Our train trip from Goteburg, Sweden to Oslo, Norway went smoothly and the views out our window gave us another opportunity to admire the beautiful pastoral countryside. Our transfer in Karlstad, Sweden was short and the area where the train station was located did not show a very picturesque panorama of the city. We were concerned about the day temperature in Oslo as there was a very brisk north wind in Karlstad but the air there and on the train was actually colder than the air in Oslo at 4:15 p.m.
It was an easy walk from the train station to the First Hotel Millennium. We are situated very close to the main sights in Oslo and did a fast walk around today once we dropped off our laundry. Like Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo and Copenhagen, Oslo has a beautiful historical area.
We had dinner tonight at a Norwegian restaurant called Restaurant Schroeder and had sauerkraut, smashed peas which I was not fond of, roasted potatoes and meatballs and gravy. We are going to try reindeer another day. Everything was delicious and reasonably priced for Scandinavia.
It cost $88 to wash and dry two loads at the Selva Laundromat and have it delivered to our hotel, a little more than the cost of our dinner which was $83 including tip. We wanted to do our own laundry but laundromats are not plentiful and the owners use most of the machines and make a profit by charging to do people's laundry. They did a great job but it was expensive. To give you a perspective of cost, I was charged $5,29 for a mug of hot water with 2 slices of lemon in it. I figured that would be free but not a chance.
It cost $88 to wash and dry two loads at the Selva Laundromat and have it delivered to our hotel, a little more than the cost of our dinner which was $83 including tip. We wanted to do our own laundry but laundromats are not plentiful and the owners use most of the machines and make a profit by charging to do people's laundry. They did a great job but it was expensive. To give you a perspective of cost, I was charged $5,29 for a mug of hot water with 2 slices of lemon in it. I figured that would be free but not a chance.
Much of the downtown area is under construction with building renovations, brick restoration and road paving. They want to develop a five-mile people-friendly and traffic-free promenade stretching from east to west the entire length of its waterfront. All traffic in the downtown area must pay a toll to travel on city streets and cars and trucks now travel around the area in underground tunnels. It was wonderful to walk without the nuisance of cars but each town we have visited have had a car free zone. Not sure why this is not happening more in Toronto and the GTA. Oslo will have the biggest car free zone when they are finished their dream. The number of new buildings being constructed by the Opera and Ballet House appear to be condos and businesses.
Thomas and I are both exhausted as we are both fighting wicked colds. I am on Day 10 and feel and look terrible because I cough all night and cannot sleep. He is on Day 3 and probably got sick because of me. We live on cough drops and cough medicine but it is not putting a dent in my cold. I may have to see a doctor if it does not start getting better.
I was surprised to discover that Norway is not in the European Union. Looking forward to doing a walking tour of the city tomorrow. We have 4 nights here so can take our time and cram less into each day. We usually walk 6 to 8 miles a day!
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