Norway

My Norway travel summary:

Visited: April 2007

Duration of stay: 3 days

Capital city: Oslo

Population: 5.3 million (2006)

Norway travel blog reading time: 5 minutes

• Modern Oslo with designer stores, museums, parks, and vibrant nightlife.
• Enjoying Oslo’s Sentrum, people-watching.
• Appreciating how cold spring weather never stops outdoor life.
• Imagining the courage of ski jumpers at the top of Holmenkollen ski ramp.
• Norway is extremely expensive, especially accommodation, food, drinks, and services.

Norway occupies western Scandinavia and has repeatedly been ranked among the world’s best places to live. About two-thirds of Norway is mountainous, with deep fjords and around 50,000 islands scattered along its coastline.

Norwegians have been explorers of unknown territories for many centuries.

Early inhabitants depended on fishing and farming and gradually developed a strong seafaring tradition. It reached its peak during the Viking era, when Norse warriors raided Western European coasts. The Vikings also established colonies in Iceland and Greenland, and later explored the coast of North America.

In the 20^th century, exploration of the world was replaced by offshore oil and natural gas production. Norway became one of the world’s leading petroleum exporters in the 1990s. Constant growth of the economy, increased standard on living and social care has transformed Norway into one of the richest countries on the globe.

I visited Oslo during a short late-April break in 2007. It was early spring, and the temperatures were still quite low. Still, locals were eager to spend time outside in parks and bars, wrapped in warm blankets.

Unfortunately, it was Easter, so some museums and places to visit were closed during my Norway travel adventure.

Walking around the capital was pleasant, and I noticed that people were very relaxed and resistant to the cold.

The capital of Norway sits on the country’s southern coast, at the head of the Oslofjord. It’s known for its green spaces and museums. The waterfront, once a harbor, now serves as a cultural center and is home to the Oslo Opera House.

In the Sentrum, dating back to 1624, I walked along shops, fine hotels and historical buildings. I found plenty of cafés and restaurants along Karl Johans gate and its surrounding streets. Oslo’s best-known buildings, attractions, and main landmarks are also located here. These include Akershus Fortress, the Royal Palace, City Hall and the Parliament.

The Nobel Peace Center, where the Nobel Committee awards the Nobel Peace Prize every year. offers an opportunity to learn about its winners and their work. It also presents the remarkable history of Alfred Nobel. Unfortunately, the museum was closed during my visit.

Holmenkollen Ski Museum features a captivating exhibition of skis and artefacts from polar expeditions. The highlight of my visit was the frightening view from the top of the ski jump ramp. With a K-point of 120 meters, it is only half the size of the largest ski jumps in the world. Even so, just looking at the inrun and landing slope made me admire the ski jumpers who compete in this adrenaline-filled sport.

An important part of my Norway travel adventure was also visiting some museums in Oslo, which represent the city’s main attractions.

The Norsk Folkemuseum is an open-air museum with over 150 historic buildings. The museum displays different materials, construction techniques and traditional customs from different parts of Norway. For me, the loveliest part was a wooden house that, in its form and use, reminded me a lot of the Slovenian kozolec.

The Viking Ship Museum houses three historic ships from the Viking era. These ships once sailed the seas before being discovered in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries and transported to Oslo. All of them were built between 800 and 900, during the height of the Viking Age.

Beside the ships, some mysterious items are also exhibited, the most outstanding being Buddha Bucket. Vikings may have contacted Asian cultures, but researchers think it more likely reflects mixed Northern European influences.

The Kon-Tiki Museum exhibits objects from Thor Heyerdahl’s world-famous expeditions. It also displays the original Kon-Tiki raft and the reed-built papyrus boat Ra II. Kon-Tiki was a raft of balsa wood of pre-Columbian model. Heyerdahl’s expedition aimed to show that ancient people from the Americas could have colonized Polynesia.

My last stop in Oslo were over 200 monuments made of bronze, granite and cast iron in Vigeland Sculpture Park. They offer an interesting cultural experience, even for visitors who are not very knowledgeable about art, like me. Visitors see the Angry Boy, the Monolith, and figures of men, women, and children as a vision of resurrection and spiritual longing.

I noticed Narvesen stores on almost every corner. Narvesen is a Norwegian chain of newsagents and convenience stores and one of the country’s largest retailers. To me, it felt like they had a monopoly, with over 350 outlets nationwide.

Prices in Norway are extremely high. The government heavily taxes alcoholic beverages, so they cost two to three times more than in Central Europe.

As I always say, I do not judge a country only by its capital city, and I don’t want to make an exception for Norway.

The contrast between urban and rural environments stands out strongly. The natural beauty of Norway’s mountainous areas, vast landscapes, and stunning western fjords represent a strong reason to return and explore the country more deeply.

Aurora borealis or polar lights are another excuse to visit Norway. I hope to see brilliant curtain-like lights in the heart of the aurora zone in the Norwegian Arctic in the future.

When my wallet is ready and my sense of adventure settles, I will explore Norway’s wilderness, fjords, and auroras.