#5/6 - AIDAnova - Stavanger

Unlike previous days, it rained in Stavanger already on Thursday morning. The stay here on site was shortened by another 30 minutes due to the approaching storm.

Since we stayed out a bit longer on Wednesday night, we took our time to start the new day 😃.

A true attraction near Stavanger is the Preikestolen. It is a cliff plateau that juts out from the rock formation at a height of about 600 meters. The hike up there is "not exactly easy" and takes about 2.5 hours (+ return trip + getting to the foot of the mountain) and was not an option for us given the weather conditions. Mission Impossible was probably filmed here, among other places with Tom Cruise. Additionally, a Norwegian orchestra is said to have performed up there once. Bold 😅🙈… However, the truth is that people regularly die here who slip off the cliff and fall into the depths.

Around noon at 12 o'clock our tour began, which we booked with AIDA (3h). We were supposed to take a boat through the Lysefjord. It is said to be one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway. We were to pass by the Preikestolen and see it from below.

The fjords reminded us a lot of New Zealand (Milford Sound). The weather was similar to here: a bit foggy and limited visibility, heavily overcast, extremely windy 😅. Only it didn't rain during our time window. We have to be satisfied with that.

It is sometimes not easy to enjoy this under the described conditions. To be honest, you are also happy when you dock again 🙈😅. In the pictures, the fjord landscapes always look spectacular - and they truly are, in their own special way. But the images show a view that most visitors will probably never perceive: aerial shots in the best weather. In the pictures you take yourself, you essentially see a bit of water with mountains, and everything looks very dark due to the lack of sunlight. On a Sunday trip back home, you would probably delete these pictures immediately... 😅🙈

I believe we have seen enough fjords for the time being.

The highlight of the day came quite suddenly and unexpectedly: As we docked again and walked a few steps, the captain in civilian clothes walked past us! Elisa immediately recognized him and asked if we could take a photo. He agreed, surprised if he was really the one they meant. I just told him that it was the most important picture of the vacation. He laughed and I think he was also a bit pleased. Everyone was happy 😁👍🏻.

In the afternoon we explored the city a bit. We noticed many colorful houses again. It seems to be a true trademark of Norway. Suddenly, Elisa sees a woman with a Zara bag. And look, when we turned the corner, we spotted the store and of course had to go in. Elisa bought some small items and was happy 😁. Afterwards, we gradually walked back along some souvenir shops to the ship. Elisa went ahead and back to Nova while I browsed a little in the stores. When I boarded again, there were jokes at security about whether there were now mugs at Zara 😅. I had packed my purchases (a beer mug) in Elisa's bag and she was accordingly with me. I clarified that, and then the question immediately popped up about where my girlfriend was: still on her way? On board? You could tell that for security reasons they immediately wanted to inquire further.

As we departed, the Nova’s departure music played for us for the last time. It was a bit melancholic 😥.

However, the captain's evening announcement at 6 PM contained good news again: We will most likely avoid the previously mentioned storm and encounter only the smallest fringes. Everyone was glad about that.

In the evening we watched the program “Steampunk Circus” at the Theatrium. I thought it was the best program on the Nova during the tour. I really liked it: singing, acrobatics, humor, gymnastics, movement: really cool 👍🏻.

Until next time on AIDA 👋🏻