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Published: July 29th 2015
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Started our day with a wonderful breakfast inside the hotel. The breakfast was buffet consisting of all the items one would expect to see in an American breakfast buffet plus that of a European one....yummy!!!
We then went back to our rooms and packed up.
We drove up the coast line for a bit from Gothenburg to Stenungsund. There were some very cute areas particularly a small cottage area on the water with a marina and many boats. We talked about what a perfect vacation spot this would make it one was to purchase a cottage there but then decided it is better to rent a cottage there for a week or two and have the option to go other places as well. It is certainly a place I would return to. We stopped at a grocery store just before the ferry. There Andy bought copious amounts of cheese. I couldn't believe the prices of cheese. What would cost us in excess of $30 in canada was less then $8. I walk around the grocery stores here like a child that has never been to the zoo. Everything is so interesting and new.
Leaving the grocery store, we headed
to the ferry. I was expecting a ferry similar to that which I have taken in Kingston but it exceeded my expectations. The ferry we left from was in Stromstad. it is located in Stromstad Municipality in Vastra Gotaland, by the mouth of the River Stromsan, and can trace its history back to the 16th century. The transportation of timber along the river has taken place for many years and the town is where many vessels sailed to in order to buy the timber. The town soon became an important shipping town and in the second part of the 18th century, during the great herring fishing era, the town's prosperity grew. It was during this period that the foundations for the town's spa resort were laid, which later became the symbol of the town. We drove onto the ferry which was called Fjord Line, parked and headed up the elevator to another level.
Inside the Frond Line, there were multiple levels with restaurants, sitting areas, shops, duty free shopping and a children's play area. I was amazed by the mere size only the vessel! This was the largest ship I have ever been on in my adult life (
I believe I took a shop to Newfoundland as a small child but hardly remember). Gry ordered us a pizza and we visited while we enjoyed our lunch. Andreas played a little in the children's area and we ventured outside into the rain to take some pictures of the coast line and islands. Naturally we went into sure free and purchased our lit of beer 😊
As we approached Norway, one could see the quaint houses built on the hills and along the water's edge in Stromstad. Stromstad is located in Vestfold County and is its administrative centre. The city is well known for its Viking history and for the lucrative whaling industry that made it one of the wealthiest cities in Norway. The grave site of Gokstadhaugen was found in Sandefjord and is one of the most important Viking finds in Norway. The Gokstad ship is now on display in the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo. The city is also home to the third largest merchant navy fleet in Norway.
We loaded the car and drove off the ferry. There were no customs to stop is, only a customs guard who smiled and waved at us as
we drove by. How can you not LOVE Norway!
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