September 30, 2018 - Oslo to Flam

Day 4 - September 30, 2018 - Oslo to Flam

We boarded the coach and off we went to our first stop of the day. The coach took us the scenic route and we saw the most beautiful countryside. Norway has built many tunnels to make traveling much quicker. The views were amazing

We stopped along the way at one of the original Stave Churches, built in the 1100's.  There is a modern church next-door that is in use today.  The inside of the church was very small - maybe 20 x 20 square - no pews to sit in.  The wood is coated with a special kind of tar to keep the building protected.

Baptismal Font

Altar

Pulpit

When we got to Flam we boarded the Flam Railway and took the train to the top of the mountain.  Along the way we pass by awesome waterfalls and beautiful views.  The fun part was going back down the mountain we were able to see what we missed on the way up!!

Jackie - being goofy

Back down the mountain - so pretty

Norway - Oslo

Day 3 - September 29, 2018

Breakfast at the hotel and then on the coach for the Oslo City Tour.   First was the new Opera House.  You can walk on the different roofs of the building - down to the fjord or up to the top for better views.

Sculpture in the Fjord

The structure here is what is used to dry fish.  The artist used that as a place to hang shirts.  See the artist statement below

First stop was City Hall where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded. The City Hall is very beautiful and most of the walls have murals depicting life in Norway. 

Next stop was the Vigeland Sculpture Park. The Vigeland Park is the world's largest sculpture park made by a single artist, and is one of Norway's most popular tourist attractions. The park is open to visitors all year round.

The unique sculpture park is Gustav Vigeland's lifework with more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and wrought iron. Vigeland was also in charge of the design and architectural layout of the park. The Vigeland Park was mainly completed between 1939 and 1949.

Most of the sculptures are placed in five units along an 850 meter long axis: The Main gate, the Bridge with the Children's playground, the Fountain, the Monolith plateau and the Wheel of Life.

Then we decided to do the optional tour to the Viking Museum and the Kon Tiki Museum. Both were very interesting.

Viking Museum - Ships from the 1100's

Kontiki Museum -Did you read the book?

Then it was back to the hotel and we went to the Food Hall for lunch. We met up with a young man who’s English was excellent and it turned out he was Canadian, had studied Norwegian in college, then met a Norwegian woman and married her and now they live in Oslo with their child.  He was a lot of fun to talk to.  We opted for Hungarian Goulash and it was delicious. Then back to the hotel for a little rest. We had another group meeting and then Jackie, Cathy and I had dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Norway - Travel Days

9/27/18

I managed to fit in a vet appointment for Gus before lovely neighbor Paula dropped me off at bart at 12:30.    Flight from San Francisco to London was OK, but so cramped.  I am honestly over coach seating.  Absolutely no room.  I could never get comfortable and really didn’t get much sleep at all.  My row mates were very nice - on their way to Italy and Greece. After I landed I heard there was a tropical storm where they were headed, so I hope their vacation wasn't ruined.

9/28/18

The flight from London to Oslo the seats were a little roomier - but still no sleep - I’m hoping I sleep better once I’m in Oslo,

I arrived in Oslo about 4:30 pm.  No Gate 1 sign when I got through customs and got my luggage.  I met up with two other people from the tour which was really nice as I wasn’t sure what we were supposed to do if no one was there.  I tried calling Gate 1 in the states, but they could not help.  Finally Chung went to information and they alerted the driver who was on his way - turns out the schools have the coming week off, so traffic was terrible in town as people headed for the mountains. It was a 45 minute ride to the hotel and we got to the hotel at 6 and met up with our tour guide, along with Jackie and Cathy and some of the group in the lobby.  Then it was upstairs to drop off my luggage and back downstairs for our welcome dinner.  I was exhausted and had hoped for to fall asleep quickly, but it took awhile.  Generally, I sleep at least a little on the plane and make the adjustment within the first day or so.  This time was difficult.  I think it may have had something to do with staying up later and hanging out with people, so it was harder to settle when we got to our room.