Finally there was time for a new road trip and this time I decided do go to the coastal town Kragerø in the south of Norway. Most people go to Kragerø to swim and sunbath. Me on the other hand went to Kragerø to look at and photograph the very steep streets, the buildings that cling to the mountain wall and to try to catch the lazy mood that you find in these coastal towns during the tourist season. Now since my visit was in mid august the Norwegian summer was about to end and most of the tourists was gone, but still people are driving to the local food store in their wooden boats and the whole town still had a relaxed feeling. On my visit to Kragerø it was raining almost all the time and the wind howled in the tight streets and after a long day of walking around I was soaking wet, my hear was stiff and full of salt water and the memory card on my camera was full. A perfect day! I think the ruff weather only strengthen the feeling of being close to the ocean and the maritime environment.

Outside of Kragerø I visited the idyllic Berg Summer House which until mid 1900 was a relaxing place for the higher social class. After 1941 it was given to Kragerø by the late Henriette Marie Homan. It is today a museum with some old buildings and exhibitions of the shipyards in the area. It is surrounded by beautiful parks and Bergsbukta is a very nice place to swim. When in Kragerø you should of course also visit the birthplace of the Norwegian painter Theodor Kittelsen in the center of Kragerø.

Kragerø is much more than just a sunbathing town. You MUST also take the time to stroll up and down in the tight streets and take a closer look at the strange and charming buildings and catch the atmosphere of this place. And if you get hungry I recommend the blue mussels in Tollboden restaurant. :)

Edward Munch the famous Norwegian painter called Kragerø the pearl among the coast towns. I find Kragerø extremely charming, even if the rain pours down. And by the way on Sunday the sun was back for a few hours and I grabbed my chance for a quick morning bath. :)

Sakte fart means slow pace or slow speed and is intended for the boats traveling in the harbour but I also thinks that it describes the feeling of being in Kragerø specially in the summer months.