Fun in the fjord

Today we began our Norway in a Nutshell journey to Bergen with one ride on the subway (not included) and 2 trains from Oslo total of 6 hours through some of the most beautiful views in the world. It was overcast so we were in the clouds for some time. At Finnse there was snow! You could tell that we were from Canada and some of this scenery we have already seen in the Laurentians or in Banff or Lake Louise because we were not frantically snapping pictures. It was still wonderful to see. This is a scenic touristy train and even stops 15 minutes into its journey to let everyone off to take photos. Once again my pictures do not reflect the beauty of this area.

The view from outside our hotel in the harbour in Flam..

Popular Norweigan slippers...

Today's streetscapes in the small village of Flam...

The boat that we will be taking tomorrow (and then a bus and a train after that to Bergen)..

And our hotel in Flam where we are very comfortably sitting in the lounge with our tea enjoying the view..

Roaming...

The last couple of days have been spent at a slower pace, just roaming and taking in the city. Just a short post today More signs -

Flower shops ..

Streetscapes.. (We ate our picnic lunch in front of the famous Grand Hotel where the Nobel Peace prize recipients stay each year!)

Whiskey in the vinomopolet (the only place to buy wine and spirits in Norway)

$164 backpacks!

More groceries.. With lovely bread shops!

And happiness in a ski shop. Found out that there is cross country skiing 3 hours away from Oslo on artificial snow only.

Tomorrow we are off on the Norway in a nutshell run and will stop in Flam overnight. Fjords here we come!

Sculptures, Resistance and the Scream!

Today was a beautiful sunny Sunday to finish our museum marathon. Our first stop took us to the 75 acre Frogner Park which is a hop skip and a jump from our apartment. This is a 75 acre park that contains a lifetime of work by Norway's greatest sculptor, Gustav Vigeland. In 1921 he made a deal with the city and in return for a great studio and state support he would spend his creative life beautifying Oslo with this sculpture garden entitled Vigeland Park. There are 192 bronze and granite statue groupings - 600 figures in all, each nude (!) and unique. The park is very respected by the people of Oslo, no police, no fences and no graffiti. It was lovely to wander through the park with other Norweigians and tourists and basque in the sunshine on this beautiful September day. They say that this park is more than great art - - it's a city at play and we witnessed that today. 

Vigeland did not name his statues and refused to explain their meaning. His art is an observation on the bittersweet cycle of life in general. They are all about relationships. Very interesting to view and to see Norweigian children climbing on and interacting with the statues. 

Here are some pics through the park. One in particular is of an angry child. Gustavo gave him some chocolate and then took it away to get this reaction. 

Next we went inside to the Vigeland museum to understand more about this sculpture and see his works and the history of Vigeland park. 

Next off to the Resistance Museum atop the Akershus Fortress to learn about Nazi occupation of Norway. The Nirweigians experienced 5 years of occupation from invasion to liberation. They've done a wonderful job of preserving and sharing this history.

Following this a stroll through the Akerhaus medieval castle from around 1300AD remodelled to a renaissance castle in the 17th century. Today it is used by government for state events. A few pics - look at that long table!

We found Munch' The Scream at the National Gallery and a few re-creations...

A few more photos from the gallery - one entitled one day after - you'll get it when you view it.

A few more streetscapes....

Signs...

And those sweaters ..

We continue to love this city and the people. Everyone seems very calm. Lots of blond hair and blue eyes here!