May 31 Day of Changes

Morning on the fjord at our hotel.

Today was a day of changes:  the weather, the terrain and our location.  Our mode of transportation was the same.  We took our bus from Lofthus to Oslo.

We started out driving along the Hardanger Fjord again. 

Each patch of blue or area of sunshine on the mountains gave us hope of sunnier skies.

Before we continue, I should mention tunnels.  There are over 1000 tunnels in Norway, a necessity for improving land travel in the western part of the country with its high mountains dropping into the fjords.  One of the tunnels we have gone through during the past three days actually has a round-about.

 Our first stop was in  Eidford at the Norse Natursenter.  It was two floors with displays showing geological and natural aspects of Norway.  Of particular interest was a panoramic film of the Hardangervidda (Plateau).   It is in a great setting.

Goats work to trim the grass on the sod roof.

When we finished here we learned that we could continue on our planned route.  Emma had learned early this morning that the route crossing Hardangervidda had been closed because of snow.  However, we were lucky that it had been reopened.  This is unusual weather for May 31 even in Norway.

Our next stop was the Vøringfossen.  It was impressive and yet it is ranked 82 in height in Norway.

As the journey continued across Hardangevidda, the land became snowier and, as we moved above the tree, more barren.

Then we reached the highest point where a troll was there to greet us.

As we proceeded we began to understand the road closure.

This driver was not so lucky.  We passed the emergency vehicles coming to help.

Once we hit the highest point, we were descending.

The buildings seen along the way were seasonal - this area is used in the winter for cross-country skiing.  

Eventually we dropped back into the trees.  Things got greener and sunnier.   Many farms along the way.

Now we drove along lakes and rivers.

Finally we were in Oslo - the Opera House on the water's edge is not far from our hotel.

Dinner near the hotel followed by a short walk and some more Oslo sights.

Dinner at Egon

Opera House after dinner

Floating Iceberg Sculpture

The new Munch Museum (opening 2020)