This year’s adventure is to Norway and Denmark.  After an incredibly turbulent plane ride to Copenhagen (who knew the jet stream was so bumpy?) followed by an equally sleep-deprived second leg, we landed in Oslo.  Our self-guided but packaged tour included an opulent hotel (check out the lobby chandelier!) with an old-world Europe feel right in the middle of downtown Oslo.

We explored our environs a little, including fountains and parks, and then headed for the water to see the Astrup Fearnley museum, an architectural marvel (thanks to Renzo Piano) that houses “interesting” contemporary art.  The crucified sheep carcasses in formaldehyde courtesy of Damien Hirst were a little much, but the Ai Weiwei installation and the museum’s picturesque setting were worth the visit.

Perhaps the coolest part of the day (literally) was a trip to the local ice bar, which featured famous Munch images rendered in frozen H2O, drinks served “in the rocks”, and complementary parkas for all visitors.  Very cool indeed!