Bus/Boat/Walking Tours in Oslo

The room isn't uncomfortable at least- small ass shower like I'd expect but at least the toilet isn't on top of the sink like it was in Amsterdam. Oh that was terrible. I made sure there was separation of sink, shower and toilet for this trip.

Well, I set my alarm for 8am so I could wake up slowly, walk to a nearby cafe and then get on the Panoramic bus tour that started at 10am. And thanks to me unknowingly having the alarm set to silent, I woke up at 9:19am!

I threw on some thermals and ran out the door. I didn't have the app for the scooter, nor did I know the local rules for them so I was speed racing through the rainy streets- with the morning workforce and by 9:53 am, I arrived to the bus.

The driver wash it really all that pleasant neither. But off we go! Couldn't enjoy much since it was raining and the windows had streaks all over, but once the rain passed around 11a, it was a little better. The tour guide was cool and knowledgeable-it was nice to get a drive outside the city but I would really only recommend this tour to people who were on like day 4 or more here. There wasn't much for the center city in the tour. But granted, we are on a huge ass bus.

And to quickly recap:

This city was constructed out of stone after the original Oslo was burned like 7 times, similar to the great Amsterdam fire, everything was built of wood. It also was ahead of its time where there aren't many cars- most everyone packs up very well organized electric, trams, metros and buses. There is a narrow tunnel system underneath the city for vehicular traffic. It takes about 30 min to walk from one side of the city center to the Other and you'll bypass all the stone buildings with exceptional carvings. Their high rises go about 15 stories up and mainly lining the train station. Otherwise, the buildings are 4-10 stories high within the city.

OTW to Jul Market

Back to the bus tour- so we went up to Holmenkollen which is the nearest ski area to Oslo and home to the famous ski jump originally built in the 19th century but upgraded in 2010. It's pretty impressive actually, this big ass slope high in the atmosphere for crazy skiers to do that crazy jump and fly in the air.

I would never!

Unfortunately, you can't really see much from the center parking area where they dropped us off. But even if they allowed us up to the top, I wouldn't. I'm too afraid of heights and one slip and its over!

I'm good.

Beautiful mansions surround the resort and the Norwegian population loves skiing so much that when there isn't any snow, they hitch wheels to their skis and..... Ski blade?? Interesting concept.

Next stop was a sculpture garden Called Vigeland Park. Beware, All the Statues are naked (the artist believed it made it timeless, which makes sense)! The sculptures are impressive to say the least and the tell stories about the movements through life. So moving around the central fountain, it starts with being a baby and exploring as a child. A time where you become best friends with someone all because you love the same color. Then the 2nd stage is puberty, lore and 1st heart break. Next is adulthood, sex and babies. And finally, generational wealth, aging and death.

Vigeland

If you go, and I highly recommend, take careful inspection of even the smaller inscriptions on the fountain. Also, the lines on the ground around it is actually a maze! It'll take some time to get thru it.

Once we boarded the bus again to which I thought was back to base since it was now almost 1pm, we were alerted that we had another stop.

Huh?

So this 3-hour tour is now 4 hours and I might miss my 2 pm boat tour!

The bus started heading to the Folk Museum where there was heavy traffic and loads of people-if I knew we were coming 30 mins out of the city to this chaos, I would have been dropped off here to enjoy the museum today versus paying the Uber to do round trip tomorrow!

Anyways, We dropped off the guide and 3 people to some other museum on the other end and then back to the city for which I luckily was dropped off in front of the boat at 1:45pm.

Panoramic Bus Tour via get Your Guide Provider: HM Kristiansen $50

Oslo: Scenic Fjord Cruise via Get Your guide Provider: The Fjords $40

Fjord Cruise

The boat tour was cool, for locals and tourists alike I would say. Warm on the boat and comfortable seating arrangements. The audio guide wasn't all that exciting or informational and other than the lighthouse, I really didn't know where it was referring to.

But if you are in town and did too much, I would recommend this as a break from walking.

Nearby to the dock, you can also do the SALT spas where you sauna and then plunge into the Fjord icy waters and repeat. It's something the locals love to do and it's great for cardiovascular health and circulation.

Second, the Norwegian Opera and Ballet is an amazing building set in the middle of the water assimilating the look of an iceberg. You can walk up the sides of it as a free attraction and get a nice view of the city.

Well now it's about 4pm, I haven't eaten all day and the sun is fading- So I start heading towards my speakeasy hoping to find some low to mid-range budget regular local restaurant.

Yeah, good luck!

I can hardly read their language anyways but most of their restaurants are bars or fine dining. I finally stumbled upon one place and not sure if I was supposed to be upstairs or not, but they reluctantly sat me down and I enjoyed a traditional Norwegian dish: reindeer minced meat!

I actually wasn't unhappy with it- although I wondered how this gravy would fare in a few hours. The meat itself was seasoned well, just added 2 pinches of salt (the veggies were bland but added some gravy to taste). I closed out with an apple "cake" which is simply apple pie and headed to Himkok.

Reindeer Meatballs

Upon entry (go to to right), I sat at the bar and Karl (if I remember correctly) was suited up with a lab coat sharing off expert skills-come and find out, he's only been bartending for 3 years and was a bouncer before then. Well, he has skills. The menu was extensive BUT mainly vodka and I don't fk with vodka. So he created me 2 drinks- the first was a new one for him and man, that was good. Gin cocktail. The second was a bourbon drink he makes for himself. Pretty good but not one I'd ask for again.

Had good conversation with his family friend that sat next to me (60 year old heading to a heavy metal concert) and then I departed without any tipsiness from the 2 drinks.

Walked Back to the apartment, felt the sleepiness come on and to bed I went.

Dovrehallen 2nd Floor

Reindeer Minced Met a cake 240 NOK

Apple cake 115 NOK

Himkok Speakeasy

Drinks~ 200 NOK