We are sad to leave our ship, but now looking forward to new adventures on land. We arrived in our final port, Kirkenes (pop. 5000) which is 9 miles from the Russian border crossing at Storskog. A bus took us directly from the Kong Harald to Kirkenes airport, where we caught a two hour SAS flight to Oslo.
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| Lovely Kirkenes airport |
Upon arrival at Olso Gartermoen airport, we located the Flytoget express train which transported us 22 miles to OsloSentralstajon--often referred to as "Oslo S".
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| Flytoget express train: airport to Oslo |
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| Main lobby of Oslo Sentralstasjon |
Although we had booked rooms adjacent to Oslo S at the Thon Opera to simplify logistics, we were determined to make finding our hotel as difficult as possible. We left the track area, went into the main terminal area, down an escalator, out the front of Oslo S, across the plaza, down a ramp, across another plaza with a large bronze tiger, around the corner, down a cobblestone street with our rolling suitcases, finally spotted the hotel, went around another corner to the front entrance...eventually ending up at our hotel about one minute walk from the Oslo S side entrance near the Flytoget platform. Brilliant! Next time, we will definitely remember to first take a peek at the Google satellite view.......
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| Sculpture in from of our Thon Opera hotel |
The Thon Opera is a clean, efficient business hotel located between Oslo S and the beautiful white Oslo Opera House. We would recommend Thon Opera for great location, good online pricing and excellent free breakfasts included in the stay. Ask for a room facing the Opera building--the tenth(top) floor is a bit nicer than the lower floors and includes small balconies with table/chairs.
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| Oslo Opera House as seen from our hotel |
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| Wacky Scandinavian architecture seen from Oslo Opera House |
Staying next to Oslo S has many advantages in addition to being within walking distance to the Flytoget and all other trains. Oslo S is also a main stop for all the other modes of public transportation in Oslo-- namely the trams, local busses and the subway ("T-bane" or just "T"). Oslo S also houses essentially an entire Mall with a full grocery store, a VinMonopolet ("Poulay" to the locals) and other stores selling most anything you can think of. And you can walk on the roof of the chic newly constructed Opera House across the street!
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| Lobby area of the Oslo Opera House |
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| Artsy study in perspective |
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| Manfred likes my artsy perspective shot! |
We departed Kirkenes in the rain and arrived in Oslo to 70 degree sunshine. Took a nice walk down the pedestrian-only Karl Johan's Gate, where every form of street artist, musician, mime, etc. seeks to extract a few kroner from tourista pockets.
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| Karl Johan's Gate street scene |
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| Street musician Elijah...from California |
KJG runs a mile or more between Oslo S and the Royal Palace--hence the name of our ship, King Harald. Manfred bought an oil painting adjacent to where a stylish young spray paint artist created both custom as well as his own imaginative creations. There were also portrait artists doing quality charcoal and pen & ink drawings contracted by passers by.
Had dinner at an Indian restaurant and then strolled back down KJG towards our hotel. Even in southern Norway, it doesn't get dark until after 11pm and it is difficult to justify sleep when the locals are having such a wonderful time soaking up the light and warmth they don't get much of the year. The cafes and sidewalk bars are full, crowds of people are walking about and occupying public spaces just to see...and be seen. However, we have a big day planned tomorrow, so off to bed!
Posted by TBW Travel Today!
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