Day One Hundred Thirty-One - May 16

Even with dark drapes I could see the light shining into our stateroom and I even took a photo of the moment. Sunrise was just after 04:20 with sunset around 22:00. It must be different living this far north and having so much sunlight.

On our second and last day to Norway we are in Oslo, the largest city and capital of the country.

Our decision today is to walk around and visit as much as we can. Armed with our trusty city map off we go.

One of the exhibits we wish to see is the Vigeland Sculpture Park located four kilometers from the cruise terminal. The tourist information person suggested we take the number twelve tram here. Okay, so we find the tram located near the train station and climb on board but there is no place to pay. It seems that you need a card which you purchase at local stores or use an app on your phone to make payment. I did not see many individuals making payment though. We will stay on the tram and see what happens.

We finally arrive at the sculpture park, and no one checks for a valid tram ticket. There are more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland most of which involve intertwined human figures. It was very fascinating.

Now it is time to take our chances with the tram again as we need to get back into the city and find the Nobel Peace Centre. The Centre is open daily except for Monday which is today. So, no luck but it is nice to take a photo of the building. For anyone visiting Oslo and wanting to see the Centre please book ahead.

Every December 10, the Nobel Prize is given out in a ceremony at City Hall.

The area where the Nobel Peace Centre is located is surrounded by many restaurants and bars. What would be left for us to visit with only four hours left before returning to the ship.

Do you have any guesses?

Well after four and half months on a cruise ship let's go on a two-hour open ferry harbour ride around the city and into the fjords located near Oslo.

The tour took us pass the Viking ship in harbour as well as our ship nearer the city centre. Our ship was docked across from the Opera House, an amazingly designed building. Unfortunately, time was not on our side to walk up to the top of the Opera House.

Continuing within the fjords we pass several islands where the house colours are regulated. You can see reds, yellows, greens scattered here.

A lot of the homes are summer places where the citizens from Oslo go to relax.

We are now returning to the ship and our next port of Copenhagen is 219 nautical miles away.

As mentioned we arrived on Monday. Tuesday, May 17 was their National Day when the country celebrates the signing of the constitution in 1814. It will be like Canada Day July 1 and the USA 4th of July celebrations we have in North America.