Sailing the Archipielago

On a crisp, clear day that reminded us of the early Fall days back home in Wyoming, we opted to take a leisurely walk into the heart of the town of Kristainsand. We strolled throught the old town named after its founding king, with the fish markets active from the morning catch. We observed a variety of architecture, a massive church in the square, a cute sculpture of Dollie Dimples and "my friend" the local moose.

After our shopping spree we returned to the ship with our purchase of reindeer hides and another Starbucks mug before boarding a craft to set sail along the archipelago of Kristiansand. The scenery was beautiful as you can see here:

Situated in the harbor area of Kristiansand is a repurposed grain silo named Kunstsilo which literally means "Art Silo" in English. The transformation from an industrial structure to an art space was a major architectural project. It not only created a modern art space but preserved its unique character in the process. Here you can see what I'm talking about from photos taken in the interior of the building:

The impressive modern opera house stands alongside the art silo, featuring a charming "bug" sculpture just outside its entrance.

Our visit to Kristiansund, with its interesting architecture, as well as picturesque harbor and rich maritime heritage, was a memorable highlight of our voyage along Norway's stunning coastline. We are looking forward to several additional ports in Norway while we move northward toward the Artic Circle.