Halo
The next day we head off to a neighbourhood with a bohemian vibe called Grunerlokka or "Lokka" to the locals. We went to fresh food and flower markets as well as crafty markets and to two different food halls - one for morning tea and one for lunch. A lovely area.
Kerrie at gushing water fall at entry to markets
Entry to food hall
Inside food hall - one or two other people had the same idea as us!
Later in the day, we go for a wander to a local fortress build in the 1300s. It talks about the history of the building as well as the Queen and King of the area at the time. The Queen was married at 10 years old and had a son when she was 17. The son was made King but then died a few years later - so his mother was made the Queen. Interesting how young they married in those days.
Fortress built in the 1300s
Church at fortress
An interesting thing we learn about Norway is the alcohol restrictions. You can buy beer and cider at supermarkets as long as its under 4% - but any other alcohol (eg wine, champas, spirits and beer etc over 4%) can only be purchased through a Government owned store. And those Government stores are only open at certain times ie 8am to 10pm on weekdays and 8am to 6pm on Saturdays and not on Sundays. One of the guys working at the Government store said its to limit the sale of alcohol after hours when people are drunk - and he said it was good for the workers like him because he didn't have to deal with drunk and abusive people plus the working hours were good. Well, there you go.
OK, so the next day we head off to another harbour where we caught a local ferry that took us to 5 different islands on a round trip. Took about an hour and it was a lovely little voyage around. We didn't get off at any island because there's nothing much on any of them - but the trip was good.
Ferry sailing around the 5 local islands
Village on one of the islands
Another village on island
Then we went for a walk around the harbour which is just beautiful with lovely laneways and cafes and restaurants everywhere.
Laneway at harbour
Another laneway at harbour
Would you believe there's a plastic tree in one of the laneways 
Plastic tree - which lights up with solar
We had an interesting experience at the Espresso House coffee shop. It was pretty full and busy and the local young barista (who we think was more interested in impressing the young girls both behind the counter and those he was supposedly serving, rather than barista making), was absolutely flustered. There were so many orders or various types coming left right and centre - and then an old guy who was there with his mate went up to him and said "you forgot to make our cappuccino!". The barista apologised and said he would get to it. In the meantime he (the barista) stuffed up a number of orders that he had to throw in the bin (much to the amusement of the girls). The old guy was getting frustrated and demanded his cappuccino! The barista said he'd get to it! The barista kept wiping his brow, exasperating, expletives here and there and then putting his hands over his eyes. We left and are not sure whether the old guy ever got his cappuccino but when we walked past about 15 minutes later, the barista was gone - we believe he'd gone home on indefinite stress leave!!
Bob had to shout himself a local cinnamon bun known as "Kanebulle"
Bob enjoying Kanelbulle (cinnamon bun)
This featured blog entry was written by Bob and Kerrie from the blog Scandi adventure.
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