Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
on the menu, and it's good-tasting and generous in proportion. For spicier fare,
ask for the garlic shrimp as an appetizer. The marinated house salmon is the
chef 's specialty, and it's invariably good and fresh. That other favorite, cod, is
prepared poached, fried, or baked with different sauces. Meat fanciers opt for
the filet of reindeer with fresh vegetables.
In the Quality Hotel Alexandra Molde, Storgata 1-7.
&
71-20-37-50.
Reservations recommended. Main
courses 150NOK-200NOK ($21-$28). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily noon-11pm.
16 Kristiansund N & the Historic Grip Isles
68km (42 miles) N of Molde; 1,059km (658 miles) NW of Oslo; 652km (405 miles) N of Bergen
Almost entirely destroyed by World War II, the coastal town of Kristiansund N
is spread over three islands and has been rebuilt into a modern city. Today it's
the main service base for oil activities on the mid-Norwegian continental shelf.
The Draugen and Åsgåd oil fields lie off its coast.
With a population of 17,000 citizens, Kristiansund makes a good stopover for
those who have made it all the way to the fjord country's northern outposts.
The city itself looks dull and modern, although the setting is panoramic. Its
harbor is one of the finest along the western coast of Norway.
Since the 18th century, Kristiansund is often written with an “N,” so visitors
won't confuse it with the largest city along the southern coast of Norway—
Kristiansand S.
In its early days, cod fishing was the mainstay of its industry. A drying process
was popularized onshore, producing
klippfish
or dried cod, which kept many a
homeowner stocked with food for the winter.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE By Plane
Kvernberget Airport (
&
71-68-30-10
) lies
close to the town center, a 15- to 20-minute drive east. Three arrivals a day wing
in from each of Norway's biggest cities: Oslo and Bergen. The bus trip from the
airport to the center takes 15 minutes, and the bus will stop at individual hotels.
For flight information about
Braathens,
the city's largest carrier, call
&
81-52-
00-00
or visit www.sasbraathens.no.
By Train
The nearest railway stations are in Oppdal and Åndalsnes, with bus
connections meeting the trains.
By Bus
There are daily bus connections to Trondheim, Molde, Oppdal, and
Åndalsnes. Call
&
71-58-78-50
for schedules.
By Car
From Molde, E39 follows Moldefjord before veering inland. At a
point 58km (36 miles) later, you come to a mammoth suspension bridge,
stretching for 623m (2,044 ft.). This span links mainland Norway with the islet
of Bergsøya, requiring a 60NOK ($8.50) toll. The islet is the launch pad for the
undersea Freifjord, a tunnel stretching out for 5km (3 miles) and requiring a toll
of 75NOK ($11). This is the start of Route 70 into Kristiansund, which lies a
distance of 25km (16 miles) to the west.
By Coastal Steamer
In addition to cruise ships and trawlers, at least two
coastal steamers arrive at Kristiansund every day on their way from Bergen to
the North Cape or from the North Cape southward to Bergen. Identified in
Norwegian as
hurtigruten,
they carry the passengers and the bulk of the supplies
that keep the town alive.
VISITOR INFORMATION
For information about the area, head to
Kris-
tiansund Reiselivslag,
Kongens Plass 1 (
&
71-58-54-54
). Open mid-June to
