This was my second trip to Oslo, having visited with a friend back in December 2004- when the temperature never rose above freezing, and daylight lasts about four hours! Back then, we were firmly on the tourist trail, picking up seven of visitOSLO ‘s top 10 attractions. However, we also enjoyed just wandering through the city and its snow-covered surroundings, which is how I decided to spend much of this second trip: just me, some sturdy boots and a camera…
Questionable tank security
Stortingsbygningen
The Norwegian Parliament building.
The Norwegian Parliament building.
Frognerseteren Station
London Underground, take note: trains ran from the city centre to here with no problems despite the conditions!
Deep Snow
I assume there was a road under here
Frognerseteren Restaurant
Warmer inside!
Holmenkollen Chapel
Not as old as it looks - this building dates from 1995, replacing the earlier chapel which burnt down.
Holmenkollbaken by night
The since-demolished ski-jump tower.
Steep
The final staircase in the old jump tower
Unhelpful Fire Escape
In the event of fire, try your luck with the ski jump...
Holmenkollbaken
The ski jump tower at Holmenkollen, prior to its demolition and replacement 2008-10 (and therefore in a rather sorry state).
Stormy skies in one direction...
Waiting for the passenger ferry at Vippentangen. I love how the sunlight caught this building.
...clear in another!
Waiting for the passenger ferry at Vippentangen.
Shoreline
On Gressholmen island
Wooden Houses
On Lindøya Island.
Wooden Houses
On Lindøya Island.
Island Hopping
The passenger ferries are a handy way to explore the islands in the Oslofjord: travelcards for the tram/metro are valid on the boats, too, and you can hop off and explore by foot rather than just sailing past. They're just not especially frequent, so it's worth planning a tour.
Slottet by day
The Royal Palace.
Inkognitogata
The perfect place for an embassy?
Guardhouse
Slottet, The Royal Palace.
Vigelandsanlegget
Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Vigelandsanlegget
Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Vigelandsanlegget
Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Why yes, that is a statue of a man fighting a swarm of babies.
Vigelandsanlegget
Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Vigelandsanlegget
Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Vigelandsanlegget
The Monolith, Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Vigelandsanlegget
Monolith detail
Vigelandsanlegget
Vigeland Sculpture Park.
A pile of babies. Why not?
Vigelandsanlegget
Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Vigelandsanlegget
Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Vigelandsanlegget
Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Grünerløkka Studenthus
A silo converted to student accommodation.
Romsås Station
An underground station in the most literal sense- hacked straight out of the rock. Feels like a set for a post-apocalyptic movie.
Romsås Station
Awarded "Concrete board for outstanding construction" in 1976, apparently.