Day 11: Stockholm/Oslo - Goodbye & Hello!
I had an early breakfast at 7am this morning as I wanted to leave the hotel by 7.30am. My train to Oslo was at 8.29am, but as I had a luggage to manoeuvre through some cobbled-stone streets, I decided to give myself ample time to get to the train station and to locate the platform.
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The train was delayed, and people were getting edgy pacing up and down the platform with their luggages. Thankfully, we didn't have to wait too long and the train arrived 10 minutes later. The weather was marginally better today, with some sun, and it was an enjoyable 6 hours ride to Oslo. However, there was no wifi on the train, which was a surprise.
Sweden is a beautiful country. In fact, I thought the Stockholm-Oslo route was rather scenic. We passed by many gorgeous lakes and its waters so still that you could see a mirror image in the reflection.
The train pulled in at Oslo Central Station at 2.30pm, to a day of rain. I was stuck at the station for quite a while as I couldn't possibly manage an umbrella with my luggage, and not forgetting that there might be some cobbled-stone pavements to navigate. Finally, when the rain died down a little to a drizzle, I dashed in the direction of Karl Johans Gate. Alas, the drizzle became pouring rain again and luckily I managed to escape and took shelter in a nearby building. Seriously, I hate this type of drizzle, rain, drizzle, pouring rain, rain, drizzle, rain, drizzle raining games. It is just not convenient to be out even with an umbrella.
I was glad that the hotel I booked was very very close to the train station. I found the hotel fairly quickly. But what a cool hotel CityBox Oslo is! Most of the time, we arrived at a hotel to be greeted by friendly receptionists who would smile at you if they are in a good mood. But at Citybox Oslo, I arrived to find ... two check-in and check-out machines at the lobby. Completely automated. You just had to key in you booking number, and the machine will issue you your room keycard as well as a letter with all the information you need, including the wifi password. In case there are problems with the machines, there IS actually an hotel staff onsite 24/7. You would have to push a button besides the check-in machines for this.
For its location, the hotel was very affordable by Norway's standards. The rooms were chic and modern and clean, without the unnecessary extras such as TV and hot water kettle in your room. I later learnt that this was so the hotel could keep costs down in order to provide good quality and cheap hotels to visitors. However, guests could make use of the pantry at the lobby, where there is a water kettle, a fridge, a microwave oven, and a vending machine for snacks.
By the time I was done, it was nearly 5pm. The rain seemed to have subsided somewhat so I went out for a quick walk down Karl Johans Gate. Karl Johans Gate is not really a "gate" per se, but is the main street that stretches from the Railway Station to the Royal Palace. Oslo's major attractions are all within walking distance of Karl Johans Gate. I came across the Hard Rock Cafe nearer to the Royal Palace end, and bought the classic and city shot glasses for a friend. I don't know why it is always dark in HRC, but as things went, I did not scrutinize the shot glasses enough and that was the beginning of my horrible scare the next day. More to follow ... ...
.JPG)
The train was delayed, and people were getting edgy pacing up and down the platform with their luggages. Thankfully, we didn't have to wait too long and the train arrived 10 minutes later. The weather was marginally better today, with some sun, and it was an enjoyable 6 hours ride to Oslo. However, there was no wifi on the train, which was a surprise.
Sweden is a beautiful country. In fact, I thought the Stockholm-Oslo route was rather scenic. We passed by many gorgeous lakes and its waters so still that you could see a mirror image in the reflection.
The train pulled in at Oslo Central Station at 2.30pm, to a day of rain. I was stuck at the station for quite a while as I couldn't possibly manage an umbrella with my luggage, and not forgetting that there might be some cobbled-stone pavements to navigate. Finally, when the rain died down a little to a drizzle, I dashed in the direction of Karl Johans Gate. Alas, the drizzle became pouring rain again and luckily I managed to escape and took shelter in a nearby building. Seriously, I hate this type of drizzle, rain, drizzle, pouring rain, rain, drizzle, rain, drizzle raining games. It is just not convenient to be out even with an umbrella.
I was glad that the hotel I booked was very very close to the train station. I found the hotel fairly quickly. But what a cool hotel CityBox Oslo is! Most of the time, we arrived at a hotel to be greeted by friendly receptionists who would smile at you if they are in a good mood. But at Citybox Oslo, I arrived to find ... two check-in and check-out machines at the lobby. Completely automated. You just had to key in you booking number, and the machine will issue you your room keycard as well as a letter with all the information you need, including the wifi password. In case there are problems with the machines, there IS actually an hotel staff onsite 24/7. You would have to push a button besides the check-in machines for this.
For its location, the hotel was very affordable by Norway's standards. The rooms were chic and modern and clean, without the unnecessary extras such as TV and hot water kettle in your room. I later learnt that this was so the hotel could keep costs down in order to provide good quality and cheap hotels to visitors. However, guests could make use of the pantry at the lobby, where there is a water kettle, a fridge, a microwave oven, and a vending machine for snacks.
By the time I was done, it was nearly 5pm. The rain seemed to have subsided somewhat so I went out for a quick walk down Karl Johans Gate. Karl Johans Gate is not really a "gate" per se, but is the main street that stretches from the Railway Station to the Royal Palace. Oslo's major attractions are all within walking distance of Karl Johans Gate. I came across the Hard Rock Cafe nearer to the Royal Palace end, and bought the classic and city shot glasses for a friend. I don't know why it is always dark in HRC, but as things went, I did not scrutinize the shot glasses enough and that was the beginning of my horrible scare the next day. More to follow ... ...
posted by Lonoxon at 4:19 am
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