Last full day of touring on this trip… it’ll be a mix of attractions (Parks, Hiking, Museums, Picnic) and travel prep (Clean-up, Pack-up, Check-in, Transit). Thought I’d report back on the Oslo Passes we purchased… worked terrific at all attractions on Wednesday as well as the ferry. We bought a pair of 800 NOK (Norwegian Krona) 48 hr passes. In regular Adult admission fees we would’ve incurred 1105 NOK Wednesday alone… so feeling great about those purchases. It works for us because we visit so many sites. It may, or may not, for others!
After some tidying (clothes / taking out garbage), it was a 7:30 AM departure to catch the metro across the city to our initial stop of the day, Frognerparken. That sounded easy… but metro stops on that line were shut down for maintenance. So it’s back above ground, and learning (quickly) about trams. We got one, using our best intuition and Google Maps, and wound up pretty darn close to our destination!
Frogner Park (Vigelandparken), which features sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, is a beautifully maintained garden with similarities to palatial parks like Versailles or Vienna’s Belvedere Castle park located in the western part of the city. We looked up the first notable statue we encountered on The Bridge, one of a young boy seemingly in full tantrum. Initially referred to as “Screaming Boy” (skrikende gutt), the sculpture got the nickname “The Angry Boy” (Sinnataggen) and is surely popular, given the shiny brass color of his hand.
Beyond the Bridge, the path continues through a rose garden to the Fountain, the earliest sculpture unit in the park. We researched this piece and park information states “In the center of the basin six giants hold the large saucer-shaped vessel aloft and from it a curtain of water spills down around them. The men, representing different ages, may be interpreted as toiling with the burden of life.” It was, unfortunately, waterless on this morning, and most certainly devoid of some of the sculptures dramatic effect.
Monolitten was the final series of works we viewed… somewhat an orgy of design and physicality. The art is striking for its 200 stripped down granite sculptures. The Monolith, standing at the highest point in Vigeland Park, measures 17 meters above ground and is a single stone. The tales and respect for the work done by the tradespeople / artists that completed this park make this a truly people’s park.
After our second tram ride of the morning, we rolled up in front of Oslo City Hall (Oslo Rådhus). How fortuitous it was to be running a little late. We arrived just in time for a free tour with guide Lisa who presented great stories and personal insights into the design and art of this beautiful building. When Norway regained its independence in 1905, it wanted to create a town hall that matched or surpassed those of Stockholm and Copenhagen. Oslo had this building designed and built to showcase Norwegian culture and spirit. The building was interrupted by WWII Nazi occupation (there are several references to the need to protect against enemies). In the end, Lisa wove a lasting image of how so many symbols resting in the artwork, design and staging of Oslo City Hall reflect a relatively young period of government serving an ancient people. Oh, by the way… totally free for the cost of showing up!
Our final stop for the morning landed us at the Nobel Peace Centre adjacent to the Oslo City Hall near Aker Brygge. It seemed quiet for a midday visit, but we quickly stumbled into an ongoing tour where we were able to listen in on an introduction to the centre. Janie, meanwhile, was eavesdropping on a very politically motivated discussion a guide and American were engaged in. It was a heady visit, one of progressiveness, human rights, and champions of good. Also a moment to reflect, take stock, and collaboratively move forward.
Thursday afternoon, on our final day of the vacation, would be a Boat / Nature Walk Island Hopping Tour. In preparation, we grabbed a selection of picnic food options at the Coop Mega in Aker Brygge, had a brief snack ourselves, and developed a plan for overnight and early morning transport to Oslo International AirPort (OSL). We boarded the public ferry by 1:30 PM and would spend the next 5 hrs hiking and visiting three very different islands in the archipelago that dots Oslo Fjords.
Our guide, Kat, led the charge, making sure our group of 15 was led safely and accurately on and off ferries and through the many historical (Military Installation / Old Monastery / NAZI Occupation), natural (Rate Plants / Birds / Environmental Sustainability) and cultural (Norwegian Cabins / Public Land Use / Tourism) facets impacting these islands and Norwegian peoples. Activities included light hiking, a picnic lunch, and swimming (probably the highlight for us) in Oslo Sound.
Overall, the afternoon was a success, as we learned many things about the islands and safely visited Hovedøya, Gressholmen, and Nakkholmen. In consideration, after completion of the tour, Janie and I generally agreed that we could have planned and completed the tour ourselves with some work and could have forgone the booking and done independently. That being said… on Day Eleven of a pretty demanding vacation, the hand holding had its place as well.
Arriving back at around 6:30 PM, after a long day (week) of walking, hiking, and learning, we changed gears for journey home prep. Flight check-ins, last minute transportation planning, and Check-out requirements occurred around a light supper. We knew Friday would surely be an intense travel day, and were in the bunk early. Will be back blogging early Friday!
… Scandinavia ’25 – Day Twelve