I kicked off November 2021 with a 10-day adventure in Stavanger, Norway's oil capital.

Stavanger, Norway's third-largest city after Oslo and Bergen, is a vibrant seaport surrounded by fjords, lakes, waterfalls, forests, open grasslands, and long sandy beaches. What started as a small fishing village has grown into an international hub, with the oil industry driving much of its modern-day identity.

Despite the city’s industrial prominence, I quickly learned that Stavanger has much more to offer than just its oil history, although a visit to the Oil Museum was definitely on my list.
During my first few days, I got settled into my Airbnb, oriented myself to the surroundings, found the closest yoga studio, and explored Too Good To Go (TGTG) availability. The Airbnb, located directly on the water and just a 10-minute walk from the city center, was the perfect base.

Though I had my bike with me, I decided to explore on foot first to get a feel for the area.
A quick search for yoga studios led me to Hot Yoga Stavanger, which I eagerly embraced despite not practicing hot yoga in quite some time. In addition, I discovered several TGTG spots nearby, perfect for stocking the fridge during my stay.
I knew that one of my goals would be to explore the city’s street art, especially since my indoor options were limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
First up was this mural dedicated to a local man named Helge.
Despite being unable to read, Helge has been continuously employed for over 25 years by Attende, an organization that specializes in finding strengths where others see weaknesses. Helge’s job? Shredding sensitive documents—a task nobody does better than him.
This mural, painted in 2017 by internationally renowned Australian street artist Sam Bates (known for his photorealistic, freehand murals), is part of a project called Social Inclusion Through Street Art. The initiative aims to inspire action and change.
I also learned that Helge is a Beatles fan, which endeared me to him even more.
More Stavanger street art:
Stavanger’s deep connection to the sea is another element that stood out to me.
As Alexander Kielland, one of Norway’s most celebrated writers, once said: “The people of Rogaland live their whole lives facing seaward. The sea is their companion, counsellor, friend, enemy, livelihood and graveyard.”
Kielland, born in Stavanger, is celebrated as one of the ‘Four Greats’ of Norwegian literature, alongside Henrik Ibsen, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, and Jonas Lie. Today, a statue of Kielland stands in the heart of Stavanger, honoring his contribution to Norwegian culture.

However, Kielland’s name is also tied to a much darker chapter in the city’s history. In 1980, the Alexander L. Kielland semi-submersible drilling rig capsized in the Ekofisk oil field, resulting in the tragic loss of 123 lives.
The disaster marked a turning point in both the oil industry and the country, forever linking the city of Stavanger to the sea’s complexities and contradictions.
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