Day 22: Mon 31 Jul: Oslo

Cycle: 28 km - Total so far: 955 km

Start time: 8:45am
Stop time: 3:10pm
Weather: rain was forecast but didn't eventuate, periods of sun and clouds, 15 to 21deg  

Another rest day so another little sleep in. A good buffet breakfast and then it was off on the bikes to the Bus Terminal to get tickets for Mick, Kate, Ken and Maree. Once that mission was completed, our guide for the day, Ken, then navigated to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. What an amazing place, rather than sculptures scattered throughout a park, these were together, lining each side of the main axis. It was then off to the Viking Ship Museum, which just happened to be perched on top of a hill on a peninsula on the bay. "Rest Day". However, it was worth the effort. On the same peninsula was the Maritime and Con-Tiki Museums; we could only manage one so it was the Con-Tiki for most of us. 

After that we'd just about done our dash for the day so it was back to the hotel for a LLD. Met up at 5pm for our customary pre-dinner drink and chat about life, the world and everything in between. Ken and Maree's choice for dinner; Cafe Sara 250m down the road. Yummy food (lamb/salmon/steak etc) and plenty of veg or salad with a great atmosphere. The only habit that we don't feel comfy with is the tendency by the wait staff, to whip away your plate etc immediately you've put your last mouthful away. We're thinking that table space is so critical they're just encouraging you to move on. Despite that we all came away very satisfied.



Gule Sider - an Advertising Agency - pretty flash building

Reflections on the Opera House

Scultpure park







Snow Ski jump


Memorial for the old sea dogs

Opera House with its massive roof area

View from the top

Making our way to the Sculpture Park

The Palace

Morning tea spot


Sculpture Park








Viking Ship Museum




Harbour cruise ship

Tower made from ocean rubbish

Kon-Tiki Museum

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 45: Wed 23 Aug: Dubai to Singapore to Brisbane

Image
Start time: 1:30am (Dubai) Stop time: 12:30am (Brisbane) Weather: fine and hot (35deg) in Dubai Met up with Mick and Kate after walking off the plane and sadly said our goodbyes while walking to the transfer area. They had wisely decided to overnight in Dubai both ways to break up the long trip.  Took ages to get from where we disembarked in Dubai to the Emirates Lounge near our departure gate C15 (a new lounge for us). Had time for a bite to eat and something to drink and then off to our gate. Wendy and Greg boarded through the First Class line due to Wendy's FF Gold status. We were all loaded and ready to fly but the airport was very busy so we had to wait in a queue for about 20 minutes. The plane was absolutely chock-a-block full and as it was a fairly old 777-300, it was very tight and uncomfortable, made worse by a rough ride especially closer to Singapore and the tall chap who overflowed into Greg's seating area. The aircon was set either too hot or it couldn't...
Read more

The End: Reflections

We loved our tour in Scandinavia and the people we travelled with couldn't have been better. A big thank you to Mick, Kate, Ken and Maree. Greg always wanted to show Wendy where he'd toured years ago and have a look at some other places in the region so this is why were in Scandinavia. However, if you are considering doing a cycling tour in these countries here are a few pointers: 1. It is expensive, VERY EXPENSIVE, so do your sums carefully before you go. Greg was there in 2006 and didn't notice it that much; maybe because it was a "boys tour" and they weren't that fussy about where they stayed or ate. If you are camping and cooking your own meals, then it wouldn't be much more expensive than other parts of Europe. However, if you're staying in hotels and eating in restaurants be aware it will cost you. Examples, equivalent to in US$, hotels US$200 per night, glass of house wine US$10, main course at a normal restaurant US$26, cup of coffee US$5.  2...
Read more

Day 44: Tue 22 Aug 17: Copenhagen to Dubai

Image
Start time: 7am (Copenhagen) Stop time: 12 midnight (Dubai) Weather: some clouds and sun, 14 to 20deg (doesn't matter as we aren't riding)   We did not have to be at the airport till 12midday so no hurry with breakfast again this morning. Took us about an hour to clean (must be very clean for Oz Quarantine) and box the two bikes. We have a well drilled system and seeing we're using the same boxes and packaging it's dead easy. Greg has reinforced two QANTAS bike boxes and glued high impact foam inside to protect the vital "organs" of the bikes.  We then finished our packing in the room. This time we brought a small wheely suitcase each to make it easy to move around. Of course, all this only works if you fly in and out of the same airport and use the same hotel. Getting to the airport with a fairly large box each, in addition to a piece of luggage each can be problematic. Wendy asked the reception to book the same maxi cab (4 bike boxes, luggage and fou...
Read more