Gotland Island, Sweden

Another Ferry Ride, Shelly, Walled City, Island Touring, Meeting Shelly’s friends and family, and Tall, Good Looking, Blond Women wearing short shorts.We made it to the terminal in time for the ferry that would take us to the town/village of Visby on Gotland Island where Shelly and his wife Barbro live for the summer. Since Shelly had already been on the island for a week or so he said he would meet us at the ferry terminal and he did (he was only 5 minutes late, which Corey and I considered to be very early for him) :=)

We were now the 3 Eurotrash Amigos. Shelly led us to his place right on the beach and gave Corey and I accommodations in our own private bungalow with a patio facing the beach.

GREAT digs. Barbro fixed us a great dinner while Corey and I made a HUGE dent in their beer supply. Later that evening we went to the patio of the restaurant next door to Shelly’s place and “poached” some internet time so we could check on things back home. The sunset that evening was not to be believed. Beautiful.

The next morning Shelly took us on a tour of Visby which turns out to be one of the coolest towns I have ever visited.

It is a walled, fort like city with narrow, hand laid brick streets, hundreds of quaint shops, churches with some great leaded glass, and many sidewalk cafes. Erected around 1300 AD. Shelly explained that the wall originally was not a fort but was erected to keep the farmers away from the merchants (didn’t want those smelly farmers coming to town I guess). The walls and towers were later used for protection from several invaders but the café’s accommodated them all I’m sure. Visby is known as the city of “roses and ruins”.

Here are some of the ruins (and that wall is pretty old also). Definitely worth a visit (if you ever hit the lottery). :=) We all went on a tour of the Island and met many of Shelly and Barbro’s friends and family.

Fortunately, Barbro has a brother that owns a great restaurant right on the water and he serves BEER,

so of course we stopped in. Tomorrow it’s another ferry ride to Stockholm to see what it has to offer (besides VERY high prices). Speaking of “high”, Julia asked me about the picture of the gas station sign from the last entry.

It shows the gas we use as 152.9 per Litre (and there are about 4 of those in a gallon). That is in Swedish Kroners which converts to about $9.00 a gallon. Now you see why I said “if you ever hit the lottery” :=) Hope Julia gets in a little overtime. More from down the road.

Many more pictures here if you like.

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/15599906_8ri5r