June 12
We got up very early on the ship to get a primo seat at the front of the ship to be able to watch the scenery as we sailed through the islands surrounding Oslo.
So Bill and I were sitting outside the restaurant with several hundred Japanese from a tour group. Somehow we got shuttled into a different restaurant that did not have the views. Eventually we figured out we were the only non Asians and in the wrong place. Luckily Barb and Les had found a table right in front. Great views as we came into port of Oslo.
Barb and Bonnie talked of Grandpa Hovie and Mom and Dad….how they would have enjoyed this. We then disembarked and bused to downtown Oslo. Gypsies were waiting for us and we zipped up our purses and bags…pick pockets love these areas.
Oslo, Norway. On to our third country, third European capitol city, another language and currency…all in one week. Our hotel, Clarion Folktheatre, was a short walk from the train station where the bus dropped us off. The hotel was so much better than we all expected, including me and I had booked it.
We bought the Oslo Pass on the boat…so much easier not to have to think about the cost of every museum. Weather was perfect, sunny and warm, unusual for this year’s recent weather. We had plans to see as much as possible on our first day since we only had two nights in Oslo.
We took the tram to Frogner Park to see the famous sculptures by Norwegian Gustav Vigeland. He was inspired by Rodin and his figures showed the full circle of life – birth, childhood, growing up, romance, marriage, life and relationship struggles, child rearing, aging and death. The statues were spread out throughout a beautiful park where the Norwegians were enjoying the sunny day. Nearby, within hearing distance, was the Norwegian Wood rock festival. Bill and I were the only two who knew the Beatles Song Norwegian Wood.
Next we headed to Bygdoy area where several important museums are clustered together. The Norsk Folkemuseum (Norwegian Folk Museum) has an indoor exhibition of Norwegian cultural history – photographs, furniture, artwork – and an extensive open-air museum with buildings from the 1200’s to 1800’s that have been moved from various regions in Norway. The King of Norway started preserving these old buildings in the late 1800’s before they had even gotten their freedom from Sweden. The most impressive was the Got Stave church built in 1200.
Next on the guys’ list was the Viking Ship Museum which houses several Viking ships from 800’s that were used for sea voyages and then hauled ashore to bury royalty.
We walked through a beautiful neighborhood to find the Kon-Tiki museum for Les and Barb and the dock to pick up the water taxi to take Bill and I back to the City because my dogs were hurting. We were able to get a glimpse of the late starts of the 1000 boat Faerder Regatta, an overnight sailing race from Oslo
The water taxi comes in at the harbour where there is a lot going on… large charter ships full of folks going out for an evening cocktail cruise, bands playing on the wharf, cruise passengers milling around and young people starting their weekend.
We walked home along Karl Johans Gate, a pedestrian road surrounded by grand buildings, shops and restaurants. We were glad to get home and put up our feet at the hotel. As Les said, it was “four magnet” day. Barb says the only souvenirs that Les can buy are magnets so he buys at least one at every museum or site we visit, sometimes as many as 9 in one day!
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