June 13, 2019 - In addition to the Norwegian state program that lasts more than four decades, the Igalo Institute and the Palmon Bay Hotel is hosting a pilot group of 30 elderly citizens from the Norwegian city of Kristiansand. It was a suggestion by Dr. Božidar Gardaševic, Montenegrin who has 20 years of private practice and a lot of friends in that city.
Dr. Gardašević wanted to show his friends and patients that in Montenegro, especially in Igalo, they can spend an active vacation with professional exercises adapted to their age, just as they do on similar travels in the Mediterranean countries.
The day in Igalo starts with exercise, so they go on a tour of the coast and the mountain hinterland. The Norwegians were impressed by their first journey through Montenegro and are therefore grateful to their fellow citizen, Bozidar Gardašević, a native of Čevo:
"Every local community in Norway has senior groups. They travel everywhere, to Spain, Croatia, so I thought why not come to Montenegro," Gardašević says.
Norwegian's vital pensioners all pay for themselves. Gardašević is a promoter, their friend, and a guide while visiting Montenegro. He says they were surprised at the beauties they experienced and saw because they did not expect it.
Dr. Bjorn Pettersen is a member of the group, and believes that Montenegro is a beautiful country of friendly people:
"We are part of the Kristiansand Exercise Group, and here we are first of all to see real life and a natural environment, to eat homemade food. Everything is according to the impressions of our friends who usually reside at the Institute, where, as we could see, they work great with the patients.
Training instructor Anne-Marie Pettersen says they have been to Croatia twice with the senior group. Božidar Gardašević suggested they visit Montenegro with him:
"He said that Montenegro is more beautiful than Croatia, and here we are, it is a lovely country, I would love to see it again."
Edith F. Nilsen points out that in Norway, a daily exercise is in the fitness center:
"Our friends invited us to visit Montenegro with the exercise group. And we've seen how beautiful everything is, the areas, food. I hope I'll be back."
Laila Holgersen is a member of the Norwegian-Montenegrin Friendship Society in Kristiansand:
"I love Montenegro a lot, and I have been at the Institute many times within the framework of the state program. I hope that everyone who wants to be able to come and do treatment, maybe not in the season, but with some more affordable prices."
Norwegian pensioners leave today for Kristiansand. Dr. Bozidar Garadašević believes that, after analyzing his stay in Montenegro, he will decide with the Training Center and the Norwegian-Montenegrin society that next year, they will bring two senior groups. To expand and continue the program, a large part of the work is also on the Igalo Institute and the hotels in Montenegro.
Source: Radio Jadran
