I will start with a few quick facts about Bergen:

• It is Norway’s second largest city, after Oslo
• The port of Bergen is the busiest in Norway, handling both freight and passengers. (Indeed, we boarded our ship in Bergen)
• It has been a trading centre for centuries, starting in the 11^th century, and including a period as an important centre in the Hanseatic League

It was Bergen’s architecture which spellbound me. (Sometimes even scared me!)

The buildings which flanked the old port area were old, leaning and seemingly unstable. As I wandered around and through them, I was constantly amazed that they were still standing!

Inside one of the buildings – the Christmas Shop no less – the floors were not just uneven; they were positively on a slope! Navigating the stairs from one floor to another was a bit like being immersed in an Escher painting.

Notwithstanding this, I was totally entranced.

Then, Bergen put on a wonderful farewell sunset, as we cruised out of the harbour: