Sunday, July 29,  2012

We woke up this morning around 7 AM, after a wonderful night’s sleep.  Craig said that there were some 12-foot swells during the night, but I sure didn’t feel them !

We sailed into the beautiful Oslo Fjord early this morning and it took about 3 ½ hours to make it down, or up, the 60 miles to the dock at Oslo.  What a neat city !  It dates back to about 1048, as far as anyone knows.

Looking out our balcony, you can see the Akershus Castle and Fortress, which was built before 1300 B.C. 

We walked into Oslo, which was a short distance away, and visited the Nobel Peace Center, which displayed all of the recipients and described their deeds.   

This Viking Troll is evident throughout the tourist areas of the city.

 From there,  we took the Hop On – Hop Off bus to the Vigeland Sculpture Park, which has some 200 statues in granite, wrought iron and bronze.  

 

Next stop was the Viking Ships Museum, which had three oaken longships from the 9^th centurt in a remarkable state of preservation.  They had been used as tombs for noblemen, who were buried along with jewels, food and furniture for the afterlife.

From there, back to the ship for a light lunch and a walk to the Akershus Castle and Fortress, as it is on the left bank of the Aker River …. Where our ship is docked. 

After all of this exercise, we had to make our way back to the ship for Afternoon Tea, with scones, clotted cream, and strawberry jam.  Oh, yes, they also had little sandwiches and cookies, but who noticed them?

Craig is napping while I am writing this, as he didn’t sleep well last night.  I doubt we will make it to any of the “Lively Entertainment” on board tonight !