Sunshine in Oslo

Today Deb slept through breakfast, so I had to bring her coffee and food in bed. I went for a little walk while she was getting herself organized.

It looks like a Canada goose, but ???

Swan Showing Off

We went to the tourist office to ask for advice on what to do with our last afternoon in Oslo. Instead of museums and special tourist destinations, the girl suggested a walk along the river. Great Advice!

We found a Sami Christmas which was enthralling.

Kids Love a Stuffed Reindeer

Deb has a thing for Santa Claus.

Sami Market

Reindeer Antlers

What a great firepit! It warmed the whole tent.

Then we found an art district which was so bohemian.

Artsy District

Snake on the Wall

What an amazing chandelier!

Another Art Gallery

Graffiti River

Kids Playground

Water Under Control

The sun shone and we had a great afternoon of just wandering.

Back to Oslo

When we woke up in Bergen (a little latish), it was still raining. We decided not to spend our day exploring. After all, we will be back here in a week or so.

Instead we changed our train ticket to much earlier in the day. That way we would be travelling while it was light and so would enjoy the views of the mountains and fjords as we went. It worked! We had many wonderful views en route. It had snowed more during the night, so we travelled through a winter wonderland.

The few pictures taken were less than perfect. The camera had to deal with the movement, reflections in the glass, and snowfall. It was not raining.

From Oslo to Bergen

Today started very early (before five) and ended sorta late (ninish). We survived and are still smiling (sorta). Breakfast was good and getting to the train was easy. We hardly knew it was raining until we got out of the station. It was still dark (8:30) but did soon brighten up somewhat. Looking out the window was very pleasing but taking pictures was difficult. The reflections from inside the train were often overpowering.

From the Train

At first it rained, but as we neared Myrdal it changed to snow. The scenery changed dramatically. We switched from the Bergen Train to the Flam Railway in the snow and we were loving it. The world became beautiful and white.

Just a Beautiful Little House

The Flam Railroad

Frozen Waterfalls

Deb Enjoying the Falls From Inside

Amazing Old Train

Unfortunately, as we neared Flam, we were getting lower and the snow started to disappear. In Flam it was raining gently.

The Water is Such a Beautiful Green

The Engine (With Snowplow)

Flam in Gingerbread

One Magic Tree

Surrounded By Mountains

From the Train Onto the Boat

The Sognefjord Before the Weather Closed In

We travelled from Flam up the Sognefjord. The King of all Fjiords is one of the world's longest and deepest. Unfortunately, it soon began to rain harder and then it simply became dark (threeish) We could enjoy the view but pictures wouldn't work.

We turned into the Nærøyfjord. This is the narrowest and best known arm of the Sognefjord. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It was pouring rain and too dark to see anything.

After the boat, we took a bus and a train to Bergen. We were exhausted. A couple of drinks were necessary.

Nevertheless, we still had a good day. We have been in one of the world's most amazing places. We missed some bits, but we are still smiling.

Moving Again

We are no longer at Eirik's. This morning we walked to our new home, the Comfort Hotel Grand Central. We weren't quite sure where it was. Now we know that we have been walking underneath it fo several days. It is directly above the Oslo Central Station. When we arrived, Deb immediately fell asleep for a couple of hours.

Well-rested, we just went out for a walk. Dinner was at the Cathedral Cafe. Today is December the first, so we had our first Christmas Dinner (Ribs, Sausage, Christmas Sausage, Red Cabbage, Brussel Sprouts and Potatoes served with cranberries and Christmas Sauce). It was wonderful.

Winter Planters

More Winter Planters

Deb with More Winter Planters

No Snow, but Still an Ice Sculpture

Another Beautiful Building

Fire Pit to Keep Warm

Santa Elk. He moves. He Talks. He Sings.

Traditional Norwegian Christmas Dinner. Delicious!

Traditional Norwegian Cake

Museums and Sailing Ships

Today was meant to be a day of exploration. It was raining, but we were meant to be indoors most of the day. The plan worked up to a point, but we did end up getting very wet and cold. Travelling the few blocks to the bus stop started the wet day. Then we got off the bus one stop too early and ended up walking to our correct stop. We had to put our bags in a locker before entering the Viking Ship Museum, but the locker was broken and stole my camera bag (An attendant helped us get it back). The Museum was wonderful.

There are three ships on display, one which looks almost new, one which has started to decay, and one which was significantly decayed. Each was used for the burial of an important leader, so each was loaded with gifts to help them survive the afterlife.

Apparently, there are many more items that are not shown, but what we can see is amazing. Plans are underway to expand the building considerably so that the whole collection can be displayed.

The Oseberg Ship (The Best Preserved) 

Oars on the Gunnel

Close-up of Oar Blades

Detail on Prow

The Goksland Ship (The Largest)

Small Boat Found Dismantled on One of the Ships

The Tune Ship (The Oldest)

Animal Head Post (There Are Four Altogether)

Sleigh Found on One Ship

Detail on Another Sleigh

Coiled Snake

Another short bus ride then took us to the Fram Museum. This collection recognizes and celebrates the exploration of the Northern and Southern Polar Regions. Explorers such as Hudson, Franklin, and Bering are mentioned, but the museum is mostly about Roald Amundsen (After all, he was Norwegian).

Interestingly, Amundsen was a young boy when the Franklin expedition met with disaster in the North-West Passage. Young Roald was inspired to dedicate his life to polar exploration. Before he was finished he was first to fly over the North Pole, first to Sail the North-West Passage, and first to reach the South Pole.

CJØA (First Through the North-West Passage) / Model of Norge (First to Cross the North Pole)

CJØA from Deck Level

Outhouse on Deck

Cleanup Station on Deck

FRAM (Used by Amundsen for His Expedition to the South Pole)

The Helm of the FRAM

FRAM Galley

FRAM Workshop

FRAM Dining Room (With Bunkhouses in Background) - Amundsen, who was Expedition Leader, slept in one of theses little bunks, just like every other crew member.