Greetings from Oslo! Today marked the beginning of our Nordic adventure, and while the trip here was long, it was smooth sailing (or, I mean, flying) the whole way. Departing from Edmonton yesterday afternoon, we headed through airports with no delays or luggage mishaps to report.

The only minor complaint for the trip here was during the flight from Seattle to Reykjavik, where I found myself seated next to a young man who seemed to have brought along a persistent hacking cough and an aversion to personal hygiene. Hopefully, he wasn’t contagious!

After making it through Seattle and Reykjavik airports, we finally touched down in Oslo this afternoon. We picked up our luggage, secured our rental car and wasted no time getting to our hotel. We quickly discovered it was only a block from the Storo Storsenter, Oslo’s largest shopping mall.

After a quick bite to eat, we met with our gracious local family contacts, Ottar and Tutti, who offered their insights into exploring Oslo. Tomorrow, they’ll guide us through the charming Old Town area and picturesque harbour. Then, we’ll end the day seeing a show at the renowned Oslo Opera House.

After our meeting, and with the evening still young, we set out to discover some of Oslo. First, a quick stop at the local KIWI grocery store to stock up on a few groceries and then a drive to the Akerselva River, a tranquil waterway that winds its way through the heart of the city. Here, we spotted the Ankerbrua Fairytale Bridge before venturing across also to see the historic Kulturkirken Jacob, a repurposed church that now serves as a cultural hub.

Our wandering led us to Torggata, a bustling street teeming with eclectic restaurants and vibrant nightlife. We stopped for some delicious tacos at Los Tacos before heading back to our car to make our way back to our hotel.

We’re looking forward to what tomorrow has in store. Stay tuned for more adventures from the heart of Norway’s capital!