Drron takes to cruising.The Arctic here we come.

[drron]

Finally back home and recovered.But off to Tassie tomorrow so the TR took a back seat.Promise to get it up to date quickly.
The town was basically deserted on saturday afternoon.Most shops closed,the market was closing up.Much like an Aussie country town.Statues everywhere-particularly liked this seagull's attitude to Roald Amunsden-

In the main marketplace is one to fishermen-

So back to the ship we went.Spent the last night at the wharf in Tromsur last dinner once again with the couple from New Jersey.duck rillettes,pasta with a capsicum and tomato sauce,Indian beef curry(?) all washed down weith a nice Chilean sav blanc.Then it was back to our cabin to pack our bags which had to be outside the cbin by 2300.
That night experienced our first darkness for some time-apparently about 3 hours.Got up and had a very leisurely brekky before going back to our cabin to collect the rest of our stuff.We had to be out by 0830.As we arrived back we noticed a ship coming up the fjord-

It is the Queen Mary 2.It berthed at the next dock-

Thats our luggage being taken away to the right.
After getting out of our cabin we sat in the Panorama lounge for a while having a coffee before we took a taxi to Tromso airport.Cost us $A50.Those who took the Silverseas transfer payed $US40 each.We left after the bus but arrived before them so had no lines at checkin.We were there~1030 for a 1400 flight.Our bags weighed 20.5 and 22.5 KG but no excess baggage charges.
The internet wasn't free so we settled back for the wait.Got rather peckish but food expensive-hamburger$A30,spare ribs-$A40.So we shared a bacon,brie,lettuce and cranberry sauce baguette.With 2 cappucinos and a packet of crisps this cost $A28.
We were glad to see our aircraft arrive-

Thoughts on cruising and flight to OSL next.

 

[drron]

Previously I had never wanted to set foot on a cruise liner-most i would still avoid.However over the last 4 years some of my most memorable travelling moments have come courtesy of cruising-smaal boat cruising the Inside Passage(8 pax),The Galapagos,The Kimberley Coast and now the Arctic.I thoroughly reccomend you consider these adventures for your own bucket list.Yes more expensive than the typical cruise but each of them has given me some of those "priceless moments.
It is great getting to know your crew.This was summed up for me as we left the PA11.i went up to the chick with a gun to shake her hand-she said that's not good enough and gave me a great big bear hug.
So to our flight
SK4417 TMS-OSL. ETD-1400.Actual-1405.
ETA-1550.Actual-1551.
B736.Seats 16B,C.No row 13 but we are still near rear.Soon after takeoff I nod off to be woken by the trolley knocking my seat and the young FA asking me if i wanted a hot one!I declined and went back to sleep.On disembarking we take a wrong turn and end up in ther departure area.Get to baggage hall by going in the out.takes us straight to the carousel our flights bags are coming out-ours are in the first few.
Straight to the Flybussen.An hour later we pull up at the front door of our hotel-Radisson Blu Scandinavia.Review here-http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/hotel-experiences-and-reviews/radisson-blu-scandinavia-oslo-25222.html
checkin was easy and soon to our room.internet included so we caught up on 10 days of being without it.Then went for a walk ending at the Bolotini Cafe just across the road from the hotel.A poor fritto Misto-4 prawns and a couple of bits of tough calamari-tough lamb chops,a chicken dish,a glass of chardy and a draught beer sets us back $100.Europe wasn't meant to be cheap.
sitting at the next table were 2 CO pilots and 1 UA pilot.Quite a discussion and the senior CO pilot was not happy with the merger and was talking of joining the class action as they will lose seniority.UA senior pilots apparently have at least 4 years less experience as in UAs bankruptcy most senior pilots took redundancy.
Next-Oslo.

 

[SimonM]

drron, I'd loved to have seen the QM2 in Tromso. Only if I'd been there 10 days later! I might have to time my trip to coincide next time, or even better win Lotto and be on the QM2!

 

[SimonM]

Other options from Tromso town out to the airport are the Flybussen at NOK55 or the local bus line at about NOK45.

I lucked out while waiting for the bus as a local I got talking to wouldn't hear of me taking the bus and drove me to the airport himself.

 

[drron]

Other options from Tromso town out to the airport are the Flybussen at NOK55 or the local bus line at about NOK45.

I lucked out while waiting for the bus as a local I got talking to wouldn't hear of me taking the bus and drove me to the airport himself.

Problem for us was the dock was some distance out of town.Just to get out of the port area was about a KM walk as it was security fenced with only 1 outlet.The QM2 passengers probably had about a 500m walk to catch the local bus into town and there were lots of them taking that option so the taxi was the only practical option for us.
But yes it was a great sight as she came out of the mist and morning sun to dock just in front of us.

 

[drron]

Monday morning-breakfast was included.quite acceptable and once again fish in many forms.Do enjoy my herrings.We then bought 48 hour Oslo passes-NOK340(~$68).Good value as we had NOK400 value the first day.
Caught the tram to Aker Brygge and went to the Nobel Peace Museum.

They have an interesting display to tell you about all the recipients-

We then hopped on ferry 91 to see the Fram,Kontiki and maritime museums(all together).

This is a very pleasant way of travelling-it was though a nice sunny day-our last for over a week.A nice view of Aker Brygge-

outside the Fram museum are some examples of norwegian small craft-

some with a little problem-

Next the Fram museum.

 

[thewinchester]

Enjoying the TR drron, I'm always looking forward and eager for your next instalment

 

[drron]

The Fram museum has a great spot on the fjord across from the CBD.The museum is all about the ship that went closest to both the north and South Poles.Also documents the lives of the major explorers who used her.Now i knew about Roald Amundsen but i knew little of Fridtjof Nansen who was obviously a remarkable and good man.but it was the ship.you were able to tramp all over it and i certainly enjoyed this museum.

and i loved the standard of medical equipment-

next the Kon tiki museum.

 

[RB]

Another fantastic trip report DrRon. Just watched a report on the news re toxic sludge sliding across Hungary- in Aust we seem to escape a lot of this hassle.

 

[drron]

Right next to the Fram museum were the Kon Tiki and National Maritime museum.I would have to say I really dont think we would have gone to either except that we had the Oslo card and so cost us no extra.The Kon Tiki museum does have Thor Heyerdahl's vessels but not much more.The National maritime museum mainly has models of Norwegian built ships.

As was mentioned by SimonM in his bucket list TR the Norwegians love building rock cairns.the one outside these museums had a differnt look to the usual-

We then caught the ferry back to Aker Brygge and enjoyed having an ice cream sitting beside the harbour in bright sunshine.then walked back through the shopping area where mrsdrron found the Oleana shop and bought her second Norwegian cardy-could have been worse,Michelle Obama bought 4.Walked past the new Doubletree-was open but lots of work still going on.In the park near here was a familiar fountain-

Then up past the palace to our hotel.

I then had a 2 hour nanny nap whilst mrsdrron caught up on her emails.After i awoke we went for a walk and ended up having dinner at Alexanders Taverna.Greek food,good lamb,calamarivery tough,greek salad very good but with a beer and half litre carafe of house wine-$A160.
Back to the hotel.There are problems with service here-bath plug wasn't effective-reported but nothing done-running repairs made with some plastic.One day only 2 towels,no hand towels bath mat etc.One day coffee,tea not replaced.The next day removed the coffee cups.
More of Oslo next.

 

[Flashback]

The Kon Tiki museum, did you see lots of drunk young adults?

 

[docjames]

The Kon Tiki museum, did you see lots of drunk young adults?

I see I wasnt the only one thinking that!!:shock:

 

[Flashback]

I see I wasnt the only one thinking that!!:shock:

They do say great minds think alike

 

[drron]

So long since i was a drunken young adult that i wouldn't recognise one

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

then walked back through the shopping area where mrsdrron found the Oleana shop and bought her second Norwegian cardy-could have been worse,Michelle Obama bought 4..

Now let me just say that those cardigans are absolutely fabulous.

I was going to post a link to their website but AFF wont let me do it cause I only have 3 posts !!

so here goes w x 3. oleana dot no click on english then collection then cardigan !

 

[Flashback]

Now let me just say that those cardigans are absolutely fabulous.

I was going to post a link to their website but AFF wont let me do it cause I only have 3 posts !!

so here goes w x 3. oleana dot no click on english then collection then cardigan !

Uh oh! Someone has been keeping a watchful eye on drron :shock:

 

[drron]

Uh oh! Someone has been keeping a watchful eye on drron :shock:

I'm more worried by the thumb than the eye.:shock:
Just as well I am a long way from home.

 

[samh004]

Now let me just say that those cardigans are absolutely fabulous.

Very nice

Oleana - Collection - Cardigan

 

[drron]

Tuesday and the good weather has gone.Cold,windy and raining.after brekkie we catch the tram-saved walking in the rain-to the National Gallery.Free entry.A large collection of Edvard Munch.worth a visit.Then back to the tram and walk down the main shopping street as rain has eased.Much too expensive.As the rain holds off we go to Akershus Slott(castle).In the grounds is the Resistance Museum which we also visit.Both are covered by the Oslo Pass.

The view from the Slott.

An enjoyable afternoon.Next the last of the day in Oslo.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Thankyou for the tremendous effort here Ron. Both an inspiring and enquiring piece. Next adventure?

Kind regards

spruce