Kathleen's Blog: Day 58 Oslo, Norway

July 16

Today we arrived in Olso. We had a 90 minute drive through the countryside of Jevnaker County before we arrived at the Hadeland Glassworks gallery and museum where we watched the age-old tradition of blowing glass. Afterwards we travelled to the Viking Ship Museum.

The Viking Ships Museum displays three longships in a remarkable state of preservation. The three Viking ships, from Oseberg, Gokstad and Tune, were all found in burial mounds in the Oslo Fjord area. They were excavated between 1867 and 1904, the blue clay in Olso Fjord kept them well preserved. They were built during the 9th century AD, and later used as burial ships for wealthy men and women. In the Oseberg ship lay a woman and her slave girl, who had been buried in about 850 AD. Each of the other two ships held a man. They were both buried in about 900 AD. These noble men and women were buried along with jewels, food and furniture for the afterlife.

Many of the pictures below are of the scenery during our travels in the countryside. It was stunning, despite the overcast weather. I tried to imagine how different it would look covered in snow and the massive lakes iced over.

Sailing into Oslo.

The Olso cruise terminal is right in front of this castle.

Interesting fountain we passed on the bus. I wonder if all the fountains are drained before winter.

Shallow fountain that trams pass through.

We didn't visit the Vigeland Sculpture Park, however I managed to take a photo of one of the sculptures from the cover of a book. This little boy looks like he is having a tantrum because the seagulls keep pooping on him, hehe. The park displays some 200 sculptors by Gustav Vigeland, the works depict the many stages and episodes of human life.

Trolls are a very common souvenir item in Norway. They were too expensive to buy, even the little ones are upwards of $20. You need to want one badly to fork out the money, as they are ugly, and you don't know if you are buying a good or evil troll. I wouldn't mind a little Viking troll for the garden.

The view on our way to the Hadeland Glassworks.

The Hadeland Glassworks.

The Hadeland Glassworks. We had a danish pastry for a light snack, now I know how they should taste, which has spoiled any future danish pastry I have.

Glass blowing demonstration. I have seen this done before in Venice. I think it takes something like 12 years to become a master at this profession. I wasnt impressed by the pieces they had on display and for sale (I was spoilt in Venice), but the views during the drive here make the visit worth while.

Viking Ship Museum, built in 1927.

The Oseberg Ship, excavated in 1904. The 22 meter long ship was built of oak sometime between 315-320 AD, then used as a grave ship for a woman of high rank who died in 834 AD. The Oseberg was a luxury pleasure craft.

The Gokstad Ship, excavated in 1880. The 24 meter long ship had room for 32 oarsmen. It was built around 890 AD, and later used as a grave for a Viking chieftain. During excavation, archaeologists found the remains of 64 shields which had been attached to the outside railings. The Gokstad was a sturdy and practical vessel capable of sailing the high seas.

The human skeletons found in the Gokstad and Oseberg burial mounds. Many of the bones were missing as the bodies had been dragged from thier grave chambers when the grave was robbed of its treasures only decades after the burial.

The Tune ship contained the remains of a man of high rank. This chieftan had been placed in a wooden burial chamber built on board the ship.

This cart from the Oseberg find is the only one of its kind from the Norwegian Viking Age.

The Oseberg ship grave also included three highly decorated sleds. These grave gifts were given for the journey to the realm of the dead. This sled was found mid-ship in front of the grave chamber.