In this series I'm scratching the travel itch by re-living a trip across Scandinavia in the Summer of 2019.
Day 5: Oslo
After indulging in the hotel breakfast we needed to get out and see more of the city. WIth us leaving Norway behind in just a few short hours, time was dwindling.
First up: Frogner Park. Getting there was a breeze. A short walk past this simple yet powerful "Smash Nazism" statue was the tram that took us through the city directly to the park.
Frogner Park is Norway's most popular tourist attraction. Why? Because it is a beautiful open space? Well, yeah. And......
The Vigeland Installation. Between 1924 and 1943 a local sculptor, Gustav Vigeland, made a deal with the city to donate all of his future works in exchange for a work/live space. Not a bad deal considering the city was going to demolish his home to build a library.
The Vigeland Installation consists of 212 sculptures and some larger structures such as a bridge and fountains. The sculptures are interesting to say the least.
Angry Boy stands along the bridge and has since become an icon of Oslo. I want to know why this boy is so angry.
Maybe because he and a few other baby friends lost the fight with this guy?
I'm a little unsure what the wolf did to deserve this. Perhaps it was plotting to help the Angry Boy?
Jokes aside, the park is hauntingly beautiful.
These pensive individuals encircle the focal point of Frogner Park: The Monolith.
Standing over 14 meters (46 feet) The Monolith, which is carved from a single piece of stone, depicts 121 human figures rising up from the Earth,
After admiring the bronze and carved granite art for a few hours we needed to clear our minds by walking through the gorgeous Frogner and Uranienborg neighborhoods.
The Uranienborg Church stands tall against the uniform height of the residential neighborhoods.
I wasn't sure what I was expecting from Oslo outside of the city center but this serene scene was a pleasure to walk through. The only thing that would have made this better would have been a pastry or two.
Well, we were in luck! We walked right by Backstube Solli Plass with its wide selection of baked goods, and at around $2 per pastry, we couldn't resist.
Just look at those layers! After indulging in those sweet treats it was time to continue our walk around the city. Next up: Aker Brygge.
A former shipyard that ceased operation in 1982 has been redeveloped into a modern pedestrian friendly area along the Oslofjord. Construction began in 1986, and today about 6,000 people work and 900 people live in the trendy shopping area.
A short walk from Aker Brygge lies the Akershus Fortress. The fortress has seen many battles since it was first built in 1290. Although the grounds are open to the public the surrounding area is still home to the Norwegian Military. This means the site still is in use 700 years later.
Akershus Castle with its clock tower is modest yet charming. We could almost feel the history emanating from the bricks. It's amazing that this lies in the central city yet is not overrun with tourists.
After exploring the military grounds we deserved a short rest to collect our thoughts and prepare ourselves to leave Oslo.
This fountain in Bankplassen was the perfect place to reflect on our time in Oslo. We would have needed a few more days here to explore the entire city. This was just long enough to leave us wanting more. An appetizer of sorts. Speaking of appetizers Oslo's oldest restaurant, Engebret Café, lies in this square. We might have to check that out when we return.
After collecting our bags from the hotel it was time to board the DFDS Seaways ferry to Copenhagen! Taking roughly 17 hours this boat was our home for the night.
The common areas of the ferry were much nicer than we anticipated. There was plenty to keep ourselves occupied on the journey, including several restaurants, a café, a massive duty free shop, a nightclub, a pool, and a bar on the top deck!
These amenities make the ferry feel like a limited cruise line. They even put on shows in the nightclub during the evenings. With alcohol so expensive in Norway it is a common occurrence for the ferry to be a popular place to stock up tax free.
It may have been a little chilly for a dip in the pool but it was a nice surprise! We opted to stay in the most cost effective accommodations aboard. It was a sterile inside cabin with two beds but we did have our own private bath with a shower. The room may have been slightly uncomfortable but it was to be expected when we paid only $140 for the cabin (that includes the ride to Copenhagen).
It's hard to complain about the cabin when the views from the deck are so incredible.
As we cruised down the Oslofjord we ate at the onboard seafood buffet before enjoying an evening cocktail on the top deck.
Goodnight and goodbye, Norway. It's been an absolute pleasure. When we wake up we will be in Denmark.
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