September 12: Scenic Train Ride - 7 hours!
We were up early, meeting in the ship's living room at 5am for a 5:15am departure to the train station. A short bus ride brought us to the station and we boarded shortly in the first car behind the engine of the all electric train. The first hour or two was scenic but it was barely dawn and it was mostly hills & valleys. Though to be fair, there were numerous waterfalls, but so close to the window they flew past. The middle two-to-three hours saw us approach the top plateau - at 1500 feet in elevation - and cross the plateau which was covered with snow-topped mountains and at the very top it was actually snowing. The scenery was every thing it was billed to be! As we began the gradual descent it was surprising that about ten-to-fifteen minutes past the snow flurries the sun was shining and there was green grass and flowers. It was a L-O-N-G ride to be sure, but we got our money's worth in scenery. And from the way we understood it, we also got a bit of a financial break thanks to the Viking staff. We were apparently supposed to have a train with a café where you purchase food. But there was an "issue" and we go the "other" train which only had vending machines. So our Viking staff first, purchased hot drinks for everyone on board and then about eleven-thirty at one of the stops they had ordered ahead box lunches, free of charge. Not the most delicious of meals but more than enough to tide everyone over.
Reached Oslo a little after 1pm and our guide led us out the station, across a pedestrian bridge to the Radison Hotel that towered into the air. Our rooms were ready as we walked in where we were greeted by four Viking hospitality hosts at the Viking reception area in the lobby. Kim and I joined Gary & Claudia shortly there after for a quick bite to eat at a local bar/restaurant then we walked the pedestrian shopping street that was packed with people.
Enjoy the photos from the day!
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