TOPPSERIEN VACATION AND MARY'S VISIT     15th July 2010

The Norwegian Toppserien is currently on summer break. Unfortunately, it is a much shorter break this year than the 2 months we had off last year. It is the European championships to blame. However, the two weeks that we do have off this year are still a very welcome vacation for me.

As my LSK teammates disappear away to far off lands, Diana and I are holding down the Norwegian fort. We have teammates playing in the Azores, in Bali, in Turkey, and even in Kenya. These Norwegian soccer players certainly travel, and while they do I intend to explore their beautiful country. 

My cousin Mary came to visit on the 6^th July, so it has been exciting for me to get visitors. I love traveling around Norway and there is no better excuse for doing this than having someone come and see me from home.

We left the morning following her arrival for the popular Norwegian hiking area of Bessegen. There is a hike there that I did last year, but it is also one of the most beautiful walks I have ever been on, so I was pleased to go back. 

The weather could not have been better for our excursion, as you will see in the photographs; it was an absolutely perfect day. The hike took us just over 5 hours, so we were pretty pleased with our time and we were even happier with the amazing photographs we had managed to take. I also particularly enjoyed the amazing waffle we treated ourselves to once we were down from the mountain. There is nothing like a treat after a long day of hiking.

Mary and I headed back to Oslo the following day, 9th July, and spent the entire day of the 10^th exploring the city. I have gotten to be quite the tour guide for Oslo and now have a favorite path along which I like to lead my visitors.

I start with the opera house first. It is right next to the train station, and then I walk up Karl Johans Gate. This is the best approach to receive a first look at the royal palace at the end of the street. Just before getting there though,  I hang a left at the Norwegian National Gallery to see the famous painting of  “The Scream” by Munch. There are also a ton of other fantastic paintings there from Picassos, to van Gogha, to Monets, and all beautiful.

Next, we head to the palace, and we saw the changing of the guard and took a picture with one of the VERY young looking soldiers outside. Mary and then walked through the amazing palace gardens to one of my favorite café/sandwich shops hidden around the back of the palace.

From here, we looped down to the harbour to walk through the fort down there, then on to the Nobel Peace Prize Center.  We spent a good couple of hours at the centre as there was a special exhibit on South Africa. Mary is moving there next month, so it was interesting to see some of the exhibits giving background and history. For example, it is one thing to know and have learned about apartheid. But, it is quite another thing to see photos and footage of it all- awful.

From the centre, we took a tram to the statue park to see the famous crying baby and many other famous exhibits and statues.

Exhausted, we went home from here.

It was a long day, but I think that it it really capped off a great trip to Norway for Mary. We are both heading home for my sister’s wedding at the end of the month so I love the idea that I will get to see her again in two weeks. Usually I only see her once every two years these days.

Diana, Per and I have some plans for the next little time. We leave on Tuesday for our next Norwegian adventure which is very exciting. We are heading west to the Stavanger area and the famous Lysefjord.