This was Day 12 and our last day in Norway. So we had to make the best of it in terms of seeing Oslo before we had to leave for our flight at 4.30. The weather had started to clear up the previous evening when we took a walk around our local suburb, Frogner. Here are a few photos from the walk. We were close by the Royal Palace where the king and queen of Norway live – with much less fanfare and much, much less security than the British royal family!
We walked through the king’s gardens to get there – clearly the king wants to make absolutely sure that his flowerbeds aren’t tampered with!
As Frogner is just north of the Royal Palace it appears to be one of the wealthier and more established suburbs of Oslo. Certainly, the architecture which was well preserved and genteel, seemed to suggest this.
Anyhow, turning to today. The morning was brilliant blue – once again a huge contrast to the previous cold, miserable day. After leaving our luggage in storage at the central train station, we began with a quick walk to Oslo’s beautiful Opera House. I think it resembles a large, partially submerged cruise liner…
We climbed the rooftop to grab some views of the city. The rectangular structure at the top was actually very impressive. Minimalist and stark but very much symbolic of the Norwegian landscape in that it reminded me of tall fjords, icebergs (of course I hadn’t seen any but in my imagination they must exist close to the northern coastline?), snow and ice.
Have added a filter to this last photo but it gives a general idea of the impression the architecture left on me.
While I was taking photos, N was busy interacting with one of the locals. He was completely fearless, as most of the animals in Norway appear to be. Says something about the place..
We continued on to the Akershus Fortress, spying this little mobile sauna “for hire” along the wharf. I didn’t dare take a shot of the half naked men sauna-ing inside the one next to this! This is directly facing the Opera House…great view!
Akershus Fortress was built in the Middle Ages and was added to over time as is apparent from the variations in the brickwork. The Norwegians seem to be very practical people, with little time for frippery.
As seems to be the case for the Royal Buildings, these guards stand to attention throughout the day – much like we’re used to seeing in terms of the guards at Buckingham Palace. There was some kind of function at the fortress as a lot of people were showing up in formal or traditional dress.
Next stop was the Oslo contemporary art museum, Astrup Fearnley. They had a very impressive collection of post modern artists, including a very large collection of Damien Hirst works – for me, a little too gorey to photograph!
A highlight for me was a glass work by American artist, Roni Horn. A very quiet work – and massively technical (I’m not kidding, despite what it looks like!)
There was also a mammoth work by Anselm Keifer – a collection of giant books made from lead sheet.
Next stop was some more traditional art at the National Gallery. It was great to see work by some notable Norwegian artists, including first and foremost Edvard Munch, who is celebrated as a national hero here. This is Three Girls On a Bridge which was painted after The Scream.
And there was work by various Norwegian artists I didn’t know of. This is Winter Night in the Mountains by Harald Sohlberg:
Stetind in Fog by Peter Balke. Incredible when you consider this was painted in 1864. It looks so modernist.
A detail from September by Erik Werenskold:
Sadly, I didn’t note the name of this one:
The flowers are wonderful, but I also love how it records the Norwegian sun. I saw this sun a few times in Oslo today – no filters used here;
After a quick lunch, we decided to walk up to the area described as the trendy part of town, Grunnerlokka. N had to stop for the most talked-about coffee in town – unfortunately, it was past the witching hour for coffee in my case!
There were a lot of young people out and about at the various cafes and food stalls around the village:
But I’ll be frank, it really wasn’t an Amsterdam, Berlin, Barcelona or even a Sydney…
It was now late in the afternoon and time to head back towards the station, but not before popping into another store and admiring more dead animals!
Dead animals aside, we’ve had a really wonderful time here! It’s been one of the most beautiful countries I’ve visited. It has space – lots of space – unspoiled wilderness, pristine landscapes and fresh air. The people are the friendliest and most unpretentious that I’ve encountered in Europe so far. They’re hard-working, no-nonsense, friendly, kind and ever so polite. Everywhere we went we were made to feel welcome, and lucky for us everyone – without exception – spoke English. Faultlessly in most cases! Definitely worth a return visit!
