Norway: From its Historical Cities to its Natural Wonders

Arrived safely on Friday without any issues regarding flights, connections, luggage or finding my way from the Oslo, Norway, airport into Oslo Central where I am staying thru tonight.

I did not sleep a wink on the plane, but that’s standard for me. So when I finally made it to my hotel in, I crashed and I crashed hard. Along with the time change, which is seven hours, the sun doesn’t set until 10:30 pm or 22:30 and then wakes up at 4:30 am.

But I can forgive the time difference and sunset/sunrise because the weather here is wonderful. When I left Texas, I was staring at down 100-plus degrees Fahrenheit temperatures (40, 41, 42 Celsius) and now I’m looking at temperatures in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit (21 to 26 Celsius). That meant getting out and walking around Oslo, has been just a sheer pleasure.

Here’s a little about Oslo. During the Viking Age of 793-1066 AD, Oslo was founded in 1040 the name Ánslo. The Vikings are well known during the Middle Ages as Norsemen who undertook large-scale raiding, colonizing, conquest and trading throughout Europe and even reached into North America. After being destroyed by a fire in 1624, during the reign of King Christian IV, a new city was built and named in the king’s honor as Christiania. The spelling of the city may have gone from Christiania to Kristiania but in 1925, it was renamed Oslo.

For now, here’s a quick glance of some of my Saturday adventures at the astonishing Vigeland Sculpture Park set in the sprawling Frogner Park, exhibiting the life work of Gustave Vigeland with more than 200 bronze, granite and wrought iron sculptures. The Norsk Folkemuseum or Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, founded in 1881 as the world’s first open-air museum preserving now more than 150 buildings, relocated from towns and rural districts in Norway. And the Fram Museum which tells the story of Norwegian polar exploration. Unfortunately, the museum that I was looking forward to seeing the most, the Viking Ship Museum, is closed.

Here’s some with more on Oslo to come.

Me walking through the stunning Vigeland Sculpture Park of varying human sculptures that’s set in the sprawling Frogner Park in Oslo, Norway. It turned out to be a a sunny day with the right temperatures for a walk through this sculpture laden park. Gustav Vigeland (1869 – 1943), a Norwegian was born Adolf Gustav Thorsen. He worked over a period of almost 20 years, from 1924 to 1943, and donated his sculptures to the city of Oslo while the city provided him with a studio in order to work in. I’m standing by the Monolith Plateau at the north endof Frogner Park. The plateau is made of steps with a variety of human sculptures that houses the Monolith totem depicting 121 humans climbing around and clinging to each other, with children at the top. Every figure represents a different stage of life. (July 16, 2022)

The Wheel of Life at one end of the Vigeland Sculpture Park set in the sprawling Frogner Park in Oslo. This sculpture exhibited as a garland of women, children and men holding on to one another is said to symbolize eternity. (July 16, 2022)

A close-up of the Wheel of Life sculpture at the Vigeland Sculpture Park set in the sprawling Frogner Park in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

A look toward the Monolith Plateau, from the Wheel of Life sculpture, inside the the Vigeland Sculpture Park set in the sprawling Frogner Park in Oslo. The entire sculpture park, in a sense, is said to depict moments in the human journey from cradle to grave, through happiness and grief of individual discovery and family bonds. (July 16, 2022)

A close-up of the Monolith totem, at the center of the Monolith Plateau at the Vigeland Sculpture Park set in the sprawling Frogner Park in Oslo. It depicts 121 humans climbing around and clinging to each other, with children at the top. Every figure represents a different stage of life. (July 16, 2022)

The sculptures along the staircase of the Monolith Plateau at the Vigeland Sculpture Park set in the sprawling Frogner Park in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

A view of the Vigeland Sculpture Park, set in the sprawling Frogner Park in Oslo, as seen from the Monolith Plateau looking toward the Fountain (with no water running due to a water shortage) towards the Bidge and the wrought iron Main Gate entrance along this 2,790 feet long (850 meters) axis of the Vigeland Sculpture Park. Vigeland was also responsible for the design and architectural outline of the park. (July 16, 2022)

The Fountain no water running at the Vigeland Sculpture Park set in the sprawling Frogner Park in Oslo. In the middle of the pool, when the water is running, are six giant men of different ages holding up a large plate-shaped bowl each in their own way. The fountain has been interpreted as an expression of man’s struggle with the burdens of life. (July 16, 2022)

Around the corners of the Fountain at the Vigeland Sculpture Park, inside the sprawling Frogner Park in Oslo, are 20 groups of trees. The tree is seen as a symbol of regeneration and eternal life in both mythology and religion, and may have a similar function in this series of Vigeland’s sculptures. The groups of five are according to the stages of human life; childhood, adolescence, mature age and old age. (July 16, 2022)

A view of the Fountain area with the Monolith Plateau in the distance at the Vigeland Sculpture Park set in the sprawling Frogner Park in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

The Bridge of sculptures, crossing the Frogner Pond, at the Vigeland Sculpture Park inside the Frogner Park in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

The Bridge of sculptures, crossing the Frogner Pond, at the Vigeland Sculpture Park set in the sprawling Frogner Park in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

The Angry Boy sculpture along the Bridge of sculptures, crossing Frogner Pond, at the Vigeland Sculpture Park set in the sprawling Frogner Park in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

A mother and child sculpture along the Bridge of sculptures at the the Vigeland Sculpture Park inside Frogner Park in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

The Vigeland Park Bridge of sculptures, crossing over Frogner Pond, inside Frogner Park in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

The statue of Adolf Gustav Thorsen (1869-1943) who was born to a family of craftsmen is surrounded by the beautiful flowers and a seagull resting on his head at the Main Gate of Frogner Park where his outdoor gallery of more than 200 sculptures are on display at the Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo. After the sudden death of his father, Gustav lived with his grandparents on a farm in Vigeland, Norway, and in his 20s, he adopted the name of this areas as his new family name. (July 16, 2022)

Although we began our walk from the Wheel of Life sculpture, this is the wrought iron Main Gate which serves as the eastern entrance to the Vigeland Sculpture Park set in the sprawling Frogner Park in Oslo. From here, a 2,790 feet long (850 meters) axis leads west through the Bridge, to the Fountain, then the Monolith and ends where I began this walk, at the Wheel of Life. (July 16, 2022)

From the outdoor sculptures of Vigeland Park to the open-air museum of traditional traditional Norwegian farm life and architecture at the Norsk Folkemuseum or Norwegian Museum of Cultural History featuring a variety of buildings from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century. Although the museum is located in Oslo, the various buildings are from a variety of locations throughout Norway. This is the Gol Stave Church which dates from 1157 to 1216. A stave church is made of wood, and the construction is made out of poles (“staver” in Norwegian), hence the name. (July 16, 2022)

The medieval wooden Gol Stave Church at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo was once a common wooden Christian church building in north-western Europe. Originally built and located in the small village of Gol in Southern Norway, it was saved from demolition by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments, who bought the building outright in 1880. (July 16, 2022)

Inside the Gol Stave Church at the open-air museum of the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. In the Catholic times, the church was most likely decorated with colorful painted saints however, after the Reformation in 1537, fixtures from the Catholic period were gradually removed and replaced by Lutheran church art. The wall paintings in the chancel and apse have been preserved from 1652. (July 16, 2022)

Inside the Gol Stave Church at the open-air museum of the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

The gorgeous wood work inside of the Gol Stave Church at the open-air museum of the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

The Gol Stave Church faded painting of the Last Supper over the altar at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

A close-up of the faded Last Supper painting over the altar of the Gol Stave Church at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

More beautiful art work inside the Gol Stave Church at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

Sod roofed farm houses from different regions are surrounded by pastures and grazing farm animals at the open-air museum of the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

A loft log house from around 1650 to 1700 at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

A log house and farm at the open-air museum of the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

Log houses with sod roofs at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

Me at one of the more than 160 buildings at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo that shows how people lived from around the country in Norway from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. (July 16, 2022)

The Fram Museum was inaugurated in May 1936 and honors Norwegian polar exploration in general and three Norwegian polar explorers in particular – Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup and Roald Amundsen. It also houses the Gjøa, the first vessel to transit the Northwest Passage. Roald Amundsen and a crew of six accomplished that feat in a three-year journey which was finished in 1906. (July 16, 2022)

The Gjøa, inside the Fram Museum in Oslo, is the first vessel to transit the Northwest Passage. According to www.history.com, “the Northwest Passage is a famed sea route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through a group of sparsely populated Canadian islands known as the Arctic Archipelago. European explorers first began to search for the Northwest Passage in the fifteenth century, but treacherous conditions and sea ice cover made the route impassible, foiling many expeditions. Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first to successfully navigate the Northwest Passage in 1906. Climate change has caused Arctic ice cover to thin in recent years, opening the passage to marine shipping. In summer 2007, the route was entirely ice-free for the first time in recorded history.” (July 16, 2022)

Having been on a modern ship to sail thru the Drake Passage to visit Antarctica earlier this year, it was fun to board the Gjøa, inside the Fram Museum in Oslo, to see what it looked like for the six-member crew along with Roald Amundsen who traversed the Northwest Passage in a three-year journey, finishing in 1906. Historically, the passage was a hazardous journey through giant icebergs and sea ice that could traps ships for months at a time. (July 16, 2022)

The Gjøa, inside the Fram Museum in Oslo, is the first vessel to transit the Northwest Passage. (July 16, 2022)

On the deck of the Gjøa inside the Fram Museum in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

The quarters below deck of the Gjøa inside the Fram Museum in Oslo. (July 16, 2022)

A photo of Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen at the Fram Museum in Oslo. He was the first to sail through the treacherous Northwest Passage from 1903 to 1906. (July 16, 2022)

Met my Intrepid Travel group Saturday night for our first group gathering and dinner. We’re a very small group of four solo travelers so remembering names won’t be a problem, Tanya, Richard and Garry whom I didn’t meet until Monday when he joined us for our train ride to Bergen. And, our Intrepid Travel leader/guide just through Helsinki, Johanna or Jo for short.

Although an orientation walk was not an official part of our first group gathering on Sunday, Johanna was kind enough to show us around. What should have been a 90-minute walk turned out to be slightly more than a two hour orientation walk around Oslo.

To be honest, I love orientation walks. Walking, even though it tires me out, is the best way to get to know a city. And, Oslo, Norway’s capital city is a walker’s cornucopia of sites.

Although our next stop is Bergen, Norway, there’s just one more Oslo post I need to publish and oddly enough for me, it’s about the Oslo City Hall.

But for now, come walk with me around Oslo.

Our very small but very fun Intrepid Travel tour group doing an introductory walking tour of Oslo and making our first group selfie here at the very touristy “Tiger” in front of the Oslo Central Station. That’s Tania from Australia, Richard from the U.S., our guide/leader Johanna from Germany who is leading the Scandinavian part of this tour from Oslo to Helsinki, Finland. And, we are missing one more, Garry from Canada. (July 17, 2022)

The Tiger in front of the Oslo Central Station. Oslo’s nickname is Tigerstaden, “The Tiger City.” In 2000, residents wanted to celebrate its 1000-year anniversary in grand fashion, part of the ceremonies was erecting this 14.8 foot bronze Tiger statue by Elena Engelsen. On most days, this area is packed with people and children climbing all over the tiger. (July 17, 2022)

A close-up of the bronze Tiger statue at the Oslo Central Station. (July 17, 2022)

Views of Oslo around the Oslo Central train station. (July 17, 2022)

The Oslo Opera House is the home of the Norwegian National Opera and but another artistic characteristic is the walkable angled plaza surroundings it with 360 views of Oslo city and the Oslofjord, a long, deep, narrow body of water that reaches inland. (July 17, 2022)

The roof of the Oslo Opera House angles from the ground level to create a large plaza that invites pedestrians to walk up and enjoy the panoramic views of Oslo. The principal stone used in the construction of the Oslo Opera House was white marble from Carrara, Italy. The angled exterior surfaces of the building are covered with the marble and white granite to make it appear to rise from the water. (July 17, 2022)

Views of Oslo and the Oslofjord from the pedestrian rooftop of the Oslo Opera House. (July 17, 2022)

Views of Oslo and the Oslofjord from the pedestrian rooftop of the Oslo Opera House and next to it, the new Munch Museum, part of the Fjord City renewal project. (July 17, 2022)

A view of the Oslofjord from the Oslo Opera House pedestrian rooftop. And, in the middle of the Oslofjord, close to the Opera House, is the floating sculpture “She Lies” by Monica Bonvicini. The piece, made of stainless steel and glass panels, is permanently installed and floats in the fjord on a concrete platform that turns on its own axis in correspondence to the tides. The sculpture offers changing views through the reflections on the mirrored and semitransparent surfaces. (July 17, 2022)

A close-up of the public sculpture “She Lies” by Monica Bonvicini made of stainless steel and glass panels floating in the Oslofjord by the Oslo Opera House. (July 17, 2022)

Me standing on the pedestrian friendly rooftop and angled plaza of the Oslo Opera House enjoying the view of the city and the Oslofjord. (July 17, 2022)

To the left of the Oslo Opera House is the Oslo Public Library which opened in June 2020. (July 17, 2022)

This artsy, bright and modern interior of the Oslo Public Library. (July 17, 2022)

Inside the Oslo Public Library across from the Oslo Opera House and the Oslofjord. (July 17, 2022)

Inside the Oslo Public Library with views of the Oslo Opera House and the Oslofjord. (July 17, 2022)

The Oslo Cathedral, a Lutheran church, dates from the late 1600s. (Jul7 17, 2022)

Inside the Oslo Cathedral where a Lutheran service was being conducted. (July 17, 2022)

A view of Oslo’s Main Street, Karl Johans Gate, with the Royal Palace in the distance, is decorated with large pots of flowers. The Royal Palace, built in the first half of the 19th century, is the official residence of the Norwegian monarch. (July 17, 2022)

The decorated street of the Karl Johans Gate, heading away from the Royal Palace, in Oslo. (July 17, 2022)

The yellow bricked Storting, the parliament of Norway, located off Karl Johans Gate and within walking distance of the Royal Palace in Oslo. (July 17, 2022)

The Nobel Peace Center is the museum for the Nobel Peace Prize. By the terms of Alfred Nobel’s will the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee since 1901. Alfred Nobel left no explanation as to why the prize for peace was to be awarded by a Norwegian committee while the other four prizes were to be handled by Swedish committees. (July 17, 2022)

The Nobel Peace Center, built in 2095, is the museum for the Nobel Peace Prize and next to it is newly opened National Museum. (July 17, 2022)

Although we did not go into the Noble Peace Center museum in Oslo, we did appreciate the quotes from previous peace prize winners like the Dalai Lama, “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” Nelson Mandela, “The best weapon is to sit down and talk.” Martin Luther King Jr. “We must learn to live together as brothers or we will perish together as fools.” (July 17, 2022)

Norway’s first public art museum was created in 1837, but this is the new building of the National Museum if Art in Oslo which just opened its doors in June 2022. Yes, just last month. The architectural competition for the new museum building was won by the firm Kleihues + Schuwerk and provides large new exhibition spaces. The museum holds the Norwegian state’s public collection of art, architecture and design objects. (July 17, 2022)

Although we did not spend a lot of time inside the National Museum in Oslo, we did make our way to the Edvard Munch room that included a number of his paintings including the iconic work “The Scream”. (July 17, 2022)

Inside the Edvard Munch room of the National Museum in Oslo where a number of his paintings including, the iconic work “The Scream,” are exhibited. (July 17, 2022)

The Scream by Edward Munch at the National Museum in Oslo. The description of the painting states:
Munch wants to represent the inner life of the modern human being. One should no longer paint *….. interiors with people reading and women knitting,’ he writes, but rather ‘living people who breathe and feel, suffer and love.’ (July 17, 2022)

This self-portrait of Edvard Munch at the National Museum, from 1895, shows the 31-year-old painter, who was already famous when he painted this portrait of himself as smartly dressed with a confident gaze. The light from a low source creates a dramatic, theatrical effect. The face and hand stand out against the dark background. The cigarette smoke adds to the mood of mystery. (July 17, 2022)

Even though we were at the newly opened National Museum in Oslo to mainly see “The Scream” by Edvard Munch, we did stroll through a number of the exhibition spaces and to my incredible and thrilling surprise, I came across this quilt by the person who inspired me to become a quilter, the storytelling, fabric artist herself, Faith Ringgold. This piece, from 1988, is entitled “Who’s Bad?” The Scream may have been the reason we came to the museum, but this quilt is the reason I was ecstatic to be checking out the museum. (July 17, 2022)

A closer look at Faith Ringgold’s art quilt, “Who’s Bad?” on exhibit at the National Museum in Oslo. (July 17, 2022)

I can’t say I know what the meaning of this art exhibit was or is at the National Museum but the softness of the textiles and the colors just drew me in. The artist, Sheila Hicks, who grew up in Nebraska during the Great Depression traveled around with her to places where he could find work. The piece “Escalade Beyond Chromatic Lands” is from 2016/2017.
According to the museum description: Hicks loved their nomadic existence, and the good memories from all the travels of her childhood laid the foundation for her future artistic practice. On travels around the world, she has explored different cultures, directing her attention to textile traditions. For her, textile is a universal language, as it forms a significant element in every culture around the world. (July 17, 2022)

A closer look at Sheila Hicks’ colorful and comfy feeling textile exhibit, “Escalade Beyond Chromatic Lands” at the National Museum in Oslo. (July 17, 2022)

Views of the Oslo City Hall (which I plan to write more about in my next post) from the rooftop deck of the National Museum. (July 17, 2022)

Views of the Oslofjord and the Akershus Castle, the medieval castle from around 1300 AD, from the rooftop of the National Museum. (July 17, 2022)

The “I Call It Art” exhibition at the National Museum in Oslo explores “What is good art? And who decides?” (July 17, 2022)

This painting of the Norwegian Royal Family, is from the “I Call It Art” exhibition at the National Museum in Oslo that explores “What is good art? And who decides?”
According to a museum description:
The family painting in this exhibit is a dose of humor. A large portrait of the Norwegian the royal family shows a relaxed king who has not
dressed for this royal portrait occasion. The only one who dresses the part and takes this royal family portrait seriously is the Crown Prince (son of the King, dressed in his sleeveless T-shirt and the Queen, chilling out and talking on her cell phone).
The other family members include the Crown Princess, wife to the Crown Prince and standing to the left with a cigarette in hand their two children, Prince Sverre Magnus and Princess Ingrid Alexandra. (July 17, 2022)

Views of Oslo, Norway, street life. (July 17, 2022)

Views of Oslo, Norway, street life. (July 16, 2022)

I am just gobsmacked (meaning utterly astonished) by the Oslo City Hall. How many times have you heard anyone say that a City Hall, a public building that is free to enter, is so beautifully compelling? Well, this one hits all the high notes.

The Oslo City Hall, actually houses the city council, the city’s administration and various other municipal organisations. So, its not just a pretty face with a beautiful soul. It stands for practical matters that govern a city whose motto is “United and Constant.” The building as it stands today was constructed between 1931 and 1950, with an interruption during the Second World War.

One would think that conducting the city’s business would be enough, but oh no, not for this city hall, this is also the place where the Noble Peace Prize ceremony takes place and the Nobel laureates deliver their Nobel Peace Lecture. By the terms of Alfred Nobel’s will the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee since 1901. Alfred Nobel left no explanation as to why the prize for peace was to be awarded by a Norwegian committee while the other four prizes were to be handled by Swedish committees.

Add all this up and then add in epic murals by renowned Norwegian artists whose works depict the country’s history and in my world view, you have the making of a red brick legend that packs a hammer-like thunder bolt.

Come see what I mean.

The Oslo City Hall was a part of our Intrepid Travel group introductory tour, it was actually my second time heading into the majestic building. Here’s most of my group (Gary is missing), Johanna, our Intrepid Travel leader/guide, Tania, me and Richard. And, we’re all standing at the exterior corner of the City Hall building under the Albertine Prostitution Relief. I kid you not. Richard researched this and found out the below:
“The carving, by Alfred Seland, shows a high-society gentleman with a cane and top hat standing on a ledge next to a proper appearing woman. She is secretly holding hands with a commoner who is hiding around the corner. You might assume this gesture represents an extramarital affair. It turns out the woman is a prostitute, the john is on her right and her pimp is on the left. The image is based on the novel “Albertine” by Norwegian author Christian Krohg. Within days after it being published in 1886, all copies of the book were confiscated and she was jailed. The ensuing uproar led to laws criminalizing prostitution.” (July 17, 2022)

The Oslo City Hall is a municipal building in Oslo, the capital of Norway. It houses the city council, the city’s administration and various other municipal organisations. Clad in heavy reddish-brown bricks, the building as it stands today was constructed between 1931 and 1950, with an interruption during the Second World War. It was designed by architects Arnstein Arneberg and Magnus Poulsson. (July 17, 2022)

The square, in front of the Oslo City Hall main entrance, is decorated with a fountain of two bronze swans by the sculptor Dyre Vaa. And on the building are a number of eye-catching reliefs, statues and carvings (which you can see further down on this post) including an Astronomical Clock and the Oslo Girl. (July 16, 2022)

With Oslo being a seafaring city, many think this female anatomy figure, at the entrance of the Oslo City Hall, resembles a nautical figurehead often depicting women as seen on ships. She is named Oslopike or “Oslo Girl” and greets the people of Oslo. (July 17, 2022)

The front of the Oslo City Hall. (July 17, 2022)

A side and garden view of the Oslo City Hall. (July 16, 2022)

Walking into the Grand Hall or Main Hall of the Oslo City Hall features epic murals by renowned Norwegian artists whose works depict the country’s history. Oslo City Hall or Rådhuset as its called locally, is perhaps best known as the setting for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony every year. Visitors may wonder why such a momentous occasion is held in a reddish-brown clad brick building, but once you step inside, awesomeness abounds. (July 16, 2022)

Henrik Sørensen’s immense oil painting in the Grand Hall of the Oslo City Hall emphasizes Oslo’s youth in rebuilding the country after Nazi occupation. It’s showing poor country people being educated and employed. And, in the center, the figure of Charity is surrounded by Culture, Philosophy and Family. This work of art was completed between 1938 and 1950. (July 16, 2022)

The Mural of the Occupation in the Grand Hall of the Oslo City Hall dominates the wall to the left of the entrance from one end to the other, Norway during the Nazi Occupation. (July 16, 2022)

The Mural of the Occupation in the Grand Hall of the Oslo City Hall begins by showing the beginning of Norway’s occupation by the Nazis. (July 16, 2022)

The Mural of the Occupation in the Grand Hall of the Oslo City Hall continues to show Norway during the Nazi Occupation. (July 16, 2022)

The Mural of the Occupation in the Grand Hall of the Oslo City Hall culminates with Norway celebrating its happiest day, May 17, 1945: the first Constitution Day after five years under Nazi control. (July 16, 2022)

Looking toward the entrance of the Oslo City Hall’s Grand Hall with a painting celebrating traditional industries, the fishermen, factory worker and farmer. This Grand Hall is also where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded. The stairs to the left, with a mural of Oslo’s patron St. Hallvard who is said to save a pregnant woman but is killed in the process. (July 16, 2022)

The upstairs area of the Oslo City Hall contains more rooms and more art inspired by the history of Oslo and Norway. This room is the Festival Gallery. There are frescos on each end of the walls by Axel Revold, and the tapestries aredesigned by the painter Kåre Jonsborg and woven by Else Halling and other highly skilled weavers. (July 16, 2022)

The Festival Gallery room on the second floor of the Oslo City Hall with murals by Axel Revold. (July 16, 2022)

A close-up of the mural by Axel Revold in the Festival Gallery room on the second floor of the Oslo City Hall. (July 16, 2022)

The Banquet Hall on the second floor of the Oslo City Hall is covered in damask wallpaper and matching curtains. The west wall is draped in Norwegian royalty with portraits of King ‘Harald V, Queen Sonja, King Olav V and King Haakon VII. The north wall is covered with an oil painting by Willi Midelfart, pulling scenes of summer on the Oslofjord into the Banquet Hall. (July 16, 2022)

Portraits of the Norwegian royal family on the west wall of the Banquet Hall on the second floor of the Oslo City Hall. Here you see King Harald V & Queen Sonja. (July 16, 2022)

The north wall oil painting by Willi Midelfart in the Banquet Hall on the second floor of the Oslo City Hall shows scenes of summer on the Oslofjord. (July 16, 2022)

A close-up of the joys of summer on the Oslofjord in the Banquet Hall of the Oslo City Hall. (July 16, 2022)

The Eastern Gallery in the Oslo City Hall is absolutely magical and is covered from the walls to the ceiling with stunning murals by Norwegian artist Per Kroger (1889-1965). The various vignettes depict life in the city and in the countryside throughout the changing seasons. (July 16, 2022)

A vignette from the Eastern Gallery of the Oslo City Hall. (July 16, 2022)

The Western Gallery of the Oslo City Hall are large frescos by Aage Storstein are about Human Rights and freedom. (July 16, 2022)

A vignette of human rights and freedom on the walls of the Oslo City Hall’s Western Gallery. (July 16, 2022)

We’re now back to the exterior of the Oslo City Hall to admire the work of Norwegian painter and sculptor Dagfin Werenskiold (1892-1977). He completed this and 15 other wooden friezes on the exterior courtyard walls of the City Hall. Each frieze is made with pine deck timber glued together into blocks weighing approximately 2200 lbs. (1000 kg ). The friezes are impregnated with a triple application of linseed oil, then painted and gilded with gold or silver.
Werenskiold’s painted wooden friezes continues an old Nordic tradition established in ecclesiastical and rural art. His motifs are from Norse mythology. Here we find ancient myths about creation, the life of gods, the sources of wisdom, about love, hate, war, destiny, revenge, the demise of old worlds and powers, and magnificent visions of the future.
This wooden frieze piece is called EMBLA. “The gods Odin, Hone and Lodur are out wandering. At the beach they find two trees “Without destiny”. Fate is granted by the gods who empower them: Odin gives them spirit, Hone gives the gift of vitality and Lodur gives them blood and colour. Ask (ash) and Embla (elm) step forward through the myth of creation as the two first human beings.” (July 16, 2022)

This wooden frieze by Norwegian painter and sculptor Dagfin Werenskiold on the exterior courtyard walls of the Oslo City Hall is called the ASK. “The gods Odin, Hone and Lodur are out wandering. At the beach they find two trees “without destiny”. Fate is granted by the gods who empower them: Odin gives them spirit, Hone gives the gift of vitality and Lodur gives them blood and colour. Ask (ash) and Embla (elm) step forward through the myth of creation as the two first human beings.” (July 16, 2022)

This wooden frieze by Norwegian painter and sculptor Dagfin Werenskiold on the exterior courtyard walls of the Oslo City Hall is called the WARNING OF RAGNAROK. “The formidable dog Garm guards the entrance to the underworld (kingdom of the dead) and warns of the destruction of the old world Ragnarok (supremacy’s destiny, the twilight of the gods). (July 16, 2022)

This wooden frieze by Norwegian painter and sculptor Dagfin Werenskiold on the exterior courtyard walls of the Oslo City Hall is called the ODIN ON SLEIPNER. “Odin, the most powerful of gods, is riding his eightlegged Sleipner, the fastest stallion in the world. Odin’s spear Gungne strikes everything he hurls it at. On his arm he has the valuable ring Draupne, whichs drips eight equally beautiful rings every ninth night. din’s two ravens Hugin (thought) and Munin (memory) fly out every day into the wide world and bring news back to their master. Here they guide Odin in the twilight of the forest.” (July 16, 2022)

This wooden frieze by Norwegian painter and sculptor Dagfin Werenskiold on the exterior courtyard walls of the Oslo City Hall is called the THE SWAN MAIDENS. “Three valkyries those who choose the warriors destined to die in battle), half spiritual, half earthly, come flying as swans and change into three beautiful maidens Alrund, Svankit and Alvit. Three brothers discover them at the beach, carry them off and marry them. The smith Volund marries Alvit. After seven years the swan maidens depart again. Volund remains at home awaiting his wife’s return, whilst his brothers leave to search for theirs.” (July 16, 2022)

This wooden frieze by Norwegian painter and sculptor Dagfin Werenskiold on the exterior courtyard walls of the Oslo City Hall is called the TOR IS DRIVEN BY HIS GOATS. “After Odin, Tor is the next most distinguished god. He is the god of strength and often battles with the giants. The chariot he drives is drawn by the two goats Tanngnjost and Tanngrisne. Tor owns three valuable things: The hammer Miollne that always strikes when thrown and returns of its own volition, a pair of magnificent iron gloves, and a belt which increases his strength. The little farm rests under threatening skies. When Tor travels in his chariot across the sky and strikes his hammer, thunder crashes and lightning blazes. And when the storm clears, Tor’s beautiful hall Bilskirne (fair weather) is revealed.” (July 16, 2022)

It’s touted as Europe’s most beautiful train journey through some of Scandinavia’s must-see landscapes and with that lofty expectation in mind, the 7-hour train ride from Oslo to Bergen, Norway, did not disappoint.

Yes, a plane ride of under an hour would be faster, but a comfortable train ride with good company and incredible views along the scenic Bergensbanen or Bergen Line makes it worth your time.

The Bergen Railway was built in 1909 and runs over the 300 miles of highlands between Oslo and Bergen, the two largest cities in Norway, while passing through some 200 tunnels. The train crosses the Hardangervidda National Park, onto the Hardangervidda plateau, Europe’s largest high mountain plateau.

I’m a sucker for a scenic train ride and I hope you are too. All aboard!

Our whole group of Intrepid Travel travelers on the road, by train, from Oslo to Bergen on the Bergen Line or what the Norwegians call, Bergensbanen.
That’s our wonderful leader/guide Johanna carrying her luggage on her back, Tania, Garry, Richard and of course, me. I love the fact that Intrepid provides small group travel experiences but this is the smallest group I’ve ever traveled with through a tour company and they are a delight. (July 18, 2022)

Bags in hand, our group is loading Car #5 in search of our assigned seats for our 7-hour train ride from Oslo to Bergen. The train arrived about 10 minutes before our departure time of 2:20 pm. (July 18, 2022)

My selfie inside of our roomy and quite comfortable Car #5 on the train from Oslo to Bergen. (July 18, 2022)

Inside of our roomy and quite comfortable Car #5 on the train from Oslo to Bergen. (July 18, 2022)

Inside of our roomy and quite comfortable Car #5 on the train from Oslo to Bergen. That’s my seat, first row to the right by the coffee machine with iPad waiting for me to get back to writing. (July 18, 2022)

We are just outside of Oslo passing through the gorgeous green village of Roa, Norway. (July 18, 2022)

Village life in Lunner, Norway, on our way to Bergen. (July 18, 2022)

Village life in Linner, Norway, on our way to Bergen. (July 18, 2022)

The clouds took over the blue skies as we pass through Jevnaker, Norway. (July 18, 2022)

My selfie with our comfortable Oslo to Bergen train at a very nice 15-minute rest stop to stretch your legs in Hønefoss, Norway. (July 18, 2022)

I am more and more intrigued by the beautiful clouds that seem to compliment the gorgeous landscape as we pass through Flå, Norway. (July 18, 2022)

It’s all about the light and how for a few minutes with the right lights you can see the cloud reflected in the water as we pass through the village of Flå, Norway. (July 18, 2022)

A quick stop at the the village of Ål considered the halfway station on the Bergen Line. (July 18, 2022)

The terrain and weather has begun to change as we are traveling through the village of Haugastøl on the mountain plateau of Hardangervidda between the western and eastern part of Norway. (July 18, 2022)

Entering the village of Finse, Norway, which looks like an uninhabited Arctic land. (July 18, 2022)

The Bergen Line railway stop at the village of Finse, Norway, sits at an elevation of 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) above sea level, making it the highest station on the entire Norwegian railway system. There is no road access, only a railway stop. (July 18, 2022)

The mountain village of Finse on the shore of the lake Finsevatnet. (July 18, 2022)

My reflection selfie onboard our scenic train ride from Oslo to Bergen as I try to capture that precious moment in time of spectacular views truly too numerous to provide adequate justice. (July 18, 2022)

The beautiful and changing terrain as we pass through Ulvik toward Myrdal, Norway. (July 18, 2022)

The Myrdal Train Station is generally used as a station for changing trains. However, the remote mountain station at 2,841 feet (866 meters) above sea level, now even has a hotel in the area for travelers’. To the left is the Flåm Railway and to the right is our train, the Bergen Line. (July 18, 2022)

The landscape changes again as we descend the mountainous area of Myrdal onto Voss. (Dec. 18, 2022)

The blue skies are back as we make a quick stop in Voss, Norway, with a little more than an hour and a half to go to get to Bergen. (July 18, 2022)

We made our way through Dale and onto our final stop of Bergen. (July 18, 2022)

We arrived at around 9:20 pm to the Bergen Central Train Station in Bergen, Norway. It was still light out when we arrived. (July 18, 2022)

The Bergen Central Train Station in Bergen, Norway. (July 18, 2022)

The Zander K Hotel, the gray/blue-looking building, is just steps away from the Bergen Central Train Station. (July 19, 2022)

A short walk from the Bergen train station gets us to our home for the two nights, the Zander K Hotel. This is my very spacious room. (July 18, 2022)

I loved the changing landscape and sites along the train ride from Oslo to Bergen. But now it’s time to rest and be ready to explore Bergen in the morning. (July 18, 2022)

Bergen, Norway’s second largest city, is small and easy to maneuver by foot. An important part of its claim to fame is an area of the city called Bryggen, the historic site within the city.

Bryggen, known as the dock, is home to a series of Hanseatic heritage commercial buildings of German traders in the 1300s, lining up along the eastern side of the Vågen harbour in the city of Bergen. Bryggen has been on the UNESCO list for World Cultural Heritage sites since 1979.

As for the city of Bergen, it was founded around 1070 within the boundaries of Tyskebryggen which became the centre of the Hanseatic commercial activities in Norway. Today, Tyskerbryggen, is now called Bryggen, the historical center of Bergen. With the houses/buildings made from wood and built so close together, Bryggen has experienced many fires. The last great fire of 1702 required the area to be completely rebuilt.

We only had a day to see both Bergen and Bryggen. Along with an introductory walking tour, with our Intrepid Travel leader/guide Johanna, our little group took the Bryggen Museum’s walking tour of the museum and of Bryggen. Bergen is small and beautiful to walk through while the historical buildings of Bryggen are charming and touristy.

Let’s see what Bergen and its historical area, Bryggen have to offer.

Me in Bryggen, the historic area of Bergen, Norway, by a series of Hanseatic heritage commercial buildings that line up along the eastern side of the Vågen harbour or the Hanseatic Wharf. Bryggen has been on the UNESCO list for World Cultural Heritage sites since 1979. (July 19, 2022)

The Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf was first established in the 14th century. (July 19, 2022)

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Bryggen, the historical area of Bergen, with its wooden tourist buildings of shops, boutiques and restaurants. (July 19, 2022)

Walking through the narrow alleyways of Bryggen, the historical area of Bergen, with its wooden tourist buildings of shops, boutiques and restaurants. (July 19, 2022)

Walking through Bryggen, the historical area of Bergen, with its wooden tourist buildings of shops, boutiques and restaurants. (July 19, 2022)

An Italian film crew was working on a science fiction movie in Bryggen, the historical area of Bergen, Norway. (July 19, 2022)

The historical area of Bryggen, with its series of Hanseatic heritage commercial buildings lining up the eastern side of the Vågen harbour or Hanseatic Wharf in the city of Bergen, Norway. (July 19, 2022)

The historical area of Bryggen in the city of Bergen, Norway. (July 19, 2022)

Still in the historical area of Bryggen, just before the Hanseatic heritage commercial buildings, are these 1904 brick Bratten buildings. (July 19, 2022)

Still in the historical area of Bryggen, just before the Hanseatic heritage commercial buildings, are these ornate buildings. (July 19, 2022)

This partial stone and brick building, just before the Hanseatic heritage commercial buildings in Bryggen, has several dates on it, 1480, 1712 and 1912. (July 19, 2022)

St. Mary’s Church was most likely built between 1130 and 1170 making this church the oldest remaining building not just in Bryggen but in the city of Bergen. The church was ravaged by fire in 1198 and 1248, is well preserved and has been in continues use since the late Middle Ages. Before the major restoration between 2010 and 2015, the church was last restored in the 1860s. (July 19, 2022)

A side view of St. Mary’s Church, the oldest and tallest building in the area of Bryggen and the city of Bergen. (July 19, 2022)

Inside of St. Mary’s Church in Bergen’s historical area of Bryggen. (July 19, 2022)

The altarpiece, inside of St. Mary’s Church in Bergen’s historical area of Bryggen, is the oldest erasure in the church dating from the 15th century. (July 19, 2022)

A close-up of the altarpiece inside St. Mary’s Church in Bergen’s historical area of Bryggen. The altar screen consists of a central panel of Mary holding the infant Jesus. She is “clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” On the side panels are the disciples, excluding Judas but including Paul. (July 19, 2022)

The decorative pulpit inside St. Mary’s Church in Bergen’s historical area of Bryggen. It was given to the church in 1676 by a group of prominent German merchants at Bryggen. (July 19, 2022)

A close-up of the upper portion of the pulpit inside St. Mary’s Church in Bergen’s historical area of Bryggen. (July 19, 2022)

A close-up of the lower portion of the pulpit inside St. Mary’s Church in Bergen’s historical area of Bryggen. (July 19, 2022)

The decorative pulpit inside St. Mary’s Church in Bergen’s historical area of Bryggen. The pulpit and staircase are decorated with 8 of the 9 main Christian virtues being represented by women with various attributes. Penitence with a pelican, prudence with a snake, the naked truth, chastity with two turtle doves, patience with a lamb, hope with a dove and parts of an anchor, faith with a book and cross and love with two children. Both above and below the pulpit are two half spheres symbolizing the northern and Southern Hemispheres. They are both decorated with symbolic animals and astrological signs. Around the lower hemisphere, pictured here, are five small cherubs looking as if they are carrying the pulpit. (July 19, 2022)

A side view inside St. Mary’s Church in Bergen’s historical area of Bryggen. (July 19, 2022)

A faint drawing of Jesus Christ on the Cross inside St. Mary’s Church in Bergen’s historical area of Bryggen. (July 19, 2022)

In 1955 parts of Bryggen burnt down, and the 13 year archaeological excavation, which subsequently took place, uncovered hundreds of thousands of objects which give an insight into everyday life during the Middle Ages. The Bryggens Museum was established in 1976 and built over the remains of Bergen’s oldest buildings from the first half of the 1100s. (July 19, 2022)

Our Bryggens Museum guide, Dane (in the red) explaining how, through the years, Bryggen has been devastated by numerous fires. Among the worst are the historically recorded fires of 1198, 1248, 1476 and 1702. And, after these fires, the area was re-built on top of the previous surface thus creating thick layers of old wood, sand and history. (July 19, 2022)

The Bryggens Museum Remnants contains the foundations of the oldest buildings in Bergen which were uncovered through archaeological research after the devastating 1955 fire. Bryggen, the city of Bergen’s historical area, has been ravaged by fires many times throughout history.
This photo inside the museum shows how a series of foundations, layers of ashes and remains of buildings and streets were built with more wood and sand, one on top of the other, after each of the many fires that took place in Bryggen thus raising the town up each time. (July 19, 2022)

Runic inscriptions on pieces of wood show bits of gossip, poems, declarations of love, business and a variety of other messages found in Bryggen, the historical area of Bergen. These were uncovered through archaeological research after the devastating 1955 fire and can be seen at the Bryggen Museum. The runic alphabet, also called futhark, is a writing system of uncertain origin used by Germanic peoples of northern Europe, Britain, Scandinavia, and Iceland from about the 3rd century to the 16th or 17th century. A knife and a wooden stick are all that was needed to carve humble messages that were read and then discarded. (July 19, 2022)

A tour group selfie by the music pavilion at Byparken, the large city park in Bergen, Norway, during our morning orientation walk. We only had a day to spend in Bergen and our Intrepid Travel leader/guide took us for a two hour introductory walk around the beautiful city. Although rain was predicted, the overcast skies eventually gave way to blue skies and warmer temperatures. From the left is Garry, Johanna (our Intrepid Travel leader/guide), Richard, Tania and me. (July 19, 2022)

The centerpiece of Byparken, the large city park in central Bergen, is this lovely cast-iron Music Pavilion with Moorish details. Musikkpaviljongen was gifted to the city in 1888. (July 19, 2022)

The KODE 1, part of Bergen’s Art museums and Composer Homes, is located in the city park of Byparken. This fine craft and design building is from 1896. (July 19, 2022)

A view of the houses clinging to the hillsides from Lille Lungegårdsvann, the lake in central Bergen. (July 19, 2022)

The large decorative fountain in the central part of Lille Lungegårdsvannet, the lake, at Byparken, the city park, in Bergen with views of the houses clinging to the hillside.
Historically, the lake was much larger than it is now. As the city grew, it slowly but steadily shrank to its present size by adding fill to the sides of the lake to reclaim the land. The sides were straightened and it was artificially made into an octagon shape. It finally reached its present shape during the mid-20th century. (July 19, 2022)

Lille Lungegårdsvannet, the lake, in central Bergen. (July 19, 2022)

This Ole Bull Fountain, in central Bergen and close to Byparken, the city park, is a tribute to Ole Bornemann Bull (1810-1880), a famous Norwegian virtuoso violinist and composer during the 19th century. On top of the monument is a statue of the Bergen born, native son playing the violin. At the base of the fountain is a skald playing a mythical harp. Skalds were Scandinavian poets who sang songs for kings from the Viking Age (800 to 1066 AD) through the 14th century. The statues are surrounded by a rectangular pond with stepping stones that children play on. (July 19, 2022)

Beautiful green space with red roses around central Bergen. (July 19, 2022)

Den Nationale Scene or the National Stage is Norway’s oldest permanent theater with roots dating back to Det Norske Theater (The Norwegian Theatre) founded in 1850 by the Norwegian violinist Ole Bornemann Bull. The theatre is situated in a beautiful Art Noveau-building, from 1909, in the center of Bergen.n (July 19, 2022)

The Sjømannsmonumentet or Seamen’s Monument, at Torgallmenningen Square in Bergen’s city center, is a memorial in honor of Norwegian sailors from Viking times to the 20th century. It was designed by Dyre Vaa in 1939 – 45 and unveiled in 1950. It consists of 12 bronze figures and four bronze reliefs portraying different events at sea and mounted on an almost 23 feet (7 meter) high granite base. (July 19, 2022)

A close-up of three of the 12 bronze statues of the Sjømannsmonumentet or Seamen’s Monument honoring Norwegian sailors from Viking times to the 20th century at Torgallmenningen Square in Bergen’s city center. (July 19, 2022)

A close-up of one of the four bronze reliefs portraying different events at sea on the Sjømannsmonumentet or Seamen’s Monument honoring Norwegian sailors from Viking times to the 20th century at Torgallmenningen Square in Bergen’s city center. (July 19, 2022)

Strolling around lets you see many of the most charming parts of Bergen. Explore cosy, narrow cobblestone alleys and quaint old wooden houses, each with its own story to tell. (July 19, 2022)

Street art along Kong Oscars Gate in Bergen. (July 19, 2022)

“A troll in Bergen,” is a mural, along Kong Oscars Gate, by street artist and graphics designer M.u.M. He is an artist from Chile now living in Bergen. (July 19, 2022)

A close-up of “A troll in Bergen,” mural in Bergen by street artist and graphics designer M.u.M. He describes his style as “playful, vibrant and mystic. My style is recognizable for its fantasy, vivid colors, plants, rainbows and eyes.” (July 19, 2022)

Walking back to my hotel and caught this photo of the houses along the street and clinging from the hillsides in Bergen. (July 19, 2022)

After Bergen, we made our way, by public bus to the village of Gudvangen where we spent two nights in a cabin. Tania and I shared one cabin while Richard and Garry shared the other cabin. People don’t come to Gudvangen for the city life, mainly because there isn’t one, but instead come for the gorgeous scenery and access to the fjords.

As much as I enjoyed Oslo and Bergen, the main reason to come to Norway is for its natural beauty and by that, I mean the fjords.

There are more than a thousand fjords in Norway, all along the coast. But most of the iconic ones, seen on the postcards, are like the one I got to see and cruise through, the UNESCO World Heritage protected fjord of the Nærøyfjord in the Gudvangen village area in Norway.

The fjords, in general, resemble still blue lakes, but consist of saltwater and are considered as prolonged arms of the seas, often reaching deep inland with majestic cliffs towering above on both sides.

Along with sites from our time in Gudvangen, including a visit to the Viking Village of Njardarheimr, we cruised along the stunningly breathtaking fjord of Nærøyfjord to the village of Flåm.

We left our Zander K Hotel in Bergen around 8:45 Wednesday morning, for our 4-hour public bus ride to the village of Gudvangen, at the Nærøyfjord of Norway. (July 20, 2022)

Gorgeous views along the bus ride from the city of Bergen to the village of Gudvangen in Norway. (July 20, 2022)

Getting off our bus from Bergen to Gudvangen just across the street, beautiful setting, surrounded by steep cliff walls, from the Gudvangen campgrounds where we stayed in cabins for for the next two nights where we will be staying in cabins. (July 20, 2022)

Waiting for our bus to pass so we can walk across the highway to our Gudvangen Campgrounds campsite located in a beautiful setting, surrounded by steep cliff walls and near the village of Gudvangen for two nights. (July 20, 2022)

Views of waterfalls and steep cliff walls from the Gudvangen Campgrounds where our small group spent two nights in cabins. (July 20, 2022)

The Gudvangen Campgrounds where our small group spent two nights in cabins surrounded by these mountainous views all around us. (July 20, 2022)

Our small red cabin which Tania and I shared during our two nights in Gudvangen, Norway. (July 21, 2022)

The three room cabin at the Gudvangen Campgrounds included this bedroom with bunk beds, a living room with sofa bed, dining table and a small kitchenette and bathroom. We picked up our sheets and towel, yes, one towel, at the reception. Neither Tania nor I thought it was a good idea to sleep on that top bunk so Tania graciously took the sofa bed. (July 20, 2022)

The three room cabin at the Gudvangen Campgrounds included this living room with sofa bed, dining table and a small kitchenette plus the bedroom with bunk beds and the bathroom. (July 20, 2022)

The three room cabin at the Gudvangen Campgrounds included this small kitchenette in the living room with a sofa bed and dining table plus the bedroom with bunk beds and the bathroom. (July 20, 2022)

The three room cabin at the Gudvangen Campgrounds included this bathroom, a living room with sofa bed, dining table and the bedroom with bunk beds. (July 20, 2022)

After getting quickly settled in our cabins, our group walked into Gudvangen’s small village for lunch and the stunning views literally all around us. It rained rather hard as we reached the little town area but after lunch Mother Nature started bringing back the blue skies. Here we are on the Viking Bridge to the other side of Gudvangen where a re-enactment Viking Village of Njardarheimr. From left, Garry, Johanna, Richard, Tania and me with views of the stunning Nærøyfjord, the fjord in Gudvangen. (July 20, 2022)

Standing on the wooden Viking bridge in Gudvangen and looking toward Naeroydalselvi, the river emptying into Nærøyfjord, the fjord in Gudvangen. (July 20, 2022)

Me standing on the wooden Viking bridge in Gudvangen with views of the Naeroydalselvi, the river emptying into Nærøyfjord, the fjord in Gudvangen. (July 20, 2022)

Me on the opposite side of the wooden Viking bridge in Gudvangen with views of the Naeroyfjord, the fjord in Gudvangen. (July 20, 2022)

Views of the stunning Naeroyfjord, the fjord in Gudvangen. (July 20, 2022)

The Viking bridge over the Naeroydalselvi, the river emptying into the Nærøyfjord, the fjord in Gudvangen. And, to the right of the bridge is the thematically built Viking village called “Njardarheimr” which means the home dedicated to the northern god Njord. (July 20, 2022)

Real or not, this Viking village, called “Njardarheimr” was about as close as I was going to get to the Vikings of Norway. Considered a a living cultural historical site that is built thematically as a Viking village. And add in the gorgeous setting of Gudvangen, with the stunning Nærøyfjord in the distance, and for just a few minutes, I could be transported, but only for a few minutes. The Vikings were historically seafaring people who were known to raid, pirate, kill with abandon, trade and farm. They were primarily Scandinavians from present-day Denmark, Norway and Sweden who were known throughout Europe from around the late 8th to the late 11th centuries. (July 20, 2022)

The setting for the Viking village, called Njardarheimr, is in the heart of the UNESCO listed Norwegian fjord, Nærøyfjord, in Gudvangen. (July 20, 2022)

A Viking woman sewing a wool garment at the Viking village, called Njardarheimr, in the heart of the UNESCO listed Norwegian fjord, Nærøyfjord, in Gudvangen. (July 20, 2022)

A Viking man, at the Viking village, called Njardarheimr, letting us know that Viking men did not wear horns on their helmets in battle. The village is located in the heart of the UNESCO listed Norwegian fjord, Nærøyfjord, in Gudvangen. (July 20, 2022)

After a rather descent night’s sleep in our cabin at the Gudvangen Campgrounds, today was all about cruising along the breathtaking Nærøyfjord, the UNESCO World Heritage fjord. This was for me, a rather spectacular experience. I’m not one for boats, ships and lots of water, but this experience was calm and stunningly beautiful.

The name Nærøyfjord takes its origins from the Norse god of seafarers and the sea, Njord. The fjord itself was formed by glacial erosion of the surrounding bedrock.

Come check out the Nærøyfjord in Norway with me.

Me on our group cruise along the breathtaking Nærøyfjord, the UNESCO World Heritage fjord, beneath the towering mountains, the tumbling waterfalls and the green forests. I’m sailing on the Lady Elizabeth from our home base in Gudvangen to Flåm. (July 21, 2022)

For two hours Lady Elizabeth took us from the village of Gudvangen through the calm waters of the Nærøyfjord to the village of Flåm. (July 21, 2022)

Views from the stern of the Lady Elizabeth along the Nærøyfjord from our home base in the village of Gudvangen to the village of Flåm. The morning was overcast and cool with some mist in the air. But as we continued, the clouds began to lift and the blue skies came alive. (July 21, 2022)

Cruising through the stunning Nærøyfjord from the village of Gudvangen to the village of Flåm on the Lady Elizabeth. Along with a family of three, our group were the only people aboard the boat. (July 21, 2022)

The village of Bakka along the Nærøyfjord from the village of Gudvangen to the village of Flåm on the Lady Elizabeth. (July 21, 2022)

A close-up of the village of Bakka with camping tents along the shoreline of the Nærøyfjord as we made our way from the village of Gudvangen to the village of Flåm on the Lady Elizabeth. (July 21, 2022)

My wonderful Intrepid Travel mates on this portion of the tour called the Scandinavian Explorer. We will be together through Helsinki, but our wonderful group leader, Johanna, will depart in Lillehammer and Marina will be our new leader/guide. But in the meantime, between oohing and aahing at the gorgeousness of Nærøyfjord, we are enjoying the setting and each other. From left, Garry; Tania; Richard (holding his Instagram friend Inga at businessclassbarbie); Johanna, our Intrepid Travel guide/leader and me, the group selfie-taker aboard the Lady Elizabeth as we cruise through the Nærøyfjord from the village of Gudvangen to the village of Flåm. (July 21, 2022)

The calm waters and waterfalls along the Nærøyfjord from the village of Gudvangen to the village of Flåm on the Lady Elizabeth. (July 21, 2022)

The Nærøyfjord from the village of Gudvangen to the village of Flåm on the Lady Elizabeth. (July 21, 2022)

The clouds lifting along the Nærøyfjord from the village of Gudvangen to the village of Flåm on the Lady Elizabeth. (July 21, 2022)

The village of Undredal along the Nærøyfjord from the village of Gudvangen to the village of Flåm on the Lady Elizabeth. (July 21, 2022)

Leaving the village of Undredal behind with the clouds beginning to lift and the blue skies beginning to break through along the Nærøyfjord from the village of Gudvangen to the village of Flåm on the Lady Elizabeth. (July 21, 2022)

Waterfalls along the Nærøyfjord from the village of Gudvangen to the village of Flåm on the Lady Elizabeth. (July 21, 2022)

We left the Lady Elizabeth boat to this crowd of new people boarding in the village of Flåm. Our group ended up having the boat pretty much to ourselves, sharing it with another family of three, and it was wonderful. (July 21, 2022)

And, then we arrive in the village of Flåm to this huge monster. The MSC Grandiosa was both grand and overshadowing in the Flåm harbour. (July 21, 2022)

The village of Flåm, Norway. (July 21, 2022)

The busy village of Flåm with its Flåmsbana Museum and Flåm Railway line. (July 21, 2022)

This bust monument is of County Governor Ingolf Elster Christensen who is regarded by many as the father of the Flåmsbana Railway line. The bust is situated by the Flåm Railway line and the Flåmsbana museum. The railway, which I did not do because of the crowds at the time, is about more than 12 miles or 20 km long between Flåm and Myrdal. It is said to offer spectacular nature and historical cultural landscapes along with extreme engineering skills. (July 21, 2022)

The Flåm Railway line in the busy village of Flåm. (July 21, 2022)

A view of the village of Flåm, Norway, from the public bus ride back to Gudvangen. (July 21, 2022)

Back in Gudvangen with a view of the Nærøyfjord after our cruise along the the breathtaking Nærøyfjord and a stop in the crowded and very touristy village of Flåm. I’ve so enjoyed my time in Gudvangen’s peacefulness. (July 21, 2022)

And, a view of the Viking bridge in Gudvangen. (July 21, 2022)

Okay one more look at the Viking bridge and the beautiful scenery surrounding it in Gudvangen. (July 21, 2022)

We bid goodby to Gudvangen and made our way to Lillehammer by bus. Lillehammer is known as a typical venue for winter sporting events specifically hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics and the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics. We arrived early in the evening, in time for a short walk into town and a nice dinner.

It’s that moving on the next adventure time…again. And, we’re heading back to the same highway, at the same location, to catch the same bus we arrived here in Gudvangen but this time, we’re heading to Lillehammer, our last stop in Norway before heading to Sweden. Our group, all packed and ready to go. That’s Garry, me, Richard and Tania. Thank you Johanna, our Intrepid leader/guide for the photo. (July 22, 2022)

We arrived at our hotel, the First Hotel Breiseth in central Lillehammer just a few steps from the train and bus station, with enough time to take a brief walk into town for dinner. (July 22, 2022)

Lillehammer is best remembered as the site of the 1994 Winter Olympics, but it’s home to beautifully preserved late 19th-century wooden houses along the main pedestrian shopping street of Storgata (Big Street), lined with boutiques and restaurants in the heart of the old city center. (July 22, 2022)

My room at the First Hotel Breiseth in central Lillehammer was comfortable and simple. Although we spent most of the day riding on a bus, it was rather tiring and I was definitely ready to get re-settled. (July 22, 2022)

Had to show off this rather antique-looking hair dryer in my room at the First Hotel Breiseth in central Lillehammer. And, it worked. (July 22, 2022)

We spent our first full day in Lillehammer doing a whole hell of a lot of walking. But it was a warm and beautiful day with much to see and do starting with a walk through Lillehammer’s old town center to the gardens of the Sondre Park Aland with its views of the Lillehammer Church. Then we made our way, again by a lot of walking and a quick bus ride, to Maihaugen, considered to be one of Northern Europe’s largest open-air museums with close to 200 buildings.

Also housed at Maihaugen is the Norweigian Olympic Museum featuring the history of Olympic Games with a focus on the 1994 Winter Olympics at Lillehammer and the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo. From there we ventured to the Lillehammer Olympic Park where the 1994 Winter Olympics were held.

I’m no sports junkie and if the choice was up to me, I probably would have skipped coming to Lillehammer but I learned a lot and enjoyed the full day experience of activities.

Plus Lillehammer is our last stop in Norway before moving on to Sweden with a new Intrepid leader/guide. This is where we say good-bye to Johanna and hello to Marina. But for now, here’s a sampling of our full day in Lillehammer.

We started our long day of walking and sightseeing just down the street from our hotel, the First Hotel Breiseth in central Lillehammer, is the Lillehammer Art Museum. (July 23, 2022)

And just down the street from the Lilliehammer Art Museum is this bronze sculpture in front of the Public Library of a Birkebeiner warrior rescuing the endangered two-year old prince Haakon Haakonsson, the heir to the Norwegian throne. The prince was safely taken from Lillehammer to Østerdalen to Trondheim, a long and perilous journey through treacherous mountains and forests. (July 23, 2022)

A close-up of the bronze sculpture in front of the Public Library in Lillehammer of a Birkebeiner warrior rescuing the endangered prince Haakon Haakonsson. (July 23, 2022)

Walking downthru Lillehammer’s main shopping street, the Storgata (“Big Street”), a pedestrian street lined with wooden houses, boutiques and restaurants to the gardens of the Sondre Park Aland with its views of the Lillehammer Church. (July 23, 2022)

Lillehammer’s main shopping street, the Storgata (“Big Street”), a pedestrian street lined with wooden houses, boutiques and restaurants. (July 23, 2022)

The gardens of the Sondre Park Aland in Lillehammer with its views of the Lillehammer Church. (July 23, 2022)

Heading into the Maihaugen open-air museum of some 200 buildings but it also houses the Norwegian Olympic Museum in Lillehammer, Norway. (July 23, 2022)

As we begin our walk through the Maihaugen open-air museum, the first person we are introduced to is Anders Sandvig (1862–1950) a Norwegian dentist most noted for having founded Maihaugen. (July 23, 2022)

The Garmo Stave Church at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer was built around the year 1200 and is from Lom. It was re-erected at Maihaugen in 1921. A stave church is built in the stave construction, which is a timber framework of corner posts filled with planks and no windows. (July 23, 2022)

Inside the Garmo Stave Church at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer. (July 23, 2022)

The altar and altarpiece inside the Garmo Stave Church at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer. time. The altarpiece was
made for the church in Lillehammer in 1695. (July 23, 2022)

The altar and altarpiece inside the Garmo Stave Church at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer. The altarpiece was
made for the church in Lillehammer in 1695. (July 23, 2022)

The seats and pulpit inside the Garmo Stave Church at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer. time. The pulpit from
1738 comes from the Hustad church in Romsdalen. (July 23, 2022)

A close-up of the pulpit inside the Garmo Stave Church at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer. The pulpit from
1738 comes from the Hustad church in Romsdalen. (July 23, 2022)

The Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer. (July 23, 2022)

The Parsonage house at the Maihaugen open-space museum in Lillehammer. It was considered a very modern home at the time it was built in the 1690s. (July 23, 2022)

The garden of the Parsonage house at the Maihaugen open-space museum in Lillehammer. (July 23, 2022)

Inside the Parsonage house at the Maihaugen open-space museum in Lillehammer. It was considered a very modern home at the time it was built in the 1690s with its detailed wallpaper and removable furniture. (July 23, 2022)

Chairs inside the Parsonage house at the Maihaugen open-space museum in Lillehammer. (July 23, 2022)

A close-up of a decorative chair inside the Parsonage house at the Maihaugen open-space museum in Lillehammer. (July 23, 2022)

The kitchen inside the Parsonage of the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer, has a fire place, cupboards on the walls and benches as on any other farm, but pewter plates and copper pots in the kitchen give an impression of an economic wealth above the average for peasants. (July 23, 2022)

The dining room area near the kitchen of the Patronage house inside the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer.
(July 23, 2022)

Walking into the Schoolhouse at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer. The new Education Act came into force in 1860, and the hamlet schools were a result of this legislation. Permanent schools were built as a replacement for the travelling teacher system, where the teacher went from one hamlet to the next and taught at the farms. (July 23, 2022)

Inside the Schoolhouse at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer. Children from the rural district encountered a new and unknown world
at school especially after the new Education Act of 1860. Science, geography and history became important subjects in addition to Norwegian and religion. (July 23, 2022)

Our last group selfie with our Intrepid Travel leader/guide Johanna (on the end to the right) inside the schoolhouse at the open-air museum of Maihaugen in Lillehammer. (From left, Garry, Richard holding Inga, our Maihaugen guide, Tania, Johanna and me. July 23, 2022)

Inside the Schoolhouse at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer. The accomodation for an unmarried teacher would typically be as shown in the private chamber in this schoolhouse. (July 23, 2022)

In the residential section of the Maihaugen open-house museum is the childhood home of Norway’s Queen Sonja from the 1930s.
The house was built for the Haraldsen family in Oslo in 1935. Sonja Haraldsen lived here most of the time until she married Crown Prince Harald in 1968. (July 23, 2022)

In the residential section of the Maihaugen open-house museum is the childhood home of Norway’s Queen Sonja
from the 1930s. The inside of the home is decorated like it was between 1937–1968. (July 23, 2022)

The Town at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer is designed to look like an inland town in the early part of the 1900s. (July 23, 2022)

The Post Office of The Town at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer is designed to look like an inland town in the early part of the 1900s. (July 23, 2022)

Back to the Maihaugen open-air museum main entrance in Lillehammer to visit the Norwegian Olympic Museum. (July 23, 2022)

Entering the Norwegian Olympic Museum, located at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer. The Olympic museum shows the history of the Olympic Games in ancient and modern times, with a focus on the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo and 1994 Winter Olympics at Lillehammer.
(July 23, 2022)

Inside of the Norwegian Olympic Museum at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer.
Olympia in Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic Games. From 776 BC to 393 AD, the best sportsmen travelled there to compete in the most important of the Panhellenic games in honour of their god Zeus. (July 23, 2022)

An interesting quote from Jesse Owens at the entryway inside of the Norwegian Olympic Museum at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer. Owens, the son of a sharecropper and grandson of a slave, achieved what no Olympian before him had accomplished, four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin.
The quote says: “Although I wasn’t invited to shake hands with Hitler, I wasn’t invited to the White House to shake hands with the President either.” (July 23, 2022)

Inside the Norwegian Olympic Museum at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer.
This is Baron Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937) is regarded as the founder of the modern Olympic Games. He grew up in a period of profound political and social change in France. Coubertin was critical of the French education system and was convinced that social and political tensions could only be solved through an all-round education of the young. Inspiration was found in the English schooling system which included sports in the curriculum.
When he combined these thoughts with ideas from the Ancient Olympic Games, Coubertin came up with the vision to revive the Olympic Games. He saw them as part of a broader strategy of education and intercultural understanding through sport. (July 23, 2022)

Inside of the Norwegian Olympic Museum at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer.
“Let the Games begin!” The Opening Ceremony of the XVII Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer 1994 was a magical event. As it came to a close, the creatures of good played their un-earthly instruments, a Tellus egg surfaced from the ground and snowflakes started falling from the sky. (July 23, 2022)

Inside the Norwegian Olympic Museum at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer. (July 23, 2022)

Inside of the Norwegian Olympic Museum at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer.
Sonja Henie was the unique sporting talent that became a global icon. She only had four years of school before she devoted all her time to skating. Her breakthrough came in St Moritz in 1928 when she won her first Olympic Championship at only 15 years old. She was Olympic Champion three times and ten times World Champion. She was undefeated in all international championships from 1927 to 1936. (July 23, 2022)

Inside of the Norwegian Olympic Museum at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer.
Although there was controversy about Germany participating in the 1952 Oslo Games, after World War II, German expertise was still welcomed. The torch holder was produced by Friedrich Krupp AG, the same company that made the torches for the 1936 Berlin Olympics. (July 23, 2022)

Inside of the Norwegian Olympic Museum at the Maihaugen open-air museum in Lillehammer.
The iconic rings symbolise the union of the five continents, the participation of the athletes at these Games and express the activity of the Olympic movement. The five-coloured rings represent the five inhabited continents of the world. These are Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. (July 23, 2022)

Me on the chair lift at the Lillehammer Olympic Park in Lillehammer, Norway. It was my first chairlift experience mainly to check out the panoramic views of Lillehammer and lake Mjøsa (Norway’s largest lake) and the ride was pretty cool too. (July 23, 2022)

The chairlift at the Lillehammer Olympic Park to the top of the largest hill for panoramic views of Lillehammer and lake Mjøsa (Norway’s largest lake) – a great photo opportunity. (July 23, 2022)

The Ski Jumping Hill at the Lillehammer Olympic Park in Lillehammer, Norway. (July 23, 2022)

The Olympic torch at the Lillehammer Olympic Park in Lillehammer. (July 23, 2022

Me with a panoramic view of Lillehammer and lake Mjøsa (Norway’s largest lake) at the Lillehammer Olympic Park where the 1994 Winter Olympics were held. (July 23, 2022)

6Comments

Add yours

1

Julia on October 24, 2022 at 2:06 pm

Oh my, Diana, how I loved this entire reading and viewing. I will have to go back and look at the pictures again and again. Thank you for sharing!
- 2
  
  Diana Petterson on October 24, 2022 at 4:59 pm
  
  Julia, that’s so sweet! Thank you so much! Norway surprised me both in its weather and in its beauty. I’m so glad I went.
3

Anita Prentice on October 25, 2022 at 7:40 am

Always enjoy your adventures.
- 4
  
  Diana Petterson on October 25, 2022 at 9:20 am
  
  I’m so happy to hear you enjoy these posts Anita. Thank you so much!
5

Sue Moran Thole on October 26, 2022 at 9:40 am

This is an absolutely incredible display of wonderful photos for this armchair traveler. A thousand thank yous!
- 6
  
  Diana Petterson on November 7, 2022 at 8:39 am
  
  Hi Sue! Thanks so much! I loved the natural beauty of Norway and I’m so glad you liked it too.