In Nordic countries in summer, daylight lingers till late in the evening, even up to 8 to 9 PM. as the sun sets very late. After having a nap of a few hours, by 7 PM, we were fresh again. So decided to venture out to have a dekko at nearby places. And it turned out that they were plenty.
This is the main road of Oslo starting from square opposite the station and after going for many miles, culminates just opposite the Royal Palace. It has these flower beds in the middle, that too well maintained unthinkable, and is banned for heavy vehicles thus you can have a leisurely walk, unbothered. As you stroll along, there are many gardens lining the road on either side, completely giving you a feel that you are having a stroll in a big garden and not on the main road of Oslo. There are sculptures all along the road, some so peculiar that, maybe indigestible for Indian appetite, about that, later.
Christian Krohg was instrumental in throwing out the monarchy from Norway and paving the way for people's democracy of elected representatives along with few learned scholars from the university. So the entire street and gate is named after him.
Few steps ahead and you see Norwegian parliament in its old grandeur. Smallish but regal and dignified, no show of opulence or neo rich arrogance. Planning of the building started in 1857 but the actual design was selected by holding a competition. The building got completed in 1860, but parliament moved in the new building only by 1866. Unfortunately, like other parliaments in Canberra or Ottawa we could not manage to get inside glimpse.
On Left is old opera house known as National Theatre, still stages performances though the lustre has been taken away by the new opera house built on the seaside bay. Opened way back in 1899 and mainly staged plays by famous Norwegian play-write Ibsen. It manages 4 stages and is practically monument for Ibsen, who wrote very famous plays like 'Doll's House, An Enemy of the people and so many others way back in 19th century! They have been translated in Indian languages too.
Opposite the national theatre, there is a magnificent building
of Oslo University All the institutions in Northern Europe, as they were not much affected by the war, are still in better condition, mostly in original and though years show, these are the years of well-earned maturity. It's the oldest and the largest university in Norway. It was surprising to note that it is modelled on the University of Copenhagen which was established in 1811. What were we doing then, probably deep in the caste wars, which have not abetted even today?
Something peculiar happened when we were passing by the university. There was some sort of commotion on the street. An upper bracket, the ultra-posh car was being followed by hoards of girls, in hundreds probably, mostly in their teens, many of them shouting, giggling, laughing, some may be crying, waving their hands at the car. Did not quite get what was happening. It turned out that, a teenage heartthrob pop singer was travelling in that car and girls had gone hysterical by his mere being in that car! Had heard about western teenagers going mad after Elvis Presley or Micheal Jackson but this was in real, 100% happening in front of our eyes. It was beyond our comprehension, so just by the chuckling, we headed towards Royal Place. The Royal Palace!
As it is still occupied by the royal family of Norway, only a part of it is on display. At this age of ours we had seen so many palaces, that did not have any desire to see the obscene opulence gathered by yet another royal family at the cost of poor common man, conveniently labelling it as the love of people !. As it is built on a hillock and Oslo roads are mechanically straight with lot many ups and downs it is clearly visible even from the Parliament square, a distance, not less than 5 to 8 kilometres. It has more than 175 rooms, blah blah blah! But all the palaces are a treat to the eyes. This one has such a beautiful garden behind which was more attractive than the palace itself!
I like ornamental lamps and lamp posts erected in such palaces, this one has many and I could not resist myself from taking a snap of it! It was well past 8.30 or 9 but could not make out as the twilight was still illuminating the town. But feet said 'No' so left the other things for the day after, caught a tram and returned to our apartment after having light dinner on the way! It was time to call it a day.
Opposite the national theatre, there is a magnificent building
Something peculiar happened when we were passing by the university. There was some sort of commotion on the street. An upper bracket, the ultra-posh car was being followed by hoards of girls, in hundreds probably, mostly in their teens, many of them shouting, giggling, laughing, some may be crying, waving their hands at the car. Did not quite get what was happening. It turned out that, a teenage heartthrob pop singer was travelling in that car and girls had gone hysterical by his mere being in that car! Had heard about western teenagers going mad after Elvis Presley or Micheal Jackson but this was in real, 100% happening in front of our eyes. It was beyond our comprehension, so just by the chuckling, we headed towards Royal Place. The Royal Palace!
As it is still occupied by the royal family of Norway, only a part of it is on display. At this age of ours we had seen so many palaces, that did not have any desire to see the obscene opulence gathered by yet another royal family at the cost of poor common man, conveniently labelling it as the love of people !. As it is built on a hillock and Oslo roads are mechanically straight with lot many ups and downs it is clearly visible even from the Parliament square, a distance, not less than 5 to 8 kilometres. It has more than 175 rooms, blah blah blah! But all the palaces are a treat to the eyes. This one has such a beautiful garden behind which was more attractive than the palace itself!
I like ornamental lamps and lamp posts erected in such palaces, this one has many and I could not resist myself from taking a snap of it! It was well past 8.30 or 9 but could not make out as the twilight was still illuminating the town. But feet said 'No' so left the other things for the day after, caught a tram and returned to our apartment after having light dinner on the way! It was time to call it a day.
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