The Air Force

I have been going through boxes in the attic lately, throwing away old stuff.

I found, amongst other things, this book which belongs in the safe. It contains all my military records, and information of where I am to meet in case of mobilization. I have not heard from the military since my last refresher training back in 1996. I think I am about to turn the magical age when I am exempted from further training, so hopefully I will not have to meet for another exercise.

Aker River and Airshow in Oslo + Admiral P

Last month  I went for a walk along the Aker River which floats down through Oslo. Started at the rivers  origin by Maridalsvannet and followed it until it disappeared under the city close to the waterfront.

Akerselva has been the life nerve of Oslo up through the ages. Industry was supported along the river as far bak as 1300. Today many of the old factories have been refurbished and house a variety of companies.

It starts out very calm with areas saved for recreation and swimming.

Ingens gate = Nobody's street. 

This is the Hippie part of town. I should go back here some day and take some more photos. The whole area is covered with graffiti and should make out for some great shots.

Arrived at Oslo center just in time for the ending of the 100 year celebration of the Norwegian Air Force. 

Here represented by the F-35 Lightening which Norway has ordered to replace the F-16. 

Fittingly enough it was placed outside the Nobel Peace Center.

The Patrouille Acrobatique de France ended the festivities.

Oslo Harbour

Before taking the bus to pick up the car, which I left behind when Istarted walking, I attended a concert by Admiral P.

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New camera

The other day I got myself a Sony NEX-7.

Below is the first shot - out of the box. Kristine in Oslo. Fantastic quality! 

I can not wait to take more photos with this camera!

Click to enlarge

SAS - How it is to be a pilot, or...

The video below is made by one of my Swedish colleagues, and the language is Swedish as well.

It shows how it is to be a pilot, or at least how they at home believe we have it. The last half is closer to reality.


SAS Hur man tror det är att vara pilot... from Lennart Lansburgh on Vimeo.

Ylvis

The two brothers, Bård and Vegard Ylvisåker from the Western parts of Norway have their own TV-show and tour all over the country.

I usually do not watch them on TV, but they have made a couple of music videos that I find quite entertaining.

It is parodies done in a expert way.  Just look below.  

Ylvis - Stonehenge

Ylvis - Work it

Laying stones

This is me. I have been making a stone driveway over the last weeks (in between work and rain showers) and this is what I look like after cutting stones.

I finished a couple of days ago, and I believe it looks really good. How good I will know next spring after winter has done its work.

Tragedy in Oslo

I am at home and were going to post some photos from the trip to Italy and France but the recent events in Oslo and at Utøya makes holiday photos and joy somewhat inappropriate.

As this is written more than 91 people are confirmed killed by a madman. They are still searching for more victims.

  

My thoughts and condolences go out to all of those being affected by this tragedy!

Back home

Finally back home – it shall be good having some days at home before it is off to work again!

It is so nice sleeping in our own bed again! I can open the window and listen to birds outside – no traffic! Staying in a city apartment has its drawbacks. 

Summer Vacation 2011

Saturday we flew down to Rome where we rented a car. We spent two days in Rome and then drove up through Tuscany and the Italian Riviera. 

 

Pisa

 

 Manarola

We left the car at the French border and took a train to Nice where we arrived the day before yesterday.  

We are now in the Nice apartment where we plan to stay until Wednesday.
Lazy days  in beautiful weather. 

Tomorrow we plan on going to Monaco.

Will post more photos when I get home...

Prince Rogers Nelson - Oslo 2011-07-24

Tickets to Prince! Yoooha!!!

But more than USD 270 per ticket? Crazy!

Only three artists I ever pay that much for - Prince is one of them!

Thailand April 2011 - Bangkok and Koh Samet Songkran Celebration

A long post this time with a lot of photos. For this years spring vacation we went to Thailand. It has been 3,5 year since K and I last visited, and it was nice to come back!

On the boat to Koh Samet.

Thai Airlines has started a direct flight from Oslo to Bangkok, but unfortunately it was fully booked the day we went, so we had to travel via Stockholm. Here you can see Kristine posing in the departure gate - unaware of the funny Swedes behind her!

The plane landed at 6 a.m. so we went straight to the hotel from the airport. Then some swimming in the hotel pool - and then three hour of sleep before we woke up ready to explore the city.

We got to use the Skytrain, the sub, taxis, pickup, busses, the new airport train, boats and our feet during our stay. The Tuk Tuk however we refrained from using as I do not consider it safe!

Bangkok street.

During our stay we had the pleasure of experiencing the Songkran Celebration. It is Thai New Year - lasts for three days and is mainly a huge water fight. People stand on all corners and pour water on bypassers. In addition they use some kind of talcum and clay which they smear on each other and everyone around. All electronics had to be hidden in plastic bags. 

 Kristine

 Kristine by a water channel.

A lot of good food!

I think the philosophy is one wire for each electrical appliance.

 Kristine

 Here we are on a water bus up along the river. They will try to sell you expensive trips for many thousand Baths, but you can get a nice river "cruise" for only a few cents (14 Bath).

View from the boat.

This is taken from outside the Grand palace. It was closed when we passed it in the evening.

One of the entrances to the Grand Palace.

 Kristine

 I usually prefer to avoid the tourist main stream and go with the locals. Here we are watching a show with dancing, singing and storytelling in Thai.

 This is the Reclining Buddha. It is 46 meters long and 15 meters high. It rests inside a building at Wat Pho - the largest Temple in town.

 The feet are decorated with mother-of-pearl.

They consist of 108 lakshana that depict the true Buddha, and supposedly bring luck!

 Details...

 I do not know why some of the Buddhas are not golden.

Detail of the base.

 Window.

Beside from throwing water Songkran is the time to visit family and pray. Here Thais line up to clean Buddhas as they say a prayer. There are long lines and small Buddha figures for every occasion. 

SONGKRAN

 People as far as the eye can see. (Click to enlarge)

Lumpini Park. The largest park in town. Nice and quiet.

In front of King Rama VI

 Kristine by night.

All bags 199 Bath = 6.5 US$

 This time we took a bus down to Koh Samet. We have tried different transportation. The easiest is to take a Taxi from the airport (around 2000 Bath) for the 3 hour trip down to Ban Phe from where the ferries take you over to Koh Samet. The bus is almost just as good. It leaves from Ekkamai - The Eastern Bus Station, and I believe the fare was around 150 Bath one way. What I do not recommend is a minivan. We tried it once. It was supposed to pick us up at the hotel in the morning and then drive us down to Ban Phe. And so it did - except for it driving back and forth in the city for almost two hours to pick up tourists from different hotels.  

 On the ferry leaving Ban Phe behind.

The boat trip takes 30-45 minutes depending on which port you are aiming for. It is also possible to rent a speed boat - but I find the slow moving ferry  much more pleasant!

 Resting in the shadow. Note the green plastic bag to protect the camera from Songkran enthusiasts.

 Koh Samet.

The main pier.

 A local taxi.

 Breakfast view.

Roti! Thai pancakes - the best there is!!!

 Yum!

 The water is so warm that you do not notice walking into it.

 Tom Yum with chicken - Thai style!

I get more and more red.

 Ferry boat captain.

 At Vong Duan there is no pier so visitors are transported between the beach and the ferry in these little boats. Remember to take off your shoes!

Leaving Koh Samed!

 Back in Bangkok as a tourist.

Thank you Thailand for another wonderful stay!