We arrived in Oslo around 5pm on a Saturday afternoon and were greeted with a hive of activity outside Central station. The station is located at the end of the main shopping street and there was also a beach volleyball competition set up in the square.
Once again the public transport option was easy for the 2.5km trip to the apartment. Our host greeted us, and we met Ruby, a gorgeous 1 year old black French bulldog. Ruby and Bevan bonded instantly and when Bevan sat on that couch, Ruby promptly climbed on Bevan's lap, feel asleep and was snoring in seconds.
Our host recommended a great pizza restaurant a few blocks away for dinner. We are fans of a good pizza so went with this. We were staying in Gronewald, a hip inner northern suburb with plenty of dining options of every cuisine. The pizza was pretty damn good and we even had left overs for breakfast the next morning.
Our day in Oslo started with a trip to the bike store and collecting 2 hybrid bikes, a map and a Viking helmet for Bevan. We rode along the waterfront and around to the Byodg peninsula. About a 6km ride and by half way we were in the countryside. Our first stop of the day was the Viking boat museum. 3 Viking boats, as well as some skeletons and a collection of artefacts found buried with the boats. The Vikings were around from 800 - 1066AD. A really long time ago! I still find it difficult to reconcile something so old in my mind. Standing in front of something that humans built, used & stood upon over a 1000 years ago. The boats have been restored really well and you are able to walk around them and view them from above.
We got back on our bikes and headed down to Huk beach for some lunch. And it appears this is where the locals spend a Sunday in good weather. People were sunbathing and swimming in the ocean. There were also a load of people out walking & biking on the trails around the peninsula. We continued our bike journey around the western side of the peninsula, stopping along the way for views of the little beaches and inlets. Another 5-6km, and a few little hills, and we were back on the main road around into town. We continued back along the waterfront area all the way along to the Opera House, a modern glass structure. One thing we noticed about Oslo - a lot of construction going on and the architecture in general in quite modern. We then went back across town to the Frogner sculpture park. Stopping along the way at the National theatre, Historical museum and the Royal Palace. By now our backsides were getting a little weary, it was time to ride back to the bike shop and hand our trusty steads in. All in all, we would have cycled about 20-25km.
Walking home for the bike store we realised we were starving so stopped at a burger place close to home and filled up on delicious burger goodness for an an early dinner. We were actually pretty exhausted when we got home and enjoyed a lazy evening.
The next day was also pretty lazy. Our train to Stockholm was to until 1.30pm and we didn't have to leave our accommodation until midday. We had a lie in, leisurely coffee and packing. Lunch at a local bakery and off to the train station.
The highlights of Oslo were definitely the environmental beauty and the food. We ate well here! Looking forward to our next Scandinavian destination, Stockholm.
