Day 4: Stavanger, Norway (Iron Age Arm)

We met our travel buddies outside our Viking stateroom (cabin) doors at 6:30 for breakfast and walked together (masked with N95s) to the World Cafe. We actually stopped at another eating area called Mamsen's first where Art picked up waffles. I got bacon and eggs with fruits at the World Cafe.

At 9:00 we got ready for our Iron Age Farm and Utstein Abbey excursion.

Our guide today was Bent and he told us they are celebrating Stavanger's 900 year anniversary of its establishment. Stavanger counts its official founding year as 1125. They are also known as the oil capitol of Norway because of all the off shore drilling that is being done by Philips which adds even more revenue to Norway's economy.

Although Norway is a wealthy country now, in 1820, they were extremely poor and many Norwegians emigrated to the U.S. for more space, religious freedom and livelihood. They went first to Pennsylvania, then the Midwest including Minnesota and farther west to Washington. As a matter of fact, my wonderful blogger friend, Linda in Seattle has mentioned her Norwegian/Swedish roots in her blog, Linda Letters.

The reconstructed Iron Age Farm we visited was circa 400-700 AD. It was 300 years before the time of the Vikings.

We were told that fire was the most important thing since it was dark and cold in Norway. Someone would have to stay awake and alert all night to insure the fire didn't go out.

The length of a house showed how wealthy a person was.

Long houses were built facing away from the freezing north winds and animals were always kept on the north side of the houses.

Grains were ground in the small stone grinders which left sandy stone debris in their porridge. The inhabitants' teeth were therefore often eventually worn down.

The Iron Age farm was probably burnt down in 550 AD. They might have been attacked because an arrow head was discovered in the excavation site.

We next traveled to Utstein Abbey which was built in 1200 AD. I found this portable chamber pot very interesting. I imagine using the toilet inside the house was a lot easier in winter than walking out to an outhouse. 

We were told this rather eerie story about Christopher Garmann who was haunted by his first wife when he broke his promise to never remarry. 

20 years after her death, Christopher got married again at Utstein Abbey and collapsed at the altar, dying 8 days later.

Apparently his first wife, Cecilie appeared before him in the cathedral during the ceremony and still wanders around Utstein Abbey.

So much of the cruise was about food. This time we decided to try The Pool Grill. I had the Nordic Hot Dog. Art had the Grilled Veggie Burger which he says was not very good. My hot dog was interesting. (And gracious! It was just as long as Costco's.)

We then went to the World Cafe and yes... we got more gelato. We ALL did.

But for dinner...

Yes, more eating.

We went to The Chef's Table where the chef prepares special dishes and matches it with a special wine.

(To be perfectly honest, Art and I were the only ones who drank a little wine. Usually only about an inch and a half worth. The servers were often surprised when we'd tell them to stop.)

It was definitely an interesting meal which we all enjoyed, wine or no wine.

That evening we went to a performance of ABBA songs. We enjoyed it very much. The Viking performers were truly excellent and soooo energetic!

All in all... a very interesting, fun and delicious day.