We spent a week in Arendal, Norway which is a small town 3 hours drive South of Oslo. It was the kind of vacation I imagine Californians pay thousands of dollars for, private house next to the ocean, fresh produce everywhere, quiet all around, and a great local host.

View of the ocean from our residence

The Residence

The house used to be the childhood of our local host and the nicest person. It was secluded among Norway's iconic fjords for which Slartibartfast won an award with a ocean being literal stone's throw away. It has now been turned into a vacation home and can be rented out.

Views galore in every direction from every window

The Surroundings

There is no lack of views that most people (except Norwegians) would find breathtaking.

Its all green and blue as far as the eyes can see

World War II Remnants

Remnants from World War II that are still around that one can casually walk through and explore.

One of the bunkers from World War II

Observation outpost Øygardsåsen on a hill for spotting planes. The outpost has a small accommodation attached to it and one can still see all the belongings of the soldiers who left in a hurry

We're grateful to Mr. Ovid Pedersen (local volunteer) who gave us a wonderful tour and history lesson. Him and others volunteer to maintain the upkeep of this "observasjonspost". You can follow their group Øygardsåsen - Øygardsloggen on facebook to learn more. They also treat the facebook group as a digital guestbook so post a picture or a greeting if you visit!

Walking Trails

No lack of trails all around, with bridges, gardens, and plenty of opportunities to forage mushrooms.

Learn more about the history of Ringen

The Ringen on Borøya, in the harbour underneath called Sandvika. It is claimed that the Flying Dutchman Opera was composed here after the ship had to go into shelter from a storm

Views that never get dull

Local volunteers craft and carry benches to put on the trail. No lack of ways to appreciate the views

The Jettegryte

The Jettegryte or Giant's kettle are a geological phenomenon. These perfectly round holes are remnants of ice age and are formed as gravel rotates in a hole and digs deep.

On the way to the Jettegryte

Jettegryte by the ocean

Guest appearance by a battalion of random goats

The Fishing

Adjacency to the ocean and availability of boats* provides ample opportunities for all kinds of fishing. And if you arrive in October you can even fish for lobsters.

*Boat captain not included

With plenty of islands along the coastline, you can find a secluded spot to dock and enjoy fishing in solitude

The smooth rocks are a perfect for napping, ambient noise of the sea included

Even the fishes have great dental plans in Norway

The Blacksmith

The Næs Jernverksmuseum is a site of premodern ironworks dating back to 1665. It is powered by river and was in some use until 1959 when a massive flood destroyed the dam that supplied the hydro energy.

The Næs Jernverksmuseum

The inside of the museum and the river that powers it

The machinery that is powered by hydro energy. Despite introduction of electronic equipment, the workers preferred to work with old school equipment that they had been using for generations

Some of the products such as cast iron ovens produced by the ironworks. These were considered the best and were typically sold to palaces and mansions

The Big Guns

The Kristiansand kanonmuseum is a coastal artillery fortress built by the Germans. It has some of the largest cannons in the world.

The artillery pointing towards the ocean where it was intended to target incoming ships

The elaborate mechanisms for loading the cannon

The analog trajectory calculator, it has options to account for wind and the motion of the target

Some of the guns were never installed or were scrapped thus giving one the opportunity to view the brutalist architecture

The Aurora Borealis

If you're extra lucky you may even get a view of the aurora borealis from your bedroom window despite being so far South.

Although pretty to witness in person, the phone camera certainly exaggerates the colors. Its much less intense in person

Same view as day 1 but this time with an aurora

Bonus: Independence Day

May 17th is Norway's independence day so if you are in Norway on that day you can witness all sorts of parades and flags everywhere. If you're lucky, you can even join in the parade!

Parade about to commence. It is composed of local school children who are full of energy and enthusiasm

The parade as it marches through the town of Tvedestrand