GOOD BYE TO OSLO, NORWAY AND HELLO TO AMALFI

We had a wonderful week in Oslo, with some unforgetable memories.

The last day, we managed to find the "Hop on Hop off" bus. It's a great way to see the sights of the city. The Viegland Parken was a must see. Gustav Viegland, the artist and sculptor, created over 200 statues of the human form, all without clothes. He said clothes would "date" the work.

It was most fascinating and certainly something to see in Oslo. As much as we have enjoyed our time, its time to move on to Rome and meet our friends for 2 weeks in Italy. We said "goodbye" to our apartment manager and new friend, Tatiana, who helped us navigate the area.

Up very early to catch the train to the airport and we're on to the next adventure. Our friends were already at the Rome airport when we arrived. We met Kay and Pat from Dallas and Don and Vivian from Wichita Falls. Tom secured our 9 passenger van for the trip to Amalfi and we met up with our Italian friends, Angelo and Marissol in Naples. When we got close to our villa, a stop at the grocery store was in order for supplies. With 8 people shopping, it took a while. Groceries in hand, we're off again.

We have a 4 bedroom, five bathroom villa for the 4 couples. It's right on the Mediterranean Sea, so of course we have a spectacular view.

Monday evening, providided us time for a nice dinner and some time to catch up with friends.

After a hardy breakfast, we loaded up in the van for a trip to the town of Amalfi.

But we aborted that idea in favor of a day in Ravello. It is a beautiful artistic town on a cliff high above Almalfi and was on the to-do list anyway. After the ladies did a little shopping and we had lunch we toured the Villa Rufolo. It has beautiful gardens and spectacular views and dates back to the 13th century.

Each year they hold the Ravello Festival where they bring in world renouned musicians. It is considered an honor by the worlds best artists to be invited to play here. They construct a cantilevered stage which hangs out high over the ocean where the musicians perform.

It was a fascinating tour and we're so glad we saw it. But the weather here is hot and its threating rain. So, we stopped for a geleto and a cold drink before heading back "home."

Marissol prepared us a lovely light dinner and after a nice glass of Limoncello, we called it a day.