Leaving the Atlantic Ocean Road park-up at 645am, we back-tracked down Road 64 to Molde, where we grabbed coffee at Circle K the moment it opened. From there, we meandered through the town and onto the ferry, minutes before it was departing. Like all ferries in Norway, you just drive on and they bill your license plate (or transponder) later - no tickets, no delays! This crossing between Molde and Vestnes is literally considered part of the E-39 highway.
We took the E136 through more steep scenic fjords and long tunnels (2 to 6 km each, which seemed long at this point!), before arriving in the town of Andalsnes, where we stopped for another coffee at the Circle K. We found parking up the road and wandered to the cable car up the mountain. Interestingly, a mountain climb race was also going on the same morning, so up ride up gave us glimpses of runners and walkers, along with climbers taking the via ferrata.
The view from the top was EPIC - fjords to the right and the Romsdalen valley to the left, with two rivers snaking through colourful fields, the valley cleft in half by another mountain. We enjoyed our thermal coffees while marvelling at the views and the crazy locals running up a mountain.
Fully caffeinated, I grabbed a nice Ringnes pilsner from the mountain-top cafe, and continued to soak in the stunning panorama. Not wanting to leave, we finally made our way back to the gondola and enjoyed the steep ride back down. After grabbed a few hoodies across the street, we also hit the Circle K again for hotdogs and the first tank of diesel at a cost of 20.80 Kroner per litre (about $2.60/L CDN).
We took Road 63 out of Andalsnes and out into the valley we had just viewed from above. We opted to get a proper campsite for the night at Trollstigen Camping, partly to enjoy a shower and partly to be in close proximity for what was coming tomorrow.
We had a relaxing evening sitting out in the scenic valley, after making a quick dinner of fusili with delicious Dolmio bolognese sauce, which we remembered from Iceland. We also tried our first local potato chips, greatly enjoying the Sorlands plain.
After cleaning up the dishes, we set up the bed and settled in to listen to "The Testaments" by Margaret Atwood on audiobook before drifting off for the night.
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