Oslo, Norway

We left Poland around 6:00 p.m. heading for our last port of call – Norway.  That meant that we sailed that evening, the entire next day (Thursday) and arrived in Oslo the next morning.  However, now is the time to confess that I don’t always know of what I speak.  Remember that bridge between Denmark and Sweden that I said this ship could not sail under?  Well, we did – with at least an inch and a half to spare.

Norway is a country slightly larger than New Mexico with a population of 4.6 million people.  The current monarch is King Harold IV.  Their history is complicated, just like all these other countries I have visited, but they seem to have a particular disdain for the Swedes – at least if you go by the tone of voice of our guide today.  I was the most excited about visiting Norway and am now the most disappointed by the tour of the day that didn’t cover any of the points of interest I would have chosen.  I will simply have to add Norway to the other country that I would like to re-visit, which at this point is Germany and now Norway.

Holmenkollen is the cradle of Olympic ski jumping

and the site of the 1952 Olympics.

(Pictured is the area where all the people are seated watching the event.

As with all these pictures it's very difficult to get the entire thing when they are so big.

Another project for Google Images when I get home.)

Vigeland Sculpture Park

 – is home to the stone, iron and bronze sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, 

one of Norway’s finest.

An example of the type of sculptures seen in the 80 acre park.
Vigeland's goal was to depict human beings in all their emotions from birth to death.

Edvard Munch Museum

 – houses many of his works, including  “The Scream” which is certainly his most famous painting.  (We were not allowed to take any pictures here, which I find a little humorous since they are allowed at the Louve in Paris.

United States Embassy in Oslo

(Taken through the bus window - before you criticize the quality of the picture.

But, more importantly our tour guide said that it looks like a prison to them.  Yuk!)