Oslo

If you prefer to view a video of this trip it is available on youtube.
We flew yesterday from the 40 degree weather of Iceland to 80 degrees in Oslo. They have had a hot May and have had three weeks without rain.

We arrived at our hotel about 2:30 in the afternoon. The Scandia Victoria is about three blocks from the harbor. That evening we walked the Aker Brygge area of the harbor. It was a warm evening, everyone was out walking or enjoying the patio restaurants. We had pasta and a beer.

Oslo Harbor

We started our day today by walking to a laundry about half a mile from our hotel. Washing and drying two loads of laundry was going to cost about $45. But they offered to do it for us and deliver it to the Hotel for $70. We took the deal! Yes, laundry is expensive here! (The hotel would charge $6 for a pair of socks.)

Today we took a walk around this part of the city. Akershus was the fortress for the harbor. Built in 1300, it was used primarily against the Swedes in the numerous wars over the centuries. It also served as a prison from the 1800s until 1945. Today, it still serves as military offices.

Akershus

We had a delicious lunch at one of the local cafes before continuing on to Oslo’s modern opera house. It has a sloping roof line and people are invited to walk the roof. The old train station has become a hotel and shops with a new station next door. We then walked the pedestrian street from the train station, past the Cathedral and parliament ending at the royal palace. We walked about 5 miles by the time we returned to our hotel.

Norway's Parliament Building