Discovering Oslo 12/05/2024

 Oslo is a modern city with a long history.  Oslo came into being during the Viking Age.  Its origins began in 1048 when it was established as a Trading Place by Harald Hardrada, the King of Norway from 1046 to 1066.  Harald unsuccessfully tried to gain the English Crown in 1066.  He was killed on September 25, 1066.  He is remembered as the last Viking king of Norway.  The city of Oslo was completely destroyed by fire in 1624.  It was rebuilt through the centuries and is today the capital of Norway.  

As I mentioned we retired last night around 8:30 PM.  I woke up around 3:00 AM and watched the Auburn-Duke basketball game until it ended (sad face), then went back to sleep.  We got up around 10:15 AM, we were over our jet lag.  

We left our hotel and went to a local restaurant Tullin's.  A good choice.  I had Norwegian grilled salmon and Linda had a chicken wrap.  I thought her chicken wrap looked a lot what she gets at home...  a very good meal.

We walked to the Royal Palace. It was completed in 1849 and has served continously from that time as the principal residence of the Norwegian Royalty.  It underwent its last renovation in 2000.  This is the most important building in the Monarchy. It is open to visitors for two months in the summer. The Royal Guard was very cordial.  They were impressed when I told them I was a retired Alabama State Trooper, but they would not let us in.  They did let Linda pose with them with a picture.

When we left the Royal Palace we went to the train station and bought our bus tickets for tomorrow's trip to Drobak.  Drobak is the home of Santa Claus.  I was told if Santa was not there, I could probably have my picture made with his cousin, Tom.

We then went to the Christmas Market.  We heard about  the traditional Norway Christmas drink, the Glogg.  It is a hot mulled wine drink, made with red wine, often mixed with raisins and almonds. So of course we had to partake.  In my report I will have to say it was very tasty.  We returned to our hotel so I could complete yesterday's journal entry.  We went back to the market about 6:00 for dinner.  Moose burgers seemed to be very popular.  That was our entree.  If your travel's bring you to Norway, eat the moose burger.

Did I mention today was a 14,000 + step day?

Jerry and Linda




 

Our Hotel

Royal Palace


Royal Guard & Linda







Ice Rink

Linda at the camp fire



Norwegian grilled salmon


Christmas Market


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