Today we had a bit if extremes in our sightseeing. We started out this beautiful sunny morning by visiting Norway's medieval castle at the Akershus Fortress which was built in the 1300s. It is still used today for State events. I think we all enjoyed listening to the tour while roaming the great halls, winding staircases, dungeons, crypts and the royal tomb. All the while I tried to envision them filled with Norway's and Denmark's royal families....The harbor views from the castle were pretty amazing too.
While at the Akershus Fortress we also visited Norway's Resistance Museum. It recreated the 5 years from Nazi invasion to liberation during WWII. I did not realize how extensive the Nazi's occupation was of Norway (400,000 troops), how much the country was terrorized and how instrumental the Norwegioan resistance was in it's own liberation. From secret radios, underground newspapers and home-made weapons, the reisistance movement was very inspirational. Wow! But it was also very sobering to learn that some of the very resistance leaders featured inside the museum were executed by the Germans right outside the museum....
To cool off and relax a bit after a heavy morning we decided to take a quick dip in the Oslo fjord! Once again the boys got to practice their dare devil diving skills while the rest of us soaked in the sun. But I must confess, I eventually did dive into the salty water too!
The day ended with Stein joining us and giving us a tour of the Norwegian Opera & Ballet which was built in 2008. It's unique structure reminded me of a big glacier rising from the water's edge to it's extended slanted roof made of a beautiful white marble and glass. It was quite stunning and we had fun walking up the roof all the way to the top!
Once again, my feet are tired and it's time to retire for the day...
I hope you learn a bit about the Vågsøy raid of Dec. 1941 when you get to Vågsvåg and Måløy.
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