Oslo to Copenhagen

We were dismayed to find Oslo very difficult to obtain accommodation on short notice and ended up driving a good hour and a half southwest of the city before finding a hotel not fully booked. It ended up working to our benefit as it was a REALLY nice hotel at a reasonable rate with a beautiful sea view. The drive wasn't too bad to the city so we were still able to spend the entire day downtown walking and shopping...and while it did rain...again...it didn't rain all day or all that hard. :) We also went to the art museum where Mike got to see one of his favorite works, The Scream.This vacation has been very cultural!

It was a long pleasant drive through Sweden to Copenhagen. Mike and I argued along the route as to whether it should count that he's been to Sweden since he drove through it. I say no, since the only stop we made was at a fast food restaurant and a gas station... :) That's just as bad as stopping at the airport!

We were greeted in Copenhagen with..more rain but didn't let it spoil our last day on R&R! We spent the day exploring the city, visiting the underground remains of the previous palaces and shopping. :) (had to come home with some new clothes!) I tried to get Mike to go to Legoland but he wasn't game. How could you turn down Legoland!?

In our flights back we had a good five hours to waste at the Amsterdam airport and since transport to the city is so convenient by train, we took the opportunity to have one more delicious pancake at a restaurant we discovered during our previous visit. We also spent some more time exploring the city and picking up some more souvenirs. :)

The flight back to Baghdad was, of course, uneventful. We stayed at the Queen Alia Hotel since we arrived in Amman so late...and found the experience MUCH better than the last. It was actually pretty slick. There was a representative available to guide you from the transit desk all the way to your room! The room was also much better cared for than the last making Mike much more comfortable. If you recall last January, Mike was barely willing to lie down in the bed fully clothed.

I am a bit peeved with Samsonite..ok...a bit more than just a bit... I purchased a nice new suitcase while in Australia, from a reputable store, and for the first time, actually put some significant money into it...and in the one and a half trips I've made with it (I say half because it only came back from Australia), it has fallen apart to the point that it requires luggage straps to stay together. Zippers have fallen off, canvas is fraying, leather is torn, and the hardened frame is bent. I have emailed Samsonite and hope to get a response that will please me. There isn't a local repair store and sending an empty luggage case home will not be a convenient task AND will leave me without proper luggage for my next trip. Grr!