Home to Sydney

After organising late checkout we went to the Jade Markets and finished off our shopping at the Ladies Market. We had a delicious Yum Cha for lunch and then headed back for another swim and to finish packing. We left the hotel at 4.50pm on the free Airport Express bus-it came to the front door of the Hotel (by the way we would recommend the Eaton Hotel-well located and very comfortable and clean). It was about a 10 minute ride to the train where we could book on our luggage and get our boarding passes. The trip on the train was very quick and we were at the airport by 5.20pm. The transport system in Hong Kong is amazing and so cheap. We passed the time at the airport on the free Internet and boarded the flight about 8.30pm. The flight was good, a bit rough and we landed in Sydney at 8.10am. Getting through customs at Sydney is very tiresome and time consuming-more so than any other airport I have ever been through! We were lucky and did not have to have our bags scanned again. We were home in Wollongong by 12 midday after picking up the car from Redfern. It was nice to be home and back in familiar surroundings but travel is addictive and I am planning the next trip in my mind already….but better knuckle down and do some work in my new position before we set off again. Thank you friends and family who we stayed with and those we travelled with during this holiday. We have many memories. Yes it was stressful at times (especially losing my credit card!) but it was also very wonderful and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to see so much of this great world we live in! Until next time...

Hong Kong Day 3

Today we decided to do something different. We had been told about Lamma Island and so we went to Central and hopped on a Ferry at Wharf Four. The trip was interesting and we arrived in time for lunch at one of the seafood restaurants on the Harbour. This meal was really good and very relaxing. We then set off and walked from one side of the island to the other-uphill. It takes a fit person about an hour; we took about 1.5 hours but we did stop and enjoy the view from the top of the island. One the other side was a traditional fishing village and more restaurants. You can stay on the island but it is more backpacker style accommodation, there are lots of restaurants (typical Asian style but lots of fresh seafood) and a nice swimming beach. It was a really good trip and when we returned we cooled off with a swim and went out to do some more shopping and have a dinner.

Hong Kong Day 2

On the agenda today was more shopping at the Stanley Markets and a seafood lunch on the wharf. We had purchased an Octopus card for the MRT (underground) for about $50. You can use these cards on the MRT and the buses. The trip to Stanley takes about an hour (MRT to Central and then a bus to Stanley). It is a lovely bus trip along the coast of Hong Kong Island. The shopping was OK , nothing really cheap but I did manage to spend a few hundred dollars! Lunch was a bit disappointing but it was nice to be on the waterfront. We were feeling really tired so went back for a rest and then off to the light show at the harbour. It was impressive, at least I thought so. Robert didn’t think it was as good as the advertisements suggested. You can judge for yourself by watching the video clip. After more shopping at the Temple Street Night Markets we had dinner and called it a day. Still feeling a bit jetlagged.

London to Hong Kong

We made sure we were 3 hours early for our flight and passed the time on the Internet (not free at Heathrow-thanks Jac for your modem). The flight was excellent, Quantas really looks after you and the flight was only about two thirds full! Watched some great new releases and before we knew it we were in Hong Kong. Got the train and Airport Express straight to our hotel (which was very nice and well located). We had a sleep for a few hours and then hit the streets to orientate ourselves. After several hours and arguments we found our way around, had dinner and shopped in the Ladies Market. Love Hong Kong.

Wickford-London

We left Oxford and made our way to stay with Derek and Margaret. We have stayed with them before and caught up several times over the years when they visited Australia. We hit the M25 at about 3.45 and it took until 7pm to travel about 200 klms! The fact that it was a long weekend did not help. After catching up we had dinner in a nice old English pub. The next day Robert and I went into London and did a Thames River Cruise and visited the Florence Nightingale Museum (every nurse has to do it if they are in London?). Derek cooked a great dinner and caught up more on what our families had been doing. The weather was great and it was a good way to finish off the United Kingdom leg of our journey, with old friends.

Oxford

After another great English breakfast the plan was to drive to Oxford and settle in and have a look around. The motorways in England are great and after touring a bit more of the Yorkshire Dales-so nice with many small villages scattered throughout a green lush countryside of undulating hills dotted with sheep and cows. Straight out of a James Herriot book. We arrived in Oxford about 3 pm and found the most wonderful B&B. An old Manor House and our room was so comfortable. Elizabeth the owner had turned it into a B&B after her husband had died several years beforehand. Robert saw a photo of her with Richard Bramston-and asked Elizabeth about Richard. Apparently they are friends, he lives up the road and had been there for dinner the night before. The house was so lovely and set in a nice large garden. We decided to have a relax as it was so comfortable and had dinner at the local pub and an early night. We set off for Oxford after having breakfast with the other guests at the B&B-great fun as they were interesting people, an English couple on holiday and a couple from South Africa. Oxford was so good and we learn lots about the town after a guided walking tour. Well worth a visit. We finished off the day with a pint at the pub in Oxford the "Turf club" where Bob Hawke set the record for the fastest drinking of a yard of beer -11 seconds.

Lakes District

The fight to Blackpool was quick without any problems and we picked up our car and set out for Egremont(where my grandparents were born). The roads are really easy to follow in England and we were there in no time after stopping or lunch in a small village on the way. The scenery is magnificent and the many small villages quaint. Ergremont was a lovely village and I found my Great Uncle Jim's name on the war memorial and what I think was my Great Grandfather's butcher shop-it is still a butcher shop. By now we decided to find a place to stay for the night-that was going to prove difficult! We ended up in a hotel in Cockermouth for 88 pounds! It was a nice hotel but up about 50 steps. In the end it was a very good night with dinner at another local pub "The Bitter End". It was Trivia night (they didn't like me helping with the answers) and the pub was very packed but the food was excellent. We met a couple in the pub and they gave us some excellent advice on what to do the next day. So next day after another English breakfast (yes we are getting fatter but it is hard to resist!) we followed the route suggested to us through Lorton to Braithwaite and over a pass to Keswick. It was some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen and Keswick was a lovely village and we had a nice stroll through its streets. We then set off for Carlisle but didn't stay (another big town) and Hadrian's Wall (a big pile of stones) but we had a nice lunch in a small village and the decided to stay the night in the Yorkshire Dales. We ended up in a small village-Sedbergh and found a lovely old pub for 50 pounds this time. The drive to Sedbergh was great, so many lovely small villages scattered over the Dales and beautiful countryside. We had a few beers with the locals in the pub and another great English meal of steak pie and vegetables. A really great day. Thank you Nana for guiding us to the Lakes District.

Ireland by car

We set off to explore some of the countryside (after being ripped off badly with a hire car. Don’t worry we tried several and they were all the same with hidden cost for pick up and insurance) in South Eastern Ireland, making our way to the west. The coastline was rugged but beautiful and the countryside green and lush. We had a great roast beef lunch for €9 including a delicious homemade cheese cake. It was so tasty and the people very friendly. After leaving the coast around Wicklow we made our way to Waterford passing many interesting small villages on the way. Waterford was a nice city but Waterford crystal is no longer made so I had to make do with some Kilkenny Crystal. We drove on to Limerick and found a B&B for the night. We had a problem getting cash-several outlets didn’t recognise our credit cards but we did find one in a department store-the joys of travelling! So make sure you use a Bank of Ireland outlet if you are ever in a similar situation. We went to the local pub for dinner and a Guinness and had a nice chat to the locals. Next morning we explored Limerick and the St John’s castle. We couldn’t go in to it or the museum because nothing opens until after 10am, including the shops. Limerick is a very old city and marries the old with the new well. It is on the River Shannon, a fast flowing large expanse of water. Next we headed for the Cliffs of Moher and an old town Doolin. Again the coastline was very scenic but dull and overcast weather does not make it very inviting. The owner of the B&B had romanticised Doolin a little too much. Obviously a magnet for tourists as the prices were high in the pub and there was not much to see so we decided to head back to Dublin and stay close to the airport as we were leaving for Blackpool in the morning. The drive back was quick and fairly uninteresting we found another B&B in Swords, next door to the airport. It was lovely and Robert found the owner was also a car enthusiast with 25 cars! Another great Irish Stew for dinner and a quite night.

Dublin

Today we explored Dublin (after spending some time renting a car to explore the country side for our last 2 days in Ireland) and explored Trinity College, City Hall, the Spire St, Stephens Green (really lovely) and we just happened past Mary McCauley’s House. Mary McCauley started the Sisters of Mercy in the 1820’s. The cloister was dedicated to supporting the sick, and poor of Dublin. The Order spread over the rest of Ireland, England and other sites around the world. We ended up doing a tour and it was really interesting learning about Irish life in the 1800s, the Cholera plague and the famine caused by the potato blight. The famine resulted in the death of one million people and for one million to emigrate. There was some interesting artwork by the nuns and works to parallel the Book of Kells. A nice way to spend several hours. We had dinner in an Irish pub and another early night (Robert has the flu) because its cold and wet in Dublin. Off to the countryside tomorrow. I like Dublin, different to Belfast but interesting and colourful. Listening to Gaelic spoken by the locals was quite different, all of the street signs are in Gaelic and English. There are many more immigrants from Eastern Europe in Dublin because it’s part of the Economic Union.

Dublin

We were unable to get hire car as there is a big motorbike race on this weekend in Northern Ireland so we went from Belfast to Dublin by bus. It was a great trip, nice and relaxing and we saw quite a lot of the countryside and some lovely towns on the way. We had booked a B&B in Dublin (thank you MacDonalds). It is great-we could walk to it from the bus station and we have a wonderful room and breakfast "The Riley Hotel". We had a quite night and Irish stew for dinner (yum). Today we are going to explore Dublin and try to book a car for the next few days-proving very difficult to get a reasonable rate! The weather is better today and not too cold. But then it is just what I expected. More later today......(found Internet access for 1 euro an hour just next door)

London to Ireland

We spent the night in a B&B in Stansted – we were not going to miss another plane! Very pleasant an comfortable night. Neil Parker met us at the airport in Belfast and whisked us off to do a tour of Belfast. It was very interesting to learn about the history of Belfast and the “Troubles”. The next on the agenda was a pint of Guinness at the Crown. It was grand! I never liked the taste of Guinness before but this was wonderful. We then went to Ballynahinch to meet Raymond and Elizabeth and have dinner at local pub. We also met Stewart and his family. Next day we went to the Giant’s Causeway and Bushmills. Northern Ireland is very beautiful and the Parker family made us so welcome. A fun loving warm family, we really enjoyed meeting them all and seeing your home Steven-they miss you very much!

Travelling

Travelling is challenging, tempers become frayed, you get frustrated, are uncomfortable at times, get bored waiting at airports and it’s tiring. If you want a rest don’t travel to new countries, sit on a beach and read a book. But why travelling is so worthwhile are the things you learn about yourself, the world you live in and an appreciation for people and different cultures. The wonderful buildings, monuments and scenery are great but it is this learning that makes travelling special. The things you remember as significant are not the Eiffel Tower, London Bridge or the Vatican but those moments you spend with the people you meet or with whom you are travelling. The special unplanned experiences. Those who do not have the opportunity to travel miss out on gaining an awareness of the world we live in, its complexity, and precious beauty. I feel very lucky to have been able to travel and look forward to the new learning ahead!

Perpignan

After a quick look around Toulouse we headed for Perpignan where we would fly to London the next day. The drive was spectacular-high snow capped mountains with small villages scattered along the way. The villages were beautiful with stone houses, churches, narrow lanes, and small fast flowing rivers. Perpignan was much larger than we thought and it was really difficult to find an ETAP (a chain of reasonably priced hotels-about 55 Euros for 2 with breakfast). Then we decided to go to the Citron dealer that we had to drop the car off to the next day. What a drive and so difficult. The dealer agreed to give Robert and Ken a lift back to the airport after they dropped the car in the morning but only if we agreed to do so by 9am. Our plane was not until 5.30pm. The airport was a long way from the town so we had to sit for the day. Perpignan also only had wifi available for 10 Euros an hour-so disappointing. If only Europe decided to join the rest of the developed world and get real with Internet access. Asia is so much more advanced. So a very boring, long day catching up and blog entries, sorting photos and reading. Next time we will choose a drop off at the airport! I loved France and will return. The French people were welcoming, friendly and most helpful. You don’t have to be able to speak French as many of them do and if not they were prepared to communicate with a few words and gestures. The countryside is beautiful, clean and the beautiful architecture quite different from Germany and Italy. Yet, I am looking forward to going to Ireland and England and being able to communicate freely.

Toulouse

We made our way to Toulouse today and arrived about 3pm. It was very stressful finding accommodation. Having a car is wonderful for convenience and you do get to see so much of the countryside, however navigating through European cities is so stressful. Signage is confusing and roads very narrow at times. I am not sure that it is worth the effort! My suggestion would be to stay is a small town outside of the larger cities and to use local transport to get into the city. Or better still don’t go to them-the smaller towns are much more interesting.

Senas

The local markets were on the agenda today to buy some food for lunch. It was a beautiful day and the markets were full of stalls selling flowers, vegetables, meat, wine and cheese. I bought some local cheese-very tasty. Lunch was a baguette with salami, ham, tomatoes, olives finished with strawberries and cherries-yum. The local wines are very good and tonight we were invited to dinner by the owners of the farmhouse. They said they did not normally do this for visitors but they liked us and Robert was able to converse with Bernard in Italian. Helene spoke a little English and some Italian. Helene cooked a traditional French feast of 4 courses and the food was delicious. We were very privileged to share a night of food, wine and fun with this very lovely couple. Our stay in Senas was special.

Amalfi to France

Time to go back to France so we set off about 9.30 and drove all day-about 900 klms. It was a long day but the roads in Italy ie the audostrada are magnificent. Costs a bit but well worth the expense. We stopped in Menton in France. Next morning we drove to Sentas via Monaco and Nice. This coastline was much nicer than Amalfi. We ended up in Senas, a small town in Provence. We found an apartment in an old farmhouse and settled in for a few days. It is so nice and very comfortable. We had a slow start the first day and then spent the afternoon in Avignon exploring the Palace of the Popes. Very fascinating and lots to see and learn about. Avignon is a lovely city.

Amalfi

Off to Pompeii – it was interesting but a little disappointing, not at all like we had imagined. There were lots of school students and other tourists. We ended up in Naples on the way back, missing the turn to Sorrento and Amalfi. Naples is just a big city, bit dirty so we decided not to linger but to hit the coast and drive back to Maiori via Sorrento and Amalfi. What a drive! The coast was magnificent but the roads are so narrow, Ken did well not to take out another car. Sorrento was the pick of the towns on the coast but Maiori was good for a base as it was much easier to get around and was pretty with some nice restaurants. Well done Amalfi-would not recommend it-not a patch on Aussie beaches (black sand) and so hard to get around.

Greece to Italy

Another long drive (5 hours) to Igoumenitsa to catch the overnight ferry to Italy. Igoumenitsa was interesting and it was ncie to be back in a Greek town. The ferry ride was a bit uncomfortable but tolerable. Next mronign we set off for the other side of Italy and the Amalfi coast. The road was very good and took about 5 hours. We drove to Maiori and found our apartment-up 140 steps straight up from the road-yes the coastline is just like the movies but the sand on the beaches is grey. Maiori is a pretty coastal town but it was time to have a rest day and cath up on the washing (the worst part of travelling)

Bitola

Igor’s relatives made us very welcome and we had wood fired pork and lamb-a feast. W also went up the mountain to a national park and explored the Heraclea ruins. A nice day but very cold and rainy. This is the end of our time with Kate and Igor and we set off with Ken and Gayle for Italy tomorrow. Macedonia was interesting but holds little interest for the average tourist however we were privileged to meet Igor’s relatives who were warm, loving, fun people.

Skopje

Kate, Robert and I went to met Gayle and Ken in Skopje. We got lost finding the hotel but a Serbian man hopped in the car (Kate and I thought he might have been leading us down an alley to rob and rape us but we should be more trusting of our fellow man J). The Serbian lead us to the hotel and we had a beer to celebrate our arrival and meeting Ken and Gayle. Never stay at the Hotel Ani if you visit Skopje-it’s the worst hotel I have ever stayed in-dirty and stinking of smoke.
The Lonely Planet says of Skopje:
1. Walk across the ancient Stone Bridge
2. Look at the shopping bazaar in the old Turkish town
3. Leave
The Stone Bridge was covered with graffiti and FILTHY with rubbish, smelled like urine and was infested with Gypsies begging – real in-your-face pushy beggars who pulled at your clothes and followed you.It’s hard to be objective but the Gypsies and the little kids that they hold in their arms when begging are very dirty. The Turkish bazaar was interesting and we did some shopping, had a nice meal and left to go back to Bitola to meet Igor’s other Aunty, Uncle and cousins.

Bitola

It was off to Bitola to stay with Igor’s uncle on his farm at the village that Rada (Igor’s mother) grew up. Uncle and his family were very welcoming and gracious. Macedonia is a very poor country with very little industry. The average person earns about 200 euro per month and there is 50% unemployment. Bitola is a bit grimy, littered streets and run down overall, but with some nice new shops and restaurants. Food etc about half Wollongong prices but accommodation relatively dear. There was a well-preserved old Turkish sector in the town.

Ohrid

The morning found us much refreshed and we drove to Ohrid on good roads. Ohrid is on the edge of the second biggest lake in Europe (according to Uncle Dennis). We stayed in a unit owned by a friend of Kate and Igor’s and it turned out that Robert knew Uncle Dennis (uncle of their friend who now lives in Ohrid but previously lived in Kanahooka). The unit was lovely and close to the lake. The lakeside was beautiful with many restaurants and shops along the edge of the water. After doing about 6 loads of washing we had a lovely dinner in a nice restaurant with Dennis and his new wife Mila. More washing and lunch with Dennis and Mila. Mila cooked cabbage rolls and other Macedonian delicacies and then we walked through the town. Next day we went for a boat ride across the lake, walked to the fortress and then to an old church. The views were spectacular. We also went for a drive to the springs that feed into the lake and another very old church. Ohrid is an interesting city and we had a chance to have a rest!

Dubrovnik to Skopje

We choose to drive to Macedonia via Sarajevo, Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo rather than go though Albania. We were aiming for Ohrid. It took us 14 hours and we have to go to Skopje because we were advised in Montenegro that this was the best choice and the quickest route. The roads were terrible and while we were able to get through the border crossings without any incidents there were many of them and this slowed us down. The weather was also difficult very wet, cold and overcast. Given the tediousness of the trip we did see some spectacular scenery but I would not suggest to anyone to follow our route!! We reached Skopje about 9pm and found a hotel and had some dinner.

Dubrovnik

Today we explored the old city, walking through the old streets, churches and museums. There was a lot of information about the Serbian-Croatian war of the 1990’s. Dubrovnik was bombed during the war and isolated for a number of years. They have done a wonderful job of rebuilding the damage. Kate and I had a nice afternoon shopping and sipping cocktails in a local bar. It was a shame that it was rining as a boat trip to a local island would have been interesting.

Senj

We left Italy and made our way to Croatia, it was a about a 5 hours. We passed through Trieste which was a very pretty city and then down the Croatian coast which reminded me very much of Greece. We were aiming for Split but it was getting late and we were tired so we stopped at Senj at a nice Hotel overlooking the water. We had a lovely meal in a Croatian restaurant and went back and shared a bottle of wine. Next morning we set off for Dubrovnik, Split was on the way and we stopped and walked through the old city and had lunch in the park. We arrived in Dubrovnik about 4pm and found a great 2 bedroom apartment close to the centre of Dubrovnik. There was free Internet in Dubrovnik 9we have to guess the logon and it was a bit slow but a relief after being off for a few days! Dinner was at the Taj Mahal (not Indian but Croatian). The old city was highlighted by night lights and it was beautiful, so well preserved and quite unique in the use of limestone and marble.

Feltre

We set off to Feltre today, stopping at Bassano on the way. Bassano is an old medieval city where they make grappa. Its on a river and very attractive. we bought some grappa and then set off to Feltre having a great pizza for lunch. We met Eliana (the cousin who inherited Zia's house) at Zia's. It was very errie being there without Zia Grazia. We went to her grave and said goodbye to her-we were so sad. Eliana's mother Lenny had us for dinner and we spent the night at Zia's choosing some keepsakes. After visiting Pedavena and having a beer we set off for Croatia. Ciao Zia, thanks for many great memories and so much fun. We loved you!

Arzignano

Today we had lunch with Maria and Francesco and went shopping in Castelgomberto. It was lovely to spend some time with them. In the evening we went to Primo’s house for dinner and it was great fun. Primo’s father-in-law was staying with them recovering from a knee replacement. He is 87 and full of good humour. A fantastic (6!) course meal and warm, entertaining company. A great night. I know I said we would cut down on eating but Italian home cooked food is so....good!

Arzignano

Today we had a quite time, catching up after yesterday and had another amazing lunch with Gemma (she is such a good cook, the food is wonderful, the polenta to die for). After lunch we went shopping for gold (presents for Sarah and Kate wanted some gold earrings). What a shock! Gold is not longer popular in Italy and due to the economic down turn (it’s bad in Italy, lots of unemployment) jewelers are not stocking much gold. We did find some nice pieces eventually and I bought a beautiful watch. In the evening we had dinner with the Collareda’s in a mountain restaurant-bellisimo!

Venice

Today we spent the day in Venice-what a city, unlike any I have ever visited. It is not the first visit to Venice for most of us except for Igor. It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny. Wandering the streets and cannels of Venice is magical. We went to Murano to buy some glass and watch the glass blowing. Lunch was great and then back to the Rialto bridge to buy some Venetian masks. We walked for about 7 hours today but it was great.

Arzignano

Today we went to Gemma’s funeral. It was very sad for the family. After lunch we went to the old town where the Collaredas’ grew up and the old family home. We spent a few hours with Claudio and then went into Arzignano to do some shopping and have a coffee. Another wonderful meal with Gemma and Claudio finished off the day.

Lake Como to Arzignano

We got up early and headed to Lake. We travelled up in the vernacular railway to a small town. A great view of the surrounding countryside and such a nice town. Lake Como is lovely and it was such a warm and beautiful day. We then went back into Switzerland to a factory outlet that Kate had heard about, all the European brand names at discounted prices eg Armani shoes for $600. Everyone seemed to be out and about buying up big! After a couple of hours and a pizza for lunch we set off for Arzignano. We arrived about 9pm and Gemma, Claudio and Nadia were waiting or us. It was lovely to see them again but also sad as there had been a death in the family. Fedela’s wife Gemma had died the day before after a long illness.

Zurich to Lake Como

12 April-Robert and my 34th wedding anniversary. Its amazing how time goes by so quickly. After breakfast we walked through the city centre of Zurich-a real German feel and beautiful. The river and lake is a great backdrop to the old buildings. The trip to Lake Como was spectacular with the scenery of the Alps, lakes, rivers and small villages scattered along the way. We had a picnic lunch of bread, cheese, salami, and fruit. We arrived in Como about 4pm and found a hotel, and then set off and explored the Lake area. A really pretty town with many old buildings and piazzas, we strolled through a market and then had a nice Italian meal and some wine.

Paris to Zurich

Our last day in Paris was quite one, we haven’t stopped in 2 weeks and we needed to catch up on some washing etc. We also had to pick up the car that we will be using to travel from France to Italy, Croatia, Macedonia and then back to France. Picking up the car was a challenge i.e driving on the right side of the road and then navigating back to the Apartment. We made it and then had to find a park (and find the car again in the morning!). Kate and Igor got back late from Champagne and we went to bed ready for an early departure-Zurich was the plan. Having GPS made it much easier to get out of Paris (using a map I think we would still be doing a circuit of Paris). We travelled for 7 hours: 647 klms on motorways so it was quite pleasant. The tolls were expensive but the roads very good. After a drive around the city we found a place to stay and had a lovely dinner.

Paris

Off to the Catacombs today, they are nearby our apartment. The Catacombs were developed as early as the 15 Century and contain a labyrinth of tunnels many metres underground. It was off putting seeing thousands of skulls and bones neatly stacked against the walls, very eerie. Then it was time to visit the Eiffel Tower but as you can see from the photos there were thousands of people lined up to go up into the tower. Some had been waiting 2 hours and thought it would be another hour before they would gain access. So we decided not to wait and made our way to the Musee Robin i.e. the Thinker and Ronin's exhibition was magnificent. The mansion in which he lived was wonderful surrounded by a lovely garden.
We decided to cook tonight because it is so expensive in Paris e.g. the previous night we paid $80 for risotto and a pizza with ½ bottle wine! There is a supermarket nearby and a street with small shops selling fruit, cheese, meat, olives etc. Just like the movies :-). The salad was lovely but the meat like a piece of leather (could have been stewing steak-my French is very rusty). The wine is good and cheap. A quite night watching a DVD, our first quite time since we left Australia.

Paris

Our first day exploring Paris. We have ahd great weather but today is cold and overcast. Kate and Igor are off to Champagne for a couple of nights but they left us their passes on the underground and entry into many of the attractions. So handy. Our first visit was the Sainte Chapelle. It was built in the 13 Century and has the most amazing stained glass. Next was the Conciergerie. It was originally a French Palace but became a prison during the French Revolution. Marie –Antoinette was held here until she was beheaded. The gothic halls were beautiful.
We then wondered down the avenue and found the Seine-so beautiful. The Louvre was next. Wow its so impressive, photos and film do not do it justice. Saw the Mona Lisa-much smaller than I imagined. So much to look at and see in one place. Next was the Arc de Triomphe . another magnificent monument. We walked up the stairs-a few hundred straight up! It was worth it the view was breathtaking. All of Paris was stretched out in front of us with the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Paris is everything I thought it would be and more. A great day!

Off to Paris

Our last day in Berlin and lunch with friends and family of Jenny and Karl. Another great German meal in a lovely restaurant. Jenny then took us to the airport via the underground. The underground in Berlin is very efficient and so cost effective. We didn’t miss our plane this time! Jenny and Karl were such great hosts and tirelessly showed us their city. Thank you, it was such a delight to spend time with you and get to know Berlin through your eyes. Berlin is a great city, full of such treasures and so interesting. I loved strolling the streets.

Kate and Igor met us near the apartment. The apartment is everything you would imagine of a Parisian apartment. Quaint building, a winding spiral wooden staircase (3 stories up and no lift!). Its small but very functional, clean and all of the comforts of home. And wireless Internet access. We caught up over a bottle (or 2) of wine and then went out for a nice Moroccan meal. Yes, know what you are thinking, we are doing a lot of eating. We will have to cut down or we will be so fat by the end of the trip! (but the food is lovely).

Berlin

Today we decided to have a rest and do a river cruise. It was delightful. The cruise lasted 3 1/2 hours and included historic and modern buildings in the metropolis of Berlin, green riverbanks (where the Germans dump sand and create a beach!), industrial areas and the elevated railway. It was great to see Berlin from the river, drink hot chocolate and eat some lovely German food for lunch. We also visited the largest department store in Europe and it was amazing. The food court took your breath away with the variety and also the prices of the food ie prawns for $90 per kilo!

Berlin Day 3

Today we went to Potsdam, the old Prussian capital. We walked around the lake to the Cecilienhof Palace where the Potsdam Conference was held in 1945. The Palace was built for the Crown Prince Wilhelm in 1917 in the style of an English country mansion. It was beautiful and the surrounding gardens lovely. The self guided audio tour was informative. We then went into Potsdam to the Dutch quarter were we had a lovely German lunch in a cosy restaurant. Potsdam is an old medieval city with beautiful gates and interesting buildings. We walked to the Sanssouci Palace, built by Frederick the Great in 1745-47. In the evening we went to a concert in the Philharmonie to a Johannes Bach Concert. Beautiful music but the concert was in German (funny that) so Jenny had to translate which made it hard to follow the story. After we had hot chocolate at Potsdamer Platz. This is a new city centre, and the Sony Centre an impressive structure of steel and glass. Another full day in Berlin. Berlin is a great city to visit and even better when you have hosts like Jenny and Karl. It is easy and cheap to travel on public transport-if only Sydney had a public system nearly as good!. The food is great and there is so much to see and do.

Berlin Day 2

Up early and off to the Art Market next to the Museum Island and of course I had to buy some earrings and a necklace. Then we spend a few hours in the Pergamon Museum This holds a reconstruction of the reconstructed Pergamon Alter and other archeological findings from the Near east. it was really impressive and the walls from Babylon were worth seeing. It was then off to the Berliner ensemble Kantine for lunch where you cn eat with the actors from the theatre. we finished off the day in Hackeshe Hofe Market. In the evening we went to the Cafe Gralow, a small cafe for dinner and listen to the Russian singer Anara Churikova. A lovely evening.

Berlin

We arrived in Berlin after missing our plane. So a long day waiting at Standsted! Jenny and Karl met us at Schoenefeld and we travelled to Berlin on the underground. The next day we got up and made our way into the centre of Berlin, the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Hackesche Hofe, and the Jewish Museum. We had a lovely lunch of potato soup and the best hot chocolate! We returned to Reichstag and had a tour of the parliamentary chamber and then climb the cupola. It is magnificent!

London

The Tower of London was on the agenda today. There were loads of school children: French, German and English but it wasn't too crowded. We have been before in 1992 but as it was late in the day we didn't get to have a good look at all of the exhibits. Today we spent 4 hours and it was really interesting. The Crown Jewels are amazing and Henry VIII armour impressive. The guided tour was interesting and humorous. More wars but if you like English history then its really worth the visit. The Thames is nearby and the scenery enchanting. Back to Eileen's for several gin and tonics and then we went to the local Greek restaurant for dinner. Off to Berlin in the morning.

Day Four

Met a couple on the underground from Perth who are off to Dublin to visit their daughter who married an Irishman and about to have a baby . Got the underground to Eileen’s house (she is in Spain at a wedding but left the keys with her neighbour). We went to bed for a few hours (getting old!) then decided to walk to the local town and have a look around. So like home but different architecture! Had a beer and gin and tonic at the local. Off to London early in the morning.

Day Three

Our last day in Singapore. Set off to the National Museum and Fort Canning. The National Museum was really interesting with an audio tour (the tour guide went missing) of the history of Singapore. It’s amazing how well Singaporean people have done to build this most amazing country. Against all odds following WW2 they have developed a prosperous country that is clean, well organized but full of colour and 4 different ethic groups living in harmony.

Hot today and very sticky, We walked up the hill to Fort Canning and the Battle Box. This is the underground bunker where Percival made the decision to surrender to the Japanese. Interesting but bit sick of war stories. We then walked down Orchard Road. Not somewhere to go with Robert or when travelling light. An amazing array of things to buy, not cheap but very up market. So we decided to go back to the hotel and have a swim and shower. It was so nice (thanks Gayle for saying to swimmers only take up a small space!) and refreshing. We meet another couple on their way back to England, after visiting Australia and New Zealand, catching the same flight! Off to the airport and hoping to update the blog etc. The MRT is great and so easy but couldn’t get onto the free wireless-not sure why but bloody annoying!!!! The flight was with very good we slept for a few hours and the movies were great, catching up after not getting to the movies for the past year

Day Two

We went to Sentosa Island and it was fabulous. MRT to Harbourside and then a bus to the Island. We hopped on a tram and checked out the lay of the land. There are some great beaches and resorts on the island. We choose to visit Fort Siloso, the Tiger Tower, Images of Singapore and the Cable ride back to Harbourside.
Fort Siloso was really interesting and well worth the hour and a half we spent walking through the different areas. The Images of Singapore was great and gave a historical and interesting perspective of Singaporean culture. The mixture of European, Malay, Chinese and Indian has create a wonderfully rich culture based on tolerance,, harmony with great emphasis on family. The Tiger Tower ride was cancelled due to a pending storm, but it didn’t cancel the cable ride back to Harbourside! It was very daunting with a slight wind and a bit of lightening but a great view of the harbour.
Back on the MRT and a visit to Chinatown. The rain started so we found shelter and had a quite beer. A bit of shopping then off to Little India for a great meal. We finished off the day with a swim and a couple of duty free scotches! A big day but great fun. Lots of people travelling from many different countries. I finally feel like I am on holidays! It’s a great to be foot loose and fancy free for 9 weeks. A different perspective on life and what is important. It’s a big world!

Day One Singapore

Our first day! Good trip and now off to explore Singapore. We explored Little India, just down the road from our hotel. Lots f shopping and restaurants. Next the Botanic Gardens. This is really worth a visit. The gardens are beautiful and the orchids spectacular. Back to Little India and a lovely lunch. We were hot and sticky so cooled off in the pool before heading off to Arab Road on the MRT. The underground is truly magnificent in Singapore –only $34 for a 3 day pass and so efficient, clean and fast. Arab Road was full of life (saw some men smoking a pipe in a restaurant, we were told they were flowers but I not sure that was true!). Dinner was disappointing, we got ripped off but Arab Road is certainly lively and interesting.

Overseas 2009

This will be a blog of our overseas trip in 2009. Robert and I are going away for 9 weeks, spending 2 weeks with Kate and Igor and 2 weeks with Ken and Gayle. We are going to Singapore, England, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Macedonia and Hong Kong.