Oslo, Norway
I will never forget the first stop of our Scandinavian Cruise, cruising into the Oslofjord (inlet) in Oslo, the capital of Norway. It was the first sight of land after departing the port in Southampton, London. On the 3rd cruise day, early morning, we arrived in Oslo. And finally, along the Oslofjord there were island masses of land, with colorful houses and cabins surrounded by plush forest trees and greenery, on both sides of the ship. As I stood on the deck, excited to see land again, I listened to the sound of the ship gliding through the waters, my body was shivering from the strong breeze coming off the ocean; it was an exhilarating, beautiful and surreal, all at the same time. I stood there, as long as I could, bearing the strong, cold, early morning ocean breeze to take in the beauty of the fjord, as we cruised into a part of the world that I had never seen before.
When we docked at the shoreline, Akershus Castle and Fortress was before us. We walked off the ship to explore the Castle and Fortress which was built in the middle ages to protect the city and provide Royal Residence. The view of the Oslofjord, from the highest point of the Fortress was spectacular. Inside the fortress, King’s Guards (HMKG), were stationed at the entrance where tourist enter to visit the Fortress and Castle. After leaving the Fortress, we took a leisurely stroll through the city-center, neighborhood of Pipervika.
A portion of Akershus Fortress is featured at the Norway Pavillion at Epot Theme Park,Walt Disney World, Orlando, Flordia.
