Summer in Norway

This summer I was in Oslo before going into the mountains. Both were great. Oslo is a surprisingly familiar place for anyone who has been to Berlin, Edinburgh, Paris, or Rotterdam. The same people, same shops and more or less the same nightlife. I found several nice spots while exploring the city. The fact most Norwegians speak English is helpful. Unlike Dutch, French and German, my Norwegian is slightly rusty, as in: non-existent. Although, combining these I was often able to more or less understand these Scandinavians, especially written texts.

Arriving on a Friday I used the Oslo Pass that weekend, which is a great way to get to know Oslo. Saturday morning I took the ferry to the peninsula of Bygdø. Arriving near Oscarshall I then visited Vikingskipshuset (The Viking Ship Museum - Huk Aveny 35) which is a cross-shaped building. One of the ships can be seen here. 

Then I continued to Frammuseet (The Fram Museum - Bygdøynesveien 36) and Kon-Tiki Museet (Kon-Tiki Museum - Bygdøynesveien 36), which are situated next to each other.

It was possible to see the inside of Fram which was a nice experience. The Kon-Tiki surprised me. Looking at the crafts at display in the museum I would not even have boarded them floating on a small lake. To traverse the ocean appears to me as either a very brave thing to do or utterly stupid. After some coffee I took the ferry that departs from Frammuseet back into town where I found United Bakeries where I had a small lunch. Replenished I went to the Nasjonalmuseet (National Gallery - Universitetsgata 13),  to finish my day across the street at kaffebrenneriet which is a franchise, not unlike Starbucks, that specialises in all types of coffee and juices to be served with bread, pastries or tart. Returning, on foot, to the place I stayed at I discovered the enjoyable borough Grünerløkka, with Birkelunden park and Olaf Ryes plass. The latter is a nice square with lovely dinner and drinking spots around it. Fru Hagen apparently is the place to be, Parkteatret Bar has drinks but no lunch. Of course, being in Norway I tried some local food that evening.

The following day was extremely hot and sunny, which made the trip to Vigeland Museet og Parken (Vigeland Museum and Park - Nobels gate 32) -located in Frognerparken- a succes. An exhibition of sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. Being not that into sculptures the museum could not really interest me. The park however was brilliant, with many people enjoying the weather and scenery.

At the entrance of Frognerparken I also found the Bymuseet (Oslo City Museum - Frognerveien 67) which is a small museum detailing Oslo's history.

Close by there was another one of the kaffebrenneriet. Yes, true, no denying, I am addicted to brown juice and warm milk. One drink, and a moment in the sun, later I hurried to the Munch-Museet (the Munch Museum).

That evening I took the bus to Seljord where we packed hicking gear as prelude to a five hours long walk into the mountains. The weather was awful, rain, rain, rain and some more rain. Nevertheless, we caught alot of trout which we marinated in our stomachs with whiskey and other important cullinary aids. Also, my new Gore-Tex shoes, Kaikkialla Jisko Softshell Pants and Fjällräven Iceland trousers worked perfectly. Dry feet and no blisters, even after spending hours exploring the terrain surrounding our small cottage.

Despite being in the middle of nowhere I still was able to miss this animal's Norwegian family. The week in the mountains concluded my summer in Norway.