December 14-29, 2025 December 25

In the morning we are awakened by strong winds. Our ship has to call at another free port after two attempts in Trondheim, which shortens our stay. So we enjoy our breakfast thoroughly before continuing to Kristiansund in very strong winds.

The city of Kristiansund, known for its stockfish and opera, is spread across several islands connected by bridges and traditional ferries. The ferries are among the oldest public transport still in operation today.

The islands and the sea have shaped not only the city but also the surrounding areas. Small fishing villages are scattered along the coast and along the road that was chosen as Norway's construction of the year in 2005, the Atlantic Road.

In social events during the 19th century, the residents who lived off stockfish spoke French. Thus, the great wide world found its way into the city, and even today there are places here named Tahiti or Morocco. For this reason, the oldest opera in Norway was established here.

Kristiansund today features a diverse post-war architecture. The city's bombing in 1940 resulted in the destruction of nearly 900 houses. During the reconstruction, inspiration was drawn from the fishing and stockfish history of the town, and many of the houses received a gable facing the street or quay - just like fishing houses have.