The Big 'O'

We reluctantly left the Lofoten Islands for the big smoke of Oslo.  My time was running out, the clock was about to strike 12 and I may turn into a wrinkled pumpkin - the big '60'.   I needn't have worried.  It's not so bad and I'm just the same sparky young person I was the day before.

Mark pulled out all the stops (as if he hasn't been doing this for the entire trip).  That evening we did celebrate, despite getting drenched on the way to the restaurant but when you turn 60 in Norway and are having a wonderful holiday, who cares.

We had two days in Oslo and it's not all that easy to fully assess a city in such a short time.  But I'll try.  The highlight (also another big 'O') was the Oslo Opera House.  Its a modern, white glass shaped building with a sloping roof where visitors are encouraged to wander and even, sunbathe - not that there was all that much sun.  The roof has held 10,000 people viewing the big screen of a live performance.  It's not just for opera but also for ballet.  The glowing white exterior by the water reminded us of the Sydney OH.

Needs some sun to show it off

 

60 is great especially when the sun comes out

Now for the inside story:-  we took a guided tour of the OOH, conducted by a current singer.  Some of the curved walls are made of oak giving a lovely warm feeling.  Back stage was immense and had hugely sophisticated equipment to coordinate all the scenery props and move the performers.  The other part of building housed rehearsal areas and we could hear them practising. It also housed teams of milliners, costume makers and set designers/producers.  Quite an army of workers. 

Cycling on the roof is not encouraged

Budding ballet dancer

The other highlight was the Nobel Peace Museum.  We listened to Malala's speech and Mark and I were blown away by her courage and intelligence.  

Then we did the rounds of the Norwegians' proud shipping history covering the Vikings, the Polar explorers and the Kon-Tiki raft.  Why is it that when we 'had' to read the 'Kon-Tiki' at school, it seemed so dull.  To see the raft and imagine spending 101 days in the Pacific Ocean brought the story to life.  Even more impressive was the polar ship, 'FRAM' which took Norwegians to both north and south poles. 

The Fram

 

Kon Tiki raft

That's how to keep a ship from falling apart

While I'm talking about extremes, one Norwegian artist has to take prominent position.  Edvard Munch - the Scream, not the prettiest of paintings but it has high impact.  Some of the sculptures in the park were also a bit quirky.

Vigelund's sculptures in Frogner Park

We also visited the local ski jump.  I would have done it had there been snow.

Holmenkollen ski jump

A last extreme is the cost of everything in Norway especially Oslo.  BUT, on leaving for the airport the kindly attendant at the train station gave us senior's discount even though Norway's senior card doesn't kick in until 67 - If you get a Senior's Card in your country, that will do.   With that saving, we can have a Sachertorte in Vienna on our next stop.