 12 January 2004 has the distinction still of being the largest Ocean Liner ever built. The original design being as a transaltantic route ship but now she has had an internal refit to accommodate 2620 cruise passengers. She still undertakes an annual round the world voyage supported by 1253 crew members.

Her length of 345 and a height of 72m and 14 passenger decks ranks her as amongst the top ships in service.

Displacing around 79000 tonnes and a total weight of 150000 tonnes she carries 40% more steel then a cruise ship but her intergrated electric propulsion agumented by gas turbines allows a top speed of 60km with a normal cruise speed of 50kms one of the fastest passenger ships operating.She also holds the dinstinction of being the only transaltantic ocean liner operating between England (Southhamption) and the USA (New York).

The Koningsdam on the other hand is a Dutch designed Cruise liner named after Willem-Alexander the King of The Netherlands in over 100 years.

Built in Italy she was launced on 31 March 2016 and set out on her maiden voyage on 8 April 2016.

While of far lesser tonnage at 99,500 she carries almost the same passenger compliment of 2650 with 1036 crew. She is only 297m in length, with 13 decks of passenger cabins but still highly impressive when you can stand less then 20m away from her at the berth.We had tea at the dock and despite her size did not see QM2 leave but did witness Koningsdam leave actually in a very spritly manner despite a tight berth and a crowded harbour all under her own propulsion.

Both vessels are aimed at the wealthy well travelled passenger but on cruises may have up to 300 children on board especially when operating out of places like Florida USA. Currently both vessels are headed home and are located off the coast of Norway heading South with Koningsdam due to finish her cruise in Amsterdam in 4 days after a 22 day cruise of Norse Lengends and the Midnight Sun visit. QM2 is on a 7 day Norwegian Fjords Cruise before arriving back at Southampton readu for a Transaltantic westbound crossing starting in 2 days.

Our main adventure today was sailing but in far less grand vessels as a booking was made on a Lysefjord trip including Preikestolen (pulpit rock) and return to Stravanger. We did however have the latest vessel to sail with and while capacity is 297 passenger only around 85 were on our 3 hour cruise meaning great viewing.

The real Norway survey has consistently ranked the 1190 Fjords as Norways No 1 iconic feature and Lysefjord coming in at No 3 but by far the most accessible one.

What is a Fjord? Basically when a glacier retreats the U shaped valley created by erosion is filled by the sea or ocean in the area. Unique ones may also be filled from a fresh water lake. To be a Fjord it must be longer much longer then it is wide and surrounded on 3 sides by land,often very steep mountains.

Our trip had 4 added attractions.

Pasing under twice Lysefjord suspension bridge at a width of 639m as it provides the only land crossing of this Fjord. It stands at 102m above mean water level and the concrete structure which was completed in 1997 also features the Lysefjord tunnel 1100m long on one side and a road link on the otherthe road is only open in summer due to extensive snow coverage and landslides.

The second feature is a waterfall where the vessels comes close enough that those passengers at the fron of the vessel risk becoming wet from the icy water which is also collected by crew members and distributed to passengers as a treat.

A short stop is made also to feed a number of goats who come each time the vessel is in the area to receive treats of bread.

The most spectatular feature is Pulpit Rock at 604m above water level. It is a flat top area quite unique compared to the sharp peaks of the surrounding mountains. It is also possible to walk into the area and sit with your legs dangling 604m above the road with no safety fence. It featured in the movie Mission Impossible ^with Tom Cruise.

I have not said much about the Old Town of Stravanger or the actual fjord as an extensive photographic feature accompanies this section and as the old adage states "a photo is worth a thousand words."

The area being the home to the real Norway has meant the original one night at St Svithun Hotell has been extended to a three day stay and then the surface has only being scratched.