• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Time Travel Turtle

A travel blog with stories beyond the brochure

  • HOME
  • ABOUT ME
  • CONTACT ME
  • BY COUNTRY
    • WEST EUROPE
      • Belgium
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Ireland
      • Liechtenstein
      • Luxembourg
      • Netherlands
      • Northern Ireland
      • Scotland
      • Switzerland
      • Wales
    • NORTH EUROPE
      • Estonia
      • Finland
      • Latvia
      • Lithuania
      • Norway
      • Sweden
    • SOUTH EUROPE
      • Cyprus
      • Gibraltar
      • Greece
      • Holy See
      • Italy
      • Malta
      • Portugal
      • San Marino
      • Spain
    • EAST EUROPE
      • Austria
      • Belarus
      • Croatia
      • Czech Republic
      • Hungary
      • Montenegro
      • Poland
      • Serbia
    • NORTH ASIA
      • China
      • Japan
      • Kazakhstan
      • Kyrgyzstan
      • Mongolia
      • North Korea
      • Tajikistan
      • Uzbekistan
    • SOUTH ASIA
      • Cambodia
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Myanmar
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Sri Lanka
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • NORTH AMERICA
      • Antigua & Barbuda
      • Belize
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • USA
    • SOUTH AMERICA
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Paraguay
      • Peru
      • Uruguay
    • AFRICA
      • Egypt
      • Morocco
      • Namibia
      • South Africa
    • OCEANIA
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
    • MIDDLE EAST
      • Jordan
      • Turkey
  • MOST POPULAR
    • The world’s oldest backpacker
    • Orangutans in Borneo
    • The need for speed
    • Trying to get out of the slum
    • The lake swamped with tourism
    • Journey into Dreamland
    • The village where life begins again
    • Is Cambodia safe for travellers?
    • Making the perfect gin and tonic
  • UNESCO

The old part of new money

November 18, 2017 | Michael Turtle | 5 Comments

PHOTO ESSAY

Stavanger, Norway

I think I may have to go back to Stavanger sometime… once I get another couple of credit cards to help cover the costs.

The Norwegian city often comes near the top of lists of the most expensive cities in the world. We all know that Norway is expensive, but this takes it to a new level. It’s mainly because Stavanger is the oil capital of Scandinavia and, with all that offshore oil, comes money.

Old wooden buildings in Stavanger, Norway

But let’s leave all that aside for now because, to be honest, I actually spent less than 24 hours in town – so who am I to complain? This was really just a transit stop for me on my way up to Bergen (and, from there to the Trolltunga hike).

I didn’t see the expensive homes where all the foreign oil executives live, the sprawling suburbs for the growing population, the new business park with its 40,000 workers. I stayed focused on the old part of town.

Old wooden buildings in Stavanger, Norway

These wooden houses were built in the 18th and 19th and nestle together, close to the city’s main cathedral. Interestingly, it’s partly because these old houses are heritage-listed that most of the companies in Stavanger are in the business park on the outskirts and there isn’t a central business district, like you find in many other cities.

Old wooden buildings in Stavanger, Norway

The area they fill is not particularly large. It doesn’t take too long to walk through the streets and get a good sense of the styles and designs. It must have been a cute little neighbourhood when it was first built. It still is – but now it sits in contrast with the rest of Stavanger. Back then, this would have seemed normal.

Old wooden buildings in Stavanger, Norway

I must confess that I didn’t learn too much about these quaint buildings. I just enjoyed looking at them as I wandered rather aimlessly. So, rather than try to tell you things I don’t know, let me just share some photos of the old town of Stavanger.

Old wooden buildings in Stavanger, Norway

Old wooden buildings in Stavanger, Norway

Old wooden buildings in Stavanger, Norway

Old wooden buildings in Stavanger, Norway

Old wooden buildings in Stavanger, Norway

Old wooden buildings in Stavanger, Norway

Old wooden buildings in Stavanger, Norway

Old wooden buildings in Stavanger, Norway

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Dominique |

    December 23, 2015 at 5:10 pm

    Reply

    Gorgeous colourful houses! It looks like a pleasant little village to spend a sunny day in.

    • Michael Turtle |

      January 17, 2016 at 3:37 am

      Reply

      I think you would be right – although it was quite overcast the day I was there. They are so pretty and colourful, though, it’s a lovely little part of the city.

  2. Mary @ Green Global Travel |

    February 5, 2016 at 6:39 pm

    Reply

    Great photos! It’s nice that you focused more on the historical aspect of such an expensive area, and even better that you shared them with everyone! Thanks!

  3. Ghazaal |

    October 22, 2017 at 8:23 pm

    Reply

    Dear photographer,
    First thank you so much for these lovely photos, you made my day! I love to look at them back to back, the quality and size are awesome, Thank you!
    Good luck
    Best regards from Ancient Persia (Iran)

    • Michael Turtle |

      November 14, 2017 at 2:16 pm

      Reply

      Thanks for the kind comment, Ghazaal. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the photos. It’s an interesting place to visit.

Primary Sidebar

This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

Want Occasional Updates?

Sign up to be the first to hear the latest about the adventures of Time Travel Turtle. You'll also get access to special offers and exclusive news.
Thank you! You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter.

Search

  • PRIVACY POLICY