Baltic Boating Part 7: Oslo
Blog: Bec and John in the UK - 13 September 2009
By: Bec and John
After another delicious Day At Sea we steamed up the Oslofjord to Norway's capital. By sea is definitely the best way to approach Oslo; virtually every passenger on our boat was glued to the stunning views of the lush green valley-sides dotted with impossibly-cute wooden cottages. If there had been a Norwegian estate agent on board he would have done very well out of our boat that morning!
After several hours navigating the fjord, we docked directly opposite Oslo's 14th-century Akershus Fortress - the most picturesque large-boat mooring of our trip, if not the entire world?
Oslo, like almost all of the Scandinavian cities we visited on this tour, is a compact city, and after an enjoyable hour or so, even the attraction of riding giant bronze tigers though the town square was starting to wane.
Luckily, a short tram-ride away was Vigeland Park, the astonishing sculpture park of Gustav Vigeland. He personally sculpted 212 human figures, in varying positions and phases of life, which are now set out impressively throughout the park.
Back at the harbour, we treated ourselves to a taste of Norwegian fare: a small bowl of delicious fish soup (that's one bowl, shared between us), washed down with a local beer (again, just the one). 160 kroner (16 pounds) later... and we returned to the Jewel with a full appreciation of just how Oslo got its reputation for being one of the most expensive cities to visit. At least the sculpture park was free!
After several hours navigating the fjord, we docked directly opposite Oslo's 14th-century Akershus Fortress - the most picturesque large-boat mooring of our trip, if not the entire world?
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Oslo, like almost all of the Scandinavian cities we visited on this tour, is a compact city, and after an enjoyable hour or so, even the attraction of riding giant bronze tigers though the town square was starting to wane.
Luckily, a short tram-ride away was Vigeland Park, the astonishing sculpture park of Gustav Vigeland. He personally sculpted 212 human figures, in varying positions and phases of life, which are now set out impressively throughout the park.
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Back at the harbour, we treated ourselves to a taste of Norwegian fare: a small bowl of delicious fish soup (that's one bowl, shared between us), washed down with a local beer (again, just the one). 160 kroner (16 pounds) later... and we returned to the Jewel with a full appreciation of just how Oslo got its reputation for being one of the most expensive cities to visit. At least the sculpture park was free!
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