Longyearbyen, Svalbard to Oslo, Norway

We arrived into Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s capital at 7am. Unfortunately there was no time for sightseeing, just a quick breakfast and many goodbyes said to and our fellow explorers the expedition team and the crew. In fact I can never remember getting a big hug from a maitre’D—ess before when leaving a restaurant.

The coach picked us up and our guide introduced himself…we were about to get the shortest and most northerly bus commentary in the world because the airport was less than 5 minutes away. He also said that the weather today (more sunshine, no wind and a positive heatwave at 12C) was the best they had had in Longyearbyen in three months. We wondered if he was joking but upon reflection thought probably not.

The flight to Oslo was three hours. There were a few wonderful views taking off but unfortunately no photos as I didn’t have a window seat. Similarly, we had great views  over the Lofoten Islands to which we had traveled to before with Hurtigruten.

Back on the ground we had the dreaded European Entry Exit system to negotiate. No self service kiosks in sight so we had to wait in line for 50 minutes to get the biometric data done. Being sat in row 30 on the aeroplane didn’t help. By that time, our bags were the last ones on the carousel and to make matters worse, it was raining.

Anyway, we got the train in to Oslo city centre and before very long were checking in to our hotel. 

By next morning the rain had gone and it was delightfully sunny ( although thunderstorms were forecast for later in the afternoon (which didn’t materialise although heavy showers did).

We had a few ideas about what to see and do around the city but the historically important Viking museum was closed, presumably because they were off pillaging and looting. 

The first stop therefore was the Nobel Peace Prize Center as I obviously had a prize to collect for stopping at least 25 wars (between the cats at home).

Thankfully the cross fjord ferry was not closed so we bought our tickets and went over to the nautical themed museums containing the Kon Tiki, the Ra and the Fram. They were all extremely interesting…the Kon Tiki especially when you saw the conditions and the crew lived in and their rations. Come to think of it, the same could be said of the Fram on its polar voyages…our MS Spitsbergen would have seemed like absolute luxury to Fridtjof Nansen and his team. Museums definitely worth a visit.

After lunch we got the ferry back and walked around the Akershus Fortress, dodging the showers and then made our way down and around to the National Opera and Ballet building. Now, there are not many National Opera buildings around the world where you can climb up onto the roof, but this one you can. So we did. There were certainly good views of the city and fjord from the top, but Oslo isn’t really the most photogenic city when compared with others such as Bergen or Tromso. Walking around the building though was interesting as you could see all the “working” departments such as costume design, makeup and set building.

Following the Opera building the Munch building was open, virtually next door. I said that Munch was a great name for a nice restaurant but Claire told me it was an art gallery, not an eatery. I said if I had to go in, I would Scream…but we went in briefly anyway. Amongst the books in the gift shop was one she rather fancied called “Nordic Wisdom”. I said, wasn’t he a famous English comic actor from 1950’s and 60’s? Sometimes I think my sense of humour is not appreciated.

We had dinner at a Gastropub down on the waterfront. £10 for a beer, but that’s the going rate in Norway. The waterfront is a lovely new, modern area with a mixture of apartments, offices and retail. I’m sure our Island’s planners could have learnt a thing or two.

We had also wondered how long it might take for us to bump into any of our HX explorers. The answer was 15 minutes…we met the couple from Scotland with whom we were chatting in the ship’s bar on the last night, just after checking into the hotel yesterday. We met another couple in our hotel at breakfast. We met a third couple at the Fram museum and a fourth couple at the Akershus Fortress. Destiny or coincidence?

A few other observations. There are lots of big fanzone areas being constructed in the parks ahead of the locals cheering on Erling and the lads in the World Cup.

I know that Norway leads the way when it comes to electric car use. I’m not sure of the exact numbers, but it seems that at least 80% of the cars driving around the city are indeed electric.

On the minus side, there are far too many bikes, e-scooters and big e-bikes being ridden around at excessive speeds on the pavements and narrow streets here….we’ve seen a few near misses and some riders who are totally out of order. In the words of a politician, something must be done.

It’s nice to occasionally see two or three of the local girls wearing their National costumes around town …presumably for a posh evening out or similar but they do look elegant.

So ended a very busy day and a bit here in the Norwegian capital. Off to the airport tomorrow after breakfast for the flights home, so this is the penultimate post…the last one will follow when I get back.