Ireland, Greenland, Iceland and
Norwegian Fjords
30th June 2008 - 18th July 2008
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16th July Stavanger (Norway)

The gateway to Norway's spectacularly scenic fjordland, Stavanger is also a town with its own rich heritage as it is regarded as the ‘Cradle of the Vikings’. The ship docked right next to Gamle Stavanger, the old quarter, with its collection of 200-year-old white wooden houses (considered national heritage monuments in their own right), 12th century cathedral modelled on Winchester Cathedral, markets, craft stores and art galleries.

Look out, too, for the Three Swords monument in the Hafrsfjord rock recalling the Viking sea battle won by King Harald the Fairhair to create Norway as one kingdom back in the 9th century. This is on the way to a recreation of an Iron Age Farm at Jernaldergarden. The other major landmark is a short boat trip away through the delightful Stavanger archipelago to the 2,000ft high Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen).
 

Photo Gallery:
 
This was the only day of the cruise when the weather stopped us doing what we wanted. It was bucketing down in the morning, but forecast to clear. So rather than walk about in the rain, we went to the cinema on the ship and then headed out at midday.
 
 
 
'Gamle' Stavanger has the largest concentration of 18th century wooden buildings (173 houses) in northern Europe. The whole place made up of narrow cobbled streets is like a living museum. This was formerly a working class district and the houses were first painted white in the mid-19th century. Today, all buildings are under preservation orders. Various workshops have sprung up and Norwegian craftwork is on sale.

This is a part of Stavanger not to be missed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
What a difference a little sunshine makes.
 
After leaving the old part of the city we headed into the more modern shopping area. And although this classed as 'modern' it still retains a charm that many places of this size have failed to hold onto.
 
I'm not sure what this is all about, but just as road sign in Olden caused some amusement for us, the outside of this shop had us scratching our heads. Everyone here can speak fluent English and I was tempted to go in and ask what it meant.
  
On the other hand, if did mean the same as it does here I'd have been more than a little embarrassed when they asked if I wanted to buy anything.
 
 
 
Inside the 12th century cathedral.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A deck 13 view of the older part of Stavanger.
 
And of the main part of the ciry.
 
 
 
I was beginning to wonder how we were going to fit under this bridge, then we turned left !!