Oslo

Our Norway trip began in the country's capital, Oslo. 

Very Scandinavian buildings

It's a very modern city, safe and easy to get around. The weather was surprisingly warm and a bit rainy. The city has a major harbor on the wide Oslofjord.

Harbor

Bowsprit on a docked boat

Founded around 1000 AD, Oslo first became capital around 1300. Unions with Denmark and Sweden between the early 1300s and the early 1900s periodically reduced its influence. After being destroyed by a fire in 1624, the city was renamed Christiania (later Kristiania) and was then renamed Oslo in 1925. Its populations is just over 600,000 (the metro area has about 1.5 million inhabitants).

After checking into our hotel (the very centrally located Continental) .and enjoying a delicious open-faced shrimp sandwich in the lobby bar, I just walked around a bit. 

It's nice just wandering

The hotel was very close to the royal palace ... 

The palace doesn't look like a castle

... and Karl Johans Gate ...

The main thoroughfare

We're not really city people and it was off season for concerts and opera, so it was really just to get the feel of Norway. I enjoyed a lot of the architectural details ...

Look close

Look up

Look everywhere

... and statues...

I love this one

Interesting

Some were even amusing ...

Depiction of an affair

I really loved the Askershus, the Oslo palace grounds (and the yummy seafood we had nearby).

A castle and fortress

Built in 1299

The next day, we did a Hop-On/Hop-Off bus. It was advertised as starting at 9:30, but after walking to two stops and riding a bus to another stop, we finally got going after 10:00. The driver even admitted that the 9:30 was inaccurate, but seemed to have no problem with that. We used the bus to take us to the Norsk Folkemuseum, which is a fabulous collection of actual buildings, including a stave church...

From the city of Gol

Circa 1157-1216

Detail

... ancient lofts ...

Used for both storage and sleeping

... sod-roofed buildings ....

Good insulation

... whole farms ...

Such a pretty barn

The kitchen as it was

The is even livestock

... handicrafts ...

Woven basket

... and a village ...

An old gas station

A store

And a town street

Then, we checked out the very crowded Viking Ship Museum that houses three almost intact Viking ships. 

Beautiful crafts

They were preserved because they were used as tombs -- filled with belongings, hauled up on land, sealed with clay and buried. 

From the balcony

Detail

These ships date from around 834 and they, plus their contents, are fascinating.

Lots of complex carving

It's a beautiful city.

Ancient and intricate

In general, Oslo is quite expensive. In addition to the great sandwiches, we also had a lovely dinner at an Indian restaurant. But, by now, I was beginning to crave ice cubes. I can manage most differences in cuisine, but giving up cold drinks is tough for me.

Trip date: August 19-September 9, 2014