Stavern

Trip Start Jun 26, 2007

Trip End Ongoing

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Flag of Norway Stavern, Norway
Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Landed at Torp Airport on time and made the short bus trip to Larvik, a town famous for Thor Heyerdahl - a scientist and explorer who sold across the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean in reed boats, to prove contact could have occured between the major civilisation in man's early history. The first thing to do on any trip is find the tourist information office and find out what part of the lonely planet is out of date. On this occasion the campsite i was going to use was now abandoned and the nearest one is in the nearby town of Stavern.

With a few hours to kill in Larvik with rain getting persistantly heavier waiting for the next bus. I thought buses i my home village was bad with only ten a day, here there is only six here to make the 7 mile trip. There is a few things to see in Larvik Torv (centre) with a nice fountain made from the famous blue granite quarried here (Larvikite) and a statue of Thor Heyerdahl

A typical view fron the coastal path

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Got to Stavern and set up camp in what appeared an all Norwegian caravan park bar and being the only English person there bar from 5 Dutch tourists. One of the main attraction of this area is the Kyststien , a coastal path that passes through most campsites around Stavern. Trying to save my money, Norway is very expensive i decided to make the 7.5 km trek to Stavern following the blue dots painted on a variety of rocky outcrops, wooden posts and trees. This was alot of fun clambering over the granite rocks, walking through small patches of woodland and the views of the Skerries (rocky islands). However getting wet feet, embarrasingly slipping off the smooth granite rocks, getting stung by stinging nettles and even getting lost somehow didn't ruin a good walk. The 'Minnehallen' pyramid shaped remembrance momument is definitely worth a look before finally arriving at Stavern. Described as Norway's smallest town and affectionately 'known as the dimple of Norway'. Not sure if i would describe it as a dimple but it is definitrly worth a visit a small town which is so laid back. This town also has alot of military history and was once a naval base stood in the ground of Fredriksvern Verft and it associated red coloured church. Very picturique with most houses in this Norwegian town having traditional wooden walls and slate roof.

Trying to speak Norwegain but when they realise i am from England they either speak English or ignore me all together. One other note it is expensive to shower here costing 15 Nkr (about �1.30) to have hot water. Got a feeling i better get use to cold water or i am going to stink.