Oslo - March 24, 2017

We are so clever! We got the tram system figured out down-pat today—actually it is one of the most sensible, intuitive transportation systems we have ever encountered. We boarded the No. 11 from our neighborhood to Oslo Central Station this morning then like pros we picked up the No. 1 all the way to Frognerseteren - last stop on the line. It's situated at the top of the mountain that overlooks Oslo and is also the home of the Holmenkollbakken, the tallest and most challenging ski jump in the world. This place is where world ski jump championships are held every four years and is the home to most major competitions in Europe. The ramp is so high and long that the sport is now referred to as ski flying, with a record flight of 832 feet. Sheesh! To see the ramp, makes a person like me a little weak in the knees.

The ride on the tram to Frog was simply gorgeous. Because the mountainside route provides a spectacular view of the Oslo fjord, private homes line the tracks and are tucked in close to each other up and down the mountain. The real estate is expensive because it is close to nature and the view is amazing. Many homes are built in traditional style. Many are ultra-modern. I took lots of photos.

By the time we arrived at Frog, we were HUNGRY but nothing was in sight. People left the tram and went this way and that, some going to down-hill ski, some going to do some cross-country skiing and some, just moms pushing babies in strollers. The sign pointed downhill to the restaurant so downhill we went. We had walked only around one short bend when the clear road gave way to patchy ice and packed snow. The moms continued on with babes in strollers; we did as well. Maybe our boots and shoes weren't the kind we needed, but we slipped and skidded all the way down. We grabbed at tree limbs for support -- laughing until we cried all the way down. I took to walking in snow when I could and holding on to branches and twigs to keep from falling. Meanwhile the moms and babes marched-on on the ice. Thank you, God, we did not fall and thank you, God, we made it to the restaurant. All I could think is how are we going to get back up that hill?????

We had lunch at the Frognerseteren Hovedrestaurant in Norwegian style. I had fish soup - it came highly recommended plus I thought I might be ordering a light fare. Stan ordered the reindeer club sandwich. My dish was fantastic -- rich and fattening loaded with cream and melted butter but Stan's selection won the prize. It was hearty and delicious. Just look at the photos. Our waiter was amazing too. I think we may have entertained him and broke up his otherwise boring day. He plated our dishes himself and checked on us often. We told him our travel plans and a few funny stories from our past. We got on well. When it came time to leave, he pulled us aside and gave us a beautiful book about the restaurant, its dragon-style architecture and the art hanging on its walls. Our hearts were touched.

As we left the restaurant, we continued walking down the hill on cleared roads to the little church with the tall steeple and then made a right toward the ski jump— instructions given us by our waiter. That's where we were able to get photos of the jump facility - like I said, it is so tall, I simply cannot imagine standing at the top and pushing off on skis only to travel so fast that when the end is reached, you merely fly. I still get shivers!

We found the tram and headed back to Oslo. We had a couple of "must-do's" in mind: 1. Purchase a Hardrock Café traditional guitar pin to add to Stan's collection and 2. Do a quick tour through the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art. We did both. We jumped off the tram at exactly the right spot, walked across a park and one block up. Voila! Hard Rock Café! We bought Stan's pin—there it is I'm looking at it right now. Next we walked in cold winds and spitting snow to the waterfront where we bought tickets to the museum. I just had to go. I think it takes a curious and great mind to enjoy modern art. But being just a bit avant garde, I was intrigued by some of it; wondering what the ***** about most of it. Stan generously indulged me but I knew what he was thinking.

Guess what, we found our tram back to our apartment!! We walked up to the stop and 30 seconds later the tram arrived and we headed to our warm cozy apartment. One cute note, on our way to the tram stop, we met face to face with our bike tour leaders from yesterday! We yelled and greeted each other with happy abandon!