BYE BYE OSLO

     I was up around 7:30 so didn't need my alarm, showered and out the door before 9 am.  Tram to Train...Train to Bus...Bus to Plane...Plane to Amsterdam. What a fantastic system Norway has to get around. Goodbye Ooosslo.

   

Vending Credit Chip Card Machines on Train

Thank you KLM

 A quick Tram ride and I was back at the apartment.  I went out to eat after I got settled in on Rooseveltlaan.    When I returned   Peter arrived from visiting Jeannette.  We talked a bit about Norway and the trip the ended up going to bed late.  
         Today is Monday now. Time to do some shopping and drop the laundry off.  I'm meeting my friend I met in Phoenix when he bumped into the the back of my car one evening.  
         He plays baseball on the 45 and older World Series every year for a team called the Holland Astros and mix of Dutch and American players.   Actually this year, 9 will be Dutchmen that he plays in a league with in Holland.  They have Orange (National Color of Holland) Jerseys, with ASTROS on front with Holland in smaller letters and an American Flag on one shoulder and the Dutch on the other.  He batted 500-700 average last year and plays on a regular basis between his work and family. His position is Center field or Shortstop.  He started his own business as a consultant two years ago and is now busy traveling the world with clients in South Africa, Spain and Dubai.

Transporting children on a large Segway!

         Montiano is setting the time and place as he has a busy schedule at work.  He asked where I was located and what kind of food I liked then suggested an Italian Restaurant, Il Trulli a short walk from where I was staying.  It was a place Peter and Jeannette recommended.  

        I arrived and not knowing what Monti would drink I ordered a full Carafe of house red wine..very good.  Monti showed up shortly thereafter but doesn't drink and has an almost two hour drive home!  I suggested we get separate checks but he graciously said as a guest in his country, he wished to treat me.  Very hospitable.  We had appetizers and entrees that were excellent but were so engrossed in conversation I forgot to take any photos...sorry..the food and presentation were excellent.  The server finally took a photo for me as we were leaving. He drove me back.  I hope to see him next season when he plays the last week in October.  He will be playing in the father and son series.  His son will be 16 then which is the qualifying age.  Then in a few more years his other son will also qualify...then he said he may stop baseball...but I doubt it. 

That's Monti on the left.

      Peter had already returned from a visit with Jeannette.  They sat outside and Peter built a fire for Jeannette.  We both retired early.

LAST DAY IN NORWAY

      The weather forecast read a high of 64% today...I'm excited.

 11 am and I'm off. Sissel had showed me how to take the Tram to the Waterfalls then walk downhill following the river.  There was a Farmer's Market nearby that she suggested.  I decided to do my exploring now then end the day at the falls and walk back to the apartment.  We were going out to dinner my last night in repayment for such wonderful hospitality.  I couldn't imagine what it cost to stay in a hotel or B and B in Oslo. 

     I bought a 24 hour pass for transport and took the Tram to downtown then headed for the City Hall.  There was a REAL tourist Information center there where I picked up a booklet in English, (I thought), to take home.  I noticed there was a Museum Island I could take a ferry to and see any one of three top notch museums.  Kon Tiki, Viking Ship, and Folk Museum.  It was such a nice day I decided to tour City Hall then buy a ticket just behind on the wharf for the Museum Island and see what happens.  

Demonstration

Cross town Skiing on Roller Blades

     The whole area I was in was packed with people and activity.  There was a big demonstration I witnessed in one of the parks STOP ISIS!  It was Middle Eastern people fed up with being portrayed as part of the "Movement" when they were not.  TV film crews were there and me.  

     I went into City Hall and visited the chambers and the meeting rooms.  Quite nice.  I bought a ticket for the ferry then stopped into the Alfred Nobel Hall where Obama received his Nobel Peace prize.   I had to pay $10 for a tour but had the ferry to catch so declined.  

          The National Theater was nearby so I stopped by there just to take a few pics then returned to catch my ferry to Museum Island.  Unfortunately when we docked the museums were spread out and we had to walk there. Of the three I only wanted to see  the Viking ship they resurrected and restored or Kon Tiki.  

 
          I followed the crowd up hill until my legs started with the pain and I lost them.  I was down to a crawl but taking photos of the MANSIONS with Porche's, BMW's, Mercedes, and Tesla's behind the gates.  This is one of the wealthiest areas of Norway. 
           I finally reached the top of the hill and turned away from the Folk Museum down the street...I don't know how far...and choose the direction of the other two.  Then the street started downhill.  If I go downhill I have to return uphill.  I was exhausted so choose to sit down in a nice little restaurant and have lunch.

           A Hamburg and Potatoes with Coffee...$35 My $10 BIG ASS BURGER at the Roaring Fork would have been twice the size and better. When in Rome.
         I decided to return to the boat dock and go back to the city but took a wrong turn at the fork in the road and was going downhill but in the wrong direction.  I didn't recognize any of the homes and I had taken a lot of photos of.  After stopping some lost Russians and then Japanese...both directed me back up the road.  My legs were ready to give out but I had no choice.  Finally I returned to the fork in the road and got back on track.

     When I reached the dock, the boat was just arriving ...thank God or someone.
Then after boarding, it went to the Kon Tiki Museum to pick up more passengers.  If I had just kept going, I wouldn't have had to walk all the way back up just wait for the ferry...I didn't know they had two pick up points.  I got a LOT of exercise and felt good about that but my legs and feet didn't.  
      When we arrived back at the dock I went back to the Tourist bureau to return the guide book on Oslo that was in GERMAN and get the one in English.  

       I wanted to take the Tram to the Waterfalls but also wanted to confirm my bus to the airport for tomorrow.  I choose the bus station but the ticket man couldn't tell me where to pick up the bus.  He said I just had to come down the next day as the Dock or stall you pick up the bus changes.  He suggested I take the train.  The train station was closer so I walked over there and in 5 minutes an attendant got me a ticket for 9:39 am Sunday for TORP airport.  I did have to take a transfer bus when I arrived to take me to the Airport but that only took fifteen minutes and the train was half the cost of the bus fare I paid to get into town when I arrived. 

Vikings on the Prowl

      I returned home with a pass that was still good for the Tram in the morning, and a train ticket to the airport, and sore feet.  I greeted Sissel, freshened up and we left for dinner at a unique two star Michelin restaurant that serve fusion, eclectic, whatever new cuisine.  Something I vowed not to ever do but I still had all these Norwegian Krona's that I ATM'd at the airport on arrival. 
         $80 for a bottle of wine, and another $160, I think for some very small portions but a lot of them...my meal was ...: Pumpkin Soup;  Poached Eggs with Cauliflower, Parmesan, etc;  Beef Tongue, Brussels Sprouts, Parsnips, Cauliflower, Mushrooms, some exotic foam;   Frozen Kiwi, Mango, Creme Frache, etc.  It was good but very unusual...I took the Norwegian menu home to have it interpreted so someone can tell me what I ate.  I now don't have to spurge like that again on some Chef's exotic whims yet appreciated having done so. 

      I thanked Sissel for her hospitality, packed and did this blog.  I'll be alright when I reach the airport tomorrow but the tension stressful.  This is the part of travel that bothers me the most.

FRIDAY AT THE OPERA

     Norwegians tend to be friendly but serious .  They certainly take their health seriously.  Like all of Scandinavia , health care is free if you don't count the 40% income tax taken from your pay all your life.  Norway has a HIGH tax on alcohol spirits...Gin, Vodka, Whiskey and the like.  Wine and Beer are also expensive $10 for a Beer and a cheap bottle of wine is $20 and up. They bicycle a LOT and this is up Mountains and such.  They walk a lot and have an excellent mass transit system throughout the country.  
     

OK, so today was very cold and overcast this morning but around 1 pm the sun broke through the clouds so I decided to do some walking today.  I wrapped myself up with sweater, jacket and my new alpaca scarf from Peru and headed out for the Opera house.   I walked downhill to downtown.  I didn't care which street I took and found myself there in about 10 minutes.  I found a shortcut I wish I knew about before. 

        I stopped at the Information place I went to when I first arrived to get a Tourist book in English with a map.  Sissel had one but I wanted one to take back home with all the attractions, local info, etc.  She said they were NOT a Tourist Information place.  They used to be a year ago but now the REAL tourist info place is down by City Hall.  OK...she did give me a map and pointed out where to go.  

Share a Needle?

       I stepped out the door and headed in the opposite direction, of course.  I had walked about an hour before I thought to check the map.  I then started back in a circle to where I had been but then hit a detour with a huge construction project.  Another hour passed before I arrived at where I started and discovered the Opera House was just around the corner and down the street...closer than the City Hall.

         I choose the Opera house and after arriving I climbed all the way to the top.  Despite being tired and having sore feet...NO pain in my legs.  I was on a roll.  It has to be the Scandinavian air with a high Oxygen level like in Iceland just across the Sea.  

I had to have a photo of this accomplishment with me in it so approached a young couple and offered to take a photo of them with their camera if they would be so kind as to take one of me with my camera.

 He was from Paris and worked at Disney world in Orlando for some time so spoke good English, was young and friendly.  Having done that I returned down off the ROOF of the Opera House but was denied entrance due to some big media event they were setting up for this evening. 

         Home was uphill so I got a one-way pass for $5 to take the full rush hour Tram back to the house.  I was standing up with the rest of those of us that boarded when a young lady jumped out of her seat and offered it to me.  I humbly declined then later regretted it as the traffic was slow and I had been on my feet for four hours without sitting once.  

       I exited my stop and entered the Express House for a relaxing cup of coffee and a rest before going up to the apartment.  I'm home now and Sissel should be home from work soon.  I've been saving my appetite for our dinner this evening. I noticed the Cafe Lotto yesterday and though it a nice, slightly upscale, close by place with a good variety on their menu, so hope to go there.