Bergen

Not sire I can do this justice as my brain had to absorb way too much today. 

We started the day with a tour to the outskirts of Bergen a museum that delt with the history of Bergen and the development of oil and gas. 

The Bergen area actually was first settled 12000 BC. Sometime in the 16th century, it was under Danish rule. They were invaded by the German's during WWII. They have never had to deal with famine as they always could fish. 

In 1994, oil and gas became a big industry, having been found in the North Sea. The rigs were built in Bergen and pulled out to sea. Now they have separate facilities for both oil and gas production. Much of the product goes to Germany. 

Fish is still a major industry, but since licenses are auctioned, six companies now hold all the commercial licenses, though many of the smaller fisherman are employed by the larger companies. 

We were allowed to drive through the gas plant, but the bus could not stop and we weren't allowed to take pictures. This one plant employs 300-400. 

The state income from the sale of oil and gas goes into the retirement fund, which today is said to be the largest fund of it's kind

Upon return to the city, we took a ride up the funicular. The views are depicted in some pics below. Also some pics are included from our drive outside of Bergen. 

The comment I made yesterday about Tesla and electric cars in particular was emphasizes again today as I personally saw several Teslas and Nissan Leafs, the latter on the road into Bergen this morning. In addition to free parking, charging stations are plentiful in town. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent roaming the old German shopping area and touring a museum dedicated to how the Germans lived and worked in this shopping area. Young Germans were recruited to come to Bergen as apprentices in these stores. The pecking order was a Head Merchant, journeyman and then the apprentices. No women and no marriages. The apprentices slept two to a bed and were not paid. 

We are off tomorrow on a tour called Norway In A Nutshell on our way to Oslow. We will take two different trains, a bus and boat. We have to be on the bus by 5:45 a.m.👹