Today was going to be a long day despite there only being two major visit locations but it turned out longer than expected. Google maps forgot about one of the two ferries, the roads were very twisty up and down mountains in places and there were plenty of coaches and camper vans to keep me company. That said it was an incredible drive after the loop out to Alesund. I can see why Alesund is popular and in the list of top places to visit with its harbour surrounded by colourful buildings and some interesting streets but my heart sank as I turned a corner to find not one but two giant cruise ships docked. Checking on one of them it has a capacity of 3286 passengers and the other was about the same size. Potentially over 6000 passengers visiting. Note the population of Alesund is a little over 55000. So I parked up a side street for an hour costing just over £3 and had a wander. Again, as I’ve commented before, I am about 40 years too late. Anyway it is very nice but not a cafe in sight. I guess the cruise passengers don’t partake. As I said following the out and back to Alesund the scenery went to exceptional climbing up snow capped mountains with a combination of lakes, rivers and fjords to feast the eyes on. it did make for slow going both with frequent restricted speed limits and tight corners as well as for some of the way dodging coaches and camper vans on some narrow stretches. The target was Geiranger Fjord, one of the iconic locations for a visit to Norway. Wait for it. There was a giant cruise ship in. it does not spoil the views and indeed helps give some scale, as you can see above. It also kept the tiny electric runabout rental business humming. £1.75 to use the toilet I thought was a bit steep but needs must. It was certainly worth a visit and the viewing points were not too busy and it is justifiably a Norwegian place not to be missed. Heading out in the direction that I was going was anothere steep climb but this time to above the snow line. It was clearly fresh. What a treat. Apart from the inevitable road works and convoy through tunnels it was a long but easy run down to Forde for the night. I have certainly entered the land of the fjords. I’ll start with Geiranger and the run up to it and away from it and follow with Alesund. Note how the cruise ships blend in so you hardly notice them. I'll wrap up with a few ferry pictures including leaving Molde this morning. And just to complete the day there is the view from my hotel room of the twnkling lights of Forde.