My first birthday and Valentine's Day celebration in Norway

A day before Valentine's Day is my birthday. Early in the morning of February 13 around 7am, my husband surprised me with a birthday cake and balloons. He was the one who puffed the 8 colorful balloons. How sweet!!! =D Later that same night, he prepared a romantic dinner for me and my son... Norwegian style preparation.

Norwegian Fish Cakes are unique as they have no potato content (so low in carbohydrates), no breadcrumbs (so gluten-free) and very high fish content (up to 70%). Compare that to some budget fish cakes which have a fish content as low as 9%.


Valentinsdagen—is the name given to Valentine's Day in Norway. People do not celebrate Valentines Day in a much grandeur style as compared to the other parts of the world. However, the expression of emotions and ardent love does not change with the grandness of celebration. It remains the same. The most important is to spend time together in seclusion and discover more about each other’s lives. No doubt, people take time to be romantic in Norway, but they do celebrate the occasion of love and express it with cards and flowers or chocolates.

I celebrated Valentine's Day with my hubby and son in Stavanger Vågen. The Vågen of Stavanger is the heart of the town. On its sides there are nice restaurants and the main attractions of the town.




From the Vagen departure the ferry to Lysefjorden and Lysebotn.

The harbour at the heart of Stavanger Norway - busy with sailing boats from afar, local boats, ferries and cruise ships.


Set around it is a rainbow assortment of wooden seahouses that now contain restaurants, bars and shops. It's the place that people come to relax, by walking, eating or drinking - preferably outside in the sunshine.



This is also where the main festivals take place, filling the whole area with beach volleyball courts, or food tents or boat information.

From here you can wander in many different directions - Gamle Stavanger (the old wooden houses) is on the west side, with Bjergsted park beyond; you could walk along the blue promenade - especially in the evening. The Cathedral is at the south end, with Breiavatnet lake beyond, and the pedestrian shopping streets are hiding behind the restaurants and bars on the east side.




Victoria Hotel and Skagen Brygge Hotell both face onto the harbour and there are many other hotels in Stavanger.



This is the fish market in Stavanger, it is located next to the harbour. It sells live and cut fish and other seafood. The metal man standing in front is part of a permanent exhibition and 23 are scattered all over Stavanger.