THERE ARE ICE BEARS EVERYWHERE!

 OFF TO SEE A MIGHTY ICE SHIP:



 

 

 

Up early as I did not sleep very well, the night was a series of short naps. 

Soon will clean up and have some coffee here in our room.


    Not a bad Spread and they have HP Sauce

Robots every where, these will bring you a special order 

 

We normally do not get the breakfast here at the Red Moose Lodge (Radisson Red) as we usually take the train into Oslo. City Center. We got a deal and are trying the breakfast here. 

Breakfast was nice and plentiful all well prepared items, great fruit and bread selections. Very good coffee. No biscuits and gravy or grits. :) 



 

After breakfast we gathered our day bags and headed to Oslo City Center. 

From the airport there are two trains that go to Oslo City Center. 

 

First is Flytoget (Airport Express): Takes 19 minutes to Oslo Central Station (Oslo S), departing every 10–20 minutes. Cost is 258 NOK one-way for adults (children under 16 are free with an adult, and students get 50% off). Tickets are available via the Flytoget App or station card readers.  

Next there is the Vy Regional Train: Takes 23 minutes to Oslo S. Cost is about 129 NOK one-way. Tickets can be bought on the Vy App or airport ticket machines. (Our choice as it is included with the Oslo Card) 

For us we find the Oslo Card to be a great value as we visit many of the museums and with the Oslo Card local public transport is included. 

 



We took the VY train to the Central Station. At the Central Station we did a little recon for our stay in May of 2027. Then to the Tram stop catching the #12 tram to Aker brygge stop. From there it is a short walk to the ferry which will take you to the Fram Museum. 

 

                                         Bucolic Norway

 

Our timing could not have been better as this route just clicked and we were at the Fram. 

 

                         A quiet morning at the station 

 

   

 

                In Oslo one can not swing a dead cat without hitting a 7-11 or a Narvesen. There are just a couple of the several at the Central Train Station. 

                                         The Tiger

                                On the tram and he Ferry

                                      FRAM Museum

 

For me, I must visit the Fram. To get there take the public ferry from City Hall Pier 3 directly to Bygdøy. It is a scenic 10-minute boat ride. Yes, it is included with the Oslo Pass, otherwise 70NOK. 

 

              Nansen - An Amazing gentleman and explorer

                           FRAM A MIGHTY ICE SHIP

Having done extensive study of polar exploration, visiting Fram is always a moving experience. Located in the Fram Museum which is a museum dedicated entirely to Norwegian polar exploration. Located on the Bygdøy peninsula, the museum's centerpieces are the historic vessels Fram and Gjøa. Fram is the strongest wooden ship ever built, used by legendary explorers Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup, and Roald Amundsen. It holds records for sailing furthest north and furthest south. Colin Archer was the designer of the Fram and she was built just a few miles from Oslo. A name that is often over looked is Adolph Lindstrom, the cook on Fram and Gjøa. Famous for his pancakes, when Amundsen returned from the South Pole, Lindstrom greeted him with coffee and pancakes. 

Also the Gjøa Ship: Located in an annexed building, this was the first vessel to successfully navigate the Northwest Passage. Side story on Gjøa is when Amundsen was preparing Gjøa and creditors we en route to repossess Gjøa, Amundsen raced to the ship cut the lines and the expedition started early with the creditors standing on the dock. 

 

 

Yes, Lindstrom was the cook on Gjøa. He was also the first person to circumnavigate the the North American Continent. 

Standing on the decks of these historic vessels I feel the spirit of those great explorers. 

Since our last visit one year ago, there have been some nice changes to the Fram Museum, new displays and more information. 

                                     

 



After visiting the Fram and Gjøa we went to the Maritime Museum. There are some amazing works of nautical art there. This museum also tells the story of Norway’s link to the Sea. 

 

 



After the Maritime Museum we got a hot dog at the stand just outside of the Kon Tiki Museum. The dog was good and served in Lefse with crispy onions and mustard and ketchup, or both. Very traditional and not bad, but not Iceland. 

We then visited the Kon Tiki Museum. Let me tell you they have some excellent changes and all for the better. The new interactive exhibit about Rapa Nui was great. Yes if you have been there a return is in order. 

 


After returning on the ferry, we then walked back to the #12 trolley stop and continued on to the Vigeland Sculpture  Park.  The sculpture park is Gustav Vigeland's life work, comprising over 200 sculptures in granite, bronze and wrought iron. It was installed mainly in the period 1940-1949, but is nevertheless a result of over 40 years of work. It is a beautiful park and is open year round. It is said to be the most visited site in Norway.  

Before taking a stroll in the park, we consumed some sustenance in the form of an ice cream bar. Great is the Ice Cream here. 

 

We felt some rain and are getting tired as we have been on the go since 0400 so we headed back to the train station. We made a 7-11 stop for some pizza and a couple Fanta sodas. 

We did not catch the first train back as the train platform was a mass of humanity. The next train was in about 10 min. Well worth the wait as we avoided a standing room only train. 

 

 

 

Back at the Red Moose Lodge, we met the HX representative and checked for any further information or itinerary changes. We checked in for tomorrow's flight to Longyearbyen and have our bag tags. Tomorrow the HX rep will be guiding the group to the terminal, my plan is to be checked in, bags dropped, and at the gate way before the group processional. 

Back in the room, finishing this Blog entry and trying to stay awake to further adjust to this time zone. 

 

 

 
NORWAY INTERESTING TIPS AND TIDBITS: 

Tip- Almost cashless, a credit card works everywhere. Just make sure your card does not charge you a foreign transaction fee. 

FYI: There are Polar Bears everywhere!!! BEWARE!!!

 

 




Tid Bit - Norway consumes the most frozen pizza per capita in the world, with Grandiose acting as the undisputed cultural icon and unofficial national dish.  Norwegians eat about 47 million frozen pizzas each year. In the grocery stores is an amazing amount of freezer space dedicated to frozen pizza. 

OFF TO THE RED MOOSE LODGE IN OSLO!

 CHEYENNE TO DENVER TO OSLO: 

 



This is the start of our journey to the Arctic to hopefully experience the Solar Eclipse. We actually started planning this trip over a year ago knowing eclipse events can be rather popular and services do book up. Plus, one can maybe book before the service providers realize they can charge more for an eclipse. This is just the way things are. 



 

With our cold weather gear packed and the Jeep loaded, we drove to Denver to spend the pre flight day and night before traveling to Oslo. 

We dropped “The Boys”, our Malamute pups, off at “Puppy Camp”. They love it there as they start howling when we get about a mile away. Once there, they actually drag us into the kennel as they are so excited. To be very honest their excitement does make it easier to be without them during our trips. We know they are getting great care and attention. Koda, the younger one, when there lifts his head to surveil his kingdom as if to say, “See me, I am large and in charge.” 

 

 

Then the drive to our Denver Airport hotel, we typically stay at one of the Wyndham Properties. The news is all the hotels on Tower Road are charging for parking, even if you are staying one night. Not thrilled, but it is the way it is. 

We are staying at the Ramada and Jannita who checked us in was very professional and most welcoming. 

We checked in and had our boarding passes printed. 

Our travel clothes are all laid out and ready for the morning. 

No surprise we are up early getting it together for the long day or more of travel. Waffles and coffee were on the menu. 

Got the Jeep parked at The Parking Spot and then a shuttle ride to the Terminal. 

Checked our bags, thru security (Clear line went really quickly) and then on to the UAL Club room for a bite to eat and chill before the flight. 

As I was about to pack up to head to our gate I get a phone call. “Hello this is Paul from United Airlines. We are oversold in Premium Economy, would you mind an upgrade to Polaris.” I tell him sure if we must. 



The flight to Frankfurt was smooth and the Cabin Crew was great. Landed a bit early in FRA and located a lounge and tucked in for refreshments. I noticed we had a gate change, so we departed the lounge early as the gate was on the other end of Terminal 1. 



The flight to Oslo was on Lufthansa and was under 2 hours as they made good time. The short hops in Europe are barebones but no need to get full on fancy on a short flight. 



Arrived Oslo and deplaned, no passport control as this must be part of the new EES program. Strait to baggage claim and then the short walk to the Radisson Red Hotel. We call it the Red Moose Lodge for obvious reasons. 

Checked in and settled into our room. 

We repacked and made ready for our day in Oslo tomorrow. 

Time to do some laundry and call it a day.  

OFF TO SEE THE ECLIPSE IN GREENLAND!

 CHASING THE TOTAL ECLIPSE IN GREENLAND:




 

 

Eclipses have happened since long before recorded history, and because of that, they have always had a place in human mythology. Norse mythology is no different.

The word ‘eclipse’ comes from the Greek word for, ‘abandonment.’ For ancient people all over the world, it was a time of extreme anxiety; there was no telling whether or not the sun would return once it vanished from the sky. 

 
For the Norse, this was a potential sign of Ragnarok forthcoming. In the Norse sky await two wolves– Skoll, the One Who Mocks, and Hati, the One Who Hates. These wolves live for the chasing and the hunting of two very important celestial beings: the sun and the moon.

 
If Skoll or Hati were to ever catch the sun, that would signal the end of the world as we know it. Ragnarok and all of its horrors would begin and humanity would struggle for survival as the gods fought and died.

 
In a couple of weeks we start this journey to the North, which we have had booked for over a year. Previous eclipse viewing experience has taught us if one wants to go, book early to avoid disappointment. 

This trip will start with a flight to Oslo. In Oslo we have a couple days to adjust to the jet lag and enjoy Oslo. I am sure we will go and see the Fram as I never grow tired of seeing that mighty Ice Ship. 



We are traveling with HX Expeditions on a special itinerary. We start with a flight to Longyearbyen. We will be staying in Longyearbyen for two nights. While there we will visit some really nice museums and take a fjord cruise. Lynn and I have a few places we want to revisit while there. 

 

 



Then we board the MS Spitsbergen for the next two weeks. This will be our first time on MS Spitsbergen and we have an Arctic Superior cabin on Deck 6.  One feature of the staterooms is a heated floor in the bathrooms. The staterooms/cabins are well appointed with ample storage, sitting area and desk. There is a mini fridge and coffee service. 



We have achieved Platinum status on HX which affords us some nice perks. One we will enjoy is we each get free laundry 2  times a week. 

There is free WIFI and the Expedition Team sets up a WhatsApp group where wildlife sightings are shared. There is also the ability to set your room phone to receive announcements for sightings, this is great for Northern Lights. 



To reduce the environmental impact one can hang a card on your stateroom door to decline having your room serviced daily. Availing yourself to this service you earn status points. 


The passenger capacity of this ship is 150. She was recently refurbished along with a few of the other HX ships. MS Spitsbergen is one of the smaller HX ships and does not have an upscale restaurant, but there is a bistro. We have always found the dining experience on HX and Hurtigruten excellent.

 There is a observation lounge with a nice bar, beverages are included on this sailing. I would guess one day we will have a BBQ. I do hope we have Isbjorn (Ice Bear Beer) from the Mack Brewery in Tromso on tap.  

Our Itinerary will start with two days of sailing to Greenland. 

When we are in Greenland we will be exploring the Eastern Coast looking for Ice Bears, Muskox and many Arctic birds. We will be sailing amongst many icebergs. Making shore landing with the ships Zodiacs and cruising amongst the Ice. 

Over the next few days we cruise South to Scoresby  Sound. It is here we hope to experience the total eclipse. I figure if the weather does not look good for viewing they can move the ship.



While onboard we will be treated to many lectures about wildlife, and many other topics. I know we will have three experts to lecture about the eclipse. 



As many of you have noticed, we do enjoy HX Expeditions and are really looking forward to this sailing. 

From Greenland we set sail for Reykjavik where the cruise ends. 

We will spend a few nights in Reykjavik visiting many of our favorite places.



I will be trying to do daily Blog Entries as I can as these expedition cruises can be quite active. 

So thanks for tagging along and following the blog.