Day 13 – Oil in Stavanger

As already mentioned, oil production ensures that Norway belongs to the richest countries in the world. The center of the thriving Norwegian oil industry is Stavanger.

Stavanger was founded in 872 and by the inhabitants considered as the oldest real Norwegian town.

In the 18th and 19th centuries the city lived on fishing and maritime trade. Around 1875 fishermen began to focus on sprat which was canned and exported as Norwegian sardines around the world. It was a success but after World War II,  the demand for Norwegian sardines fell sharply. After 20 difficult years, in the late sixties, offshore oil was discovered ... It makes Stavanger now one of the most influential cities in Norway. It is also the home of NATO'S Joint Warfare Center.

When we enter this morning around 8 am the narrow entry to the port, we expect massive oil rigs, giant derricks, horrible office buildings of glass and concrete belonging to the oil multinationals, etc. but that is luckily not the case. What we see is an international and cosmopolitan city, with nice international restaurants and cafes on the quay. Stavanger is as international as before when it was still a great maritime trade port.

After breakfast,  we explore the city. She is not large, and car-free to a large extent. It is beautiful weather, only blue skies. We walk along the quay along the Maritime Museum, which exhibits 200 years of maritime history in two warehouses dating from around 1800.

We walk on to the Domkirken, the cathedral. This cathedral is located next to  the Breiavatnet, a lake in the middle of the city. The cathedral dates from the 12th century and is the oldest cathedral in Norway. It was built in Anglo-Norman style and is considered one of the best preserved medieval cathedrals of Europe. The church is fairly plain inside, except the pulpit which is a masterpiece of sculpture.

A little further is the shopping area. The shops have mostly the same brands as we have,  but they are housed in beautiful typical Norwegian wooden buildings.

We walk up to the Valbergtoren which was built around 1850 as a tower for the local fire department. We walk back along the quay where the warehouses of yesteryear are now transformed into colored cozy restaurants, brasseries and cafés. It is wonderful to stay in the city. We expected an oil town, but got one of the most picturesque towns in beautiful Norwegian style.

There is a lively atmosphere, a pleasant crowd.

 

After lunch on board, follows the second part of the walk. Our ship is moored next to the old town and from our balcony we have a beautiful view of the well-preserved area. It consists of over 180 early 19th century white wooden houses. The exterior of the house is protected, but  inside they have  all conveniences. This makes Gamble Stavanger one of the most popular residential locations in Norway.

It is not easy to wander around the cobbled streets that go up and down, but it is so picturesque, especially with the old-fashioned lampposts. The cottages are decorated with colorful flowers and occasionally a door is painted in bright colors.

 

Here also one of the seventy fish canning factories of Stavanger is located. It has been preserved in its original state and now serves as a museum.

The rest of the afternoon is spent at the Seaview deck, enjoying a book and the sunshine.

Around 6 pm, the Koningsdam sets sail for Amsterdam  😢.

It's gala evening today and we dress up one last time. On the menu among other things, foie gras and a surf and turf consisting of lobster and filet mignon. Njam, njam.

The show at the World Stage Centre is specially designed for HAL by Billboard. It is a song and dance show built around the biggest hits on the Billboard ranking.

We sit in on a set of Billboard on Board, and then to the room for the start of the European Football Championship in France. Because of this occasion, there is an additional channel on our TV, where the matches can be viewed. The evening match can also been seen on a large screen at the Lido pool, where normally a movie is played every night.

Meanwhile the Koningsdam is steady heading south. The trip is over and we go to sleep with the thought that Norway with Stavanger kept its greatest secret for last ...