Friday, going to Oslo
Last December I got a “feeling” and booked a trip to Oslo. I’ve been here once before. EVRY, my employer at the time, had a massive party for all employees when they launched the new brand. They went from EDB ErgoGroup Systeam to EVRY, which is quite an improvement. However, it was a flight in, a party in the evening, and then a flight back the next morning, with no real chance to see the city. It was time to rectify that!
Took the airport bus to Arlanda since they have resumed the “Kista-line” after the pandemic. Woke up an hour early so I took one earlier bus, which was good since the bus was about 15 minutes. Online check-in and baggage drop are so smooth, with no lines at all. However, the security checkpoint. I need to complain a bit. If you are bringing all your stuff through security, why don’t prepare it before you reach the station? One guy took several minutes to split his bags (had two), and take out the liquids, laptop, cell phone, belt, and so on. Another person took a plastic bag at the station to pack their toiletries, why not do that before you entered the queue, or while you were waiting? I spent about 15 seconds, no maybe 20, loading my stuff onto the belt. Almost all loose items were in my backpack, belt, laptop, and cell phone in my hands. Just step up, grab three trays, and put the items down – done!
The flight took just under an hour and went smoothly. Had some luck with the middle seat on my row being empty. Took Flygtoget to Oslo. Probably the most expensive way except for taking a taxi but it was really smooth with departures every ten minutes and easy access from the terminal. Stepped off at Oslo Sentralstasjon and took the 20-minute walk to Thon Hotel Slottsparken, where I’m staying for the weekend. It was quite warm so the combination of jeans and a backpack got me sweating a bit. Can’t complain about the weather though 🙂
Dumped the bags in my room where I discovered that it didn’t have a safety box but had a Chromecast attached to the TV, nice! Also, in my room, behind a locked door where my keycard worked, I found a small kitchen/pantry. Stove, fridge, microwave, and sink. Even found some glasses, plates, and cutlery. Quite the surprise!
Left the hotel to go to Frognerparken. I discovered that Voi exists in Oslo which makes it much easier to cover a bit more distance when moving about. Seems the parking rules are a bit more liberal than in Stockholm which doesn’t hurt either.
Parked outside the park and strolled inside. It’s a quite large park surrounding a bridge with a bunch of statues and “Monolitten“. A bunch of guided tours moved around with the usual flags and headsets.
After a while, I looked up how to get to Fram Museum, after a recommendation from my father. 20 minutes by bike seemed easy enough. I had bought a day pass on Voi, giving me 100 minutes so I found another scooter and took off. Google Maps took me on a detour where I ended up on something more like a hiking trail than a bicycle path, but I got through.
Spent over an hour at the museum, which told stories about the exploration of the north pole. Quite fascinating what they did with the resources they had at their disposal.
After I left the museum I walked around a bit on the peninsula, enjoying the fine weather and view of the water.
Took the same scooter back into town (avoiding the hiking trail) and ended up at Ã…ker brygge which seemed to be the place where everyone in Oslo went for an after-work this nice Friday afternoon. There was a queue at most of the restaurants I passed by with the tables outdoors fully seated.
Realizing I only had a sandwich for lunch during the train ride into town I started to look for some dinner. Found a burger place that actually had seats available outside, Døgnvill Burger. 400 NOK for a burger, fries, a Pepsi, and a mocktail showed that it’s quite expensive in Norway.
When the sun left my table it got a bit chilly so I finished my burger and moved along. Lots of people out walking, dining, and drinking. Took another scooter and went up to Akershus festning. Not the most scooter-friendly place with lots of paths made of cobblestones but I made my way around the castle taking some photos.
Went back to the hotel and thought I should grab my laptop and find a pub to watch the hockey game between Djurgården and Modo, but when I entered my room it felt quite good to just lay down on the bed. So I found a 7-eleven close by, bought some chips and coke, and ended up watching the game and writing this blog post in my room. With the previously discovered equipment, it felt quite fancy anyway 🙂
Saturday
Woke up an hour early today as well. Had some breakfast while watching S.W.A.T. The breakfast was equal to what you find at Scandic or Elite in Sweden, a nice start to the day.
Packed my backpack and then went to find the subway to get to Holmenkollen. My closest subway station was Nationaltheatret. Bought a 24-hour ticket since after two trips it has paid off. I liked that the display showed if it was a long or short train. Also surprised that the doors on the rear half of the train weren’t used when we left the city. They blamed short platforms but it didn’t look like that was the case on several of the stations. The ride itself was quite beautiful, after just a couple of stops we left the tunnels and went above ground.
The trip took about 25 minutes and it was quite clear that Norway is a skiing nation when a bunch of people stepped onto the train with skis in their hands while I’m running around in t-shirt shorts, and bringing a water bottle for the heat.
From the subway station up to the arena itself it was about a 15-minute walk, but quite steep. I’m quite strong but my stamina isn’t that good so I’m happy it wasn’t longer 🙂
When I arrived at the bottom of the hill it was rather a spectacular sight. There was a really deep pit where the jumpers eventually end up, stands wherever can be fitted, and then the tall ramp where they begin their crazy activity.
I took my time walking around the area before climbing the tower. I watched the zip line where you could go from the top of the ramp. Fascinating to see the machinery working to facilitate the attraction. Found the biathlon arena with the shooting range. The targets are so small! Also, there were several people exercising in the stands running up and down the stairs. Looked really tiresome.
After a while, I took the courage to start the climb. I’ve sometimes complained about the high steps in Hovet, but there you only have to get up like ten rows or so. This was three of four times that. I also have a slight fear of heights so I kept my focus on the stairs and looked upward while holding the rail.
At the top of the stands was a platform with the souvenir shop where I bought the mandatory coffee cup as a memory from the trip. All the signs pointing to the jump tower stated that I should buy a ticket in the souvenir shop but when I tried the staff said that if I’m paying with a credit card I should purchase it at the elevator instead. Quite confusing. The guy at the elevator said something about “it takes time to change things around here”. Anyhow, got into the elevator for the last part up in the air.
At the top of the ramp, there was a small lobby for lack of a better word. You could buy a ticket for the zip-line or you could take the stairs up to the observation deck (or viewpoint as they called it). A spectacular view of Oslo and its neighboring areas in all directions.
Spent quite some time at the top (wanted to get my money’s worth) looking at the view, watching the zip-line crews at work, and laughing at the brave ones who went for a ride screaming.
I took the subway back to the city, stepping off at the central station, and started to look for somewhere to watch the floorball final where Storvreta would meet Falun in one game for the championship. Ended up at Royal Gastropub where I bought an expensive club sandwich and Pepsi Max. It seems that Pepsi is the main soda supplier for restaurants in this city.
I watched the two first periods at the pub but in the second intermission, I walked outside to the Oslo Operahouse where I found a nice spot where I could enjoy the sun while watching Storvreta almost fumble their comfortable lead but ended up the winner, hooray!
Kept walking around in the city, stumbling upon Oslo Street Food but since I just ate my expensive club sandwich I just took a couple of photos and moved on.
Got back to the hotel to rest my feet and grab a shower. Got a tip from the internet about a restaurant so I headed off to Baltazar Ristorante & Enoteca, hoping I would get a table this late in the evening. They had one last table available so I ordered their Pizza pesto and it was delicious! Since it was full it was a bit noisy but a nice atmosphere and lovely interior.
Walked around a bit more in the center, and people everywhere with different levels of intoxication. Took the tram back to the hotel and ended up watching Close before going to sleep.
Rain ruined the day
The prognosis stated that it should rain during my last day here and it was correct. When I woke up it was pouring outside. I took a slow morning with breakfast, an episode of Blue Bloods, a shower, and packing. Checkout at noon and then took a walk to the train station.
At Eidsvolls plass it seemed to be some sort of manifestation for Ukraine with a group of people standing in a circle with flags, primarily the blue and yellow but also a couple of Norwegian flags.
Didn’t find anything to do along my walk to the city center so I jumped the train to the airport instead. A smooth bag drop and the security checkpoint were fine. They picked up my bag but the extra check took about 4-5 seconds, yay!
I made my way to the SAS lounge, I decided that the cost was worth it for three hours of comfort and free food and drinks. However, when she asked where I was flying she asked if I shouldn’t go to the international lounge instead. Not sure what the difference is but I walked over there instead.
With half an hour left to boarding I get a notification that the flight is delayed by an hour. More time in the lounge for the money.
Hoping for an uneventful flight back and that Sirius takes a win against Häcken, a game I would have attended if I weren’t in Oslo.
