Saturday, 1 August 2020

Oslo 2020 - Part 1

We Are Going To Oslo

Thursday - July 23rd 2020

Our first vacation in 2020 brought us to Oslo, although for quite some time we weren't even sure if our journey was about to happen due to the Coronavirus situation. We expected to cancel the whole trip, but luckily a week before our trip started, the Norwegian government lifted the travel ban. So Wednesday after work we drove to Munich Airport. Since our plane towards Oslo departed early in the next morning, we spent one night at Novotel Munich Airport. Once we checked in, we took the train to the airport to get dinner at McDonalds. Thanks to the Coronavirus most shops were closed and so we just got a beer at the Airbräu Pub until we returned to the hotel.

In the next morning after check out, we took the bus to the airport, where we had a very uncomfortable breakfast. Thanks to Covid-19 nearly all restaurants were closed, but we managed to get a table at a coffee house. However ordering was very frustrating and complicated. Finally it was time for departure. Our Lufthansa flight left on time and around noon we landed in Oslo. From there we took the train to Oslo main station and after a short walk we arrived at our hotel. In Oslo we stayed at Hotel Bondeheimen, conveniently located near Karl Johans Gatan, the main shopping street. When we arrived aour room was already ready and so we were able to refresh a bit. Laterwe stopped at Nordvegan, a small vegan restaurant in our neighbourhood, for lunch. Everything they offered looked delicisous, but while Claudia opted for the lasagna, I played it safe and got the vegan burger. Of course we got dessert as well.

Our Hotel - Hotel Bondeheimen

Oslo

Oslo

Lunch at Nordvegan
 
Lunch at Nordvegan
 
Lunch at Nordvegan
 
After our delicious lunch we walked to the Royal Palace at the end of Karl Johans Gate just a stone throw away from the restaurant. The palace itself wasn't very spectacular compared to other European palaces, but we got to see the changing of the guards. Then we strolled around the royal garden. Since it was very warm and we hadn't had a welcome drink yet, we decided to get a beer at the Hard Rock Cafe Oslo. On the way we stopped at the University of Oslo to take a look at huge mural by the famous Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. At the Hard Rock Cafe we enjoyed to really expensive beers and then we headed down to the harbour area to get an iced coffee at Starbucks. On the way we came across Oslo's stunning looking city hall.

Royal Palace

Changing of the Guards

Royal Gardens

Royal Palace

University of Oslo

University of Oslo - Edvard Munch Mural

Hard Rock Cafe Oslo

Hard Rock Cafe Oslo

Hard Rock Cafe Oslo

Hard Rock Cafe Oslo

Oslo City Hall

Oslo City Hall

With an ice cold refreshing coffee in our hands we decided to take a walking tour around the harbour to the famous Oslo Opera House. Along the way we stopped at Akershus Fortress, a castle from the 13th century to protect Oslo. We couldn't go inside due to Covid-19, but the park around the castle was nice to hike around as well. Our next unexpected stop was at an art festival called Salt. The festival included food trucks, bars, stages for bands and art installations. Since it looked really cool from the outside, we asked for a table and got a couple of drinks. Later we ended our walking tour at the futuristic looking Oslo Opera House. Before we returned to the hotel, we stopped at a bakery to get some rolls and sweets for dinner.

Nobel Peace Center

Oslo City Hall

Oslo Harbour

Oslo City Hall

Oslo Harbour

Akershus Fortress

Akershus Fortress

Akershus Fortress

Salt Festival

Salt Festival

Oslo Opera House

Oslo Opera House

Oslo Opera House

Oslo Opera House

Oslo Opera House

Oslo

Oslo

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