Scandinavia 2019 Travel Blog – June 20

By Kim Andersen

Today was a logistics day getting from Bergen to Oslo: 6 hours and 45 minutes, one of the most spectacular train journeys on the planet. The train slowly crawls up through rocky terrain, thick forest thinning and eventually giving way to a moonscape of intermittent snow-piles and icy streams cascading down west. From the village Finse at 1222 “m.o.h.” – as the digital information screen in the train told us: “1222 meter over havet” = meters above sea level (4,009 ft), the highest point in the entire Norwegian rail system. From there streams cascade down the other direction, towards east.

The view is constant and overwhelming. Often not a few inches to spare between the rail car and the rock wall from which, or through which, the rail line was carved. It’s a good time to jot down thoughts in the journal and to catch up on sleep to the gentle roll of the train. The train stops briefly at small townships whose exotic names: Voss, Hønefoss, Utaoset, Floms, Finse, Myrdal… promises a completely different and starker world than the human buzz at sea level. Upon arrival Oslo Central train station was like an anthill of apparently pointless coming and going. A culture shock after almost 7 hours of contemplation across the mountains.

Following half an hour’s freshen up at the hotel we took in the city. Climbed all the way to the top of Karl Johan Street to the Royal Palace where the young guard in a hot uniform was showered with attention. Tomorrow the Oslo City Hall and Akershus castle awaits with guided tours of both. Then we’ll hit Vigeland’s sculpture park. It’ll be interesting to see what they think about his imaginative madness.