A Trip to Norway’s West Coast

A 4-day trip to the west coast of Norway with Lukas, visiting Ray and his family (thanks for the hospitality!) in Sandnes. We stopped in Bergen as well, from where we took a boat to Stavanger, so it was quite an intensive trip. 

The flight from Oslo to Bergen is a short one (less than 1 hour) with amazing views. It was great to see my favorite fishing area in Nordmarka (left picture) and the full winter landscape inland (probably Hardangervidda)

We had just 3 hours in Bergen before catching the boat. We were lucky to have great weather and used the opportunity to take the Fløibanen — a funicular railway connecting the city centre with Mount Fløyen.

Bergen is known for its vibrant graffiti scene.

Skillingsbolle — that’s what they call a cinnamon roll in Bergen. Unfortunately, despite all the teaching efforts by Anja, who is a Bergen native, I am still not able to pronounce it correctly  - I always say it in a way that makes it sound like “chickenbolle” 

A boat trip from Bergen to Stavanger takes about 6 hours. It follows the scenic west coast, so the views are fantastic. 

Stavanger has a graffiti scene as well.

On our first day in Sandnes, the weather was sunny (but windy). Ray took us on his motorboat and we explored the nearby island of Stora Marøya. We also stopped in Stavanger for ice cream at Siddis Gelato on Pedersgata.

The second day was rainy, so we spent the whole day at the local science and technology museum, Vittenfabrikken. It is a great place for kids. The third day was sunny again, so we took public transport to the opposite side of the fjord and walked to Dalestranden and Søsterhytta (picture on the left). he picture on the right shows an abandoned psychiatric sanatorium in Dale. 

The area around Sandnes Central Station (both the bus and train terminals) was rebuilt a few years ago. Previously, it was just a large parking lot, but now it is a great place to play and relax while waiting for public transport.