Norway # 2

Thursday ~ June 16                                                  Oslo.. our last port 

The Oslo Opera House...what a fabulous design!
 As we arrived, this was the view from our deck + for the day.

What a day! We were able to see 'n visit.....

* The Royal Palace ~ built 1849

* Their National Museum, included paintings by....

...Edward Munch, Norwegian artist

* Vigeland Park

The world's largest sculpture park which contains 212 bronze + granite sculptures all created by Norwegian sculpture, Gustav Vigeland.

* The Viking Ship Museum 

* Kon Tiki Museum est. 1949

* City Hall ~ colorful murals on walls

 A great day seeing those Oslo sites, then.....

... a scenic departure from Oslo Fjord. 


Wednesday ~ June 15                                                     Kristiansand      
      

This town is along their sunshine coast....but today no sun !!

Sharing some town sites below...

Of course, a cathedral ~1884

 Performing Arts Bldg. ~ along the waterfront.

 Traditional white homes, also colorful residences.

and then.....on their main street.  

Of note: an "art" installation in front.

 A waterfront bldg. = a reminder of the fishing days + the importance of....

....salt cod !

    Tuesday ~ June 14                                                                  Stavanger                 

Their downtown harbor is a bustling place ....

 ....with water craft of all sizes off to many destinations.

We docked right next to their "largest surviving wooden house settlement in Northern Europe". Most all are painted their traditional white.

Lovely warm day to walk'about their town and 
see the sites that surround their downtown harbor.

Stavanger Cathedral is Norway's oldest and was built about 1100.

We were in awe at their carved pulpit !

"gristle - Baroque" style pulpit from 1658. 


Monday ~ June 13                        The Sognefjord "the Best of Norway"

           Our early morning cruise up the fjord 

 these pictures taken about 4 - 5 a.m.

Arrived at Flam ..end of the fjord

I took their little train 12 miles up to Myrdal....thru spiral tunnels. The road up to that next town is in picture below. It is not used anymore, so train provides  the only transportation....besides biking and hiking !

The train took a similar route!

 Our departure from Flam...fabulous view every direction. Surprised by the numbers of small towns along the fjord. Most had road access.

************

To Bergen ~ June 9.                   Traveling the fjords, the scenes are ...

...truly spectacular !

As we near Bergen, some charming.....

....and quaint.

Arrived !!

Vagen Harbor area

Bryggen ~ first bldgs date back to 11th century

~ World Heritage Site ~

Interesting use of "tree roots" in their old building construction.

Fish Market area