September 11, 2009
A Few of the Museums in Oslo
After the Hakadal Sled Dog Symposium, our new friends, Katja and Kai drove us to Oslo where we were to spend the rest of our time in Norway. (Please note that we’re blogging with a roughly 5 day delay…the first part of our trip we didn’t have internet).
Katja and Kai took us to the world famous Holmenkollen Ski Jump, which is currently under renovations, for a cup of coffee and a breathtaking view of the Olso Fjord.
These pictures don’t do any justice to the beauty of the fjord or to the greatness of the ski jump, but we enjoyed both immensely! Thanks Katja and Kai!
We settled into our hotel in central Oslo and the following morning, Snorre Naess and Jan Reinertsen took us to some of the museums around Oslo.
First, we went to the Fram Museum. The Fram was a ship built by Colin Archer to endure extreme ice conditions. It was used by Fridtjof Nansen in his attempt to float across the north pole (1893-1896). Other key polar explorers included Otto Sverdrup and Roald Amundsen. Information about all these men can be found on the Fram Museum website.
Jan, Joe, and Snorre. Jan and Snorre were excellent museum guides for us. We learned a lot about the great Norwegian explorers from these two.
Skis used by the polar explorers.
An unbelievable seal skin parka and pants.
Then, we went to the Kon-Tiki Museum. The Kon-Tiki was a raft used by another famous Norwegian explorer, Thor Heyerdahl, in the late 1940’s to sail across the Pacific to the Polynesian Islands from South America.
Jan and Snorre also took us to the Folk Museum. This place was incredible. There were old homes and barns, some as much as 800 years old (if not older). The woodwork on these places was amazing and many of the cottages had the original glass in the windows which has started to flow.
Hmmm, Snorre, I’m not sure you’re supposed to be feeding the goats. 
An old lumber mill.
This is an old church. I believe Snorre said this is more than 1000 years old.
At the Folk Museum, there are also displays of historical Norwegian woodwork and clothing, among other things.
There was so much to see…all of it beautiful and fascinating. Thanks, Jan and Snorre, for the wonderful tour!
