Kristiansand, Norway

Mainstream Norway

Kristiansand is a small city in the southernmost section of Norway. It was our second port of call.

We saw the city mainly from the ship and zipping through it in a tour bus.	We were met at the dock by an official from the Tourism Board.	The town was made up of neat, white wooden houses that reminded me of Lake Wobegon
We took a walking tour of the seaside town of Høllen.		The Høllen marina
The harbor has a fancy restaurant

We visited the Vest-Agder County Museum, a park where they had a collection of buildings from Norway's past. Both town and country were represented.

The rustic buildings had sod roofs. The granary had a rock foundation to discourage mice.	A barn and other outbuildings	The farm house had large windows that let in a lot of light.
Some of the buildings were decorated with carvings	The hearth was in the center of the oldest farm house.	The farmers sleeping nook was short because they slept in a sitting position.
The ship captain's house was the largest of the town buildings		In town, the decor was much more genteel.

We also stopped in on a beautifully preserved 18th century rustic church. It is the oldest half-timber structure in Norway.

The graveyard was well tended and decorated with flowers	The facade was quite austere.	The altar was decorated with bright colors, scripture, and the last supper.
Our guide borrowed the pulpit.	A beautiful votive ship model hung from the ceiling in most of the churches we visited.	Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel adorned the organ loft.