2 Go Oslo Photos

Oslo was a real joy. We had been to the city once before in 1992, but only long enough for a quick walk around the train station before catching our train south. So it was a real pleasure to spend some time here exploring. We were also fortunate enough to arrive at a time when we had bright skies and sunshine.

This is the main drag, Karl Johans Street, which leads from the central train station to the Royal Palace at the far end (whose facade can be made out in the distance). On a bright Saturday like the one we had, the street is teeming with life. This street is particularly alive on May 17 of each year, which is Norway's National Day, when this street is ground zero for a parade. Interestingly, instead of parading the country's military might in a show of nationalistic fervor (as many other nations do), Norway parades its children, who walk down this street to greet the King at his palace. Less happily, it was also on this street where the Nazis paraded their troops during their occupation of this country from 1940-1945.

One of the sightseeing highlights of Oslo is the collection of museums which sits on a park-like peninsula across the harbor from Oslo. A scenic ferry ride brings you to Bgdøy, whose interesting museums include the Viking Ship museum. These remarkably well-preserved vessels give you a real feel for those zany Viking days of pillaging and plundering. Remarkable seamen, these ships were discovered in burial sites--buried whole in the 10th century A.D. with nobles of some sort, and including all sorts of goodies (gold, animals, personal effects) for the after-life. The Vikings traveled in these ships for months on end across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Mediterranean Sea, and over the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. They did not have instruments or maps. Instead they used landmarks and wave paths to guide them, and they looked for clues such as birds to let them know when they were close to land.

Bgdøy's museums also include a museum dedicated to the remarkable exploits of the polar ship, Fram. Holding the notable distinction of being the ship that has traveled both the furthest north (i.e. the North Pole) and the furthest south (i.e. Antartica), the ship is well preserved and allows you to scamper on and below deck.

Another great museum on Bgdøy is the Norwegian Folk Museum, a large, open-air museum where roughly 150 traditional structures from all over Norway have been relocated. It provides a fun look at traditional life and all the cool buildings used by Norwegians over the years. A principal design feature of many of the structures--a feature that is still in use today--is the roof covered with sod, as seen here. Apparently, the earth provides good insulation for those cold Norwegian winters.

A wonderfully distinctive Stave church. While few still survive in Norway today, this one--from the 1200's--is beautiful. Interestingly, many of its design features, including the pagoda style construction and the roof-line ornamentation, look Asian in influence. Hmmm.

Oslo has a wonderful harbor, surrounded by fashionable shops and swanky apartments.

Old ship in the harbor at sunset. But you knew that.

Continue to see more photos of Oslo.

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