Our next destination are what have been called the two prettiest beaches in Norway. Actually, one of the pushy, over bearing suite passengers (he was so mean to Karen – basically dressing her down because we couldn’t get off the ship first, even though she escorted us all down and put us in the front of the line – we still had to wait for the ships’ tours to go – not her fault – and he was just nasty) was raving over these 2 beaches and, as he loudly and nastily told Karen, he had a rental car waiting. Wee figured we’d be in for a race to the car rental agency – but turned out his car was at the port. Good riddance – rather have you ahead of us than pushing us from behind. LOL.
We backtrack our way down toward Leknes, then turn off toward the coast. Once again the pastoral scenes morph into serene lakeside settings, always ringed by those majestic mountain peaks.
It doesn’t take us too long to get to back out to the coast with stunning overlooks (but little narrow lane roads make it too hard to stop for photos). We do stop a short way before Haukland Beach, to explore this great old church and cemetery.
It is beautiful here, with the blue green water lapping up against the stark white beach, nestled up against the bright green farmland with traditional red farmhouses (and sheep on the cliffs which we can hear as if they are right next to us). And then those mountains. Phenomenal.
We also get a good look (as we will throughout the entire trip) of the camper mentality here in Norway. Seems everyone either has a campervan, or rents them for holiday. On the beach here are plots, all fenced out with “private” signs, where campervan owners apparently rent and park for the summer.
We drive the short distance to Haukland Beach proper, and get out for more scenic white sand beach and farmhouse pictures.
Can’t imagine living out here – so isolated, but such beauty. Leknes isn’t all that far away, but in the winter? No thank you very much.
Onward we press, through more freaky tunnels …
…to finally arrive at Uttakleiv – the last beach on the tour. Spectacularly gorgeous – the coastline, framed by the mountains, huge towering boulder-like peaks, the little village at the base of the mountain range…
…and Maggi taking selfies! Spectacular!
This beach is also used as a camping ground, with tons of tents and evidence of camp fires dotting the grassy shoreline. There are also 4 hoofed visitors as well – check out the sheep under the picnic table.
We spend some time enjoying the fresh air and snapping photos…
…then hot-foot it out of there as the buses roll in. Timing is everything!
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