Merry Christmas from Oslo. ❄️🎄
It’s a great feeling to have a new place to tick off. Arrived in Oslo from LHR with SAS, in a very familiar 737, this one was a 600 series. It still had that same drone as the 200 and the unmistakable engine change at top of descent. I slept most of the 2 hours, as the 2 long flights from Auckland took their toll and to be fair, the body clock had been craving sleep during the long stopover in LHR.
Andreas and Hannah were there at arrivals, armed with hat and scarf for me, ready for the outdoor temperature……. -6. Outside was pitch black and covered in snow. Such a pretty sight pulling up at the Fossums…… snow all over and the house lit up. It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas……..
Dinner…….. soooo Good! Fresh salmon patties in burgers, I found a new fave. I didn’t last long before sleep was calling again and I was in bed, my first day in Oslo already done. Sunrise the next morning was beautiful ……….. at 0845!!
Time to finally get up and begin the adventure, I tried loads of new foods at breakfast …….. among them ……. brown cheese. Crazy colour and it takes like caramel 😂. Had an amazingly creamy blue cheese that gave Kikurangi a run for its money.
Hannah. Andreas and I caught the bus to town and did the tourist thing …… first up, some Christmas markets in Sami tents. So warm in those tents and filled with Christmas goodies and local food delicacies. 
Walking though one of the theatres, we came across a lady doing Yoga! Google says it’s Kate Moss…..
And then ……… a Tiger !! This statue was to celebrate the city’s 1000 year anniversary in 2000. Oslo’s nickname is the Tiger City.
Next up was the Opera House where we walked on the roof and through the beautiful foyer.
We then walked around the harbour which was frozen in many parts, I had to throw a 1 yen coin on the surface to check it out 😊
Next stop was for Hot Chocolate and then off to see the Fort, a really imposing stone fortress with canons lined up facing the sea. Kept those Germans out many years ago.
The walk along the harbour front was so pretty with loads of restaurants and bars in a pedestrian area, ferries coming and going from the opposite side and trees lit up for Christmas.
The sun was starting to set again and it was only 3 pm !
The home of the Royal Family was next and we caught the end of the changing of the guards. I liked this castle, sitting up high and not barricaded off.
The final stop of the day and the place that they had been strategically keeping me away from all day, was the Christmas Vinterland, and it was beautiful!! The foods like lefse……. a flat bread for the holidays made with potato and this one was filled with brown cheese……. so tasty, hot almonds with a sugary coating and salted caramel flavoured licorice. Had to stop, sit and enjoy the sights with a Mulled wine. This mulled wine had raisins and chopped nuts in it, such a great mix as you drank, not knowing exactly what the next mouthful would hold.
The market was accompanied by a Ferris wheel and ice skating rink.
Notice the sky…..this time of day after sunset is called the blue hour and it’s very pretty.
A bus ride home and dinner awaited ……. reindeer stew. Had to try it……. it was great. Served with mashed potatoes and broccoli. I just didn’t let words like Rudolph, Dancer, Blitzen go though my head 😂
I was falling asleep and it was only 7 pm, bed time ………..
Space Waitress' Travels on Earth 