Kristiansand, Norway

HAL Zuiderdam 12-Day Fjords and Highlands Cruise Day 3

Friday May 19, 2017 - Kristiansand, Norway 8:00~5:00

Weather: Partly cloudy, light breeze (7/45F)

Kristiansand is in southern Norway. The part of the city near the port is small enough to be easily explored on foot. Armed with the map of a self-guided walking tour of the port from www.TomsPortGuides.com, we were ready to spend a couple of hours in this beautiful city.

Arriving Kristiansand at 8:11 this morning.

It was very busy at the Lido this morning but we were fortunate enough to have found a table by the window.

Then we walked around a little to have a good look at the harbor before getting off at 9:00.

This is a tender port and we were told that we should get our tender tickets only when we were ready to get off the ship. It was a quick and easy process and handled quite efficiently by the staff. We gathered at 9:00 as planned, picked up the tender tickets and onto the tender right away.

Of all the tendered ports on this trip, this was the most people we saw inside the Queen's Lounge for tender tickets. Most other times we just walked in, got our tickets, and went out to the tender that was waiting. Really effortless.

The ship anchored off the the shore with us tendered off next to the Kilden Performing Arts Center.

This guy greeted us right outside the performing center.

From the performing art center looking at the first bridge and the fish market area.

We went past the first bridge and continued our walk on this road until we reached the footbridge which lead us to the boardwalk and the Otterdal park on the other side.

Otterdalsparken and Marina

There were not that many people here at the park and it was quite nice just walking around enjoying this peaceful morning.

the fountain

marina

Christiansholm Fortress on the other side.

Christiansholm Fortress

The Christiansholm Fortress was built to defend Kristiansand and was finished in 1672. It was on an islet about 100 yards from shore but it's sitting on the mainland now on the boardwalk. I believe it was a battle against the British that was the only time the fortress was in real use and the British met fierce resistance here. The fortress is mainly used for cultural and special events.

the fortress

We walked up this staircase but nothing was opened at that hour.

A view of the park from the fortress.

Christiansholm Bathavn

Bystranda City Beach

No swimmers, only swans.

Then we went past the Aquarama Bad water sports complex and down to the river side towards the Posebyen area.

Enjoying the scenery along the way.

Made a turn here up to Skippergata...

to where the 18th Century old wooden houses are.

Posebyen is an area with the longest collection of wooden houses in northern Europe...

and they are certainly beautiful!

Posebyen is what is left of Kristiansand's old town. It occupies several blocks on the eastern part of the town center.

trash bins

These small, white wooden houses are just a few blocks away from the main shopping area.

Finland Consulate

Festingsgata

Cathedral in town

This church was burned down twice before and the current one consecrated in 1885.

Road work right outside of the cathedral.

Interior

hanging from the ceiling

 new pipe organ built in 2013

The front of this Neo-Gothic Cathedral.

Market Street (Markens Gate) the pedestrian street. 

You can find some good bargains here.

After walking around a little we found a crepe cart and bought some crepes to try. 

I know, this is Norway not France, but ...

a very nice French woman who had lived here many years was making the delicious crepes, both sweet and savory. They were wonderful!

Then we just follow Market Street back to the waterfront.

and stopped at a couple of stores for souvenirs

more trolls around town

The mini city train at the boardwalk.

Instead of crossing the footbridge, we went behind the fish market area along the water.

Fish Market

Looking at the performing arts center direction from the fish market.

fresh seafood

free samples

ChC bought some fish cakes to try and they were delicious! Almost like the Asian fish cakes.

a statue in the courtyard

colorful

on the bridge back to the tenders

a long line waiting to board the tenders but it went fast

the bridge and fish market from the tender pier

Hot cocoa, lemonade and water on offer before getting in line.

Back on the ship we went to the Lido for a late lunch/snack.

Found the couch put back like this. That afternoon I showed this photo to the Housekeeping supervisor and he told the room stewards to turn the couch around and keep it down as we preferred.

Dinner

Seared scallops

MOR's prime rib

My Southern Fried Chicken

Mustard crusted tuna to share.

The ship left port a little late today (5:50) because of the problem with the tender when they tried to put it back in place earlier this afternoon. We heard the big bang right outside our window and later they announced that they had to do some repair work which will cause the ship depart at a later time. Fortunately, we only had a short distance (134 NM) to go tonight so it really did not affect our schedule.

Much better set up.