Welcome to the 3rd of a 4 part series of how to enjoy Oslo on a budget. Yes, there is now a fourth installment tommorrow where I will do my sums and tell you much I spent in my 4 days in Oslo. If you missed the first and second instalment of the budget Oslo diary here they are. Enjoy
Day 3
Breakkie in a bag: Comfort Hotel Xpress, Oslo
I ordered the option of breakfast in bed at the Comfort Hotel Xpress.
It's actually breakfast in a bag- compromising of a sandwich, yoghurt, juice and pear. It's tasty and filling. The extra 35 NOK is worth the outlay and given how expensive food is in Oslo, a good investment before a long day of sightseeing.
My first stop is the Munch Museet. ( Entry fee: 75 NOK, free with the Oslo Pass )
Oslo has a great selection of museums but for me the standout museum is the Munch Musuem. Edvard Munch bequeathed a large portion of his work to the city before his death in 1940, and this great museum is the result.
The Scream Munch Museet. Oslo
‘The Scream’ is the painting most synonymous with Munch and for many is the standout painting in the exhibition.
However there are some incredible works on display here like "Dance of Life" (my favourite), “Winter Night", "Jealousy","Eye to Eye",and his "Self Portrait with Paint Brushes".
The Dance of Life Munch Museet. Oslo
Munch’s art is incredibly intimate, the subjects painted are revealing which makes it very accessible to even the most casual observer and lover of art. I left the exhibition stunned, my mind filled with all kinds of imagery and a portrait of a wonderfully, talented but tragically flawed genius. I dare you not to fall in love with Munch’s art after seeing this exhibition. A must Oslo see.
Heading back in town I decide to check out the architectural masterpiece that is the Oslo Opera House. A night out in the Opera in Oslo is surprisingly affordable with reductions for students, ticket prices starting at 100 NOK. I didn’t have enough time on hand but would recommend.
I am starving and at Oslo Central Station bump into a franchise of Oslo’s favourite Pizza chain: Peppe’s.
Two slices of Pizza and a coke for 79 NOK. Bargain for Oslo. Plus free wifi. Great.
I head to the hotel and am on the hunt for a pub to watch my beloved Liverpool FC in action.
I hear a chorus of groans -football? On holiday? Instead of the Opera ;)
Well, its a great game plus a pub can be a great place to meet the locals and get the feel of a place
A handy tip off from fellow Liverpool FC fan and tweep @miss_smidge recommends I visit Bohemen.
Bohemen:If Carlsberg made football pubs...
It’s a few blocks away so I go for a ramble and when I discover the pub it is absolutely packed to the rafters with football fans. Its plastered with football memorablia from tip to toe and plasma screens in every corner. Every football team in the premiership I think is represented here by the local fans. Manchester United fans outnumber everyone which is understandable given the Norwegian association through native Ole Gunner Solsjkear.
Pint of Frydenlund: 54nok.
There was good banter amongst the watching locals and I felt really at home in this place. If you are a footy fan in Oslo and looking for a place to watch the game- Bohemen is a local institution not to be missed.
The Weird and the Wonderful: The Angry Boy (Boys). Vigeland Park. Oslo
It's getting late and I get a text finally from Frida, my friend in Oslo. She’s had a hard weekend working at her job so she’s looking forward to stretching out her legs and meeting me at the local park. This is no ordinary park we meet- its called Vigeland Park and is scattered with 192 sculptures.
The park is Gustave Vigeland's artistic statement about the quintessential themes of life and relationships. Its ranges from the very expressive like the Angry Boy (in picture, no not me, the wee boy above me) to the monumental Monolith: containing 121 figures at a height of 17 metres it symbolizes man’s longing and yearning for the spiritual and divine. Madman or genius –whatever you make of sculptures this is a unique display and very much worthwhile visiting during your Oslo visit.
There’s now a fourth part to the Oslo series coming up tommorrow-a quick trip to Bygdoyand also I give you a lowdown of how much I spent in the end.
