Europe 2010, Day 2: Oslo

Yesterday’s outing to the Nobel center was dedicated to peace, love, and flower power, but today’s trips to the World War II Resistance Museum at Akershus Fortress and the Viking Ship Museum in Bygdøy featured enough blowing things up, invading, and pillaging to balance things out. 

I’ve read a lot about World War II over the years, but I knew very little about Norway’s involvement, so learning about the Nazi surprise invasion and occupation, the resistance movement that rose to challenge it was worthwhile.  As always, the war is always a grim reminder of how good we have it these days, even during harder times.  As for the Vikings, the museum had ships that were remarkably well-preserved; the Oseberg ship, for example, was buried in the year 834.  It’s rather amazing to think that 30+ people would climb into what is essentially an oversized rowboat and sail all the way from Norway to Greenland.

We also visited the Kon Tiki museum and saw the raft that Thor Heyerdahl sailed from Lima to Rapa Nui in 1948, as well as Ra II, the papyrus boat he sailed from Morocco to Barbados in 1970.  Both looked more like props from Gilligan’s Island than something you’d actually use to cross an ocean.  Small wonder Heyerdal had a hard time convincing people it was possible.

Our last stop was the Vigeland Sculpture Park, home to the work of sculptor Gustav Vigel.  Easily the best place in Oslo to see many, many naked statues.  Not my cup of tea per se, but a good display, and a pleasant day (if chilly) for a walk in the park.

Dinner at Brunello’s Pizzeria.  I can recommend the Gorgonzola pizza.