Joe’s Blog

I am currently having a little break and enjoying the sun and sights in a little place called Barcelona. The locals are surprisingly pleasant and the architecture everywhere is awesome. I like how mopeds and bicycles are used so much but far too many people have tattoos covering themselves.

Something to do with Gaudi

Here are a few pics from the road;

Seen from the new Rambla del Mar

FC Barcelona Vs Sporting Lisbon (Champions League) which finished 3-1 to Barca

The Nou Camp - thousands of these people came on mopeds

On the way over too, I came across our American fiends in Shannon  - Air Force and marines mostly

Getting some rest before the next flight

We came, we saw, we rang in the new year.
Some Photos:
See how the entire city lights up with fireworks. We were in front of the palace which was all very civilised and had a great view. Down by the harbour, things were a little more chaotic. Next year, unlicensed fireworks are banned in Norway! - Last explosive celebration - Aftenposten.no

And one near to us

Thanks Kev!

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.