2 hours after landfall, we still feel the effects of the seas - I hope that goes away soon. Oslo, is more tired and gray than I had expected - a bit worn around the edges and not as orderly as Copenhagen, old Trams compete with cars, trucks and pedestrians for space on the cobblestone streets, but it’s easy to slide into and feels comfortable, like a well worn pair of jeans.
Our moving hotel - and move it does. Around 2:30am we made it into open seas and she started a rocking’ and a rollin’. I had a hard time getting back to sleep but I talked myself off the ledge - convincing myself that the ship had made the journey many times before and it would make it at least one more time. I took this sunrise pic at 4:30am and was able to fall back asleep shortly after.
The MS Crown of Scandinavia pulling into one of Oslo’s cruise ship docks. It was amazing to watch this very large ship maneuver into the correct position with ease. First look at Oslo shows that it is a shipping port yet the older buildings in the background get me excited about it’s history.
This is the notorious train that messed with both our brains. We studied the train maps and knew this was the train we needed. We got on and it didn’t stop at any of the places we wanted - only Solli. What the hell! We got off at the theater stop knowing it went blocks past were we were planning to go. As we walked back to the restaurant we realized they were tearing up all the streets in that area. Eureka! We are not dumb - you just have to know what is going on in the city.
I was so excited when I learned that one of Edvard Munch’s The Scream paintings, was on display at Oslo’s National Gallery. When we entered the room I could barely contain myself. There were so many amazing pieces of work here from the likes of Munch, Van Gogh, Picasso, Rodin, Cézanne, Manet and many more. There is also a great amount from Scandinavian artists, showing much of the scenery and reflecting the history of the region. It is exciting to see these works of art while being in the actual surroundings that inspired them - so much better than looking at them in a book.