I went to northern Europe from August 19 to 26, joining a package tour of Hankyu Kotu Agency. We visited four countries, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

  First night we stayed at a hotel in Copenhagen in Denmark.

  Next day we sailed to Oslo in Norway from Copenhagen by a big passenger boat and stayed overnight in the boat.

  The third day we moved to western Norway by a bus and spent there three nights.

  The sixth day we moved back to Stockholm in Sweden from Bergen by a plane and put up at a hotel in Stockholm.

  The seventh day we flew across to Helsinki in the morning and after sightseeing Helsinki we boarded a plane in the evening and flew back to Japan in the next morning.

  Best of all, Norway was best for me. It gave me a great impression, because we visited western Norway where there were marvelous views, an old way of life and culture. There were a stave church made of wood, thatched houses with some grass growing on the roof and troll dolls.

  In addition, the views of fjords were most impressive. We enjoyed two hour cruising of Sognefjord and driving along Hardangelfjord.

  Sognefjold is longest in the world, its length is 205 km and its depth is 1300 meters. Most exciting place is between Gudvangen and Flam. The cruise boat sails between two for sightseers.

  High and steep mountains looked much closer from the deck, only 250 meters wide at one point and rose directly from sea with sheer rock walls of over 1000 meters high. Many waterfalls fell down in the rock and sea. Small farm and villages sit perched in the cove and valley, which were reflected in the water.

  In fine weather it seemed to be the best views of Norway fjord. This amazing scenery was listed in UNESCO's world heritage in 2005.

  We got on the Flam Railway at Flam and headed for Myrdal.

  The train takes one hour to cover the 20-kilometer long track and 860-meter steep climb, from Flam (2m) located beside the cove of Sognefjord to Myrdal (866m) sitting on the Myrdal plateau.

  The railway line is laid along steep slopes and round sharp bents to enable the train to snake its way up and down the sheer inclines. Almost 80% of the railway line has a gradient of 5.5%, the equivalent of 1: 18. Nowhere in the world is there an adhesion-type railway on normal tracks with steeper climb.

  We all enjoyed the wonderful view over the valley from the railway. A few precipitous mountains dropped down to the railway line in places. We could see picturesque farms and houses nestling at the bottom of the valley and some waterfalls in the distance dropping vertically from the ridge.

  After passing a long tunnel, the train stopped at the mighty Kjos Waterfall falling down from the Reinunga Lake. Passengers got off the train to see this spectacular view and tried to take pictures. The platform got crowded with people.

  Railway was spiraling up the steep mountain side to Myrdal plateau, providing a magnificent view over the Flam Valley. Myrdal is the top station and highest point of the Flam Railway with 866 meters, on where the Bergen Railway meets.