*This was written as I went about my day*
Day 6 – Jetting to Oslo
11:00 am: Today is my last day in Stockholm and I head to Oslo via Copenhagen at 1:00 pm. I spent the morning exploring Gamla Stan (Old City). It is a cozy little area tucked up next to the royal palace. It is a tiny neighborhood that looks like it popped out of the pages of a fairy tale. All the buildings are pristinely kept, painted in darling shades of yellow and orange. The narrow walkways are all lined in cobblestone and colorful flowers decorate many of the window that look down on the quiet walkways.
The streets are lined with antique shops, cafes, and trendy clothing boutiques. It is a must when you come to Stockholm. Mind you, it is not where any of the locals go – much like Fisherman’s Warf or Universal Studios. It’s just a historic part of town that is filled with a splendid past and rich colors.
It’s 5:00 pm now and I have been in transit for 6 hours and it sucks. A direct flight to Oslo is a mere 1 and a bit, but I was invited to Oslo at the last minute – after I booked my flight to Copenhagen. If I was smart, I would have cancelled that ticket and flow directly to Oslo from Copenhagen. The time I have wasted today is worth more than my $75 ticket from Stockholm to Copenhagen. Oh well, live and learn.
Another thing I just learned is that I should not have wasted my time once I could have checked in. I waited and waited for Norwegian Air to start checking people is, I decide to get a horrible airport lunch, then all of a sudden the Norwegian check is has a line out the back! Damnit!
They have a Priority Pass VIP section after security. I am a member and I could have been hanging out here for $20 eating all the sandwiches, and drinking all the beer I could consume in my 3-hour layover.
I am committed to doing my due diligence before I visit a destination, but I really don’t ever think about researching an airport before I go – they all seem so much alike. But, I am very wrong about this, and will make sure to find out about where I land from now on. Had I known what I know now I would have:
1. Found a direct flight to Oslo from Stockholm, if I did that, I would have just cancelled my flight from Stockholm to Copenhagen and just called it a wash.
2. If I could not do that, then I would have been the first in line at the check in, I would not have eaten a tasteless lunch of chicken pasta salad and a beer that cost me $20, nor would I have spent $20 more dollars on Internet access for 3 hours.
3. I would have gone from the check in directly to the Priority Pass lounge, paid my $20 and ate and drank all that I wanted to behind the safety of the VIP lounge.
It’s now 10:00 pm and I am safely tucked into my AWESOME hotel room at the Grand Hotel in Oslo. My room is the Inger Ellen Nicolaisen "The Creator’s room"
Inger Ellen Nicolaisen is a famous business entrepreneur. She is the founder of NIKITA chain. Ms Inger Ellen Nicolaisen has been awarded businesswoman of the year in 2002 among many other prestigious awards. How cool is that!? I had a lovely quiet dinner alone in the Henry Ibsen café.
This hotel is quite impressive! Not only do they have amazing original art through the wide hallways, they have been hosting the Nobel Peace Prize dinner since December 10th, 1901! Oh, if these walls could talk.
Okay darlings, I am off to sleep in my thousand count cotton sheets after my hot bath in L’Occitane bubble bath. Ah, heaven.
Lessons learned and then shared are golden. I hope your insights on your air choices help another diva on her way. So no Copenhagen at all? Or do you go back?
Went to Park City/BATW event tonite and met all your wonderful compatriots. Great group – and Shiela says hi! We laughed over her cnfusion on your Scotland story (timing). She is off to Hawaii. Janice is bubbling with ideas. And Terso was a great place for the group to meet.
Hope you have a spectacular day in Oslo! nite nite