Stavanger, Norway Day 3 & 4- Fjord Cruise

The next day, we dragged our feeble knees out to explore the town. We never really got to walk around as we were always dashing towards the docks. It was a rainy day. We strolled along the lake and past the beautiful church. Soon, we decided it was too damp and dreary to stay out much longer so we went into a convenience store and looked for a Norwegian treat to try. Ended up buying these interesting snack which was pretty yummy.

Back in Sandnes, we walked around looking at the pretty shops.

That about sums up Day 3- Recuperation.

Day 4, the sun came out again and it was lovely weather. We hadn't planned to do any activities although we knew that the fjord cruise was highly recommended. We called up the office to check on the availability of tickets as you usually had to book these ahead of time. They said no guarantee and we had to get to the boat to buy it. Off hubby sprinted to pack our stuff again and this time we had to take the train instead to make it on time. Not lying we were pretty anxious. Willing the train doors to close faster. Finally arrived and ran/hobbled/limped to the docks. We managed to get tickets and boarded the boat.

We decided to sit outside to get the full view and blast of the winds.

The view was amazing.

It was only us and a few others who sat on the floor outside. Everyone else was inside. Soon, a Spanish middle-aged woman came out and started wedging her way past us trying to sit in that tiny space between us and the railing. She was being a total pest. One of those kiasu tourists.

We started approaching the fjord.

We took a short stop to feed the mountain goats.

The boat then turned into a small cove on the left which was apparently used to shelter pirates long ago. It was so small that the boat had to reverse out.

We could spot the Pulpit Rock. Simply cannot imagine that we hiked up there. We could see dozens of lashes of light from the cameras up there.

A long way down.....interesting fact. Apparently studies show that the rock will eventually fall off one day given its structure and cracks.

Next, the boat made a stop at a huge waterfall so that we would all get drenched. This was where the Spanish lady really got on my nerves. Her mom with a walking stick decided to join her. The bag she was carrying slammed into my head multiple times and she tried to use her walking stick to push her way through to wedge herself with her daughter, effectively blocking our entire view and stealing our place as we would have to move back to let her in. 

After being out there for so long in the winds, there was no way I was ceding our space to these two who have been comfortably sitting inside and decide that they can just push their way to the front when they felt like it. So rude! Hubby told the auntie that her bag was hitting into my head repeatedly and to stop pushing on us. Her daughter and mom shot us daggers. Single-handedly the worst pair of tourists spoiling the lovely tour.

Anyway, they didn't let up. With no apologies, the mom still stood with her feet firmly wedged into my butt and thigh. Hubby and I gave up. You can't negotiate with terrorists (oh I mean terror-tourists). Any more confrontation and there would be a scene. So we left our spot and needless to say, she dove right in. We went to the side of the boat and a lovely man who I think was a photographer (given his expensive equipment) volunteered to take pictures for us. There was also this really cheery woman travelling alone who was enthusiastically GoPro-ing from every angle possible. It was very entertaining watching her.

One of the tour staff came out and stood next to me and hollered, 'There is a SEAL!!!!' The Spanish auntie barged over and shoved herself between me and the staff saying, 'Where? where? I can't see it!' Oh my word, will we never be rid of pesky tourists? I try my hardest not to be one and honestly it pains so when people feel they need to push and shove to see things. She didn't see it in the end. Silly woman. 

It was a wonderful cruise all in all. Absolutely stunning views of the fjord and the mighty cliffs. 

We enjoyed the plane ride home too. Norwegian air was the first airline I've been on to have free wifi on board. Incredibly exciting trip. Would love to be back for another shot at the Aurora.

Stavanger, Norway Day 2- Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen)

We had some idea of the activities to do in Stavanger but we didn't have anything set in stone bearing in mind the fact that the weather would strongly impact our decision to spend on a trip out to explore nature. The next morning, we woke up and headed down for a leisurely breakfast. We checked the weather and it was going to be sunny with rain in the evening. 

The husband brought along a schedule for the ferry to Tau for hiking up to Pulpit Rock. Coincidentally enough, the only one we could make was in an hour. We had to get to the dock to purchase the tickets. The husband ran upstairs to pack a bag. I baked a blueberry poppy seed cake and had brought it from home. I was glad that we brought it with us to hike. Meanwhile, I hustled and made hubby a waffle and grabbed some hardboiled eggs and sausages in a napkin for him. Asian instincts kicking in. Fill up before the hike! We sprinted for the bus which thankfully was on time. Hubby enjoyed the remainder of his breakfast on the bus. Crossed our fingers and arrived just 10 minutes before the ferry set sail. Bought the tickets and off we went.

After arriving in Tau, we were loaded onto a bus and being a weekend, there were so many hikers so we had to stand in the middle aisle crammed like a pack of sardines. Nonetheless, we were thrilled. At one point, seeing a sign for a carpark to Pulpit Rock,  I thought we had arrived. To my horror, the bus started descending on a windy and steep road. Lower and lower we went. All I could think was do we have to hike all that way back up to make it to the carpark?? It turns out that there was a main bus stop which was much further down. We would cross over the road, go under a tunnel and begin our hike from there. 

Oh Lord, this beginning stretch was the most challenging steep climb. Thankfully, I had read Khai Shing's entries which really helped us to know what to expect. I was telling the husband there is about 10-20 minutes of this before the real hike begins. Norwegian families are 'terrer'. The parents and kids had giant backpacks and they were marching up the road like no big deal. Even the adverts we saw on Norwegian tv had children all dressed in proper sporty attire doing very sporty activities. We also passed some playgrounds on the way which looked more like army training bases with giant tires and mature obstacle courses. That picture in the far bottom right, was the carpark from whence we began. 

We scaled the sides of giant boulders treading on some rocky steps here and there. Beautiful view. 

We finally came to a clearing which had a boardwalk. Thankfully, we knew better than to think we had arrived. We needed to cross over 2 mountains to get to the Rock. It was up and down, up and down and up again.

Sweating away our breakfast. Great workout buttdown.

We came to a flat land with a few small lakes/ponds. Here, without other fellow hikers, we probably would have gotten lost as there was no direct path. We had to scale a giant boulder at one point with no steps. We had to find our footing on any tiny groove and hoist ourselves up onto the boulder and slide down the other side. 

Came to a gorgeous viewing point where we could see a long waterfall down the mountain on the left. You could see a glimpse of the fjord from here. A Chinese family probably thought they had arrived, so they sat down to have a picnic.

The final bit was quite steep and we were also starving.

Finally arrived at the top after about 1hr40mins from the carpark. We could see the cruises below.

There were so many tourists on the rock itself. I was worried for them. They seemed so hyper, jumping, posing for cameras. I just could imagine someone missing their step and banging into someone else and over the edge you will go. Always in situations of high excitement and adrenaline, we must take extra care given the level of distraction and carelessness that would surround you.

After a quick lunch of blueberry poppy seed cake, we headed back down to make it in time for the early bus back so that we would still have time to get our dinner. The journey down was no joke on our joints and feeble muscles. I was shaking waist down by the time we got to the steep road. I couldn't feel my legs. Trembling like a leaf. :) It was amazing!

We sent a postcard home.

Grabbed a quick McD dinner (Norway has the most expensive McD in the world by the way) and we crashed into bed. The most satisfying meal and sleep ever!

Stavanger, Norway Day 1- Flor & Fjære

After a whirlwind of a busy end of year and start of year, I finally have some time to sit down and write about our Norwegian adventure. This was a spontaneous anniversary trip we decided to take after seeing some pictures online. We arrived in Sola a little over midnight. The taxi driver was a nice Indian chap who had been there for 13 years. He told us about Stavanger and ferried us to our accomodation, the Hotel Sverre in Sandnes. The room was small but cosy. We adored these Muuto dots which adorned the wall. It was very practical for bags and coats of any size. 

The beautiful church right opposite the hotel. After having a lovely breakfast of milk, eggs, fish, sausages, ham, bread, cereal and fruit, we headed out to catch the bus for Stavanger town where the port was.

Down at the docks...

The Port of Stavanger

We took a walk around the port while waiting for the boat to arrive which would bring us to Flor & Fjære. Beautiful blue skies made for lovely photos.

Onto the boat. The pointy wooden slats that covered the houses were very unique and eye-catching.

 We were chugging along slowly until we passed under this bridge and the boat sped up instantly. Upon arriving at the island, we could see the rugged terrain surrounding it. The island was pretty much located in the middle of the choppy seas and rough winds. 

 It has been cleverly constructed throughout the years by the family that owns and runs it- the third generation now. Far from its humble beginnings of rock slabs, it is now a tropical Eden (yes, tropical in the middle of the cold North sea) that blossoms with virtually any plant you can think of.

After being mesmerised by the beauty and tales told by the tour guide (the tour was given in English by the grand-daughter of the man with the vision while her dad gave the Norwegian tour), we were ushered into Chef Andre's kitchen for lunch. He cooks on the island for three months and takes the rest of the year off in Thailand. Not too shabby!

After a hearty and healthy lunch, we headed out to flood our senses with more colourful flowers.

The landscaping was done wonderfully, with slopes here and there and lovely paths leading off into an unexplored part of the island. Lemon and apple trees greeted us along with other magnificent trees.

There was an Asian-themed section with bamboo and lotus (my flower!).

 There was another section where the stream flows down onto a waterfall and into a pool with a sandy beach. They designed their own irrigation system using waterfalls and streams. They had the most comfortable chair (I kid you not). May not look it but it sure is snooze-worthy. They also encouraged us to walk on the grass! 

From this part of the island, you could feel the winds directly from the sea. The green path curved up onto a mount which offered a stunning view.

Pictures worth a thousand words....

Utmost surrealism

Gorgeous fuschias

R & R