Currency: The Kroner (kr)... 100 Ore to the Krone. Bills are 5,10,50,100,500,1000. Coins are 5,10,25 Ore and 5,10 Krone.
Language: Norwegian, but English is widely spoken.
Temperature: Generally a little cool in the summer and it rains often - particularly in the Fjord areas. June average is 50 °F. July... 60°F.
Bank hours: Mon-Fri 8:15-3:30
Shop hours: Mon-Fri 9-4 Sat 9-2
Things to buy: Ceramics, enameling, weaving, wood carving.
Food: Food can be a little bland but it is plentiful - large servings. The national specialty is koldtbord, a cold table. Expect a lot of seafood and open-faced sandwiches. Few locals eat lunch. Instead they have an early dinner. Food prices can be expensive.
Drink: The National Drink is Linje Akevit - chased with beer. Liquor laws prohibit the sale of alcohol on weekends. Some areas are completely dry. Beer can be served anytime, and is the most reasonable choice.
Tipping: There was very little tipping until the Americans came. Now all restaurants add the service charge. It's not necessary to add more. Tip the bellhops, restroom attendants and chambermaids. Taxi... give the driver a few kroner - round off the amount.
Fornebu Airport: If you enter Norway here, you can take the SAS bus to the City Terminal at the Scandinavia Hotel in the center of Oslo, and then take a taxi to your hotel.
Rest rooms: ... are found in all parks, terminals, city center. Very clean.
Miscellaneous: Norway is a country of fishermen, sailors and farmers. The people love nature and place great emphasis on clean, honest living.
What is a fjord: A fjord is a long, narrow arm of the sea which is bordered by steep cliffs. As such, a "bay" can be considered a fjord. Fjords are usually formed by glacial erosion.