Oslo & Copenhagen

1500h July 31st.

If this is Saturday it must be Oslo! And good fortune has stayed with us, it seems so far, that while in port we've had good weather and the following day the port we left had rain. Or as today, Oslo was blessed with sunshine while yesterday they had flooding.

Dorothy walked miles this morning, I started off with her but I wasn't feeling so good and made my way back to the pier. She took about 81 photos to my 12.

Oslo is another picturesque city with new structures old structures and ancient structures, still plenty of trees but planted after the Viking age, the Vikings had used most of the wood to build their ships and homes.

The Norwegians are very proud of their of their cities and the history that goes back 10,000 years.

We took a short bus tour this afternoon, and made it back just before the ship sailed. We definitely could have used more time here, but we had to be back on board at 1430h in order to arrive in Copenhagen on time tomorrow morning.

Oslo has a museum for just about everything, a very modern opera house, and claim the longest shoreline in the world. Many own sail boats and all forms of skiing are very popular. We saw the new ski jump that is in the process of being rebuilt for the 5th. Time…. Because of the terrain there's an abundance of tunnels some with forked intersections which I don't think I've ever seen before.

We drove through embassy row and noted the Canadian embassy and ambassador's residence. It was nice to see our tax dollars at work! We also saw the Norwegian Nobel Institute, The Resistance museum and the Nasjonalgalleriet where Munch's "The Scream" hangs….We saw more Castles, Palaces, where the Royals live and appear much loved and more connected to the people than in some monarchies and city hall which was opened in 1950 in honor of Oslo's 900th birthday.

We are at present sailing back down the Fjord and will continue on a slight South Easterly course to the next port. We are told yet again that the approach will be spectacular but in order to appreciate it, we should be on deck a 0530h erm, I think not, I need my beauty sleep, I'll see it all as we leave.

It was quite cool on deck as we sailed away, I stayed out for a while, then jumped in the shower, spiffed myself up for another dinner in the Pinnacle grill, this time courtesy of our travel agent. Our meal in the Pinnacle was sumptuous and tasted good too:) I'm reluctant to tell you what I ate, especially after telling you yesterday that I would have a fruit plate.

First there was a well dressed clam to nibble on and tide us over until our appetizer was ready, which was crab cakes stuffed full of Dungeness crab. Next came the lobster bisque with chunks of lobster, it was yummy to say the least. Dorothy had lamb which she said was excellent, I had surf and turf, a filet of beefand 2 huge shrimp or scampi, or perhaps small lobsters, it was mmmm good. Gosh darn, there was no fruit plate on the menu, so I chose the least decadent item! A not so classic baked Alaska made individually with Tom & Jerry's ice cream and bing cherries. :( I shall have no desert for four days now, maybe.

I have company this evening, Mrs. Toe didn't go to the show so we are sitting here chatting about our day. As I look out, the fog has rolled in, we'll read for a while and have an early night, and though our stay in Oslo was short we really did enjoy it.

Satellite signal is weak tonight :( perhaps tomorrow!

Sunday August 1st.

Well we lucked out again and woke to blue skies as we sailed into Copenhagen, the only Danish port on this years VOV itinerary. It was a busy place today with four ships in port and all the popular sites were crowded. Our travel agency has arranged tours in many of the ports, for their own clients, this was one of them and there were only 18 of us today.

The first stop was at the Rosenborg Palace, built in the 17th. Century and open to the public. It is quite grand and all the contents, furniture, wall hangings, chandeliers, jewelry etc. all as they were when it was lived in. Judging by the paintings of the various occupants, methinks there had been much inbreeding!

We saw the Tivoli Gardens which was apparently built to keep the common folk's amused and thoughts of insurrection at bay. It must have worked as Denmark still has a monarchy. We then went to Amalienborg Palace, home of the current monarch, The building style reminded me of the Vatican with statuary spaced along the balustrades. Our guide mentioned some connection but I'm darned if I can remember what, please excuse me, I was having a senior moment. The Royal residence was completed in the year 1749.

We watched the changing of the guard which lacked the pomp and ceremony and awesomeness of the same event at Buckingham Palace, a biased view I suppose but then I was born a Brit.

Copenhagen had it's share of buildings razed by fire as did most old world cities and like Oslo, some were spared, for no obvious reason.

It's almost 1700h and we're due to sail for Dover, I'm going to the Promenade deck to take some photos of what should be another spectacular sail away with many locals on the quay side to wave us off. I just love that part of our voyages, leaning on the rail watching the thrusters push us away and the shoreline gently fading as we slowly make our way into the straights.

The Main dining room is at the aft end of the ship on two levels surrounded by large windows. Our table is next to the aft windows and we have a great view each evening. While we dined, the straights became busier with small craft and ferries plying between Denmark and Sweden. We passed Hamlets castle on the port side and wouldn't you know, I didn't have my camera handy…I shall not bore you with the menu, but no matter how hard I searched, I could not see the fruit plate :)

Not only do we have a sea day tomorrow but we get to put our watches back an hour, hip hip and all that., I shall make the most of it though because, after Dover we head for a two day visit to Amsterdam and they take away that hour. After the Netherlands we'll claim all the time we lost as we head North West and I for one will be grateful for that.

Now let's see if I can get connected.