Days 14-15: Oslo

March 14: Bergen to Oslo

The cruise ended on the morning of the 14th, and instead of flying back from Bergen, we booked a train to Oslo, which left Bergen at about 7:30 AM and arrived in Oslo at about 3:00 PM.  The Bergen-Oslo route is described as one of the most scenic in the world, and did not disappoint, even though the skies were not always clear. 

After leaving Bergen

The following pictures are actually in color, although the mist and fog makes them look black and white.

   

When we arrived in Oslo, we had to walk only about 300 feet to our hotel, which was actually *in* the train station.

Hotel is at the far end of the station

The hotel was another one of those hipster hotels, which cuts back on the amenities to keep the prices low.  Among the amenities they cut back on were pillows (only 2 tiny ones for the two of us), any kind of storage for our clothes, drinking glasses, and a telephone in the room.  So, when I wanted to get some extra pillows, I had to go down to the reception area to ask in person.  On the other hand, the location was terrific.

After we arrived, we wandered around the center of the city.

Karl Johans Gate, the main pedestrian street

Further down Karl Johans Gate (no longer a pedestrian street)

Royal Palace, at the end of the street

Norwegian Parliament Building

Grand Hotel

View from our hotel room

Oslo Opera House

March 15: Oslo 

Most of the day was spent travelling to and visiting museums on the suburban island of Bygdoy.  Our first stop was at the Viking Ship Museum.

Outside the Viking Ship Museum

The museum houses three Viking ships that were built in the 9th century, and dug up in the 20th century.

A sled that was buried with one of the ships

After leaving the Viking Ship Museum, we walked through Bygdoy.  Along the way, we passed some very nice houses that we couldn't afford.

Housing in Bygdoy

Our next destination was the Fram Museum, which housed a couple of Arctic exploration ships, the Fram, and the Gjøa.

Exterior of the Fram Museum

The Gjøa

On the deck of the Fram

In the galley of the Fram

What they ate on the Fram

An officer's bunk

Waiting for our bus back to Oslo

And so our trip ended, after an uneventful flight back to RDU.

Days 11-13: Narvik and Bergen

March 11: Narvik

Today's excursion was a trip on  the Ofoten Railway, a 43 kilometer long railway that runs between  Narvik and Riksgränsen, a resort on the Swedish border.   Below are a few shots from the train.

Leaving Narvik

Here are a few shots from Riksgränsen, where we got off the train and took the return train to Narvik.

 

On the way back to Narvik

Outskirts of Narvik

After returning to Narvik, we wandered around the town, including a visit to the World War II Museum.

World War II Museum/Library/Tourist Office

In the World War II Museum

Central Narvik

More of Central Narvik

Scandic Hotel, the tallest building in Narvik

After returning to the boat, we watched a couple of guys freeze themselves in the outdoor hot tub, and then watched an excellent Beatles tribute in the theater.

March 13: Bergen

March 12 was spent at sea, and we arrived in Bergen at about 1:00 on March 13.  Since we had to leave for Oslo early the next morning, we only had about a half a day to explore Bergen, so we just walked around the harbor area.  Fortunately, we got one of the few clear days that Bergen gets every year.

The area near the port in Bergen is known as Bryggen and consists largely of wooden buildings that date back to the 1700's.  Other buildings near the port date back to the 13th and 14th centuries.

Bryggen

View of the port area to the right of Bryggen

More of central Bergen

Part of the Old Bergen (outdoor) museum

St. Mary Church, dating from the 13th century

Haakon's Hall, also dating from the 13th century

Next: Days 14-15--Oslo