By Larry and Joan Dolinski
The Holmenkollen Ski Jump is the oldest one in the world, dating back to 1892. The starting gate is 60 meters off the ground. Skiers build up to a speed of 92 km/hr (57 mph) at takeoff. From the area of the jump there are wonderful views of the Oslo Fjord.
The Norweigen Resistance Museum was filled with detail about the clandestine anti-Nazi activities of the brave men and women who defied the German WW II occupation to mount various operations for the allied cause. One of the more interesting exhibits was the recorded voice of Quisling, the leader of the tiny Norwegian Nazi Party, who was installed as a puppet prime minister during the Nazi military occupation. He became so loathed by the Norwegians that considerable civil disruption resulted. Consequently he was removed from office by the Nazis. His name has become a synonym for "traitor" in most countries around the world.
From Oslo we traveled to Goteborg, thence by ferry over to Denmark...our ultimate destination being Copenhagen. Copenhagen is a very bicycle-friendly city with a wonderful network of bike paths leading into and all around the city. It is the first place on our entire trip where one had to be more alert for bicycles than for motor cars. Everyone owns a bicycle in Copenhagen and many use them to commute to and from work. Only 3 in 10 persons own cars, probably due, at least in part, to the 200% tax rate. Denmark is about the same size as Switzerland, has a population of 5 million, is made up of over 400 islands, and is considered a welfare state (52% income tax and a sales tax of 25%).
Copenhagen is a popular convention city. (While we were there the World Santa Claus Conference was being held.) Of course, their most revered literary character is Hans Christian Anderson, author of so many fine childrens' stories including "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling".
The Danes are extremely multilingual. Besides English, a Dane is quite likely to speak Norwegian, Swedish, German, and French. It is not uncommon for some to add Spanish and/or Italian to their linguistic spectrum.
While the Danish Resistance Museum (or movement) was not as exciting as was its Norwegian counterpart, the Danish people compiled an enviable record during WW II, helping its most threatened citizens. Seven thousand out of the 7,450 Jews escaped with the help of their Danish countrymen.
A day before arriving in Stockholm, Larry was bicycling with Arnie Chin. The two of them were approached by a newspaper reporter who interviewed them, took photos, and wrote an article for a local newspaper ("Kinder-Postem"). This is the third or fourth time that one or both of us (Joan & Larry) have been the subject of either a newspaper article or a local TV report. Of course we don't know what they are writing or saying about us (probably something to the effect that "the cheese must have slipped off our crackers.")
Stockholm is another grand Scandinavian city with the most handsome harbor front we have yet seen. The harbor is massive in area and has beautiful classic buildings all along the waterfront, including the Royal Palace. There are scores of ferries and excursion boats plying the waters. A gorgeous three-masted tall ship is permanently moored there and functions as a youth hostel.
One of the key attractions in Stockholm is the Vasa Museum. The Vasa is a ship that was built and launched in 1627, during the rein of King Gustavis II. It was to be the mightiest and most elaborately decorated warship ever built. It was to be the showpiece of the Swedish Navy and was intended to play a prominent role in the war between Sweden and Poland. In particular, it was to blockade the Polish Navy in Gdansk. The king ordered a second gun deck to be added to the vessel during its construction, bringing its firepower to 64 guns.
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