HMAS Newcastle FFG 06 arrived in Newcastle Harbour today for what will probably be its final visit before decommissioning.
We arrived early and spent a relaxing afternoon walking on the foreshore. We had a very nice steak pie at Harry’s Cafe De-Wheels and an ice cream from across the road. The foreshore was a very pleasant backdrop to sit and eat lunch next to.
While eating we watched the coal ships coming and going and had a great view of Nobby’s Headland. Then we walked up to Nobby’s Surfhouse and had a nice coffee until the ship was due.
HMAS Newcastle arrived around 3:30PM, to a large crowd all along the break water and foreshore.
An in all a very relaxing afternoon.
Nobby’s Headland
Tug Boat Newcastle Harbour
Coal Ship Newcastle Harbour
HMAS Newcastle FFG 06
To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.
Arriving in Oslo at the Central Train Station at 3:00PM, we made our way to our hotel. It was just across the road from the station, only a few minutes’ walk. Very handy, as we were departing by train too. The train station is very large and modern. We found it easy to find our way around.
The Clarion Hotel Royal Christiania check in was quick and easy and we liked the rooms. Nice and comfortable and importantly warm.
Tourist Information Bureau
After dropping our bags off and having a quick freshen up, we headed out to find the local Tourist Information Bureau. It is located outside the train station and is well sign posted and easy to find. The staff were very friendly and helpful. As the bus and tram public transport system is very efficient, we asked about getting passes for the next two days. They sell the passes there and showed us the best places to catch buses and which numbers to get for the places we intended going to.
Oslo Central Train Station
Outside the Visitor Centre and the Train Station is a large open public space. We took pictures of the Tiger Statue and Thor’s Hammer that are located there. During our visit the latest Star Wars movie was being released, so there was a life-sized model of a crashed Tie Fighter as well. We were very lucky and got some good photos while there were not too many crowds around.
Tiger – Oslo Railway Station
Star Wars Tie Fighter – Oslo Railway Station
Mjölnir Thor’s Hammer – Oslo
Karl Johans Gate
Opposite the train station is Karl Johans Gate, the main shopping street in Oslo. Most of the street is a pedestrian mall, except for the cross roads, so be careful when you cross. The road goes past the cathedral and the parliament building, but we only had a quick look, as we planned to have a better look in two days’ time.
There were large crowds at the Grand Hotel, as the Nobel Peace Prize was being awarded. The security was visible but not over the top. The one thing that we found really disturbing was the number of people begging on the streets. This would be the same in other cities we were to visit as well.
Viking Ship Museum
On the first full day in Oslo, we caught a number 30 bus to the Bygdøy Peninsular. Some of Oslo’s best museums are located here and we planned to see several of them if time permitted. We started at the Viking Ship Museum. The bus stopped right outside, and we arrived just before opening time. This enabled us to see all the exhibits without crowds. The three 9th century ships on display are magnificent and the museum really should be a must see for anyone interested in Viking history.
Viking Ship Museum
Viking Ship Museum
Oslo Viking Ship Museum
Norwegian Folk Museum
A short walk back up the road is the huge open air Norwegian Folk Museum. Buildings of historical importance from all over Norway have been located here for preservation. We loved the stave church and the farming village, all set out as they used to be. It would be possible to spend a whole day here if you wanted to see everything that is available, but we were time limited, so stuck to the plan to see the attractions that interested us the most. Then we headed in from the cold and had a hot chocolate in the café.
The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History Norsk Folkemuseum
Stave Church – The Norsk Folkemuseum
Stave Church – The Norsk Folkemuseum
Kon-Tiki Museum
We caught the bus outside the museum to the Fram Museum a bit further along the road. Also located here are the Kon-Tiki and Maritime Museums. If you buy multi-entry tickets, you get a 10% discount. We started with the Kon-Tiki. It gives a full history of Thor Heyerdahl’s adventures and has many artefacts from Thor Heyerdahl’s life, most importantly the Kon-Tiki.
Thor Heyerdahl – Kon Tiki Museum
Fram Polar Exploration Ship Museum
Moving on to the main reason for our visit to the ship museums were went in the amazing Fram Polar Exploration Ship Museum. The Fram herself is located within one of the buildings along with the Gjøa. Norway’s proud Polar exploration history is all on display here, from the ships to other artifacts and well laid out displays. Anyone interested in exploration and what these adventurers went through would love this museum.
The Fram was able to be boarded and you can wander the decks and interior to get a feel for what it was like on board.
Polar Exploration Ship The Fram
The Fram – Polar Exploration Ship
Gjøa Exploration Ship
Gjøa Exploration Ship
Maritime Museum
After visiting the Fram Museum, the Maritime Museum seems quite dull. The displays are all good quality and the museum is well laid out and run, but we did not spend long there and caught the bus back to central Oslo.
Polar Explorer Statues – Norsk Maritimt Museum Oslo
Vigeland Park
On our second day, we took a tram out to the Vigeland Park (Vigelandsparken). It is full of sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, mostly depicting the various stages of human existence. A very nice park and relaxing to walk around. Early in the morning, we almost had it to ourselves.
The Vigeland Park Vigelandsparken Sculpture Park
Royal Palace
On the way back into town, we stopped at the Royal Palace and took a few photos of the building itself and of the guards that were wandering around.
Royal Palace Oslo
Royal Palace Oslo
Akershus Fortress
Walking back we went past the Akershus Fortress and Franklin D Roosevelt Statue. The statue is only of interest if you’re passing, but the fortress is impressive. The fortress itself was closed, but you can still wander around the extensive grounds and visit the military museum contained in it. It has a large collection, of military hardware on display. Worth a look if you are into your military history.
Franklin D Rosevelt Statue
Akershus – Oslo
Walls of Akershus
Akershus at Sunset
M-48 Tank at Akershus
Opera House
We called into the Opera House and walked up onto the roof. You can get some great views of the city from there, but it was very windy.
Oslo Opera House
Historical Museum
The afternoon was spent at the Historical Museum (another tram ride). There is a nice display of Viking artifacts, which we were interested in seeing. As a tourist, the rest of the museum was interesting, but not unique, with display from around the world, but really the sort of things any other capital city museum would have.
Oslo Historical Museum Viking Shield
Viking Swords at the Oslo Historical Museum
National Gallery of Norway
Nearby is the National Gallery of Norway. Of interest here is The Scream by Edward Munch. On our way back to the hotel, we stopped to look at the parliament building, but is was obscured by Christmas decorations (a large wooden building – not that we are complaining, the Christmas decorations were very nice).
Norwegian Parliament
So what did we think of Oslo? Apart from the beggars, we loved it. There was plenty to see and do. The public transport is efficient and very easy to use. The people were friendly and helpful. What more could you want?
The first thing to say about the Norway in a Nutshell tour is that we were initially very tentative about taking it. After reading a lot of on-line reviews we were concerned about over-crowding, missing connections, not getting seating and generally feeling uncomfortable. Our travel agent made some enquiries for us, and convinced us that taking the tour in the off-season (we travelled in December) would mean that there would be fewer other travelers and no crowding. We took the chance that she was right and went ahead and booked the Bergen to Oslo option, with an overnight stay in Flåm. As you will see below, we were very glad we took her advice.
There are several things to consider before taking this tour. Firstly, it is not an accompanied tour. There is no tour guide. Norway in a Nutshell, book all your tickets. These tickets are sent to you and you then use them to travel on the trains, bus and boat. Finding your way around and getting to the next pickup point is your responsibility. As we found out, this is not difficult. Secondly, consider the time of year you are travelling and if the crowds other people mention will be a problem for you.
The tour can be taken several ways. Bergen to Oslo, Oslo to Bergen, or either of these with a return train trip. There is also an option to stay overnight at Flåm.
Our trip started in Bergen. We walked from the hotel to the train station, for the 8:00AM train trip. We went to the ticket counter and showed our tickets to the staff, who were very friendly. They explained which train to get on and which platform it was departing from. They also told us the connecting bus at our stop was easy to find and people there would help us. Feeling reassured, we bought a coffee and settled down until the departure time.
Bergen Railway Station Early Morning The Start of Norway in a Nutshell
In December, it was still dark as the train departed, so we did not get to see much scenery until we were almost at Voss. At this stage, there were lots of snow-covered mountains and snowy scenery to be seen. If you think this scenery is good, but can’t get a good photo, don’t worry, there is better to come later.
Views From Bergen Railway
Arriving in Voss, there is an announcement that this is the departure point for those on the tour. The train station is quite small. We gathered our bags, and walked to the front of the station where six or so buses were parked. Not sure which one to get on, we asked one of the drivers, who pointed us in the right direction.
The bus trip from Voss to Gudvangen was very scenic. The drive goes through many windy roads and past lots of very scenic countryside. At Gudvangen, there is a reasonable stop, with plenty of time for a coffee, snack and toilet break. There is also a gift shop and some displays to look at as well as some of the scenery you have come to see. When the boat is ready to depart (we had the Lady Elisabeth), you all get on board and find a seat. Being winter, most people claimed seats inside where it was warm, and then went out on deck. In summer, it would probably be very crowded and maybe seating would be at a premium, but for us, we had a private table in a corner by a window.
The Lady Elisabeth on Nærøyfjord
For the first hour, it was very busy on deck, with everyone trying to get the best photos. After this, many headed inside to the warmth. This was the time to be on deck, as you had an uninterrupted view of the magnificent scenery. Going down the Nærøyfjord was spectacular. It lived up to all our expectations. Snow covered mountains on both sides of us and picturesque villages now and then on the shores. The Lady Elisabeth called into one of the villages to let someone off and deliver the mail, giving us a close-up view.
The Nærøyfjord
Village on the Nærøyfjord
Arriving in Flam a bit after 2:00PM. It was already getting dark. We went to our hotel to check in as we had decided to split the trip up and overnight here. The Fretheim Hotel is very close to the docks and easily walkable with suitcases. There were very few guests staying, as most other people on the tour travelled straight though to Oslo. Once they had gone, we had the area almost to ourselves. The views of the Aurlandsfjord and surrounding mountains was excellent and we enjoyed an afternoon coffee and a snack at the café.
Fretheim Hotel Flåm
As for Flåm itself, there is not too much to do, but we were there for the scenery and a relaxing break, rather than rushing around.
Our rooms at the Fretheim Hotel were somewhat old and in need of a facelift. The bath/shower was also an accident waiting to happen. Climbing over the bath into the shower could easily result in a slip, so be careful. The lobby was very nicely appointed, and the dinner we had, was delicious. Breakfast was provided as part of the tariff and was plentiful, even though there were not many guests.
Our train departed at 7:00AM, so it was still dark. This made the train platform very atmospheric, with the station’s light and surrounding mountains. The Flåm railway, is famous for its restored train carriages and the rail line itself which wins through the mountains to Myrdal. The carriages really are very nice and have large windows so you have an excellent view of the scenery.
Flåm Railway Early Morning
Flåm Railway Carriage
There were no allocated seats, so get on first and get a good seat. For us this wasn’t a problem, as there very only eight of us getting on at Flåm. The conductor, suggested which side to sit on for the best view as well, which was nice.
The views really are great and there are several stops along the way for passengers to get off at other villages. This time of year, there were people with skis. There is a longer stop at the water fall about half way through the journey. This was a great photo stop for the waterfall, as well as the train sitting in the snow near the tunnel.
Waterfall on the Flåm Railway
Flåm Railway in the Snow
The Flåm railway terminates at Myrdal, where you transfer to the Bergen to Oslo train. The Myrdal station was unmanned, but there are displays showing train arrivals and departures and which platform to be on. This station was quite beautiful in the undisturbed snow. No one else had been there all morning and the snow was pristine. It probably wouldn’t look so picturesque in summer.
Myrdal Railway Station in the Snow
The trip from Myrdal to Oslo was pleasant, but the scenery is not as good as what we had just seen from Gudvangen to Flåm. The train was clean and comfortable. Food is available to buy if you want it as well. The Oslo train station is modern and easy to find you way around. If you want taxis or buses, they are all available just outside.
So, what did we think of Norway in a Nutshell? In a word: brilliant. It easily met our expectations and the scenery surpassed them. The ticketing was all in place and worked well. The accommodation was OK, but we were there for the scenery. The main Bergen to Oslo train, was nothing special, but got us to where we needed to be for the boat trip down the fjord and the Flåm Railway.
Would we recommend it? For the off season when we travelled, certainly. It wasn’t crowded and the scenery was brilliant. As for travelling at the height of the tourist season, we can’t say.
