Haugesund & Stavanger, Aug 2008
Having overnighted in Bishops Storford to avoid a early morning 190 mile journey south to Stansted airport it was a dream start to our trip having only a 5 minute journey to the airport on Sunday 24th August. We took a 9.40am flight to Haugesund and in less than 90 minutes I found myself in a new destination. Norway is one of the UK's nearest neighbours and yet at 44 years old this was my first visit.
Having arrived at Haugesund airport which is situated on the Island of Karmoy we took the bus to Haugesund which was a enjoyable 20 minutes drive. After a short walk from the bus station we arrived at the Best Western Hotel Neptune, centrally located in Haugesund making an ideal base for exploring the region.
Exploring Haugesund is not difficult as it is a small port boasting many good bars and restaurants, excellent links by ferry to other towns and cities in the region.
Sunday evening was spent in the bars by the side of the harbour, having a few drinks watching the boats and people passing by was truly fantastic, we were as chilled out as possible and we had only just arrived. We discussed our options for the following day and decided on a visit to Stavanger as opposed to hiring a car due to the fact that by this time I had had a few beers and the drink driving laws in Norway are very strict and probably would have been over the limit even the next morning.
We woke up to a sunny Monday morning, enjoyed a fantastic breakfast at the Neptune hotel and then headed to the quayside at Haugesund to take the Flaggruten high speed ferry service to Stavanger, not cheap but very fast www.flaggruten.
What a lovely town/city Stavanger is, we took pleasure in walking the streets, seeing the sights and absorbing the atmosphere. The town was buzzing with the cruise ship passengers, local bars and restaurants keen to get the passing trade, a trade show in the marina added to the action, businessmen & women, tourists, cruise passengers, locals,, the place was alive and kicking and I was loving it.
It was 17.00, the Oceana departed taking thousands of people with her, the trade show finished and as by magic the rain started to fall, beer time I thought.
After a few beers the hunger set in and me and the wife decided to try the Indian restaurant near marina. A superbly decorated interior, excellent ambience, friendly staff and followed up by some really good Indian cooking.
After a few more beers (it was raining, what else could I do) we took the 20.45 Flaggruten back to Haugesund, by this time the rain was really heavy, luckily the ferry docks adjacent to the bars of Haugesund harbour. Live music in the Mack bar, perfect to finish the day.
Tuesday morning and nursing a slight hangover we enjoyed another superb breakfast at the Neptune hotel then went for coffee (lots of) by the harbour, reflected on our short break then headed for the airport for our flight back to the UK.
