Oslo, Clean and Quick

 

The train trip from Voss to Oslo is about six hours. It cuts right through the center of Norway, cuttng through mountain ranges and valleys. The nature in Norway is always stunning. 

Once we arrived in Oslo, we had a free afternoon. A group of us decided that we should go to Vigeland Park which is the world's largest sculpture park in the world, made by a single artist. It is located in the middle of the largest park (Frogner Park) in Oslo. Vigeland Park is the lifework of Gustav Vigeland (1869-1943) and consists of over 200 sculptures made out of granite, bronze and concrete.

The monolith is surrounded by 36 sculpture groups representing the Circle of Life

Royal Palace - residence of King Harald and Queen Sonja

Seat of the Norwegian Parliament

The Nobel Prizes are all given out in Stockholm with the exception of the Nobel Peace Prize.  The speculation is that Norway was better suited for the Peace prize as they did not have the same militaristic traditions as Sweden. The prize is awarded to the person who in the preceding year "shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses". This year the prize was awarded to Maria Carina Machado.

City Hall where the Peace prize is awarded
It was closed because today was election day

Oslo Opera House
Home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet
You can climb up the slanted roof for a great view of the city

Notice all the little saunas parked along the side of the bay

Push the button to cross the street with the light or to reset the world.
Cracked me up!

While most of the group went to go look at a fortress (how many fortresses does one need to see in one's lifetime?) I decided to go to the Edvard Munch Museum.  As you can tell, Norway's favorite son  Edvard, is a big deal.

It was like trying to see the Mona Lisa.  You had to fight your way up to the front to see this painting.  It was well worth it.  I lucked out in that I was able to see both the print and the painting.

75% of all cars in Norway are electric.  Even the garbage trucks are electric.
All this makes for a very quiet city.  This is true all over Norway, even in the rural areas.  

Oslo was just a quick stop in our journey.  We hopped on the Nordic Pearl, a giant overnight ferry that would take us to our next stop.  

My room

The sunset as we left Oslo