EUROPE BLOG May 11th, 2023 - OSLO

5/11/23- We get some much needed sleep and leave our hotel around 12:30pm. The weather is cloudy, so we mainly look for things to do indoors, but the Royal Palace intrigues me enough to start our day there.

There’s a long street leading up to the palace with barricades on both sides. We’re not sure what that’s about until we see a motorcade of black vehicles coming toward us and realize someone important is definitely part of this. Thinking nothing of it, we continue to the palace. There are a few guards standing in front of the building but we can literally walk right up to it without a gate keeping us out. Maybe I can ring the doorbell.

Shortly after, Kelvin and I part ways to each hit up a different museum (he chose the Viking Planet which is more of a virtual experience while I go to the Norwegian National Museum). As I present my ticket for entry, I’m told that the Italian President will soon be here and parts may be closed off during that time. Ah, now that explains the motorcade.

 

I go straight to the second floor to the Edvard Munch wing to see his original paintings “The Scream” (1893) and “Madonna” (1895) on display. What an awesome feeling to be able to see this in person.

I continue around the museum seeing other paintings (including Picaso), sculptures and exhibits from Norwegian artists (as well as a weird dungeon like torture room) before heading to the lower floor and running into the Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, walking up the stairs with his entourage.

I check on Kelvin before going over Radhuset (City Hall). The building is open to the public with a very large and decorated main hall. I rummage around a bit, even go past a security barrier at one point to see what lies on the other side and see a city council meeting going on. I quickly back away, not wanting to get thrown out.

Kelvin text me that he’s done and we find a Norwegian restaurant nearby that he picks out. Not long after sitting down I’m astounded at the prices (equivalent of $30 for a hamburger and the prices keep going up). Kelvin thinks about ordering the Steak tar tar, but when we look it up to see it’s raw meat, we leave to go to another place.

It takes 10 minutes but we find a restaurant that we like (although the prices are still fairly high but it’s more to our liking of choices). We order the smoked whale, which is not a lot to eat but we couldn’t pass up this opportunity, and a plate of pulled pork with potatoes. The food was excellent and filling and the glass of water they provide is free as well. Good thing too because their drinks are also crazy ($10 US for a beer and $20 for a glass of wine). No thank you, water is perfect.

It’s now pushing 5:30pm and the rain is starting. We’re good for the day anyhow so we make our way back to our place (not before walking through a anti-war protest). I’m quite impressed with our hotel as it’s very comfortable with complimentary snacks and such. I’m also impressed with Oslo as a whole. Yeah it can be pricey but the presentation is excellent.