July 25, 2014. We rolled out early eagerly anticipating the first leg of our Norway in a Nutshell tour. After packing out, we packed in another delicious buffet breakfast. It was hard to leave Hotel Oslo City Center and Oslo with so much left to explore.
Our cab driver was most pleasant and delivered us to the train station promptly. En route we were delighted to catch a glimpse of the famous Oslo Opera House, designed by the same architect that designed the new James Hunt library on the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University.
Then the "fun" began. Tom had braved the elements and another long walk the night before to get our our train tickets and instructions for catching the train. It should have been easy. Enter the main door, exit to the right. We located the platform, but not the train. Hmm. Many workers with orange vests were stationed throughout the boarding areas. When we asked for help they would shrug their shoulders and act like they didn't want to be bothered. No one inside the station could help either. Finally someone told Tom to cross several tracks and board a bus. Now that was fun trailing our luggage! Tom found the vehicle, a van, and was trying to verify that we were in the correct place. Another van pulled out, so Ann stepped back behind a large van to wait for Tom's instructions. Suddenly a stranger grabbed her and pulled her to safety as the large van began to back up, totally unaware that she was standing very near the rear bumper.
Tension mounted as we boarded the van - which was not labeled as a Norway in a Nutshell vehicle. Others were just as confused, but we had little choice. The driver was a man of few words and fewer answers. The van delivered us to Grefsen station (huh?) where we found a crowd of tourists waiting for the Norway in a Nutshell train. Gratefully it was late and we made the connection.
Our cab driver was most pleasant and delivered us to the train station promptly. En route we were delighted to catch a glimpse of the famous Oslo Opera House, designed by the same architect that designed the new James Hunt library on the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University.
Then the "fun" began. Tom had braved the elements and another long walk the night before to get our our train tickets and instructions for catching the train. It should have been easy. Enter the main door, exit to the right. We located the platform, but not the train. Hmm. Many workers with orange vests were stationed throughout the boarding areas. When we asked for help they would shrug their shoulders and act like they didn't want to be bothered. No one inside the station could help either. Finally someone told Tom to cross several tracks and board a bus. Now that was fun trailing our luggage! Tom found the vehicle, a van, and was trying to verify that we were in the correct place. Another van pulled out, so Ann stepped back behind a large van to wait for Tom's instructions. Suddenly a stranger grabbed her and pulled her to safety as the large van began to back up, totally unaware that she was standing very near the rear bumper.
Tension mounted as we boarded the van - which was not labeled as a Norway in a Nutshell vehicle. Others were just as confused, but we had little choice. The driver was a man of few words and fewer answers. The van delivered us to Grefsen station (huh?) where we found a crowd of tourists waiting for the Norway in a Nutshell train. Gratefully it was late and we made the connection.
When the train arrived we searched for our car. A rail employee directed us toward the end of the very long train. We ran, again trailing our luggage. Panic set in when we got to the end of the platform and there were still more cars. We jumped down and dragged our luggage through the gravel toward the end. Our car was not there. By now, no other passengers could be seen outside the train. Ann burst into tears when she realized that she could not get up onto the train because it was too high above the ground. We bolted back to the platform, climbed back up and scrambled up into a car, lifting and dragging our luggage.
We plopped down into empty seats just before the train left the station. A very nice couple and their daughter recognized that we were in great distress and began to comfort us. Several people walked through the car and we fully expected them to claim the seats. The conductor came through and assured us that it did not matter where we sat.
Now the fun began. Our "comforters" spoke with Southern accents. This music to our ears hailed from South Carolina. They were just as excited to find that we were from North Carolina. We shared a delightful morning of drinking in the scenery and the companionship. Nicer people could not be found on the face of the earth.
When we later connected to the network and received news, we discovered that the confusion had been caused by a terror alert. A Norwegian national was returning from ISIS training and was expected in Oslo. Apparently all those workers in orange vests had been security officers.
These glimpses of our views pale in comparison to the beauty we enjoyed. Click on the picture for an expanded view.
That's the front of our train on the right, where we were supposed to be sitting.
This reminds us of Western North Carolina.
Who gets the wishbone?
Oh my! This is a hiking trail.
Hardangerjokulen glacier- from Finse
Waiting for the Fläm train in Myrdal
Our delightful traveling companions from South Carolina
All aboard!
Kjosfossen, home of the Lady of the Mist
Fläm
For the complete photo album visit Train Ride from Oslo to Fläm
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