Today we decided to take a guided tour. We went to four different locations. First the bus drove around the central area with a guide giving us some information about Oslo. It turns out that Norway was not a fully independent country until 1905. It had a constitution signed in 1814 but was forced into a union with Sweden which lasted until 1905. our first stop on the tour was to a ski jump and Nordic competition area. I have never been near an actual Olympic level Skijump. I have to admit it is very impressive. Being up close to it makes me wonder what kind of crazy people actually go down these things. I’m going to have to apologize for most of my pictures. Either we were outside where the weather was dismal, gray or we were inside and the lighting wasn’t that great.



Our next stop was Vigeland Park which is an extraordinary open air showcase of work by Norway’s best loved sculptor Gustaf Vigeland. I was really impressed with his work. He also was the designer of the Nobel peace prize medal. In his works, tried to depict the stages of life from infancy through adulthood and old age. However death is not the end, the subject matter is cyclical. His father was very religious but also an alcoholic. This difficult relation did have an impact on Vigeland’s art. He also was greatly influenced by Rodin.

Our third stop was at the Polarship Fram museum. This was a stunning museum that is dedicated to the polar exploration by the ship called Fram. The actual ship is inside the museum. By using visual effects on the wall, you actually feel like you’re on the boat. You were also able to go down below deck and see the living quarters. They have the galley set up for the Christmas dinner that was served aboard. One of the pictures is the menu for that dinner. The ship was used by Roald Amundsen in his quest to beat Robert Scott to the south pole. Fortunately he was the first one to the South Pole. Unfortunately Robert Scott’s attempt ended in tragedy. Amundsen had superior equipment, dogs, etc.

Our final stop was the Viking museum which holds three restored Viking ships. Viking people of wealth were actually buried in their ships. They also believed in an afterlife similar to the Egyptians so buried with them are many artifacts and other things that they will need in the afterlife.