View from the ferry
We start hiking at around 11am, and the trail is much more comfortable than Trolltunga. There are still large rocks for most of the way, but they are quite flat and are set together like a stone pathway.
"This is hiking first class," I say to Kyle, and we marvel over how the trail looks as if it belongs in a zen garden.
Stones on the trail
The hike is broken up in stages that alternate between inclined stairs and flat meadows, kind of like Trolltunga but much less difficult.
Flat path across a meadow
As we climb higher and higher, the views get better and better. Kyle and I can take our time because we do not have to catch our train back to Oslo until 10pm, so we take lots of breaks at pretty much any point that seems the least bit interesting.
We reach Pulpit Rock much sooner than we expected; the hike was not long or difficult at all! There are already many people having lunch on the rock and taking pictures; it is a massive plateau, not like Trolltunga, so there is plenty of room for people to sprawl out.
We are lucky with the weather because although it is cloudy, it is not raining despite the 40% chance.
The fjords are truly spectacular. There is always a sense of wonder as to what kind of hidden place they lead to.
After about 2 hours at the rock, we decide to head down in case it starts to rain (it never does, though). After the ferry ride back to Stavanger, we have plenty of time to kill before our 10pm train back to Oslo.
We find a cheap Asian restaurant and I order some pad thai that actually tastes more like chow mein. Nevertheless, it is nice to have a hot meal since it has become a bit cold this evening.
We head back out into the brisk early autumn air and decide to explore the city. There is a beautiful fountain with historic houses lining the walkway around it, headed by an antique stone church.
Kyle and I decide to walk up the streets leading away from the pond and up the hill. It is a quiet little neighborhood with white houses overlooking the city. We spot an orange cat, and the evening quickly becomes a cat-spotting expedition.
Kyle and I agree that Stavanger reminds us a bit of San Francisco, with the piers and the hills, but on a much smaller scale of course. After some much needed cat time, we say good bye and catch our 9 hour overnight train ride to Oslo.
Kyle and I agree that Stavanger reminds us a bit of San Francisco, with the piers and the hills, but on a much smaller scale of course. After some much needed cat time, we say good bye and catch our 9 hour overnight train ride to Oslo.
