SCandinavian Cruises - 2026
Tuesday 26 May'26 - Oslo (Norway)
Back in Norway with a predicted 19'c day, with scattered cloud and 1% chance of rain. Docked at 0900 and the Hop On Hop Off bus is again the choice of touristing. Once again, coming into the port was picturesque going past the many islands. Off the ship @ 0930 and on the bus. A few minutes after commencing the trip, we passed a small grassed area which had a sculpture of chairs, known as The Empty Chairs (a tribute to the Norwegian Jews killed in the holocaust).
As we wound our way through the streets, we passed the Operahuset (Opera House). A stunning building where you can actually walk on it's sloping walls up and onto the roof. The one thing that was noticeable was the amount of green space and number of sculptures scattered throughout the city. We decided to get off at Stop 1, which was at Karl Johans Gate.
As the Royal Palace was nearby, we decided it was to be the next port of call, so we walked up the hill to it. On the way up, we passed a Pre-school group doing the same thing. Oh to be young again!
Like Denmark, security was very low key. After a brief G'day to one the many guards on duty, a walk through through the Slottsparken (The Palace Park), it was back down Karl Johans Gate, passing Oslo University, the National Theatre and the Parliament building on our way as we headed to Harbourside. We also passed City Hall and the Nobel Peace Prize building. I waited intently for DJT to turn up but apparently, he still doesn't have one!!!
After walking around the wharfs, back on the bus heading for Vigeland Sculpture Park. This expanse of gardens continues the green-space theme mentioned earlier and the sculptures, all by one man, are amazing. One in particular stood out. The Angry Boy, is one of the best known pieces of work...
Then off to the Fram Museum. The Fram was Roald Edmudsen's ship used in both his journeys to the North and South Pole's. The link covers the adversity, extreme conditions and tenacious exploits of this man and crew. Suffice to say, pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to endure what they did! Amazing (and I know I have used this ad infinitum) but the history just blows me away!!!. The museum has the original ship, not a replica, and you can go onboard to see what conditions they operated under.
Unfortunately, we were pushed for time as I would have liked to have had a look at The Kon Tiki Museum also, which is right next door (I didn't know it was a Norwegian expedition) but the ship waits for no-one so back on the bus, a little MUCH needed R&R in the room due to the fresh air, warm day and 16,000+ steps before dinner in the Tuscan restaurant and an early bye byes...