Day 5: Bus to Hardanger - and a purple one at that

Day 5 brought a bus ride from Oslo to Lofthus in Hardanger. Heading west and northwest, the trip followed the Halling valley from Hønefoss to Geilo, on across the Hardanger plateau with spectacular views of the Hardanger glacier, a stop at Vøringsfossen (the Vøring waterfall) before descending to the Hardanger fjord and on to Lofthus and Ullensvang Hotel. A full day that, upon reflection at dinner, caused several travelers to wonder if yesterday's events had not taken place two or three days earlier rather than a mere 24 hours. Norway's spectacular scenery served as a 3-D motion picture outside the bus windows. Stops at Gol and on the middle of the Hardanger plateau itself, brought a fury of picture-taking by all. Arriving at the majestic Ullensvang Hotel, facing the beautiful Sørfjjord arm of the Hardanger fjord and surrounded by apple and cherry trees that climb the hillside from sea to sky, a mixture of relief and anticipation gripped the hungry travelers as they headed for the spacious dining room.