Interesting, how many "knowledgable" people have responded to your request that have never even been to Norway, and are passing on bull shirt that they read 'somewhere' on the Internet, so it must be true. Ignore them all . . . please, their comments and caviotts are as worthless as other uninformed opinions. I'm sure that all the comments about lutefisk are all from people who have never tasted it. Ignore them all, they are not doing you any favors with their ill-informed 'recommendations'.

Norway is simply one of the most amazing places I have ever been, and I return there as often as the opportunity allows, here's why: English is a 2nd language for most everybody under 70, and they love to practice (and show off) their English with real Americans. But the people are shy and can be difficult to approach, and the loud, boisterous typically American personality is not one that is respected there, but is usually seen as vulgar, arrogant and rude - no matter where you're from, be humble, polite and not loud. The Scandinavians are EXTREMELY proud of their social democracy form of government, they truely believe that they "are their brother's keeper" hence their policy of easy immigration for the persecuted people of the world, but, unfortunately, there are those who have taken advantage of the Norwegians good hearts, and are abusing the Norwegians good intentions, with some relatively minor backlash. Be sensitive to the still prevalent "Ugly American" stereotype, and you'll meet some of the most extraordinarily kind, informed, well traveled and beautiful people anywhere in the world. If you like looking at beautiful women, imagine so many long-legged, blond, perfect figured women walking around that the local Scandinavian men are drawn to dark haired, olive skinned women as something truly exotic, because they are relatively rare. So, enough of a culture and history lesson, if spending a day in Oslo, no one has mentioned the Viking ship museum which has some amazingly well preserved and amazingly beautiful old ships from the Viking era (bye the way, the often seen in movies Vikings with horns on their helmets is strictly a Hollywood invention). Just walking around in Olso there are still streets that have the original cobblestone paving on the streets from hundreds of years ago, and the buildings to match, so the architectural photo ops are countless. Go visit the grounds of the King's castle, still inhabited by a real king so you can't inside, but it's interesting to see how easy the access is to the people of Norway. While there, walk straight down the hill to Karl Johan Gatten, there are scores of soap boxes set up for anybody that wants to climb on and attract an audience with their varied opinions, lot's of photo ops there as well. The sculpture park is a must see - read some of the history behind it and walk in knowing something about the era in which it was created will increase your understanding and enjoyment of the event. Also, don't be surprised at the liberal attitude towards nudity in public places in Norway, their opinion is that sex and nudity are normal, but violence is unacceptable. Naked (or almost naked) sunbathing in public parks is very common in the summer.

Well, if you do these few things that I have suggested, you will have spent several very interesting days in Oslo. Bye the way, renting a car at the airport is easy, but have reservations, and it isn't cheap. Fortunately, if you drive in the States, you'll do fine driving in Norway - but they do enforce their speed limits with vigor.

Enjoy, you'll never forget Norway or its people. You'll probably never see graffiti, or homeless beggars. Poverty as we know it in the States just doesn't exist. The country is clean, well cared for and the people are friendly as long as you are sensitive to their customs and methods.

If you'll pay my airfare and lodging, I'd be happy to come along and be your very own Norwegian speaking guide who has contacts on the 'inside' so you would see things that a visitor never would.

Here are a couple of places in Oslo to look up.
Vigeland's park. Wonderful statues and other sculptures.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Vigeland" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Vigeland

Holmenkollen. The Olympic sky jump is open as a tourist attraction during the summer. The view from the top is great, and it gives you a whole nother perspective on the Olympic sport we usually only see on TV. I have a whole lot more appreciation for those athletes now.

http://www.visitnorway.com/us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.visitnorway.com/us/

Who told you that , I have eaten tons of it . My grand father made it , my dad made it . Now I make it , you can eat it any time . It's easy now with freezers
You make it load your freezer up . And eat it when ever ,but it is a tradition
At Christmas , new year , it's a food that you crave every now and again .
Gray cod is the fish you use , I have used ling cod and halibut with much
Success . I been eating it since I was five maybe before that . But I remember
Having it at that age . I would sooner eat that than turkey or roast . and oysters is another one that I crave . But I just go down to the beach , and pick them. We have three oyster companies . Along our drive to town
Some times i buy them . $8 for a quart container fresh every day . But now they come from the west coast Tofino .because fanny bay is shut down in
Summer (red tide ) possible


If you ask for them I'm sure the natives will point you in the right direction. Most everyone under the age of 60 will know at least some English. When we were there the 'trik' (Street car) was reliable and dependable for getting around. And a great way to meet people. Hop on, stare and or point at a map and sound lost, someone will likely come help you. If they don't ask someone you're near for help. Ask them what to see as well.

We were there in June and in Oslo it never did get 'dark'. Even after the sun went down. The 'golden hour' was well over two hours both going down and coming up, but the golden hours weren't far apart. Further north the golden hour is even longer as the sun never really sets. I don't know how far north you're going so it you might not be seeing it all night, and you’ll be farther from the summer solstice, but . . . I have some decent shots from just balancing my camera on a railing and tripping the shutter, even ‘long’ after sunset, and that was using ASA 200 or 400 film.

Of course the fjords along the coast will have lots of great scenery. If you can swing it, get up on the vieda, the high plains inland of the coastal mountains. Yes, we saw real live reindeer there. We started at Oslo, drove south around the southern end of Norway and up the west coast until we drove roughly straight east back to Oslo.

I took what I thought was an excessive amount of film (my last trip there wasn't all that recent) and used it all up, and ended up buying more while I was there. Every little burg we drove through seemed to have some place interesting to see or something interesting to do.

If you swim in the ocean, it will be chilly, and you’ll need someone watching out for jelly fish. They sting and that would be a distraction from your trip.

By the way, what’s wrong with lutefisk? It’s good if it’s prepared right. And over there you can get it prepared right, although it’s kind of out of season. It’s a winter food.

Here are a couple of places in Oslo to look up.
Vigeland's park. Wonderful statues and other sculptures.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Vigeland" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Vigeland

Holmenkollen. The Olympic sky jump is open as a tourist attraction during the summer. The view from the top is great, and it gives you a whole nother perspective on the Olympic sport we usually only see on TV. I have a whole lot more appreciation for those athletes now.

http://www.visitnorway.com/us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.visitnorway.com/us/

Who told you that , I have eaten tons of it . My grand father made it , my dad made it . Now I make it , you can eat it any time . It's easy now with freezers
You make it load your freezer up . And eat it when ever ,but it is a tradition
At Christmas , new year , it's a food that you crave every now and again .
Gray cod is the fish you use , I have used ling cod and halibut with much
Success . I been eating it since I was five maybe before that . But I remember
Having it at that age . I would sooner eat that than turkey or roast . and oysters is another one that I crave . But I just go down to the beach , and pick them. We have three oyster companies . Along our drive to town
Some times i buy them . $8 for a quart container fresh every day . But now they come from the west coast Tofino .because fanny bay is shut down in
Summer (red tide ) possible


If you ask for them I'm sure the natives will point you in the right direction. Most everyone under the age of 60 will know at least some English. When we were there the 'trik' (Street car) was reliable and dependable for getting around. And a great way to meet people. Hop on, stare and or point at a map and sound lost, someone will likely come help you. If they don't ask someone you're near for help. Ask them what to see as well.

We were there in June and in Oslo it never did get 'dark'. Even after the sun went down. The 'golden hour' was well over two hours both going down and coming up, but the golden hours weren't far apart. Further north the golden hour is even longer as the sun never really sets. I don't know how far north you're going so it you might not be seeing it all night, and you’ll be farther from the summer solstice, but . . . I have some decent shots from just balancing my camera on a railing and tripping the shutter, even ‘long’ after sunset, and that was using ASA 200 or 400 film.

Of course the fjords along the coast will have lots of great scenery. If you can swing it, get up on the vieda, the high plains inland of the coastal mountains. Yes, we saw real live reindeer there. We started at Oslo, drove south around the southern end of Norway and up the west coast until we drove roughly straight east back to Oslo.

I took what I thought was an excessive amount of film (my last trip there wasn't all that recent) and used it all up, and ended up buying more while I was there. Every little burg we drove through seemed to have some place interesting to see or something interesting to do.

If you swim in the ocean, it will be chilly, and you’ll need someone watching out for jelly fish. They sting and that would be a distraction from your trip.

By the way, what’s wrong with lutefisk? It’s good if it’s prepared right. And over there you can get it prepared right, although it’s kind of out of season. It’s a winter food.