Norway Day 3 & 4

We started off the morning by taking the subway out of town to Holmenkollen.  There's a large ski jump and a ski museum.  Normally they have an elevator that you can take to the top of the ski jump for an excellent view of Oslo down below, but unfortunately it was broken.  Patrick spent some time walking through the museum while I sat outside writing post cards.  On our way back Patrick improvised a view.  He noticed an outdoor spiral staircase at a slightly elevated hotel down the road from the ski jump. We enjoyed the view and Patrick took a few photos.  I liked the ride up and back on the subway, we were able to see some of the lovely residential areas surrounding Oslo.

Ski Jump

Oslo

Oslo

Patrick Ski Jumping ;)

In the afternoon we stopped at Frogner Park in Oslo.  The park is famous for including the Vigeland Sculpture Park.  The park features 212 bronze sculptures, all having to do with the circle of life.  The most famous is the young boy throwing a fit.  Patrick wanted to go see the sculpture 'Baby Thrower' as he could see his future in this sculpture.  I have to be honest, the sculptures weren't really my cup of tea, but I enjoyed the park and the company was unparalleled.  That night after a short nap we went out to dinner and turned in early.

Baby Thrower

Dorky tourist picture.

On Tuesday morning we got up early to start our journey west through Norway.  We took a fast speed train from Oslo to Myrdal, from there we took an old fashioned train to Fram, and from there we took a hydrofoil ferry to Balestrand.  The trip was stunning and it was great fun to travel through the countryside.

The train to Fram, I told Patrick we were going to
Hogwarts.

It was a little cold.

I had to include this bacon wrapped hot dog, with mustard,
chili ketchup, and fried onions.  They LOVE their hot dogs
in Norway!

In Balestrand we checked into our historic hotel and waited for the seafood buffet to begin.  When I asked Nicole and Lew what they enjoyed in Norway, this is one of the things that Nicole mentioned.  She loved staying on the Sognefjord at the Kviknes Hotel, and having dinner at their seafood buffet.  Normally I'm not a huge fan of buffets, just because I can never seem to eat enough to justify the price.  But we made an exception for this, and it was wonderful.  We ate halibut, shrimp, crab, salmon, and the list goes on.  For me, the best part was sharing the experience with my love.