Silver Wind Northern Europe & British Isles (Norway) July 14-31

[Silver Spectre]

Have a great day in Flam Wes and enjoy the train ride.

 

 

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[Stumblefoot]

Flam... is derived from the Old Norse word fla meaning "plain flat piece of land."

Looking at your pics, the Old Norse sure had a funny sense of humor as they defined "flat" land.

[Sweetpea711423]

Sweetpea711423, thank you very much for your very kind words--we're very happy you're enjoying cruising along with such. We estimate about 5% of the beautifully dressed women wear long gowns, most of the other very well dressed women have nice cocktail dresses on.

 

 

 

Thank you so much, Wes, for your helpful reply. I appreciate your taking the time to do that.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

 

Best,

 

Barbara

[WesW]

Mr. Silver, we finished the wonderful Flam Railway trip just a few hours ago. We had moderately cold/rainy weather for our Flam excursion, meaning today's Silver Wind's tea time was the perfect event to warm our souls.

Ida and I just finished a stunningly beautiful Flam Railway trip. Please enjoy these borrowed words and our snaps helping show this gorgeous Norwegian train ride.

Credit to the Flam Visitor center brochure for these wonderfully descriptive words. Alas, the free wifi here at the Visitors center precludes downloading pix--so will post our snaps when we return to the Silver wind. An incredible Norway train journey -- a train journey making the steepest climb in the World The train journey from Myrdal to Flam provides a panoramic view of some of wildest and most striking examples of Norwegian Mountain landscape. Rivers cut through deep ravines, waterfalls cascade down the side of steep, snow-capped mountains, and mountain farms cling dizzily to sheer slopes.. At the foot of the mountains you can enjoy the sheer beautify of the Flam valley and admire the majestic Aurlandsfjorden a branch of the world's largest fjord, the Sognefjord.

The train ride takes about one hour to cover the 20 kilometer long track, through 20 tunnels totaling a distance of six kilometers

Nowhere in the world is there an adhesion-type railway on normal tracks with a steeper climb.

The Flam Railway is one of the Norway's major and most spectacular tourist attractions

Will post pictures in a few minutes....spoke with Lester our HD and will interview the provisions team tomorrow and

the Laundry team on Wednesday. So, was hoping to post another Silver Wind crew member profile snap along with the

Flam pix below--SW crew snap will have to wait until Tuesday evening.

[TLCOhio]

The train ride takes about one hour to cover the 20 kilometer long track, through 20 tunnels totaling a distance of six kilometers. Nowhere in the world is there an adhesion-type railway on normal tracks with a steeper climb. The Flam Railway is one of the Norway's major and most spectacular tourist attractions. Will post pictures in a few minutes.

 

Appreciate your great postings, details, staff profiles, etc. Really looking forward to seeing your Flam Rail adventure pictures. We super loved that trip seven years ago while on the Silver Cloud. Keep up the wonderful sharing!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 217,836 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[RachelG]

Love the Flam railway. Too bad it was rainy. When we were there, it was a lovely sunny day. We rode the railway all the way up, then hiked part way back down and picked up the train again. I was stressed out because we had to be at a certain spot at a certain time to catch the train, and I thought George was dilly dallying too much looking at stuff and taking pictures. But we made it.

[WesW]

Pix of The rapidly moving river twists and turns

 

 

This spectacular waterfall had the largest vertical drop of

120m

 

 

 

Ida is giving the Kjosfossen Waterfall a very big thumbs up

 

 

Ida doing her best to win over these two Flam tolls to ensure we have good weather in tomorrow's port--Alesund.

 

 

 

 

 

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[RachelG]

Definitely cooler than when we were there. Love the pics!

[WesW]

Good afternoon Alesund, Norway.

 

Today's Chronicles referenced Fodor's Alesund summary: On three islands and between two bright blue fjord is Alesund, home to 38K residents and one of Norway's largest harbors for exporting dried and fresh fish. About two thirds of its over 1000 wooden houses were destroyed by a fire in 1904. In the rush to shelter the 10K homeless victims Germany's Kaiser Wilhelmina II led a swift rebuilding that married German art Nouveau with Viking flourishes, Winding streets are crammed with buildings topped with turrets, spires, gables, dragon heads nod curlicues. Today, Alesund is considered one of the few art Nouveau cities in the World.

 

 

 

 

This morning prior to meeting Ida for lunch prior to our Walking tour of Alesund with emphasis on its art nouveau architecture

decided to do a late morning run. Decided to turn left out of our Alesund port area, believing our walking tour will go left

where the preponderance of beautiful German influenced art nouveau buildings are.

Did note the Norwegian Jade berthed in front of the Wind. The Norwegian Jade has a little over 2400 pax, about ten times

the size of our beloved Silver Wind (currently we have 267 pax out of 290 on board)

Before turning left up Mt. Aksla, encountered the memorial "Seaward" and took a few snaps. Seaward features an Alesund fisherman's widow with her hand raised to her forehead looking anxiously out to sea. 33 Alesund seamen lost their lives across Seven fishing boats who died during a severe storm over a century ago.

Then I left for the Fjellstua viewpoint, where there are very well maintained 418 steps up to the near top of Mt. Aklsa.

This viewpoint at the top of Mount Aksla provides a panoramic view onto Ålesund, the archipelago, and surrounding mountains

Please enjoy a few snaps taken from the Fjellstua viewpoint including one that a Norwegian couple kindly offerd to take of me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited July 18, 2017 by WesW

[RachelG]

love the pic of the tiny Silversea ship beside the monstrosity.

[les37b]

love the pic of the tiny Silversea ship beside the monstrosity.

 

Hehe..... I was thinking the same.

 

Well, this trip has got me looking at flights and hotels to Oslo and Bergen for easy access to the region and sample at leisure. Might plan for next June though rather than this year.

 

Loving the review and photos Wes.

[TLCOhio]

love the pic of the tiny Silversea ship beside the monstrosity.

 

Agree!! Super contrast in size between the Silversea ship versus the much larger one in that Alesund port. Appreciate these added pictures from Wes. Looks like your weather was a little challenged. Fortunately when we visited both Flam and Alesund in 2010 on the Silver Cloud, it was fairly sunny and clear. Good luck for improved weather and bright skies.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 183,365 views for this posting.

[WesW]

Thanks Rachel, Les and Terry for your kind words.

 

Later will post about our outstanding Walking Art Nouveau Alesund Walking tour.

 

Silver Wind Crew Member profile--Wind Provisions

 

Today let's me Nino, Provisions Man for the Silver Wind. Nino hails from the Philippines about an hour south of Manila. Nino leads a four man team, Issac (from India), Neil and John (both from the Philippines.

 

Nino is married to the beautiful Maya and he has four children two active teenage boys ages 15, and 17, and two very active girls ages 18 (18, 3)

 

Nino has worked with Silversea since 2003. He has served on almost every ship in his 14 years Silversea service. The first Silversea ship Nino had his first contract, the Whisper is also is favorite ship to serve on.

 

As the Silver Wind Provision Man Nino manages meats, poultry,seafoods, dry foods, freshProduce, hard spirits, wines,soft drinks, water, dairy products and paper products. Asked,

What he likes best about serving as Provision Man, he quickly answers he gets satisfaction knowing his team is helping satisfy Silversea guests food & beverage preferences.

 

Finally Nino let me what he like best about working on Silversea is working with the crew. He tells me Silversea treats all crew the same, making us feel like we are brothers and sisters in a family that is well taken care of.Like most about SS, crew

 

Thanks Nino & the Provision Team for making our Silversea on board cuisine & adult beverage dreams possible.

 

And thanks to Oliver, Hotel Stores Manager for the photo assist.

 

Provisions team (L2R) John, Neil, Nino, and Issac

 

 

 

 

Nino heading Jovi, member of the sommelier team some spirits.

 

 

 

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[Tothesunset]

I really love these crew snapshots. Sometimes we forget that, like any complex machine, each part is essential to the operation of the whole. And I think it's a very special thank you to these wonderful people to feature the behind the scenes personnel along with the front of house staff. Keep 'em coming, Wes.(y)(y)

[Stumblefoot]

Love the crew pics! Really lets one see how tight the storage space is down there. It's gotta to be tough rotating stock properly.

 

Also, agree with RachelG about the contrasting cruise ship photograph. Really cool!

[CruisinPashmina]

The pictures of the crew are outstanding...such a lovely, much appreciated thing for you to do. Thank you!

[WesW]

Thanks so much Brian, Cruisin Pashmina, and Tothesunset--really our pleasure to help showcase the hard working Silver Wind crew that toils for guests (especially below decks).

 

Alesund Norway is beautifully placed among several island at the entrance of world's most famous fjords and natural attractions.

 

Alas, in 1904 a devasting fire destroyed all thousands of Alesands wooden homes leaving 10,000 residents homeless. An immediate need to rebuild the city excisted. Thanks to German influence Alesund quickly rebuilt in the Art Nouveau architecture style. This meant all buildings had not sharp edges but were curves, decorated with turrets, spires and curlicues.

 

We enjoyed our three hour Alesund Art Nouveau walking tour yesterday. Please enjoy a few snaps and one of Ana (international Hostess), Ida, and I enjoying pre dinner cocktails in the Panorama Lounge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[txladycruiser]

Nice! Looks a little chilly and maybe rainy! Have you adopted the "Wayne" attire of wearing shorts no matter what the temperature is?

 

Enjoying your posts and pics?

[WesW]

Yes, Karen am following the WD (Wayne Dresscode) : )

 

Today, let's meet the Silver Wind Laundry Team.

Putra is one of the five members of the Silver Wind Laundry Team. *Putra serves as a Silver Wind Laundry Man (Washer)

Putra got married just three months ago--he is a newlywed!

 

Putra began is Silversea career in 2009, so now he has enjoy working over eight years with Silvers He started Silversea service back in 2009 and he began his laundry service as a Silver Spirit crew member when theSpirit sailed its maiden season. *This is the first time he has worked as a Silver Wind laundry tream member.

 

When asked what Putra likes best about working on Silversea,he tells me the the crew works/lives like a big family. *Putra also emphasizes his *supervisor treats the Wind Laundry team well.

 

Putra's Laundry Team duties include assisting his fellow (nite washer) of washing about 1000 towels a day, helping wash*30 bags of guest laundry, table linens

(over 1000 napkins and 1000 table clothes. *Putra's fellow Laundry team members include Kadek (the Silver Wind nite washer), Jamal (Laundry Master--he is overall

in charge of the Laundry team), Tondo and Subaheri who are the pressers (often using irons) to press the thousands of items the Laundry team washes daily.

 

When asked what is the toughest aspect of working in the Laundry--he emphatically mentions Transition day--since they have to wash/press all bed linens).

A hearty thanks goes out to the unsung heroes of the Silver Wind Laundry Team for helping us enjoy the Silversea experience by daily wearing

freshly washed/pressed clothes and sleeping in crisp/freshly washed linens. *

 

Thank you Putra, thank you Kadek, Thank you Tondo, Thank you Subaherii, and Thank you for leading the Wind Laundry Team Jamal.

 

Silver Wind Laundry Team (L2R, Petra, Tondo, Jamal, Subaheri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

Great photos Wes.

We loved Alesund.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us all.

[spinnaker2]

Echo your thanks of every Silversea team member and especially the laundry guys! They are truly amazing.

What a challenge to do all that ironing, Egads!

[Tothesunset]

You know, of all the unseen hands that make our voyages I have often thought that the laundry team must be the hardest working but, maybe, the least appreciated. I find it astonishing that 5 people manage to take care of the laundry for the whole ship and still find time to iron my shirts to military specification!

[zqtchas]

We too enjoy seeing you pic's. It's giving us the urge to go back & see the places we missed.

Glad it's all thumbs up!!

[Stumblefoot]

Glad to see you wearing shorts and that it appears you may have seen the sun yesterday!

[TLCOhio]

You know, of all the unseen hands that make our voyages I have often thought that the laundry team must be the hardest working but, maybe, the least appreciated.

 

YES, that laundry work is very challenging. On another ship earlier this year, we did a "behind the scenes" tour, including for the laundry area. WOW!! It's hot and humid there!! We do not realize the number of sheets, towels, etc., that a cruise ship needs cleaned every day. AND, that work requires so much heat, moisture, etc. That makes the conditions there difficult. Great that you are recognizing the staff, saying thanks to them. Keep up the great sharing. Nice to see the familiar visuals from Alesund.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Panama Canal? Completed Feb. 28-Mar. 15, 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through the Panama Canal with our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Lots of fun, interesting pictures!! Those visuals start on the second page, post #26. See more at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580