I decided to post this entry specially because it was Day Two of the Norway trip, at Oslo, and at the tail end of the day, while I was about to get back to Thon Hotel Opera, I chanced upon this lovely fountain at Akersgata and decided to sit for a while.
It was a reminder that not all trips must be packed to the brim, and filled with activities. Sometimes, the best trips are the ones where we give ourselves time to do nothing. It's something good to simply plan nothing, but take a chance and do something random. Maybe sit by the bench at the fountain like what I did. Or read a book at the cafe and watch the world go by. Or buy a pencil and a sketch book and doodle or draw something that you see.
Life can be filled with wonder when we experience things that we don't plan to experience.
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Vision of the Fjords from Flam
It was 1153am. I was seated in the Vision of the Fjord, the fully-electric cruise boat, looking at this amazing scenery, the UNESCO-certified view of the fjords. The cruise boat quietly sailed through the narrow channel, flanked by towering cliffs with the tops covered by the mist or clouds. I saw numerous tiny waterfalls plunging down the cliffs on both sides. As the boat was not too crowded, there was adequate space for everyone to lounge and roam around. The large glassy windows allowed us to soak in the picturesque scenery, and even though the sun was hidden by the cloud cover, the misty, foggy environment was breathtaking. This must be the most luxurious ship that I have ever taken. A quick check on the price of this cruise placed it at over SGD300, which was not that cheap after all for a short detour between Flam and Gudvangen via the fjords.
About Vision of the Fjords and its sister craft, Future of the Fjords
The two vessels Vision and Future of the Fjords represent a brand-new standard in design and technology. They have been designed to maximise the tourist experience during any kind of weather, with large windows and walkways inspired by the winding trails of steep mountain terrain. Passengers are encouraged to go out on the top deck and enjoy a very different experience compared to traditional passenger vessels. Inside you will find Nordic inspired interior design offering a high level of comfort.
Gudvangen to Bergen
Upon docking at Gudvangen, we quickly rushed to the Norway in a Nutshell coach since it was free-seating. Managed to get us front row seats. It was then a scenic drive through the countryside, passing by some majestic waterfalls before reaching Voss. We wanted to find lunch near the railway station, but it was Sunday and there seemed to be nothing open, so we got a few slices of pizza at the nearby Esso petrol kiosk instead. The train ride to Bergen was rather uneventful and once we reached Bergen we dragged our luggage on the cobblestones (not easy!) and arrived at Bergen Bors Hotel, our accommoation for the next three nights.
Day 2 of the Norway in a Nutshell - Oslo
We tried to make good the sunny weather by getting up early. In any case, the jetlag got me waking up at 6am, and I could see daylight seeping through the gap between the drawn curtains. The breakfast at Thon Hotel was a really sumptuous one, with a large spread for Nordic standards. As the food prices are exorbitant in Norway, I decided to stuff myself for breakfast so that I will have a lighter lunch later in the day. First stop was to the central train station where we enquired about the whole day travel pass. We got a little confused on which tram to take to Vigeland and ended up taking the Metro instead. Then it was a nice short stroll through a cemetery to arrive at the further end of Vigeland. My Vigeland experience would have been better if not for the numerous travellers and kids surrounding the centerpiece statue. But then again, that's what tourists do so I'm pretty okay with that. I decided to play around with my Yi360 cam to capture more surround photos. Which I have started to upload to Google streetview and Kuula.
Viking Museum in Oslo
We then went by bus to the Viking Museum. The museum was a small building housing 3 ancient viking ships. (or boats). The entire exhibit could be easily covered within half an hour, or maybe a little more if you are interested in the fabric of the textiles and etc. Which I wasn't.
The Royal Palace and the Changing of the Guards
Next stop was to catch the changing of guards at the Royal palace. The Royal Palace was actually a small compound with a small park that's adjacent to it. As we were early, we went nearby to get some snacks and ice cream before returning for the change of guards ceremony. The ceremony proper was a little let down as the visitors didn't what to expect. Read more about my review of the Royal Palace here. Next was a sudden stop to the supposedly Bohemian district near Mathallen. Along the way we discovered a nice river and also the Mathallen Food Hall, which would turn out to be the destination of choice for the next day as well. We had a light bite, and I sucuumbed to a glass of Negroni as well! |
AuthorI am MrWildy and I am trying to journal more about my life and also my travels. Find out more about me here. Categories
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