I’ll start this one where I left the last blog post. The celebration of the work of Norwegian artist Pushwagner is also visible on the south side of the Oslo central station at the airport train terminal. I find it fascinating how they can spend the money and the effort to set the whole thing up and then utterly disrespect their own exhibition the next moment.
Pushwagner 'Vertigo' at Oslo central station (click image for large version)
Notice the carefully parked lift?
Just a few meters away from this disturbing sight is the beautiful Oslo Opera House. I’ve shot dusins of pictures of this building with my old camera of us doing Taiji on the roof. This is the first time I’ve tried to capture the building it self though – or at least at part of it.
Oslo Opera House (click image for large version)
I was walking along the waterfront this afternoon. The next object to attract my attention was this ship from the Norwegian coast guard. I’m no expert, but I believe this is one is a Nornen class inshore patrol vessel designed for coast guard duties such as search and rescue, fire fighting, environmental protection, customs duties and police duties.
Norwegian coast guard (click image for large version)
The girsl and boys in the Coast guard sail the Northern Sea and go head to head with the Russian navy in the name of Norwegian sovereignty in the Barent Sea. They are the caretakers of our huge national waters looking after the fishing resources and helping ships in distress. Most Norwegians probably knows this, but don’t appreciate that fishing is the number two source of wealth in Norway after the oil industry.
A few meters away, we move into another world. “Kongeskipet Norge” (the royal yacht) is docked; apparently for some minor maintenance. The area smells of paint and the crew is crawling around with paint brushes and cleaning equipment. I have no idea about the plans The Royal Family might have for the summer, but I’m willing to bet they plan to use “Norge” 🙂
Kongeskipet Norge (click image for large version)
A bit closer to the city center is the old steamer Børøysund (sorry, but couldn’t find information in English for this one). It was built in 1908 in Trondheim and spent the next 60 years trafficking the tough waters along the Norwegian coast with cargo and passengers. It was retired in 1969 and has been maintained and redone by enthusiasts. Today it’s certified for up to 100 passengers and can be rented for parties and tours of the Oslo fjord.
Børøysund (click image for large version)
On my way from the water front towards the Oslo City Hall I bumped into the guy on the next picture. The great Norwegian hero Peter Tordenskjold (thunder shield). He was a prominent naval officer working in the early 1700’s and his name his legendary. The article in Wikipedia does not mention it, but I’ve read that he actually served on one or more slave ships during his early years at sea. This came as a big surprise to me and is a part of Norwegian history I’ve never seen in official history books …
Peter Tordenskjold (click image for large version)
My last shots for this post are from St. Olavs plass, a couple of blocks up from the water front. It’s pretty close to where I go to work every day. They’ve sculpted the whole square around a stunning centre piece hanging suspended from cables connected to the roofs of the surrounding buildings. I think the whole place looks great and have to say that I’m glad to live in a city that can spend our tax money on making our home town look good. I mean; we need to make sure that we take care of the those in need. We also need to invest in infrastructure and municipal services. It is also essential to keep the city in shape and to make sure it’s a place where we enjoy and find interesting. I think what the local government have done to St. Olavs plass is a great example of how to do exactly that.
St. Olavs plass (click image for large version)
St. Olavs plass (click image for large version)
That’s all folks! I’ll be back in a day or two with pictures from the 17th of May – the Norwegian constitution day.
