Oslo, Norway

Oslo Photos

• Monday, July 27, 2015: Our incoming flight from SFO to Oslo (on July 8) was reaching in the morning, so we could spend our first day sightseeing Oslo.  Or, we could just continue on to Tromso and watch the midnight sun on our very first day in Norway.  It was raining in Oslo that day anyways, so our decision to fly directly to Tromso worked out well.
  - Having seen most other Baltic capitals, Oslo was the last one.  We stayed at the Oslo Apartments in Frogner, very close to the City Hall and other attractions. 
  - We wanted to see Holmenkollen Ski Jump, about 10 km away, which we did first.  Being perched on a hilltop overlooking Oslo, you get a panoramic view of the city.
  - Bus (T-bane line 1 to Holmenkollen) drops you off near the Ski Museum uphill.  The Museum leads you through the 4000-year history of Nordic and downhill skiing in Norway.  There are exhibits featuring the Antarctic expeditions of Amundsen and Scott, as well as Fridtjof Nansen's slog across the Greenland icecap (you'll see the boat he constructed from his sled and canvas tent to row the final 100km to Nuuk).
  - Admission also includes a visit to the ski-jump tower.  Part of the route to the top of the tower is served by a lift, but you're on your own for the final 114 steep steps.  Outside, the ski-jump simulator is good for a laugh, but don't try it if you have a weak stomach.
  - Returning back to the city, we visited the brand-new, glacier-white opera house that they claim could make even Sydney envious.  I didn't think so, but the building is impressive.  A nice place for children to run around, and for picnicking.
  - Around the harbor, we walked through the Akershus Fortress.  The City Hall is on the other side.  Wide open spaces provide lots of areas for people to walk around and relax.
  - Next, we took bus out to Vigeland Park, 4 km away.  This large park is the world's largest sculpture park made by a single artist, and is one of Norway's most popular tourist attractions.  The park is open to visitors all year round.  The unique sculpture park is Gustav Vigeland's lifework with more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and wrought iron.  Vigeland was also in charge of the design and architectural layout of the park, which was mainly completed between 1939 and 1949.  Most of the sculptures are placed in five units along an 850 meter long axis: The Main gate, the Bridge with the Children's playground, the Fountain, the Monolith plateau and the Wheel of Life.
  - After walking to the far end, we returned to the City.  We walked by the National Theater and visited the Royal Palace. 
  - A 90 NOK day pass worked out well for all bus travel.
• We have an early morning flight back to SFO.