Joe’s Blog

We’re off to Norway soon for a few days so let’s see what there is to see and do:

Tripadvisor has a list of things to do in Oslo

1. Cafe Mono
2. Viking Ship Museum (Vikingskiphuset)
3. Norwegian Folk Museum (Norsk Folkemuseum)
4. Vigeland Museum
5. Munch Museum (Munch-Museet)

Visit Oslo also has a top 10 attractions by visitors
some different attractions

• Akershus Fortress
• Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Tower
• TusenFryd Amusement Park(closed I think)
• Vigeland Sculpture Park

Winter in Oslo also offers Oslo Winter Park Tryvann

There is also an Oslo Pass for free travel on all public transport, free entry to museums and other discounts

Shopping 2007 opening hours:
29.12: optional
30.12: closed
31.12: optional
01.01: closed

Attractions:
Most attractions have reduced opening hours during the Christmas holidays. 24.12-25.12 and 31.12-01.01 most of the attractions are closed (Holmenkollen is open every day).

Tourist Information Centres 2007:
The Tourist Information Centre by the City Hall:
24.12 - 26.12: closed
27.12 - 28.12: 09.00 - 16.00
29.12 - 01.01: closed
02.01 - normal opening hours

The Tourist Information by the Central Station:
24.12: 08.00 - 16.00
25.12 - 26.12: 10.00 - 16.00
27.12 - 28.12: 07.00 - 20.00
29.12 - 31.12: 08.00 - 18.00
01.01: 10.00 - 16.00
02.01 - normal opening hours

1 EUR is approx. 7.98 Norwegian Krone (NOK) and 10 NOK is approx 1.25 EUR. Sound familiar? It’s like the conversion rate from irish pounds to euro (multiplied/divided by 10)

any more hints, tips or experiences?

UPDATE:
Frommers has some suggested itineraries for Oslo

If You Have 1 Day–Arm yourself with a bag of freshly cooked shrimp and take a ferry to the Bygdøy peninsula. Explore the Viking ships, the polar ship Fram, the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Norwegian Maritime Museum, and the Norwegian Folk Museum. In the late afternoon go to Frogner Park to admire the Vigeland sculptures.

If You Have 2 Days–On your first day, follow the itinerary above. On your second day take a walking tour, have lunch in a Norwegian restaurant, and explore the Edvard Munch Museum in the afternoon. In the summer visit the Students’ Grove, near the National Theater, for some beer and fresh air.

If You Have 3 Days–For your first 2 days, follow the suggestions above. On day 3 take another walking tour, eating lunch along the way. Explore Akershus Castle and the adjoining Norwegian Resistance Museum in the afternoon. By late afternoon, visit the lofty lookout tower at TryvannstÃ¥rnet and see the Skimuseet at Holmenkollen, taking in a panoramic view of the area. Have dinner at Holmenkollen.

If You Have 4 or 5 Days–For the first 3 days, follow the itinerary above. On day 4 head south on an excursion to the Oslofjord country, with stopovers at the Old Town at Fredrikstad; Tønsberg, Norway’s oldest town; and Sandefjord, an old whaling town. Head back to Oslo for the night. On day 5 see the rest of Oslo’s major sights, such as the National Gallery, the Historical Museum, and the Henie-Onstad Art Center (11km/7 miles from Oslo), a major museum of modern art.

I saw this in Tralee yesterday and it’s particularly interesting given that it’s Christmas.
I also saw took a snap of this pub for your enjoyment

Our Christmas Tree 2007

Originally uploaded by grizi.

Some people have posted photos of their Christmas trees. So here is ours

Hi All
Just to let you know the final amount collect was 4,264 Euro for the charities (ALJEFF-Suicide Centre & adapt House services).
Thanks again for your support, Have a safe and Happy Christmas.

My time was approximately 38:55 contrary to the results listed on the page. Not bad considering the lack of practice imho.

Photos {look - it’s a Web 2.0 app } - www.ece.ul.ie/funrun

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Because the West Link Toll Bridge has just been sold to the government for €420 million. It was built for €38 million.

Fred Barry, the Chief Executive of the State agency National Roads Authority (NRA), told the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee in early 2006, that lawyers had advised the NRA that the 1987 contract was so vague that there were no remedies to take NTR to task on issues such as the standard of service.

Former EU Commissioner Padraig Flynn and disgraced ex-planning official George Redmond, signed the controversial deal for the operation of the West-Link Toll Bridge with National Toll Roads Ltd, in August 1987. - finfacts

If just one “mistake” like this can be prevented, it would pay for many, many tribunals

Jon Arnold reports on Cisco C-Scape 2007 and how they are pushing telepresence. It’s like something from Star Wars

There is a second, longer video here

I thought this was just a joke:

until Aidanf pointed out the solution (scroll down to number 10)

For those people with a connection to the University of Limerick here are a few suggestions

Crinniu CD from the UL Trad Group.

All proceeds from the sale of the CD are going to St. Vincents School in Lisnagry. The funds will be used to assist the outfitting of a Solezeum Room for the children at the school. The equipment can be used to stimulate or to calm the senses depending on the pupils needs. The therapy can help in all areas of the child’s development including speech, movement, tactile responses and overall feelings of security and well being.

If you wish to purchase the CD you can contact any of the following:
Noel McCarthy, Pat Cuddy, Jim Ryan, Rita Gallagher, Danny Browne, Tom O’Dwyer or any member of the group

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UL Vikings 2008 Calendar (naked American Football players) - proceeds to fund equipment in the cancer unit of Limerick Regional Hospital available in Eason’s I’m told

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Cantamus Notes (Monaleen) CD - Proceeds to St Vincent’s Centre, Lisnagry

The CD will be available from the following outlets:

• Monaleen Church
• The Bookshop in Superquinn Shopping Centre
• Flavin’s Butchers
• The Hair Shop
• Celtic Bookshop
• Hunt Museum Shop
• 30, Ashleigh Wood, Monaleen: annheffernan [at] hotmail [dot] com

Suggested contributions: 1 CD 10 euro, 2 for 15 euro

http://www.geocities.com/cantamusnotes/

I’m a Mercedes SLK!

You appreciate the finer things in life. You have a split personality - wild or conservative, depending on your mood. Wherever you go, you like to travel first class. Luxury, style, and fun - who could ask for more?

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Via Paul at Segala who is a Ferrari 360 Modena

For MGB Via Geewiz

Also - allegation that Mark Zuckerberg cashed in before Web 2.0 crashed. Quickly followed by clarification that it was a baseless rumour