We first visited the Viking Ships Museum. Very informative. A bit underwhelming for Isaac ("We walked all this way for this?!") But Hazel really liked it. The Viking boats were in amazingly good condition.
Next we walked to the Kon-Tiki Museum. This museum is dedicated to the man who tested the theory that cultures from the "old world" had contact with the "new world" by building historically accurate sailing vessels to cross the oceans. The first trip was a papyrus boat that sailed from Morroco to the Bahamas.
Seriously, that looks like it should have sunk by the end of the first day!
The second was a balsa wood raft (A RAFT!) that sailed across the Pacific Ocean from South America to Polynesia. Pretty amazing feats.
While in Polynesia, the scientists had another Easter Island Statue commisioned to prove that they were built by men and were walked (wiggled side to side using ropes and pulleys) to the other side of the island. Kind of impressive too.
Lastly we visited the Polar Fram museum. This place highlighted polar adventurer Paul Amundson who made it first to the South Pole. Also talked about the ships that first broke through the northern passages. The center of this museum is the ship that spent 3 years stuck in the ice in the north.
The kids were able to climb around on it and see what life was like for these men. (kind of small).
The museums are right near the harbor. There were workers actually building a boat right before us. We went down to the docks and saw urchins and sea stars in the water! I didn't think that star fish lived this far north in such cold water.
Finally it was time to go home. We took the bus home. Even I wasn't really excited about the 5 km walk back home, especially with 4 tired children.
Maybe we'll take it easy tomorrow. The jet lag and all day/all night sun shining are messing up everyone's circadian rhythms. I'm good with a book at the park in the beautiful Norwegian summer.
Glad that you liked the museums. Dad and I really liked them. We are excited to go again in the fall and see the rest of the museums since we were only able to see a few of them.
ReplyDeleteI think it all looks fascinating!! We you referring to Thor Heyerdal? I heard him speak once - a long time ago - I was young - but it was still fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the pictures. I love seeing other places (even if it is only in pics) and hearing about them. Have fun and stay safe!
ReplyDeleteBetsy
ReplyDeleteWe came home and went thru the mail, but there were no names. Did they get done? Please e-mail me.
Thanks Aunt Joan
The Kon Tiki was built by Bolivians. We actually met one of the men that built it. He was just a young adult then but he helped his father. Now he is teaching his son and grandsons. They are still trying to circumvent the globe using reed boats. The boats only last one year, tops, so they have to make them in different places since they do not travel well on ships. The lashing causes the boats to rot. It was all very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI will have to post pictures of the man and the boat that was there on Lake Titicaca.
If you make it to Stockholm, visit the VASA museum. Isaac will NOT be underwhelmed there.
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