Friday, September 13, 2024

September 13: Oslo

 Day 16:  Oslo City Tour - End of the adventure, but......

After spending the night in our four-star hotel and enjoying a complimentary buffet breakfast, we joined Claudia & Gary for the final outing of our British Isles Explorer adventure - a city tour of Oslo.  All the Viking guests enjoying the post-extension met in the lobbby at 9:45 and we divided ourselves into four groups for the four busses.  Our guide. Teresa, was great.  We had about a 40 minute drive through the city as she pointed out various buildings of significance and then we arrived at the Maritime Museum.  Just enough time to wander around on our own before we met in the "Boat Building" room.  Here a Norwegian craftsman was recreating, by hand - using the same ancient tools - a Viking ship.  It is as nearly exact copy of one discovered in the largest archeological find of a Viking boat many years before.  We then were back on the bus to visit the "Statute Park."  Here a sculptor had agreed in 1920 to create statutes of humans representing the circle of life in a large park....and also agreed that the park would be become part of the city of Oslo when he passed away.  So for the next nearly-30 years he created these statutes.  Very interesting.  We ended our final day's outing after asking our guide for a restaurant recommendation and she provided us with the name of the oldest restaurant in Oslo.  Kim "Googled" the directions and led us right there without ever having to ask and be told "Oh you are so close, it's right up here.....you can't miss it!"  Well done honey xxoo.  And again, the weather - so amazing.  It was a crisp 47 degrees when we began the tour and MAYBE it hit 60, maybe.....all under bright blue skies.  We've had a superb time, especially because we enjoyed it with four of our most favorite friends we've ever met.  But we are ready to head home.  Don't be sad for our adventure ending because - you won't believe this - we are headed out on a French River cruise in two weeks!  We'll see you then!  Thanks for joining us virtually :)

The old fortress - once the palace of the king
The Opera House - on the waterfront
The view of the harbor
Welcome to the Maritime Museum
Group photo op - make no mistake, I am the captain :)
The boat builder - replication of an original Viking axe used for building boats
THE original Viking boat - inset: photo when discovered
The "Stature Park"
The central monument - as you circle around the statutes represent humans from young children to elderly adults
The "Circle of Life" Fountain - like the monument, as you circle around the statutes represent various stages of life
The most popular / most photographed statue - "The Angry Boy"
The lunch café
The daily photo op - proof we WERE here!

Essence of Burgundy & Provence River Cruise-Tour
We'll be back traveling soon!














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September 13: Oslo

 Day 16:  Oslo City Tour - End of the adventure, but...... After spending the night in our four-star hotel and enjoying a complimentary buff...