Oslo (Norway)
Trip Start
Dec 23, 2010
1
20
Trip End
Ongoing
Where I stayed
Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Friday, August 12, 2011
Norway has lots to offer and some magnificent scenery. there are places in Telemak and Sognefjord that are breathtaking moment by moment, but we only had a weekend in Oslo. A short stay is recommended as the prices of everything are very high. £7 for a beer - that is $10 au.
Meanwhile in Oslo.
We stayed beside and wandered in Slottsparken and then the main hub of Oslo city, Up and down Karl Johannes Gate cafe row. The city is quite relaxed and open. The air is certainly fresh as it comes right off the Oslofjorden. There were some nice tall ships in the harbor.
A visit to the Resistance Museum to learn about the effort and sacrifice of the Norwegians during the second world war. Germany invaded Norway on April 9, 1940 taking Norway by surprise. The government moved out of Oslo and convened to quickly pass all authority to the Norwegian King Haakon IV, who succeeded in evading capture thus retaining constitutional legitimacy of the Norwegian government and frustrating German domination from the start to the finish.
The Norwegian resistance army waged a stealth war designed to cripple, frustrate and slow the German effort. Meanwhile the Norwegian people bravely refused to cooperate, relate or talk to the germans thus waging a social ice war.
The first mass outbreak of civil disobedience occurred in the autumn of 1940, when students of Oslo University began to wear paper clips on their lapels to demonstrate their resistance to the German occupiers and their Norwegian collaborators. A seemingly innocuous item, the paper clip was a symbol of solidarity and unity ("we are bound together"), implying resistance. The wearing of paper clips, the popular H7 monogram and similar symbols (e.g. red stocking caps or other garments) was outlawed and could lead to arrest and punishment (Wikipedia).
The Viking ship museum is an excellent day out by a 20 minute ferry trip to Bygdoy from the harbor port. These ships are massive and made of heavy hardwood. Considering they were built in the 9th century and discovered under meters of dirt and mud they are remarkable well preserved. Of course a few boards are new but in general original including the Celtic carving about the prow. Amazing.
More info' and pics' here...http://www.travel-wonders.com/2011/08/viking-ship-museum-oslo-norway.html.
Before leaving Bygdoy, nearby is the historical cultural village which has had historic preserved homes and Celtic churches moved here to recreate a village. The area included parks, forests, small farms, blackened wood houses, sawmills, an old Stave Church with original art and carvings, a complete town centre boasting shops and service outlets like old post offices, bakeries, butchers, banks all excellently presented even with old stock on shelves etc. Fun.
The jewel in the crown in the cultural village is the Cultural Museum with one of the best presentations of historical culture I have seen. The centuries are represented by authentic period dress, artworks, everyday items covered in decorative art, household items, royal artefacts, weapons, and tools. Might sounds boring but it was very special and difficult to convey the experience.
A walk through Statue Park is worthwhile. The bronze figures display movement very well.
End
