Stavanger and Kristiansand are in southern Norway. The Lysefjord is a stunning fjord located at Stavanger. Kristiansand is partly known for its beaches and is one of the sunniest areas in Norway. From Skjolden we traveled to Stavanger, then later in the trip to Kristiansand.
Stavanger, Norway
There are rows of colorful historic houses. Stavanger is the third largest city in Norway. It was officially founded in 1125. There is however, evidence of settlement after the last ice age approximately 10,000 years ago. It is the oil capital of Norway and there is extensive off shore drilling in the North Sea. Stavanger is one of the worlds most expensive cities and has a very low unemployment rate. The climate is mild considering its latitude and the area receives a fair amount of rain.
We went on a cruise to view Vagabonds Cave and the Lysefjord waterfall. The weather changes constantly, so we are always prepared.
There were salmon farms scattered throughout the fjord. The area is very scenic.
Lysefjord is a stunning waterfall that got us wet trying to take photos. The middle photo is Preikestolen or Pulpit rock, which Tom Cruise scaled the mountain face in the Mission: Impossible Fallout movie. There were goats that look forward to being fed carrots by the boat crew. We enjoyed our time here, but are ready to see more of the Baltic countries. We didn’t return to Norway until the last day of our trip.
Kristiansand, Norway
We really enjoyed this city. Maybe because it was a warm, sunny summer day and all of the stores were open. This is the number one place to vacation in Norway.
Kristiansand is the sixth largest city in Norway with a population of less than 120,000. Settlements date back to prehistoric times and a skeleton was dated around 6,500 BC. Today, the city serves as the primary hub for ferry, shipping, air, road and rail traffic in southern Norway.
Kristiansand also has a temperate oceanic climate, but with less rain than Stavanger.
The Øresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden. It is the second longest bridge in Europe with both roadway and railway combined in a single structure, running nearly 5 miles from the Swedish coast to the artificial island Peberholm in the middle of the strait. The cruise ship passes very close underneath it.
Another beautiful sunset while at sea.
