I guess today is actually our 2nd day but since yesterday was just arriving late and settling into our little cottage, it doesn't really count.
After 30 hours with no sleep well finally crashed. I slept for close to 12 hours. Woke up refreshed with no jet lag. Yay..
Hopped on the bus to the Oslo Station to go to the Visitor Center to make our plan for the week. They were so helpful. We booked "Norway in a Nutshell" trip to Bergen on Thursday. It consists of a trail ride, then a boat through the fjords, and then a train to Bergen. Overnight in Bergen then back by train to Oslo. It is a must do for visitors to Norway.
We left the Oslo station and walked to the harbor where we hopped on a public ferry just to cruise in the Oslo fjord. We were casually sitting at a table looking at islands, the Oslo coast and the beautiful old homes when someone approached us and asked if we could do him a favor. Would we allow them to film us reacting to a joke being told. They were making a reality film for kids on Norwegian State TV. It should air mid December and be on YouTube. If we don't get edited out, I will share the link.
We picnicked on the boat. I made sandwiches at the house. Dining out is so expensive that even the visitors center says to bring your own food. After the boat docked, we got on Tram 12 to go to the Vigeland sculpture park. I have many pictures and will post later. I only brought my cell phone so not too flexible for publishing. The sculptures are monumental and depict relationships between men, women and children. If it wasn't freezing and icy, it would have been a great place to run. Gentle hills and lots of trails.
Although we originally thought we wouldn't be interested in seeing the Holmenkollen ski jump, after seeing it look on the hills above the sculpture park we decided to go. Public transit is so convenient that we were able to connect with only one transfer.
It take about 20 minutes on the train but the views climbing up are spectacular. People watching -laughing kids getting out of school, dogs(yes they are allowed), cyclists, professionals all mixed together. So different from the city transport I have witnessed in the US. People were happily socializing and interacting.
It was another 15 minute walk up the hill to the Ski jump and museum. The museum housed in the base of the ski jump, told the history of cross-country skiing. They had skis dating back to the 600s. I guess when you live in the snow you adapt to survive. The ski poles we're fashioned with cups, shovels at the topand/or spearheads for hunting on the bottom. They would hunt or clear away snow for stock forage with poles.
There was also a display of less ancient skis up to modern models. I was so intrigued with the museum but as daylight was wanting we needed to go up to the top of the tower. The elevator ride was very scary. We watched through windows as we were pulled very swiftly by a cable up an incline. I think we felt more trepidation because of multiple signs giving an emergency number for elevator issues . We were let out to a deck to overlook the path of the jumpers. Then up a few more flights to the very top. Yikes. It looked like a sure ribbon of death. My stomach churned just at the sight. Mt respect for ski jumpers went up a thousand percent. I will stick to my Wii ski jumping.
The panoramic view of Oslo just before sunset made this even more worthwhile.
Walked down the hill again. I had read about a famous apple cake with vanilla sauce at the restaurant at the jump. We decided to have dessert before dinner. It was delicious. That delicious cost us each $23.00. Coffee and cake for $23.00? You get the picture... Food=$$$$$. We are on vacation, so okay.
Got back on the train. They run every 10 to 15 minutes so never much of a wait. We watched as Oslo below us started to light up. Back at the Oslo Station we began our walk through the holiday light festooned shopping area. We breezed through it in the morning on our walk to the harbor but we were looking to do some serious shopping. The stores are magnificent but the prices, oh my. It was fun to look but nothing purchased. We did make notes on what to get from the Winter Market selling Norwegian handcrafts. Later after scoping out Bergen.
It was getting late so stopped to get fish and chips at a pub. Around 8 pm we headed back to Bygdoy where out cottage is. We thought, Let's stop in the grocery store for some beer and stuff for tomorrow lunch. We were shocked to find out that beep can't be sold after 8 pm. So it was tea and sparkling water as we chilled and booked our Bergen lodging.
Long day. Much fun. Good night.
