I think there are many SA physicians working here, dalene, but I've never heard they have no bedside manner--who cares so long as they're good at what they do.

Love, Brenda

quote:

we did have some sweet stuff choices at the dinners, but at the breakfast buffets - nothing really-one only had cookies. . .but you could have plenty of herring, sardines, onions and sweet goat cheese! Also not a banana to be found except in the 7-Eleven stores (a USA chain convenience store) which also carried hot foods including bacon wrapped hotdogs to go. Those 7-Elevens really came in handy!

Roxy: Did you actually eat any herring/sardines/goat cheese? How did it all taste? Key question: If a return trip were free, would you go there again? Compared to other places you have been, how impressed were you by Scandinavia? Where does it fit into your Top Ten? I`m trying to make an expensive decision here!

Caitie I passed on herring, sardines and the sweet goat cheese (it's brown and sliced from a square brick type piece) in lieu of other choices I favored - how 'bout Swedish meatballs with scrambled eggs for breakfast, also fish balls. All the food was excellent and plentiful. The Scandi people are very hospitable.

If it were free, I would definitely visit again. It's in my top ten, but have a hard time rating it against other countries as all have different pluses kinda like which do you like better ice cream or cheesecake?

I'd definitely reccommend a trip; nothing not to like. You can even travel in summer because it's generally quite cooler. Bergen and Oslo hit a heat wave last week or it would probably have been about 73 F. No tours go passed October I think due to the snow and darkness. Our TD said the lake region roads we were traveling on had snow on a June trip and the driver had to stop and put chains on the bus tires!

Roxy: I think I`d pass on the herring and sardines too, but goat cheese is delicious. I developed a taste for it long ago. It looks scarier than it tastes.
I have been considering Scandinavia for a long time but other destinations always seem to take precedence. Quite honestly, given my interests, I`ve worried that I might not find Scandinavia quite as exciting as France or Greece or now Italy. Now you have made me take another look. Thanks!

I like goat cheese as well in small doses, just didn't want it for breakfast - other choices were better and people said this particular variety was "sweet".

Visiting would depend on how much you are willing to broaden your horizons for a new area to experience. Old loves always call us back!

P.S. For the first time I checked in online from home with Continental and printed my own boarding pass the day before. When I arrived at Newark Airport, I only had to go the the baggage drop line (empty) and punch my confirmation number into the screen and a baggage tag printed which the counter rep put on my bag and I was off to the security check point (5 minutes). A great time saver for anyone apprehensive about doing it.

I like any cheese (well, almost ... ), maybe with a jatz/pepper, and a good port or muscat. I must tell my story of a flight from Japan to Heathrow on BA one day.

We were in the bubble of a 747, with this lovely Irish stewardess and only about 4 other people. Why they all like downstairs I don't know.

It was like we were in our own little world and after dinner she asked me in that especially lovely Irish brogue - "And, would you be wanting a cheese and liquer to top off the meal". Well - I said - why not ...

Heathrow was upon me before I knew it ... It was a really fun trip and we "Bubblers" had a wonderful time of it.

What do they say - "what happens in the bubble, stays in the bubble ... " ...

Careful there Mike...bubbles do burst!

Roxy - yes, a near miss the other day wasn't there ...

Would have been frightening. Imagine sitting on the wing seat and a gas bottle going off and blowing a hole in the fuselage. Wow - I may have needed another port ...

I think "Bubbles" was also Michael Jackson's pet monkey - appropos of nothing ...

Roxy, how would Scandinavia rate as a destination against other places you have visited. We are looking at Russia and Scandinavia for about May next year (hopefully).

There is nothing to complain about in Scandanavia except the verrry high costs. (while it was always expensive there, now it truly is a small fortune to eat, drink and shop. Actually the shopping is not much vs Italy or France...woolen sweaters and Royal Copenhagen porcelain, plus everything "viking". Also Kosta Boda handblown glass had a savings to those who searched it out.

Extended daylight might throw some people off . . . e.g. still sunlight at 10PM in July and up again at 3:30/4 a.m.

Most optionals weren't taken (by most) due to extremely high costs e.g. a dinner night out at a so called fine restaurant w/one glass of wine...90 euro. Anything that was able to be done independently was done that way, due to the free time from canceled optionals. (e.g. funicular ride up the mountain in Bergen).

Yes, despite Scandi not being on the euro, ops were priced in euro.

As an aside, forgot to mention the new bus we had only had 3 seats across the back with the toilet in the corner instead of being near the back door.

The majestic vistas in the lakes and fjord areas cannot be matched (think Milford Sound x 10)! Russia combined with Scandi will be a good match. Good luck!

Hmm ... "land of the midnight sun"... my heart's desire ... alas! far too expensive for South Africans!

I personally don't like Norwegian goat cheese, it is horrid in my opinion. I like French and other white goat cheeses.
I loved the gravlax and I guess smoked salmon served at breakfast at most of the hotels for Breakfast in Norway. As a former inhabitant of Sweden I found it strange to be served meatballs for breakfast at some hotels.
If you want to see the midnight sun you have to travel to the Arctic circle around late June or early July, I think. It does stay light for a very long time in summer, in winter the days are very short. I remember going to school and it was pitch black, also coming home.