As we fly along the Norwegian coast, in the distance we get our first glimpse of snow capped mountains. Our fellow passengers were the usual eclectic mix of passengers unique to Ryanair flights. The privileged few who think that, due to their special status in life, they just HAVE to pay the extra for priority boarding. Why do such people stroll to the front of the queue with such smug looks on their faces? And as for their kids, when it comes to smugness, they take it to a whole extra level. As for the flight itself, what can I say, Ryanair are Ryanair. They do what it says on the tin, get you where you want to go as cheaply as possible. I get so hacked off with people moaning about Ryanair, people who know exactly what they are going to get by booking tickets with them, but then expect first class service. Ryanair ARE a budget airline!! They even got us to Torp about 15 minutes early, what more could you ask for? Okay, legroom, decent food, clean toilets, cabin crew that speak the same language, pilot and co-pilot that probably weren't flying Eastern European military aircraft just the week before, soft landings and easy take offs, cleanliness, but hey, that all costs money!
So, we land at Torp (with a bump), sort out our luggage and head out to the Oslo express bus for the two hour bus trip to Oslo. As is usually the case there takes place a mass migration from Ryanair plane to airport bus. This means that, if you have suffered a two hour flight with insufferable people, invariably you have to settle down to a similarly annoying and insufferable bus trip. In our case this meant a gaggle women with their extremely badly behaved young boys who were allowed to run free shouting and screaming at their leisure. I sort of wished I started mimicking the love of my life who never failed to carry with her a pair of earplugs on such journeys. We may live and learn, but don't necessarily always pay attention.
On arrival at the central bus terminal in Oslo it was just a short trek to the water front to catch a bus up to Manglerud where we had booked accommodation through Airbnb. I used the same accommodation last year on my first trip arranged through Airbnb and was so impressed I wouldn't consider staying anywhere else in Oslo. Hege, the host, is a lovely lady and it is more like staying with a friend. For those interested in details for the accommodation, I will post some further details at another time. Suffice to say that after our 4am start, it was nice to reach our destination and breathe out.
As we had some spare time to kill, we decided to take a trip down to the city centre and take in a few sights, starting with the opera house which Emma had not seen before. A short bus trip followed by an equally short walk, and there we were:
From the top of the opera house you get quite a good view of the Oslo waterfront, including the horrendous (my opinion only) "barcode" buildings.
Well, I was probably asking a little much of the kids (OK, they're 18 and 21 but they'll always be kids to me) after our early morning start and, as should have been expected, all anyone wanted to do next was go to nest and chill out. Back on the bus, back up to Manglerud, a quick stop to buy pizza, Grandiosa of course, Norway's most popular meal, and back to the apartment. We also purchased some supplies for our stay at the first hytte tomorrow, Hallingskeid. This would consist of moose balls!!! No, not literally, but meat balls made of processed moose meat!
Hege had returned home by then, so what followed was a relaxed evening with someone who already seemed an old friend, whilst the sun set over Oslo fjord.
One final piccie, this is the welcoming you get when you arrive at Hege's place, a personal note on the large blackboard.
