Side Trips from Oslo - Norway - page 150

VISITOR INFORMATION The local tourist office is located by the harbor
at Havnegata 4 ( & 64-93-50-87 ). It's open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm;
September 1 to June 1, it's open 8:30am to 4:30pm.
SEEING THE SIGHTS
Drøbak was the scene of a crucial naval encounter during the Nazi invasion of
Norway in 1940. As the German cruiser Blücher steamed toward Oslo, it was
sunk by Norwegian artillery fire. The German commander had instructions to
capture Haakon VII, the Norwegian king. Because of the delay, the king escaped
to Britain and safety.
Norwegian patriots fired the shots that sank the Blücher from the Oscarborg
Festning on April 9, 1940. This fortress lies on an island and can be reached by
boat. A round-trip takes 2 1 ⁄ 2 hours and costs 50NOK ($7.10) for adults or
25NOK ($3.55) for children. Tours leave from the tourist office (see above)
Monday to Friday from June to August at 12:30 and 4:15pm. On Saturday and
Sunday departures are at noon and again at 2:30pm.
There are two exhibitions—we hesitate to call them museums—in town that
can easily be skipped unless you have time to spare. At the little Drøbak Båt-
forenings Maritime Samlinger, Kroketønna 4 ( & 64-93-09-74 ), a display of
nautical artifacts, including boat engines, is on view. It's open May to August
daily from 11am to 7pm, September to April daily 11am to 4pm. Admission is
10NOK ($1.40) for adults and 5NOK (70¢) for children under 12.
A little aquarium, Saltvannsakvarium, Havnegata 4 ( & 64-93-09-74 ),
allows you to have a close encounter with the creatures that swim in the
Oslofjord. As a Ripley's Believe It or Not curiosity, this aquarium features the
only lutefisk museum in the world. Lutefisk, of course, is dried codfish that has
been soaked in a water-and-lye solution before cooking. From May to August
hours are daily from 11am to 7pm; off-season hours are 11am to 4pm. Admis-
sion is 20NOK ($2.85) for adults and 5NOK (70¢) for children.
If you have kids in tow, consider a visit to Jegstad Gård Farm ( & 64-95-
00-58 ), along Route E6 at the town of Vestby to the immediate south of
Drøbak. The dairy farm offers horse-pulled carriages to ride, Viking burial
mounds to tour, and nature trails to hike. It's open only April to August on Sun-
day from noon to 4pm, and costs 50NOK ($7.10).
SHOPPING
Most visitors head for the Christmas House (Tregårdens Julehus), Havne
Bakken 6 ( & 64-93-41-78 ), which is open March to December from Monday
to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm, and Sunday noon to 4pm. In
1876 it was constructed as a refuge for sailors who could not proceed north
along Oslofjord because of ice conditions. Today it's the place to buy all sorts of
Christmas goodies and gifts, including handmade wooden dolls. The products
are the creation of Eva Johansen, the owner of the store and a master craftsper-
son. Her range of ornaments made of glass, including angels and stars, are con-
sidered the finest Christmas tree decorations in Norway.
Galleri Havstad, Storgt. 15 ( & 64-93-46-55 ), is a unique and whimsical
arts-and-crafts store, offering some of the best work of local artists and crafts-
people. All arts and crafts are shown in natural light from the numerous win-
dows and are displayed on old Norwegian farmhouse furniture. Among the
more popular items sold here are the vases and wine carafes molded of blown
glass, pewter candlesticks and goblets, and silver and bronze necklaces, earrings,