Oslo - So Much To See...So Little Time

My last two days are being spent in Oslo. I need a strategy to efficiently see everything I want to see in a short time. I purchased the Oslo pass and hit the road. My hotel choice was great as it was near everything.

I walked down to the wharf first, it had lots of tall ships. I thought maybe they were having a special tall ship event, but I guess these are here all the time.

Next to the wharf is the world famous, Oslo City Hall. It has wonderful murals and art, so was well worth the time to visit.

The National Theatre building was also impressive.

My pass included all public transportations so I found the T-bane and headed for Vigland Park. I had seen this park almost 40 years ago and it was still as impressive as the first visit.

His figures, most nudes, are so life like and portray so many emotions. I also visited the museum which allowed you to see plaster figures more close up.

The park setting was beautiful, again roses were everywhere. The number of baby buggies are amazing...it seems all the young mothers are out in the afternoons for a stroll and coffee.

By the time I got back to the city center, there were several venues of music in the parks. It was as Friday evening so everyone was in the streets enjoying the music and the evening. While being a large city, it had a small town feeling. Saturday, I will hit the museums in the Bygdoy.

Lots of Fall Scenery...Going By Very Fast

Started with a 8:45 a.m. bus to Flam and then took the Flamsbana (train) up into the mountains. It's unique because it is not a cog railroad but climbs to a fairly high altitude in ~20 Km. Was able to shoot a few shots through windows that slid down but only got a couple worth viewing. Lots of fall colors, farms built on small plateaus and we stopped for a fairly large waterfall about half way up.

The amount of fall colors increased as we climbed in altitude. At the top it would be described as golden just about everywhere.

Caught my final train to Oslo. This was a fairly highspeed train with no open windows so I got what I got. We stayed at a high altitude for quite a while. It kind of looked like moon photos only with water.

Lots of scenic spots, but I could rarely be fast enough to capture them Got to Oslo about 5:30 p.m. so it was a long day of travel.

While I thought things were expensive throughout Norway, they are even more so in Oslo. Internet is pay as you go so no Internet tonight Breakfast is extra and so far I haven't found a TV controller so I'm wondering if that is ala carte as well. Good thing I'm tired. Need to get rested to fight the big city tomorrow.

Fall in Fjord Country

The fall weather was great for the visit to the glacier. However the glacier itself was rather ho-hum. The scenery was awesome with mountain streams, beautiful blue lakes, and fall colors.

But the glacier was out in the distance. I pondered a 45 minute hike over large boulders to get up close and personal, but since surefootedness is not one of my stronger traits and I was making the hike by myself, I reconsidered.

It definitely was beautiful, but I envisioned hiking on the glacier per the area literature and the reality was unless I had a boat, hiking gear, a guide and some savy, it wasn't going to happen.

Some hikers were coming in just as I was taking the bus back to Laerdal, and there was a medivac helicopter there to take an injuried hiker in for medical care.

The bus trip to and from the glacier took me through some beautiful fjord country with very cool autumn reflections. I got back earlier than planned but that allowed me some time to relax and prepare for tomorrow's trip to Oslo.

This is my last day in the fjords.

Antique Churches and Motorcycles

The weather was much improved today, sunny and cool. Was going to the glacier today, but that fell through when I didn't understand the bus system. So modified the day to takes a bus out to see the Stave church at Bogrund.

The bus took me out and left me on a country road to walk the last 1.5 Kilometers to the church. Sort of a funny feeling, but I was more concerned that they were going to pick me up later. Gave me a chance to see some of the farms, without speeding by them on the bus or train. Nothing more frustrating to see a great photo and not being able to get it.

The interesting find today was the sod roofs. Only heard about them and saw one on a restaurant in Door County, but these were for real.

The stave church was beautiful. The wood has lasted incredibly well from the 1100's. They built a new church next to it somewhere around the late 1800s due to space constraints to support the families in the area.

The bus did come back to pick me and two buses later I was back in Laerdal. On the way out of town on the bus, I saw the Laerdal church and had to walk back and take some pics of it as well. Also went to the Salmon Center. Interesting thing to note was the antique Harley Davidson...a reminder of Milwaukee.

Tonight it was dinner at the hotel, but I bypassed the whale. Tomorrow it's the glacier and another stave church.

A Larger Fjord and A Smaller Town

Left Bergen by express boat heading up Sognefjord. It was a rainy, cold and windy day. Scenery could have been beautiful, but as someone said, "this is Norway".

Still saw a few sites: largest wooden hotel in Norway, seals rain bathing and some scenic small towns.

Probably the biggest happening of he day was switching from the express boat to a ferry mid-Fjord.

Arrived at the ferry dock at Laerdal 7 hours later, but no town to be seen. It took a bit of a hike to get to the town. It's a cute town with lots of old wooden houses.

Not much going on here. Has two grocery stores, a clothing store and that's about it. Expect to do some hiking, visiting the salmon center, and seeing several stave churches. I will taking a trip to see the glacier tomorrow. I am hoping for better weather.

Hardangerfjord, Tree Sweaters, Peace and Quiet

I took a day tour of the Hardanger Fjord. A train trip, a bus ride and a express boat and I was on the fjord. It was a beautiful day, but in fjord country it is cold.

Lots of scenery later we arrived at Eidfjord. Most of the group went on an optional trip to see a nature center and waterfall. I elected to stay in town and just enjoyed the peace and quiet and a good book at water's edge. A stroll through town I came across something that could only be in Norway: tree sweaters. You know it gets cold in Norway when even the trees have sweaters. Didn't get the story behind them, but rather interesting.

Lots of roses in Norway and they are just about coming to the end.

Overheard discussion from the folks returning from the tour, apparently there was a troll sighting on the drive back. Guess I missed my opportunity.

Everything Seafood, Reindeer, Holly and Yet More Trolls

Bergen is definitely centered around their fishing industry. A morning visit to the fish market and you can have all kinds of fresh seafood.

But Santa's reindeer gave up some hide to help the economy. This white reindeer hide sells for ~$125 but there were other colors as well along with foxes and seals.

The sun finally came out about the time that I took the tram up to look out over Bergen.

The forests are lush due to the amount and frequency of rain and I came across some holly. It looks remarkably like the plastic holly we buy.

I spent some time going through some local museums down by the wharf, exhibiting artifacts and history about the area.

Came across what is likely the world's most economical car. The twike, the driver and passenger have bicycle pedals. Thought I overheard the driver say it cost ~20,000 euros. http://www.twike.com/

Being Saturday, there were large crowds in the streets. Bergen is a busy, and beautiful place, but the waterfront is definitely my favorite.

And yes, troll imposters continue to welcome me.

Tomorrow I head out on a day trip out to the fjords. Hoping for good weather and lots of scenery.

Believe It or Not.... Gas is More Expensive in Norway than the US

Somewhere around $8.50 per gallon and the cost of their food shows it. A small plate of fish and chips at an outside fish and chips shop at the wharf was $17.50. It was great but...I think I will do my major eating at breakfast where it is included in the room.

My flights were very uneventful, and I actually slept on a flight. I think I like the 10 p.m flights. Arrived to a cool and rainy day. A light mist has been coming down this evening. But even with the bad weather, the line of building at the wharf were beautiful.

Much of these buildings are still log structures with some reconstruction.

One of the things I love about travel are those unexpected moments. While walking around the buildings at the wharf I heard music. I thought is was a CD that was being played but as I got closer to the water I realized it was a group of men on board a steam boat singing.

After singing several songs, the captain blew the steam whistle. It was great. It seamed they were celebrating the boat's 100th birthday.

Tomorrow I will spend the day seeing the Bergen sites. Hopefully the weather will cooperate a little better.

I see lots of trolls in the shops, but I will keep my eyes open for that ever ellusive shot. Sort of like the puffiins in Maine, which my girls will understand. But who knows...you may be the first to see it. I'll post it right here!