The West Coast Fjord Country - Norway - page 331

O nightclub This fairly new nightclub is the most popular in town, with an
upstairs bar area and a downstairs bar with a dance floor. It draws the young peo-
ple of Ålesund nightly, ranging in age from 21 to 35. These patrons dance to
recorded music, and the DJ changes every month. Open Friday and Saturday
9pm to 2:30am. In the Rainbow Hotel Noreg, Kongens Gate 27. & 70-12-29-38. Sat cover
50NOK-100NOK ($7.10-$14).
15 Molde: City of Roses
59km (37 miles) N of Ålesund; 50km (31 miles) NW of Åndalsnes
Norway's “town of jazz and roses” is famed for its view of 87 white-capped
Romsdal Alps. When the Nazis attacked Norway during World War II, Molde
briefly became, in effect, the country's capital, since the king and the gold
reserves were here. King Haakon VII hid in a forest outside the town until he
and his son, the future King Olav V, could board a boat for England. Three hun-
dred houses were destroyed during the German bombings in 1940.
The name of Molde, from the Molde farm that occupied much of the area, has
appeared in records since the Middle Ages. It was officially recognized as a trading
place in 1614, and King Christian IV signed a royal decree declaring that Molde
was a trading city in 1742. A modern, pleasant town, it boasts 18,000 citizens.
Molde occupies one of the most scenic locations in the northern fjord coun-
try, lying between the Romsdal mountains and one of Norway's most dramatic
coastlines. On the Romsdalfjord, in the More og Romsdal district, Molde is an
ideal starting point for excursions along the coast and into the surrounding
untamed area.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE By Plane Arø Airport ( & 71-21-47-10 ), bordering
the coast, lies 4km (2 1 ⁄ 2 miles) east of the heart of Molde. Braathens ( & 71-21-
97-00; www.sasbraathens.no) offers three to five flights daily to and from Oslo.
Once here, bus no. 252 goes from the airport into the center, taking 10 minutes
and costing 25NOK ($3.55).
By Train You can go from Oslo as far as Åndalsnes (see above) by train.
From there, you must take a connecting bus to Molde. Call & 71-22-48-78 for
schedules.
By Bus Buses run between Ålesund and Molde daily taking 2 hours and costing
120NOK ($17) one-way. There is a ferry crossing at Vestnes. Call & 71-58-78-00
for schedules.
By Car Driving should take about 1 1 ⁄ 2 hours from Åndalsnes or Ålesund, 3
hours from Dombås, or 4 hours from Trondheim. From Trondheim, take the E6
south to Dombås and then connect with the E69 west. From Ålesund, take the
E69 east. From Molde, board the ferry to Vikebukt and then go east on the E69.
By Ferry Coming from either Ålesund or Åndalsnes, board the frequent car
ferries at Vikebukt or at Vestnes for the crossing north to Molde. In July only, at
the height of the tourist season, there is an express ferry called Fjørtoft, between
Ålesund and Molde, taking 2 1 ⁄ 2 hours and costing 170NOK ($24) one-way. It
sails twice daily Monday to Friday at that time.
By Coastal Steamer The coastal steamer Hurtigruten visits Molde on its way
between Bergen and Hammerfest (both directions).