Oslo, Norway Show Segment
Oslo, known as Christiania, is the capital of Norway and in terms of area, one of the largest capitals in the world. The city is surrounded by forest covered hills from which there are far ranging views of the city and fjords. Arriving in Oslo we headed to our accommodations at the Voksenasen. This hotel and conference center is Norway’s gift to Sweden: a proud token of Norway’s gratitude toward Sweden for the help given to occupied Norway during and after World War II. Here in the middle of peaceful surroundings we are high above the city, actually 500 meters above the Oslo Fjord. Our rooms are sod covered and look out on a breathtaking landscape of greenery and water and the activites of the city below.
Refreshed, we head toward a wonderful dinner and then to the drawing room with a wide balcony from which we can gaze out on the landscape surrounding us. A piano draws the musically inclined in the group, who are once again entertained, ... and entertaining.
Only 20 minutes from downtown, this conference center gives the illusion that we have left all other civilization behind, and can enjoy the accommodations and beauty of this wonderful location. The next morning we are off to explore Oslo. First stop, the Viking Museum. This large hall was specially built to house three Viking ships, seaworthy vessels of the 9th century. Boats of this kind were used by the Vikings on their long sea voyages and also for the burial of their chieftains. A copy of the Viking longboat sailed across the Atlantic in 1893, and prove the skill of the Vikings as boat-builders.
On display are various marvelously preserved decorative articles that were found on the ships that had been included with the bodies buried at sea, thousands of years ago. Next we’re off to Vigeland Sculpture Park, an extraordinary assemblage of sculpture by Gustav Vigeland. Extending for some 660 yards there is a total of no less than 650 individual sculptures, on which the artist worked for forty years. The Vigeland Bridge alone is flanked by 58 bronze groups and under the bridge are the sculptures of the children. The oldest item is the fountain group, depicting the cycle of human life. Beyond this can be seen the Monolith rising 55 feet with 121 intertwined human bodies. It is a humanistic work; a writhing mass which depicts THE ARTIST’S VISION OF HUMANITY TEACHING, PLAYING, FIGHTING, LOVING, EATING SLEEPING - and clambering on and over each other to reach the top. Here Vigeland had the chance to let his imagination run riot and when first unveiled , the park was not without it’s critics. But here is the artist’s life work, presented to the city in return for favors received in the free use of a studio and apartment from 1921 until 1930. Next we’re off to Karl Johnsgate, Oslo’s main shopping and business street for lunch and shopping before boarding the ship, one of the Scandinavian Seaway, for our overnight trip to Sweden. Once on board and settled in, we head to the diningroom where we are treated to a variety of great foods, breads, and desserts. We celebrate Jean’s birthday, and are treated to a song in Swedish led by Arne.
The ship offers many amenities but none as wonderful as the view of the midsummer sky as we head south to Sweden.
After our overnight trip we have breakfast and from the ship we can see Denmark and the Kronberg castle as we make our way to Helsingborg. When we remember Oslo, we will remember; our breathtaking view and wonderful time at our special accommodations high above this cosmopolitan city, the mysteries and beauty of the Viking ships, the controversial art of Gustav Vigeland, and the overnight cruise, with the burning skies and the wonderful memories of Norway.
