Oslo Day 7

Country number 3 - Norway! Most of today was getting from Stockholm to Oslo. Hotel to airport - wait for two hours - then fly to Oslo - then to hotel. The airport in Stockholm was awesome. A very modern or ultra modern security checkin where you don’t need to take anything out of your luggage or take your shoes off - and they don’t have TSA pre-check so it’s for everyone. All in all a very pleasant experience. And the flight was only a little more than an hour.

Oslo is the largest city in Norway, but it’s quite a bit smaller than Stockholm. The central part of the city is very walkable, and a wonderful mix of old and very modern and new. Norway is a very wealthy country - one reason being they have lots of desirable natural resources - like oil. They are not a member of the EU by choice. They have more to lose than gain by joining the EU, but they do participate in some ways. Considered to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world due to their mountains and fjords - which I am planning to see! Praying the weather cooperates.

After checking into my hotel I took my usual get my bearings walk around, with a few specific destinations in mind. First up the Oslo Opera House. It was built in 2008 and is right on the water angling up to a roof that you can walk right up onto from the outside.

Of course I had to walk up to the top and see the wonderful views of the water and the downtown area. These are pictures taken from the top. The bottom right is the Munch Museum - the only Norwegian painter to have a serious impact on European art . You know him because he did The Scream - something I think at some point we can all relate to. It’s a brand new very modern building that just opened in I believe 2020. If it rains tomorrow I may find myself going there.

I walked by their Parliament building built in 1866. Norway has a King but he is really just a figurehead. The country is run by Parliament and a Prime Minister.

Speaking of the King I headed to the Royal Palace next. Completed in 1849 it is very impressive and while you can’t enter except certain times of the year when tours are available, you can walk right up to the front door. It is surrounded by gorgeous gardens which are open to everyone to enjoy and because it was a beautiful day lots of people doing just that. Including me.

I exited out the back of the palace grounds and walked through a gorgeous neighborhood behind the palace. I think that’s where the people that own the oil live. It reminded me a little of Vienna which is also so beautiful.

I needed to eat so had some delicious fish at a very quaint local restaurant called Gamle Raadhus. I think it was cod with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Not for sure but for sure it was delicious. That’s it for today. I have a good plan for tomorrow but hoping the predicted rain either doesn’t happen or is light. No matter what it will be a great day🤗