Terje & Tone...Don't Stop The Music!

The invitation to dinner came months 

in 

advance.

This is after all 

Oslo,

Norway.

Where one do not drop by friends,

 unannounced

nor

call anyone

on a 

weekend

before 10 am.

Tradition rules.

And society conforms.

One final reminder above all...

never arrive

 late 

or

early.

The 

tram & bus

 system in this

Nordic

capital is 

super punctual

&

efficient.

The citizens follow the 

"don't drink & drive"

policy religiously.

It was a rather wet evening as

we made our way towards the

"west-end"

residential area of

Frogner.

Parks, grand houses

& 

beautiful apartments dot this

exclusive

neighbourhood.

The double-carriage bus dropped us off,

 a

few blocks east of our destination.

On this night,

the pavement glistened in the

rain
&

 store windows

shined bright,

illuminating all that was

chic

 & 

desirable 

within.

Having dinner in the 

private domain

of a home

is

definitely a treat.

And 

a sit-down dinner

makes it down-right special.

The building was off the main road

& 

the apartment was

on a higher floor.

Upon entering,

the scent of 

warm food

& 

music

captured your senses.

Walls painted in soft shades of

"Scandinavia"

bounced off light,

as if the entire room

 was seen through

a 

gossamer mesh 

of the 

finest silk.

Tonight was even more special,

the 

table 

was only set for 4.

This could only mean one thing...

the hosts wanted you 

all to themselves!!!

Let me introduce

Terje Moen

(on the left...)

&

 Tone Johansen

our hosts this evening.

"One plus One

makes 

two."

An upwardly mobile couple

living a comfortable life,

in 

a very smart apartment,

located in a superb 

neighbourhood.

They greeted us with

a warm embrace

that felt genuinely

sincere.

Amidst a string of

greetings & exchanges,

champagne 

appeared 

& 

soon we were

toasting to

life

 & 

all it's pleasures!

What is the definition of lifestyle to you?

Terje: Work & Travel.

Tone: It's family & my boyfriend.

What are you reading?

Terje: End of the Trail.

Tone: Facebook.

Which city excites you?

Terje: Kuala Lumpur.

Tone: London & New York.

Is love over rated?

Terje: Maybe.

Tone: Yes.

Blue or White?

Terje: Blue.

Tone: White

Where is Norway heading ...?

Terje: Into trouble

Tone: Tourism.

When I say "shout", what would you say?

Terje: Hi!!!

Tone: Ah!!!

Last holiday destination?

Terje: New Orleans.

Tone: New Orleans.

Can you cook?

Terje: Yes.

Tone: Yes.

Favourite month of the year?

Terje: July.

Tone: July.

Next holiday destination?

Terje: Bali.

Tone...?

How is entertaining different these days?

Terje: Today, you dare to involve the people you entertain.

Tone: Food & wine is more readily available.

What challenges you?

Terje: People.

Tone: My life.

Which movie, if any, can you most identify with?

Terje: Die Hard.

Tone: Eat, Pray, Love.

Define freedom?

Terje: When you look into the mirror, you see your boss.

Tone: Ability to realize my dreams.

Your go-to recipe when you cook?

Terje: Ipad.

Tone: Google.

Brazil or Bhutan?

Terje: Brazil.

Tone: Bhutan.

Most memorable journey?

Terje: Route 66.

Tone: Italy-Toscana.

Favourite song?

Terje: "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2.

Tone: "I love You Baby."

Your most desired cocktail?

Terje: Jack Daniels on the rocks.

Tone: Bacardi Razz.

It's exciting news
when
 you receive an invitation to dinner.
Over the years,
I've learnt about the
do's & dont's
in this city.
Cultural differences 
meant we have to be
mindful
&
respect
social etiquette.
This visit was so much fun right from the start.
Terje & Tone
are a very relaxed couple.
It even shows in the
 design vocabulary 
of the apartment.

The menu for tonight was

 tapas.

Our conversation revolved around 

travel...

a common interest

 held by all four of us.

The couple,

both 

dashing 

&

vocal,

were generous hosts.

Wine flowed continuously

&

they even entertained us with 

a 

dance.

Travel certainly broadens the

mind.

As the evening progressed,

we talked,

laughed

&

drank...

while I photographed.

Unmistakably 

gregarious,

Terje & Tone,

clearly know how to

enjoy life,

&

balances it well.

Every piece of 

furniture

& 

picture

in the apartment,

had a story to tell.

After all,

life is a journey

&

through 

prolonged exposure,

we 

become ourselves.

It's pleasure for 

the eyes when

beautiful things are

all around.

This couple knows how to

live, 

while we 

cruise on life's voyage.

The colours around us may be 

soft 

& 

muted,

yet

my friends are

scintillatingly charming

merry

&

high-spirited!

"Eat,

PLAY,

Love"

indeed!!!

Don't ever

 stop 

playing the music!

Terje & Tone...

thanks for a great night.