Oslo, Norway: To Ski or Not to Ski? That Is the Question

A Touch of Oslomania

When you can reach one of the world's most famous ski jumps via T-Bane (see metro), no wonder a couple of skis sport as Oslo's most-worn accessories. The ginormous Holmenkollen proudly awaits at the one end of T-bane's line 1 while, way down by the water, ferry No. 92 can get you across the Oslofjord to serene Hovedøya in just in 8 min. No kidding...

Despite a cityscape of grey-celess industrial buildings sprawling upwards, you can catch quite a bit of sun in this city. And when the sun goes down, bars like Mono stay up nightly until 3 am with soul(ful) djs and agile rock beats, while club Blå moodily awaits by the river for breezy jazz and eclectic dance tunes. 

Somewhere in between, Grünerløkka plays cool with a line of quirky cafes like swinging Liebling. All you need to do is grab those skis. OK, city bikes...

Soundtrack: I'd Rather Dance With You by Kings of Convenience (for the softies)

My Death by Mayhem (for the devoted metalheads)

Easter rest for the usually spirited Grünerløkka

Mission possible: Island-hopping in the Oslofjord

First stop: Hovedøya

Pier-hopping

Cafe chic

Blå Blå Blå

Spiritual Sagene

...and sporty Sagene

Hausmania: Oslo squatting with style

Grab a wig on your way to the center

Nordik graveyard

One picture, a thousand words

Reflections...

Fancy Opera

She Lies: Monica Bonvincini's glass & steel sculpture nonchalantly floats opposite the Oslo Opera House

Abstract photo-break in between classic treats at the Mona Lisa 

Weird life at the Botanical Gardens

Oslo Domkirke: Pretty pedestrian, other than this (and the mosaics overhead)

We're skiing... or we're skating

Now this is what I call street art

A Doll's Loo: Who else reads Ibsen in the private chambers?

Park nymphs

River for aspiring flaneurs

Modest, fairytale Lindøya a few minutes in the Oslofjord

Akershus Castle & Fortress: Keeping an eye on the Oslofjord

La belle Lindøya

Oslo Rådhus: City Hall by day, spooky torture chamber by night 

O Blå, where art thou?

Holmenkollen: The jump of death...

Holmenkollen zipline: Hang like an Olympian

Cafe Liebling:The big chill...