The Royal Beauty of Norway part 2

Day 5 of our cruise found us in Alesund. A charming city rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1904. Alesund was entirely rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style that was popular at the time. It may have lost it’s Viking look of the past but if you like Art Nouveau you will appreciate the decorative details as you stride through the pedestrian zones.

The following day we found ourselves in the tranquil; village of Skjolden which is nestled between Norway’s highest mountain range, Jotunheimen National Park, and two spectacular glaciers. The Nigards Glacier and the Jostedal Glacier.

The approach is via the picturesque Lusterfjord, which is emerald green form the melting glaciers.

Our final port was the centuries-old city of Stavanger. The city was officially founded in 1125. In the 19th century, a fishing boom transformed the town into a major herring hub.  When oil was discovered in the North Sea in the 1960’s Stavanger became an overnight success and it’s population exploded. Since then, the city with Viking roots has emerged as a cultural hotspot.

There is an old part of the town which was an amazing feast to the eyes. Whitewashed wooden houses line cobblestone streets. You can still find local artists living and working in these 18th-century structures.

It was here where we also found some history closer to our hometown of Knysna in South Africa.

On the far right – the Thesen family home – now a Burger King.

In July 1869, Arndt Leonard Thesen, a prominent timber merchant from Stavanger in Norway left his hometown with his wife and nine children, planning to start a new life in New Zealand. After their ship, the Albatross, ran into difficulties near Cape Town, Arndt Thesen decided to stay on in South Africa. The Thesen’s settled in the picturesque town of Knysna, surrounded by indigenous forests, where they started a timber trading company. My family also settled here from Holland and they too were in the timber business. I still remain in close contact with the Thesen family.

Norway is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It’s home to more natural wonders than we can count and it has stunning cities, fascinating history and really happy people. Norway’s not cheap. But it’s worth it, I can without any hesitation recommend a cruise to the Norwegian Fjords.