A-Team Cybercruise 1Q-2007 - Oslo-Norway
Oslo has a thousand year long maritime tradition. From the Middle Age's Vikings to todays Cruisliners and some of the worlds larges and best of practice shipping companies and ship brokers. Situated 100 km (65 miles) from the North Sea at the bottom of the Oslofjord it has a perfect harbour. And with all the Islands and small bays and coves, combined with free access to beaches, it's also a paradise for leisure boats in all sizes and prices. 
I will start this cruise at the peninsula in Oslo, were I was born and lived for 30 years: Bygdoy.Here we have the most astonishing collections of boats you can imagine. From the Viking ships or Longboats, via the Kon-Tiki Raft and the Rush Boat RA (known from Thor Heyerdahl's expedition in the Pacific) to the polar ships Fram and Gjoa (the latter was for many years in San Francisco before brought "home" to Oslo) to all kinds of fishing vessels and trade vessels. And several thousands of private leisure boats in Marinas around the peninsula.
What will surprise the most of my readers, even Norwegians, is the fact we do have The Institute for Pacific Archaeology and Cultural History at Bygdoy. Surprised? 
The reason is Thor Heyerdal and his famous Pacific expeditions with Kon-Tiki and Ra, besides his research at the Easter Islands. For thousands of people from around the World, this is reason enough to pay Oslo a visit. It's unique. And I was among the first to visit the museum. Touch me:) Learn more hereAs a country close to the Artic, it's only natural, we have had more than one to explore both The North and South Poles. I'll not rip up in the race for the South Pole. But instead focus on an expedition through the North West Passage. The sea route north of Canada. With the vessel named Gjoa. It was brougth back to Norway from San Francisco, after years of neglecting there.
Meant nothing. But the expedition has given a proof of the Canadian - Norwegian realtionship with a remarkable, symbolic gift. Let the pictures tell. Read the text at the second picture below.
This was the first leg on the Oslo sightseeing. Have some food and beverages before we continue. Or visit my co-host RennyBA.And do not forget who's the Captain, Mrs Lifecruiser.
Labels: a-team, cybercruise, oslo
posted by TorAa at
3/16/2007 04:12:00 pm
32 Comments:
Oh that was very interesting Tor ! A lot of things I didn't know. I have absolutely to go to the Northern countries ! I have never been farer than Hannover and that was in another life, I don't even remember. I know quite a lot about life in Finland because I have a friend there, her sons are friends with mine, but that's about it. Now of course thanks to the blogs I get the impression to become a second (Mrs) WIKIPEDIA !
Fascinating facts, not only because the Easter Island is Chilean, you know :)
Now pass the beverages, I am thirsty after all this cultural information!!
Hi to all Lifecruisers! I'm sitting her at Tor's house and we both are happy to be your host in Oslo. Soon I will set up a new post from our evening together with you. We will take pics and vids - is there anything in special you want to see?
Glad you all have had a nice shopping day in Oslo and now it is evening and time for partying! Anything you want to eat or drink?
@Mar: You are MARvellous. I'll have plotted in my calendar the next trip to Chile (the 5th). When and where to continue the cruise in real life?
pls have a pisco soure ready when Anna and I approach Santiago. Would need it after the Andes turbulence.
PS RennyBA and the rest of us are about to have some salmon trout as apetizer.
:))
I'm touchin' ya! Can you feel it!
he he
You didn't say a word when I showed my TITS upon boarding last night! *giggles* (Mrs LC is surely infectious!!)
Thanks for your special mention of the North West Passage over Canada and the Canadian - Norwegian relationship!
You see, although I'm Irish, I am a Canadian first. (Or is that Irish first and Canadian second???)
That was very interesting reading that plaque. Thanks for sharing!
I was telling Renny that we have a wooden horse carving of a Norwegian Fjord Horse that a Canadian - Norwegian friend gave to us.
I hope you have a lovely evening aboard the LUV boat! Alas I will be parachuted out for a bit to go to me Irish Ceili tonight! Come and see me St. Patrick's preparations to ready meself for this celebration!
And a Happy St. Patrick's Day to you TorAa and your lovely wife as well!
Me husband (Pool Boy) is not too jealous so we can flirt some more tomorrow!
I leave you with this very special Irish blessing. I hope you like it!
May those who love us, love us.
And for those who don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if he can not turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we may know them by their limping.
May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.
~ICL~
P.S. Now have a great time with Renny and don't behave yourselves or I'll have to give you both a lickin'!
I crack meself up and there's not even a drop 'a Guinness in me yet!
Hey, I could smell the drinks over here all the way from the Captains cabin!!!!
No party without the Captain ;-)
So, are you offering us some Linie Aquavit tonight too?
The Captain says yes, you must.
I must say that I'm very pleased with this seightseeing so far! Very interesting, it was 3 years ago since I was in Oslo!
That is very cool! Had you NOT shown the plaque and the words to read, I would have really WONDERED what this "art" was all about! LOL!
Our little Lifecruiser must look very small up against all those HUGE GIANT cruise ships! (we aren't THAT big... are we???)
Hi Tor! Hope you boys have a good time with your blogg party! Sorry I had to miss out on the festivities. The maritime history of Norway and the museums here are really great. We always take our out of town guest to Bygdoy when visiting us in Norway. Hugs and Stuff! Di
No, not that big Melli, we want to keep the "personal" feeling - it's much more comfy :-)
Plus it's easier for the steward to not have to run around so much when trying to fill up our glasses....
Fascinating stories there! Thanks for the tour!
@Irish Church Lady: sitting here, Renny and Anna beside me.
We've put in a request to our social security officer to bring us closer to you.
Fabulous cruise talk
hugs from all of us inlc Rosa and Felicia
@Gattina: we are coming down, to win the Nap's war. After all, at that time, we had a Danish king.
I'll thing I'll have a Sardine, charing with the cats.))
@deedee: miss you. but we know ...
Hugs from the 5 of us
This is indeed a cruise especially for those who havent visited Oslo! I have been to the places you have mentioned and also I read Renny's piece as well.
This is indeed a cruise especially for those who havent visited Oslo! I have been to the places you have mentioned and also I read Renny's piece as well.
So, are we going to call you King Thor II from now on...? *lol*
Loved the Kon-Tiki Museum tour! I wouldn't have wanted to tbe that rigging monky in that sails!!! Phew!!!
I love all things to do with the sea and ships. Museums are one of my favorite places to visit. I really must make it to Norway now that you've taught me so very much about it. Thank you to both Tor and Renny!
@Fleur: We wish you (and Ian) welcome to Oslo. As you may have observed; our winterhome, is free, and can at you disposal. Of course, we have to meet, and have fun. And I'll bring you out to places "a photographers dream-spot".
hugs from Anna, Renny and me
Hi Tor! Thank you for the tour. Having been a land-lubber in the midwest US all my life, I thoroughly enjoyed your seafaring tour. I think grass skirts will be in order for tonight after the Kon-Tiki tour! Maybe you and Renny will perform a fire dance for us? I'm bellying up to the bar for a vodka martini and throw in an olive for supper.
Mhmmm, I seems like Blogger ate my comment - so I´ll try again:
Hei Tor!
Thank you so much for the great tour... I love Oslo - although I have to confess it´s a long time ago I´ve been (t)here! I´ve never made it to the Kon-Tiki Museum before - so I enjoyed especially this part of the tour veeeeery much! Takk! =)
Thanks for the tour! I learned so many things in your blog today! this travel is so interesting!
Claudie
TorAa ~ I got your cruise hug! Glad to see you are "men behaving badly" but in a good way :-) Now don't let this picture of me sheep deceive you!
It's been fabulous visiting Oslo today. I've only been to Sweden but never to any of the other Scandanavian countries. Some day I hope!
I've had me Guinness and now I'm ready for some of that Aquavit that Mrs LC was talking about for a nightcap.
So here's a Norwegian - Canada Joke for you:
Ole and Sven went on a fishing trip to Canada and come back with only three fish, and Sven says, "The way I figger it, Ole, each of them fish cost us $400. Well. At dat price it's a good ting we didn't catch any more of em than we did."
So here's an Irish Norwegian Joke for you:
IRISH AND NORWEGIANS
We celebrate March 17th in commemoration of St. Patrick's great and noble deed in driving the Norwegians out of Ireland.
It seems that centuries ago many Norwegians came to Ireland to escape the bitterness of the Norwegian winter. Ireland was having a famine at the time and food was scarce.
The Norwegians were eating almost all of the fish caught in the ocean, leaving the Irish with nothing but potatoes.
St. Patrick, taking matters into onto his own hands, like most Irishman, decided all the Norwegians had to go. Secretly he organized the IRATION (Irish Republican Army to Rid Ireland of Norwegians). Irish members of the IRATION sabotaged all the power plants in hopes the fish in Norwegian refrigerators would spoil, forcing the Norwegians to a cooler climate where their fish would keep. The fish spoiled all right, but the Norwegians, as everyone knows to this day, thrive on spoiled fish. Faced with failure, the Irishmen sneaked into the Norwegian fish storage caves in the dead of the night and sprinkled the rotten fish with lye, hoping to poison the Norwegian intruders, but as everybody knows, this is how lutefisk was introduced to the Norwegians, and how they thrived on the lye soaked smelly fish.
Matters became even worse for the Irish when the Norwegians started taking over the Irish potato crop to make lefse. Poor St. Patrick was at his wits end. Finally, on March 17, he blew his top and told the Norwegians to "go to hell" -- and it worked, because all the Norwegians left Ireland and went to Minnesota.
Doesn't that tell the story well????
Lots more Irish Jokes for St Pat's on me main blog, Sláinte ~ It’s only Me and ICL Plays
Dancing a jig now until we meet again at the next port!
He he - ICL, great stories and you dance that jig so darn well!
I'm looking forward to party with you all in Belgium!
Did you or do you own a boat? Pleasure or fishing?
Living near a seashore must have been exciting.
wonderful toraa! thanks for that informative background on your beautiful city :)
I love that I see the Canadian Inukshuk here!
Yo I'm on board now Toraa :D Thank you for the invitation!
I can imagine how beautiful it is gonna be just by coming onboard :)
Wow. Thanks to you and Renny for hosting the great cruise!
I was Man-Over-Board but I got rescued and I got on board just in time.
Woo Hoo!
Tor,sorry I missed the fun at cybercruise.i was too busy lately and still busy but im sure it will be over soon!! :)
I saw the pretty cool video at Renny`s!you guys did a good job as hosts..keep up the good work!
hey,the pic is realistic,i really felt I m cruising with you ;)
have a nice week ahead,Tor and Anna!!
So much history! The ships large and small all sound so nice. I marvel at how many can be found in one port. The sculpture was very interesting reading. Thanks for sharing your wonderful country with us cruisers!
So how long are you planning to eat that Cod Tongues with fennel and cream souce? And drinking White Wine? When there are excellent Canadian whisky on this cruise? Hrrrmpppfff!
Anna! Don't fill him up so much now, he'll be too filled up for other .... ehrrrm, activities ;-)
I'm experimenting now, taking whisky to cure headache, that surely must help????
Or is is really Phantom pains I'm having......?
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