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.

IMGP1436

 no09 173

 no09 170

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.

no09 188

 

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. 

no09 202

no09 187

     

Skis used by the polar explorers.

no09 213

 

An unbelievable seal skin parka and pants.

no09 186

 

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. 

no09 237

no09 242

 

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.

 no09 248

 no09 255 

Hmmm, Snorre, I’m not sure you’re supposed to be feeding the goats. ;)

no09 273

  no09 305

An old lumber mill.no09 277

no09 294

no09 306

no09 299

no09 323

 

This is an old church.  I believe Snorre said this is more than 1000 years old.

no09 346

       no09 331

 

At the Folk Museum, there are also displays of historical Norwegian woodwork and clothing, among other things.

no09 351

no09 360

no09 363

 

There was so much to see…all of it beautiful and fascinating.  Thanks, Jan and Snorre, for the wonderful tour!

 

  • The Wyomingite

    How awesome!!

  • Angus

    Wow, looks like you’re having an excellent time and thanks for sharing your adventures!