Oslo – a city of dreams

This city has to be one of the most beautiful cities I have visited so far. It has everything you could wish for, even in winter!

A grey morning greeted us, but no wind or rain so we set off on foot, on our self guided tour, with a list of must sees from Kat (George’s girlfriend and our native Norwegian).

This is a day of many sights and stories, so here goes…

We headed downtown to our first destination, window shopping on the way.

Colourful window displays, the day no longer grey!

Spare parts for our retro bikes back home (Sue and Don!)

Trudi and Kevin, Russ has found your next destination for your new found hobby (moving on from Malta)

Russ is still searching for the perfect suit (must not be a dark colour)…took a rain check on this one however.

Traditional Norwegian dress style, beautiful but possibly not for Russ either.

First destination reached..

The Old Oslo cathedral at the start of Karl Johans Gate (street), which continues from this point to the Parliament buildings.

Completed in 1866 and joined two separate street so Karl Johans Gate now runs from the Cathedral to the Oslo Palace through the city.

Our tour guide (and google) then had us heading to the Oslo Grand Central Station.

The Grand Station Hotel next to where we arrived in the dark last night.

A much needed information centre was within, where we then collected a physical map to follow to our recommended landmarks.

Next stop – the Opera House on the Oslo seafront.

One of the many attractions, on our planned walking tour, outside the must sees, a bronze statue of a lion. But I was actually capturing this eight seater baby buggy. We assumed it was a childcare vehicle and this poor woman did not actually have eight babies!

We climbed to the top of the Opera house…weather still being kind to us.

This monument is a modern sculpture by an Italian artist, made of stainless steel and glass, sitting atop an anchored concrete platform. It turns with the tides and winds and changes colour depending on light reflection. Quite spectacular.

Up top, Russ making new friends with this very large seagull (possibly Jonathan).

Sue puffed up with the fiords in the background.

Leaving the opera house views behind us we followed the waterfront towards Akershus Festning.

On the way….

Through an area called Salt – bars, entertainment and indoor saunas ( rather quiet at this time of the year)

However, if you have a spare shirt, you can’t quite bear to throw out, you can hang it here and visit it when you feel the need.

Akershus fortress, located in the heart of the city. It’s history includes; royal residence, dramatic military events, prison facilities and is currently the temporary seat of the prime minister of Norway (so Wikipedia tells me)

Adjacent is the military museum and base.

Changing of the guards at midday – entrance to the castle.

The treelined cobbled streets leading to the castle inside the fortress walls.

From the upper walls of the fort (and in the harbour) this US Naval helicopter carrier ship, is moored and heavily guarded.

A little footsore from the cobblestones, we left the fort and headed to the next scheduled stop.

Franklin D Roosevelt and Russ needing a little sit down (Russ did not realise that he was adopting Franklins pose)

Colours of autumn/winter on this path to City hall square.

Female statues and the city hall behind.

This beauty close up and a little too personal.

Onwards, in hunt of sustenance (at not too exhorbitant prices) we stumbled on…

The Nobel Peace Centre (a few winter renovations underway) and is a showcase for the Nobel peace prize and the ideals it represents. The award ceremonies are held in the Oslo city hall (pictured earlier), annually in December.

Still no food, next stop…

Aker Brygge, shopping, eating, commercial and apartment waterfront development. The two seaward sections connected with bridges over waterways.

Or stilts to cross – one of the many sculptures in this area.

Horsemen at edge of the sea (and Christmas decorations going up)

Art piece of Snow White and the seven dwarfs cake!

A motorbike inspired reindeer. About 8 foot tall.

And Jill this ones for you – red shoes, for a moment there I thought you were joining us in Norway!

Hunger and thirst sated at a very reasonable cafe somewhere in this area, we decided it was time to turn back towards our Oslo home.

The adventures not over yet…there’s more.

Google took us through another square, and large area of a Christmas wonderland being set up in readiness for opening tomorrow. Stalls, lights, rides, and everything Christmas.

Overlooked by a very Christmas decorated Grand Hotel (not to be confused with the earlier Grand Station Hotel – we were on the other side of town!)

Sue has found her reindeer for the second time today! One day – a walking talking one will appear. A dream to yet fulfill.

Time was marching on and so were the wandering Kiwis.

Along a diverse street of architecture to what we had seen all day…

Frednsborgveien street – with quaint wooden brightly coloured houses

And Damstredet (street). It felt like we had just been transported to a totally different town… for a moment.

Then this happened – from apartments and beautiful built up areas to..

Kuba Park – with Rapids!

An old Grain Silo converted into student accommodation (another change in architectural style)

Part of the rapids bursting through a bridge – I can see a wolfs face in the water!

From above some very fearless artists have decorated this bridge.

Russ with the street art in the rock walls

And finally, if you are still reading today’s adventures..

One last view of this beautiful park that continues winding up (we didn’t as a short lie down was needed before we are out to dinner)

What a wonderful place!