We managed to have another half day wandering through Vienna, while some of the others visited another palace. A great city to wander. Probably the smallest city of all we have visited on this tour - at least the city centre was almost totally traffic free. We walked back down to the markets and found the flee market section we missed yesterday. A few select purchases saw the morning out and we had a quick lunch and met the bus
The afternoon saw us making a leisurely drive to Prague in the Czech Republic. The others went out to do an orientation drive tonight, but we decided that we needed a bit of rest, so we stayed at the hotel. The exploration continues tomorrow.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Tuesday 25th August
An early departure en route to Vienna. On arriving we had an orientation drive around the city. In the afternoon we had the city to ourselves. Unfortunately we also had rain, but that didn't stop us tramping through the showers down to the markets then back through the centre of town. We managed to have a Vienna Schnitzel - the original article - see the photo for the giant size.
After another walk through the city we went back to the hotel for a quick shower, a bowl of soup and then off to a night of Strauss, Mozart and few other classical composers. We had the concert at the Cuzalon, in old fashioned style. Quite a good night.
After another walk through the city we went back to the hotel for a quick shower, a bowl of soup and then off to a night of Strauss, Mozart and few other classical composers. We had the concert at the Cuzalon, in old fashioned style. Quite a good night.
Monday 24th August
Our second day in Budapest
Orientation day around the Buda side of the river. (Budapest is the combination of 2 cities Buda and Pest).
We ended up in the grounds of the castle overlooking the city. We say a marzipan cake (thinking of wedding cakes) with 1400 eggs, 84 litres of cream and 34 kilos of sugar - see the photo.
We then spent the day wandering through the city. Budapest is an amazing city.
We topped off thr day by going out to a Hungarian meal up in the forrest outside Budapest
Orientation day around the Buda side of the river. (Budapest is the combination of 2 cities Buda and Pest).
We ended up in the grounds of the castle overlooking the city. We say a marzipan cake (thinking of wedding cakes) with 1400 eggs, 84 litres of cream and 34 kilos of sugar - see the photo.
We then spent the day wandering through the city. Budapest is an amazing city.
We topped off thr day by going out to a Hungarian meal up in the forrest outside Budapest
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday 22nd August
A long day in the bus for the trip to Budapest. We had our chance to sit at the front seat of the bus. Although we had a great view, the foot space was a trifle reduced and we both ended up with sore knees at the end of the day.
We drove through the Tatra Mountains. There really were not the mountains you think Europe would have, but they were mountains none the less. It was a long day and we were glad to get to Budapest at about 4pm.
We had diner provided at the hotel and when that was finished we were off for a night cruise on the Danube to see the views of Budapest. Truly great scenery and the photos do not tell the story. More tomorrow as we do another city tour. At last the weather is warming up and tomorrow promises to be the hottest day yet.
We drove through the Tatra Mountains. There really were not the mountains you think Europe would have, but they were mountains none the less. It was a long day and we were glad to get to Budapest at about 4pm.
We had diner provided at the hotel and when that was finished we were off for a night cruise on the Danube to see the views of Budapest. Truly great scenery and the photos do not tell the story. More tomorrow as we do another city tour. At last the weather is warming up and tomorrow promises to be the hottest day yet.
Saturday 21st August – Krakow
The obligatory city tour was first up and we visited the Jewish ghetto area. an area where Helena Rubenstein lived prior to moving to Australia. Roman Polanski also lived here and as a child he was sent to Auschwitz with his mother and father. His father managed to push him through a small hole in the fence with a small amount of money. Some Polish people looked after him till his father returned from the camps – his mother died in Auschwitz.
We spent the rest of the morning, after the tour, wandering through the city and its enormous city plaza (about 200 metres by 200 metres).
The afternoon Fay decided to stay around the city with other fellow travelers and I went of the salt mines. There is an 800 year old salt mine out of the city, still being used, and we investigated it.
The night time was a dinner the other side of town and we were forced to participate in various local dancing. It was a good night and a good way to forget the bad parts of the previous day.
We spent the rest of the morning, after the tour, wandering through the city and its enormous city plaza (about 200 metres by 200 metres).
The afternoon Fay decided to stay around the city with other fellow travelers and I went of the salt mines. There is an 800 year old salt mine out of the city, still being used, and we investigated it.
The night time was a dinner the other side of town and we were forced to participate in various local dancing. It was a good night and a good way to forget the bad parts of the previous day.
Friday 20th August
Today was certainly a day of two parts.
We left Warsaw and headed for Krakow. The morning stop was at Czestochowa. One of the highlights of the trip – the home of the Black Madonna. We were organized to have our own guide, Father Simon. He took us all through the Basilica, including through the congregation and walked along the side of the church, up past the altar, behind the altar then down the other side. We were allowed to take photos without flash.
The black Madonna Icon was at the back of the main altar. The icon is covered with only the face of Jesus and Mary showing through. The covers over the icon are changed to suit the occasion and religious seasons.
The areas were indeed beautiful and the church itself was magnificent. Photos were taken but they don’t do justice.
After lunch we visited Auschwitz Concentration camp. We went via BIRKENAU which was an enormous camp about 1km away, which could house over a hundred thousand people. Auschwitz was much smaller and held only about 5,000.
The tour was depressing and while we must remember what happened here, we never wish to return.3 million Jews and other “undesirables” died in the various camps throughout Germany held territory. 430,000 Jews came from Hungary and 300,000 from Poland. They were even sent from as far a way as Finland and Greece - quite some distance for 1930’s trains.
We left Warsaw and headed for Krakow. The morning stop was at Czestochowa. One of the highlights of the trip – the home of the Black Madonna. We were organized to have our own guide, Father Simon. He took us all through the Basilica, including through the congregation and walked along the side of the church, up past the altar, behind the altar then down the other side. We were allowed to take photos without flash.
The black Madonna Icon was at the back of the main altar. The icon is covered with only the face of Jesus and Mary showing through. The covers over the icon are changed to suit the occasion and religious seasons.
The areas were indeed beautiful and the church itself was magnificent. Photos were taken but they don’t do justice.
After lunch we visited Auschwitz Concentration camp. We went via BIRKENAU which was an enormous camp about 1km away, which could house over a hundred thousand people. Auschwitz was much smaller and held only about 5,000.
The tour was depressing and while we must remember what happened here, we never wish to return.3 million Jews and other “undesirables” died in the various camps throughout Germany held territory. 430,000 Jews came from Hungary and 300,000 from Poland. They were even sent from as far a way as Finland and Greece - quite some distance for 1930’s trains.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday 19th August
I never realised how many kings there were of Poland, or how many paintings were made of them. There were quite a few and I think we saw all of them in the space of 90 minutes. All singularly ugly. Even the queens were touch and go on the beauty side, but marriages were made for economic and political reasons and that may be the reason.
Palaces, palaces, paintings, plaques, palaces, pretty plazas, pizzas and piazzas and ... oh did I mention palaces.
It was up and at 'em this morning. We did a three hours drive around the city, with everything being pointed out by the local guide, including picture from a glossy book he kept producing, and, oh, did I mention it was his book and could be purchased.
I must admit he knew his stuff and was very passionate. There were some very beautiful buildings and parks and plazas. Most of the buildings in Warsaw were built since WWII.
85% of Warsaw was flattened by the Germans before they withdrew and most of the rebuilding was undertaken by the Russians. Unfortunately their architectural flare had well and truly burnt out before they started the building.
The original 15% of the city not burnt or blown up was beautiful.
We also saw the railway station where over 1500 Jews were sent to the concentration camps every week. 300,000 Jews were sent to the camps from Warsaw. 6 million people died in Poland during the war. 800,000 were Jews and 2million Polish people were killed by the Russians.
A very thoughtful couple of days in the Polish capital.
The food has been great and the pastries have been beautiful with only a faint taste of sugar. The coffee is strong, the tea is English Breakfast, the cars are European (what a shock), the language is baffling, the spelling even more so.
The people are friendly and the cafes are all full (but they do smoke everywhere, even in the restaurants.)
We are off to meal with most of the fellow travellers at a restaurant around the corner.
Tomorrow we are off to Krakow (pronounced Krakoff) tomorrow with a trip to Auschwitz concentration camp on the way.
The odyssey continues!
Palaces, palaces, paintings, plaques, palaces, pretty plazas, pizzas and piazzas and ... oh did I mention palaces.
It was up and at 'em this morning. We did a three hours drive around the city, with everything being pointed out by the local guide, including picture from a glossy book he kept producing, and, oh, did I mention it was his book and could be purchased.
I must admit he knew his stuff and was very passionate. There were some very beautiful buildings and parks and plazas. Most of the buildings in Warsaw were built since WWII.
85% of Warsaw was flattened by the Germans before they withdrew and most of the rebuilding was undertaken by the Russians. Unfortunately their architectural flare had well and truly burnt out before they started the building.
The original 15% of the city not burnt or blown up was beautiful.
We also saw the railway station where over 1500 Jews were sent to the concentration camps every week. 300,000 Jews were sent to the camps from Warsaw. 6 million people died in Poland during the war. 800,000 were Jews and 2million Polish people were killed by the Russians.
A very thoughtful couple of days in the Polish capital.
The food has been great and the pastries have been beautiful with only a faint taste of sugar. The coffee is strong, the tea is English Breakfast, the cars are European (what a shock), the language is baffling, the spelling even more so.
The people are friendly and the cafes are all full (but they do smoke everywhere, even in the restaurants.)
We are off to meal with most of the fellow travellers at a restaurant around the corner.
Tomorrow we are off to Krakow (pronounced Krakoff) tomorrow with a trip to Auschwitz concentration camp on the way.
The odyssey continues!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wednesday August 18th
Well we have finally caught up with the blog after a few nights where wireless was virtually impossible. We have also had a few problems ith the German and Polish script. I think some of these European languages are drastically short of vowels. Perhaps they could do an exchange with some of the {acific Isalnd nations as they appear to have a distinct over suppy of voiwels.
A long day’s drive to Warsaw. It de3sn’t look all that far, but the autobahns of Germany only go to the Polish boarder. The roads from the boarder does nit allow any great speed. The Poles are trying to be incluyde3d in the European Community and to so this they have to have a highway system between the major cities and the boarders. They are in the process of doing this and there are many construction projects under way. Being a cold winter country, all construction has to be done in the Summer time - Now.
We were on the road early (7.30am) and with a few “comfort stops and an hour and a half for lunch we are still an hour out of Warsaw. It is 5.40pm.
Lunch time saw us at Poznam and very old polish town. A typical European town, built around the town square with cobble stones on all the town streets.
We managed to find a Belgian Burger joint, and we had an “Americanski Burger”. Unfortunately the meat started out frozen and was then deep fried. At least the bun, which also started out frozen, wasn’t deep fried. The taste remains. The chips were quite good and the pastry we shared after that was really6 good – not too sweet.
We finally arrived at our hotel in Warsaw at about 6.30pm. We had a prepaid meal at 8pm and it's time for bed.
A long day’s drive to Warsaw. It de3sn’t look all that far, but the autobahns of Germany only go to the Polish boarder. The roads from the boarder does nit allow any great speed. The Poles are trying to be incluyde3d in the European Community and to so this they have to have a highway system between the major cities and the boarders. They are in the process of doing this and there are many construction projects under way. Being a cold winter country, all construction has to be done in the Summer time - Now.
We were on the road early (7.30am) and with a few “comfort stops and an hour and a half for lunch we are still an hour out of Warsaw. It is 5.40pm.
Lunch time saw us at Poznam and very old polish town. A typical European town, built around the town square with cobble stones on all the town streets.
We managed to find a Belgian Burger joint, and we had an “Americanski Burger”. Unfortunately the meat started out frozen and was then deep fried. At least the bun, which also started out frozen, wasn’t deep fried. The taste remains. The chips were quite good and the pastry we shared after that was really6 good – not too sweet.
We finally arrived at our hotel in Warsaw at about 6.30pm. We had a prepaid meal at 8pm and it's time for bed.
Tuesday 17th August
Berlin
In the morning we had an orientation drive around Berlin. Among things other I learnt was that at The Humboldt university The Brothers Grimm were professors and they invented the dictionary. We had a local guide who gave us far more info then we could absorb.
We visited Frederick the Great’s burial spot. He was buried, not with his wife but with his 11 dogs. They all had their own plot with a cement top with their name on it. I’m sure Charlie would appreciate this.
This was a palace in the rococo style with beautiful gardens and some Greek style architecture.
We also went to Potsdam. , about half an hour from Berlin. We visited the place where the Potsdam agreement was made. The place was home to one of the crown princes of Prussia until 1940’s. It was a beautiful place with beautiful gardens, a lake and beautiful furnishings. It is now part museum and part hotel. It is now a UNESCO site. The rooms were beautiful and we were in the rooms that Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin met and we were in the room that the agreement was signed. During the cold war it was behind the Berlin wall and the lake became part of no man’s land. Even the local people were unaware that the lake even existed.
We lunch in the middle of Berlin at one of the local restaurants and walked the streets see the war ruins of a church in the centre of town. Bombed during war, thee remains have been left in tact and a new church built next to it.
We have heard a lot about the goings on during the war and the cold war. The stories of the times of both were a bit chilling at times.
Berlin is a beautiful city and we look forward to returning at the end of the bus tour. We had dinner at a local Berlin restaurant. Thirteen of us walked a couple of hundred meters down the road to a local German restaurant and managed to make ourselves understood and had a great meal. Off to bed.
In the morning we had an orientation drive around Berlin. Among things other I learnt was that at The Humboldt university The Brothers Grimm were professors and they invented the dictionary. We had a local guide who gave us far more info then we could absorb.
We visited Frederick the Great’s burial spot. He was buried, not with his wife but with his 11 dogs. They all had their own plot with a cement top with their name on it. I’m sure Charlie would appreciate this.
This was a palace in the rococo style with beautiful gardens and some Greek style architecture.
We also went to Potsdam. , about half an hour from Berlin. We visited the place where the Potsdam agreement was made. The place was home to one of the crown princes of Prussia until 1940’s. It was a beautiful place with beautiful gardens, a lake and beautiful furnishings. It is now part museum and part hotel. It is now a UNESCO site. The rooms were beautiful and we were in the rooms that Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin met and we were in the room that the agreement was signed. During the cold war it was behind the Berlin wall and the lake became part of no man’s land. Even the local people were unaware that the lake even existed.
We lunch in the middle of Berlin at one of the local restaurants and walked the streets see the war ruins of a church in the centre of town. Bombed during war, thee remains have been left in tact and a new church built next to it.
We have heard a lot about the goings on during the war and the cold war. The stories of the times of both were a bit chilling at times.
Berlin is a beautiful city and we look forward to returning at the end of the bus tour. We had dinner at a local Berlin restaurant. Thirteen of us walked a couple of hundred meters down the road to a local German restaurant and managed to make ourselves understood and had a great meal. Off to bed.
Monday August 16th
We left early Monday morning for the drive to Berlin. It was a long day but not the longest of the trip.
We stopped at mid morning, lunch and afternoon tea – about two and half hours between each break. I can’t believe the speed the cars do on the autobahns. I stopped at one of the breaks and looked at the cars speeding past. The buses and trucks are limited to 100kph and cars were barreling past doing at least 160-180. They all have a unique sound as they pass.
Lunch time was a one and half hour break at a pace called Weimar. For those of the historical bent, Germany between the wars was called the Weimar Republic. So after WWI the agreement for the democratic country was negotiated and signed at Weimar. A pretty little town with the menace being Buchenwald concentration camp about 4 KM away. Goethe, Beethoven and Hungarian composer Liszt all lived here at some time. Most of the village has been rebuilt since WWII.
The drive into Berlin was uneventful but the city is very large, being a combination of East and West Berlin. The hotel we are straying at (Ramada) is actually in East Berlin and has all the charm of a communist block of flats, which it was at one time. We have much nicer and better facilities then in communist Germany.
The people are very political and aware of there past. There are different viewpoints about the communist eras. A couple of our guides were children during this era. They can see issues for the older people especially who had no opportunity to plan for their future in the west.
You can certainly notice when you enter the old East Berlin as the buildings are mostly a dull grey concrete structures with no redeeming architectural qualities. One way to decide if you are in east or West Germany is to look at the pedestrian lights. In old East Germany the green light is a fat man and in old West Germany he is a skinny man!
On our way to Potsdam we crossed the bridge that was used for prisoner exchange during the cold war. It was over a beautiful river.
We also saw the Jewish monument. It consists of approx. 2,000 cement blocks on flat ground. They are all different shapes.
Berlin is very flat and has plenty of public transport to get around.
We went out to a Berlin meal last night. The food and drink was very good. Then we did a one and a half hour sight seeing tour (in our bus) and saw the Brandenburg gate, Check point Charlie (the border with East and West Berlin) and Reichstag (Parliament) building, along with many other sights. There will be plenty to see when we come back here at the end of the bus tour.
We stopped at mid morning, lunch and afternoon tea – about two and half hours between each break. I can’t believe the speed the cars do on the autobahns. I stopped at one of the breaks and looked at the cars speeding past. The buses and trucks are limited to 100kph and cars were barreling past doing at least 160-180. They all have a unique sound as they pass.
Lunch time was a one and half hour break at a pace called Weimar. For those of the historical bent, Germany between the wars was called the Weimar Republic. So after WWI the agreement for the democratic country was negotiated and signed at Weimar. A pretty little town with the menace being Buchenwald concentration camp about 4 KM away. Goethe, Beethoven and Hungarian composer Liszt all lived here at some time. Most of the village has been rebuilt since WWII.
The drive into Berlin was uneventful but the city is very large, being a combination of East and West Berlin. The hotel we are straying at (Ramada) is actually in East Berlin and has all the charm of a communist block of flats, which it was at one time. We have much nicer and better facilities then in communist Germany.
The people are very political and aware of there past. There are different viewpoints about the communist eras. A couple of our guides were children during this era. They can see issues for the older people especially who had no opportunity to plan for their future in the west.
You can certainly notice when you enter the old East Berlin as the buildings are mostly a dull grey concrete structures with no redeeming architectural qualities. One way to decide if you are in east or West Germany is to look at the pedestrian lights. In old East Germany the green light is a fat man and in old West Germany he is a skinny man!
On our way to Potsdam we crossed the bridge that was used for prisoner exchange during the cold war. It was over a beautiful river.
We also saw the Jewish monument. It consists of approx. 2,000 cement blocks on flat ground. They are all different shapes.
Berlin is very flat and has plenty of public transport to get around.
We went out to a Berlin meal last night. The food and drink was very good. Then we did a one and a half hour sight seeing tour (in our bus) and saw the Brandenburg gate, Check point Charlie (the border with East and West Berlin) and Reichstag (Parliament) building, along with many other sights. There will be plenty to see when we come back here at the end of the bus tour.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Saturday 14th August
After a bad nights sleep (time zones were taking their toll) we had a late breakfast and caught then bus into the city. People very helpful. A man showed us a day pass so we have been in and out to the city twice.
Just after arriving in town we had a phone call from Kath and Sam saying that Sam had proposed. What a great way for us to start the day. Very exciting, and no more traveling next year – apart from the trip we have already planned, oh then there’s the trip to Queensland and …. We are very happy and excited for them.
We wandered around the centre of town and through the local Saturday markets. Saw what we thought were the typical European style flats, house and shops. Visited the local cathedral but we couldn’t actually go in as Mass was in progress – we will go back there tonight at 6pm. Went to mass. May have been a high mass as we had lots of incense and singing. The altar servers all wore the red long things with white surplices. The cathedral dates back to 780 and little of it was damaged during the war. Most others buildings were destroyed but have been rebuilt using old postcards. A very pretty city. People live in the city and lots of flower boxes everywhere. We are very close to the city with the bus stop straight out front.
Today the hotel sponsored some sort of sports event and there were people doing a type of absailing down the 24 storeys of the hotel.
Once again we tried to do an email to congratulate Kath and Sam on their engagement but the email here is not working properly.
Just after arriving in town we had a phone call from Kath and Sam saying that Sam had proposed. What a great way for us to start the day. Very exciting, and no more traveling next year – apart from the trip we have already planned, oh then there’s the trip to Queensland and …. We are very happy and excited for them.
We wandered around the centre of town and through the local Saturday markets. Saw what we thought were the typical European style flats, house and shops. Visited the local cathedral but we couldn’t actually go in as Mass was in progress – we will go back there tonight at 6pm. Went to mass. May have been a high mass as we had lots of incense and singing. The altar servers all wore the red long things with white surplices. The cathedral dates back to 780 and little of it was damaged during the war. Most others buildings were destroyed but have been rebuilt using old postcards. A very pretty city. People live in the city and lots of flower boxes everywhere. We are very close to the city with the bus stop straight out front.
Today the hotel sponsored some sort of sports event and there were people doing a type of absailing down the 24 storeys of the hotel.
Once again we tried to do an email to congratulate Kath and Sam on their engagement but the email here is not working properly.
Friday 13th August
The flight was uneventful, even if once again we were to make a delayed departure.
Once again we had tail winds and we landed on time. It was a delight to see us through baggage retrieval, and customs and immigration in about 15 minutes. We did customs and immigration first, then got our baggage and walked out. There were some people that were subject to a baggage search right at the last stage before release. The pigeon gentleman was not seen or heard during the flight. Cooooo …what luck.
Once outside we tried to call the hotel for a shuttle but no luck. We caught a taxi from the airport and went straight to the hotel.
The room was a pleasant surprise being a good size with a great view over the cemetery – more in a minute. The check in man was very helpful with maps, directions (a city bus stop etc and we got a free drink which we will use tonight at tea).
We had a little walk to get some lunch at a local café, which was interesting as everything is in German but the waitress spoke English. She was from Tunisia and beautifully dresses. Many of the women are very well dressed and the man more colourfully dresses then what you would see at home.
We walked back towards the hotel and across the road from the hotel is a cemetery. It is the most beautiful cemetery I have ever seen (and the jokes about everyone dieing to get in it can be true). The cemetery is totally surrounded by high walls, a bit like the secret garden. Apparently there is a cemetery so big in Hamburg that people take bus tours thru it.It was like a walk in the black forest, except there were very orderly rows of headstones. In Nu Yark they have the Yellow Cab Company, but in this city, the Frankfurters are a bit more reserved and not so bright and loud with their colours. They have the beige cabs. Strangely across the road from the hotel, in front of the cemetery, they have a taxi station – one wonders how many of the cemetery inhabitants use the taxis. The photos may tell the story.
The flight was uneventful, even if once again we were to make a delayed departure.
Once again we had tail winds and we landed on time. It was a delight to see us through baggage retrieval, and customs and immigration in about 15 minutes. We did customs and immigration first, then got our baggage and walked out. There were some people that were subject to a baggage search right at the last stage before release. The pigeon gentleman was not seen or heard during the flight. Cooooo …what luck.
Once outside we tried to call the hotel for a shuttle but no luck. We caught a taxi from the airport and went straight to the hotel.
The room was a pleasant surprise being a good size with a great view over the cemetery – more in a minute. The check in man was very helpful with maps, directions (a city bus stop etc and we got a free drink which we will use tonight at tea).
We had a little walk to get some lunch at a local café, which was interesting as everything is in German but the waitress spoke English. She was from Tunisia and beautifully dresses. Many of the women are very well dressed and the man more colourfully dresses then what you would see at home.
We walked back towards the hotel and across the road from the hotel is a cemetery. It is the most beautiful cemetery I have ever seen (and the jokes about everyone dieing to get in it can be true). The cemetery is totally surrounded by high walls, a bit like the secret garden. Apparently there is a cemetery so big in Hamburg that people take bus tours thru it.It was like a walk in the black forest, except there were very orderly rows of headstones. In Nu Yark they have the Yellow Cab Company, but in this city, the Frankfurters are a bit more reserved and not so bright and loud with their colours. They have the beige cabs. Strangely across the road from the hotel, in front of the cemetery, they have a taxi station – one wonders how many of the cemetery inhabitants use the taxis. The photos may tell the story.
Thursday 12th August
Up for breakfast at 9.30 and we then took the luggage to New York airport and booked them into a luggage storage area and caught the subway into “Nu Yark”. We then did Times Square, Broadway, the Jewish garment distract and lunch at a “real” Nu Yark deli – Roxy’s Deli.
Another hour or so wandering around the same area saw us draw the brief NY section to a close’ and we took the subway back to the airport.
There are some interesting things to do on the NY subway. You can do the Soduku book, read the paper or even read a book “The Idiots Guide to Subway Drug Selling”. There was a large gent wandering around with a plastic bag and someone bought a double pack of AA batteries – were they batteries or something more sinister – only the shadow knows. We were also serenaded by a young lady who decided that we would be blessed by her vocals and if we wanted to we could reward her financially. Unfortunately I had run out of the local currency and had no AA batteries to spare. After our carriage she moved forward to press her vocals on the next subway car. Blessings are sometimes missed in the day to day grind.
A great plus for the day was that we didn’t have to wear any warm tops – one of the few days (Since San Diego) that coats were not required.
We are now sitting in the terminal lounge waiting for our plane to board. I am watching a large well built man doing an impersonation of a pigeon complete with head movements. I worry that he bought some AA batteries on the train and got confused which batteries should be in the mp3 player. What worries me even more is that he will be boarding our plane. Stay tuned for the next exciting episode.
Another hour or so wandering around the same area saw us draw the brief NY section to a close’ and we took the subway back to the airport.
There are some interesting things to do on the NY subway. You can do the Soduku book, read the paper or even read a book “The Idiots Guide to Subway Drug Selling”. There was a large gent wandering around with a plastic bag and someone bought a double pack of AA batteries – were they batteries or something more sinister – only the shadow knows. We were also serenaded by a young lady who decided that we would be blessed by her vocals and if we wanted to we could reward her financially. Unfortunately I had run out of the local currency and had no AA batteries to spare. After our carriage she moved forward to press her vocals on the next subway car. Blessings are sometimes missed in the day to day grind.
A great plus for the day was that we didn’t have to wear any warm tops – one of the few days (Since San Diego) that coats were not required.
We are now sitting in the terminal lounge waiting for our plane to board. I am watching a large well built man doing an impersonation of a pigeon complete with head movements. I worry that he bought some AA batteries on the train and got confused which batteries should be in the mp3 player. What worries me even more is that he will be boarding our plane. Stay tuned for the next exciting episode.
Wednesday 11th August
Colleen and Kevin and Anne and Paul joined us for breakfast at our hotel. Colleen was again given some more things to keep at her place till we return, along with some dirty washing, that we hope will be cleanup prior to our return. After saying our goodbyes (no photos) we retired to our room and prepared for the great escape. We caught the correct
Bart train (with Ben’s assistance) and made the airport with 2 hours to spare – just enough time for all the rigmarole you have to go through. True to what has happened so far, the plane was delayed 35 minutes due to an odor in the plane – no it wasn’t me. It turned out to be a smelly case of melons in the cargo area (I think we had some of them this morning.)
Even though we were late getting away, we still only arrived about 10 minutes late – at the airport anyway. Local time 12.20 am. The baggage went missing for twenty minutes or so but we eventually got them and called the hotel to arrange the shuttle – 5 minutes away. After 35 minutes we rang again eventually after 45 minutes it arrived. When we got to the hotel we found that I had made a slight error in the booking and booked the following night. All was fixed and collapsed into bed at about 2am. Quite a day.
Bart train (with Ben’s assistance) and made the airport with 2 hours to spare – just enough time for all the rigmarole you have to go through. True to what has happened so far, the plane was delayed 35 minutes due to an odor in the plane – no it wasn’t me. It turned out to be a smelly case of melons in the cargo area (I think we had some of them this morning.)
Even though we were late getting away, we still only arrived about 10 minutes late – at the airport anyway. Local time 12.20 am. The baggage went missing for twenty minutes or so but we eventually got them and called the hotel to arrange the shuttle – 5 minutes away. After 35 minutes we rang again eventually after 45 minutes it arrived. When we got to the hotel we found that I had made a slight error in the booking and booked the following night. All was fixed and collapsed into bed at about 2am. Quite a day.
Tuesday 10th August
Trial pack day. Fay and I decided that a trial pack was the thing to do. We left lots with the Fehons. We had a quick trip to Costco because we had missed out on Monday!!! Colleen did a lovely surprise afternoon tea for me (Fay) for my birthday. She had little packet of piccolo bottles of Moet. She is minding them until our return Also she gave Adrian and I some of the packing cubes that are very useful when packing. Very spoilt.
Then we went with Ben to the ball game!
I (Fay) have become a big fan of the Giants. We left Concord dressed in fleeces but this was not enough! Adrian who never feels the cold was frozen.
It must have only been about 7 or 8 degrees, with a gale blowing. I bought at the merchandise shop a bright orange fleecy and put it straight over my other one. It was interesting getting it off. Previous to this I had my pashmina wrapped around my head and looked like woman wearing a burqua. We lasted until the seventh innings. We power walked to the station to keep warm.
A famous man once said of baseball; If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base.
Then we went with Ben to the ball game!
I (Fay) have become a big fan of the Giants. We left Concord dressed in fleeces but this was not enough! Adrian who never feels the cold was frozen.
It must have only been about 7 or 8 degrees, with a gale blowing. I bought at the merchandise shop a bright orange fleecy and put it straight over my other one. It was interesting getting it off. Previous to this I had my pashmina wrapped around my head and looked like woman wearing a burqua. We lasted until the seventh innings. We power walked to the station to keep warm.
A famous man once said of baseball; If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base.
Monday 9th August
For those in the know – Monday was Vacaville Day. I tried to hire a couple of cars to take all the visitors to Vacaville Outlets.
When I got tom the car rental place, they had no cars, and then I thought of a bus – none, what about some recently returned dirty cars – yes ….. then no, then the bus suddenly materialized. The Ozmeister returns. For those ignorant of the Ozmeister, we rented a 20 seater back in 1999 to take 15 of us to Yosemite.
This version was only a 15 seater but it stood 7 feet tall (sorry can’t do the metric conversion).
Prior to boarding, Ben decided to buy a bottle of water at the local drugstore. It would have cost $2 but he declined and paid $4 for 2 dozen bottles of the same water – such are the vagaries of the American system of food distribution and economies of scale.
We all boarded, with Colleen and the most genteel of the group in their car, we were off and hit the Vacaville outlets.
Once the doors opened, everyone disappeared in a different direction. We had a meeting set for 2 hours later, with much running to and fro across the vast expanse of the parking lot. After the lunch appointment was finalised, another hour was given to those who still hadn’t visited the other outlets across the road. It was a bewildering array of purchases and assorted bags that were placed in the back of the Oz and Colleen’s car.
We returned to Colleen’s and had a cuppa, sorted out which bag was which and we went back to the hotel.
We returned to C and K’s for tea with Kathryn’s relatives and all the Vacaville troops to celebrate Maria and Ray’s birthdays. Dinner for 8 turned into dinner for 22 adults and 5 children – as it does when the Dixons and Fehons gather. It was the full nine yards with birthday cake and the full works.
When I got tom the car rental place, they had no cars, and then I thought of a bus – none, what about some recently returned dirty cars – yes ….. then no, then the bus suddenly materialized. The Ozmeister returns. For those ignorant of the Ozmeister, we rented a 20 seater back in 1999 to take 15 of us to Yosemite.
This version was only a 15 seater but it stood 7 feet tall (sorry can’t do the metric conversion).
Prior to boarding, Ben decided to buy a bottle of water at the local drugstore. It would have cost $2 but he declined and paid $4 for 2 dozen bottles of the same water – such are the vagaries of the American system of food distribution and economies of scale.
We all boarded, with Colleen and the most genteel of the group in their car, we were off and hit the Vacaville outlets.
Once the doors opened, everyone disappeared in a different direction. We had a meeting set for 2 hours later, with much running to and fro across the vast expanse of the parking lot. After the lunch appointment was finalised, another hour was given to those who still hadn’t visited the other outlets across the road. It was a bewildering array of purchases and assorted bags that were placed in the back of the Oz and Colleen’s car.
We returned to Colleen’s and had a cuppa, sorted out which bag was which and we went back to the hotel.
We returned to C and K’s for tea with Kathryn’s relatives and all the Vacaville troops to celebrate Maria and Ray’s birthdays. Dinner for 8 turned into dinner for 22 adults and 5 children – as it does when the Dixons and Fehons gather. It was the full nine yards with birthday cake and the full works.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Saturday 6th
Fay had a hair dressing appointment with Colleen and the girls so she went missing for a couple of hours in the morning. Ben and I went our separate ways and saw the shops and navigated through the mazes of bargains.
We caught the shuttle bus to the wedding - the bus the Fehon's had organised. The church was a large gothic grey block building run by the Dominicans. The wedding went really well and ll the appropriate people were either beautifl (girls) or handsome (everyone else). Picture will be posted but not today.
It was a small wedding, about 70. After the wedding, there was a walk of about 15-20 minutes to the reception place. Fay and I sat with Gene and Barbara through the wedding and they gave us a lift to the reception.
Beautiful building (a prep school rented out for recpetions on weekends) with great views over the harbour. The ambiance, guests and food and drink were great. We had a great time and got the shuttle bus home to the sf hotel. We went to drinks in the Fehon's and colapsed into bed.
We caught the shuttle bus to the wedding - the bus the Fehon's had organised. The church was a large gothic grey block building run by the Dominicans. The wedding went really well and ll the appropriate people were either beautifl (girls) or handsome (everyone else). Picture will be posted but not today.
It was a small wedding, about 70. After the wedding, there was a walk of about 15-20 minutes to the reception place. Fay and I sat with Gene and Barbara through the wedding and they gave us a lift to the reception.
Beautiful building (a prep school rented out for recpetions on weekends) with great views over the harbour. The ambiance, guests and food and drink were great. We had a great time and got the shuttle bus home to the sf hotel. We went to drinks in the Fehon's and colapsed into bed.
Thursday 5th August
We still had the car so we went to the local Ross and Marshall's an did a bit of shopping. We had to return car by 12.30 and managed to do that about 5 minutes walk from the hotel in Walnut Creek. Fay had the girl's night our in SF so she departed with Colleen and half a dozen others and took the BART into SF. They had the night at a restaurant next to the place the bucks night happened the night before. Ben and I went to happy hour (free drinks and nibbles from 5 till 7.30) then to Italian Restaurant. By the time we got there, we had decided that we would share a pizza. It it was an Italian restaurant that didn't do pizzas. We ended up getting paste dishes that were much too large. Another salutary lesson from the US. At about 11 I had to walk across the road to the Bart station to escort Fay to the hotel.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Wednesday 4th August
A relaxed departure, 9am, saw us have an easy 1hr20min drive to Colleen and Kevin’s place in Concord. After an obligatory cup of tea (or 2 or three) our cars was used for transportation to transport people to the Buck’s barbecue and cricket game.
Because the young men were organizing the event, it didn’t quite go to plan. They forgot half the food (but not the drinks) and the barbecue utensils. The cricket game was a pleasant affair where everyone had a bat or two and a bowl, but it only last an hour or so as new had to catch the BART into San Francisco.
The place for the Bucks was a restaurant along Embarcadero. Kevin and I lasted till 10.30 and caught the BART home. Ben stayed longer and bunked on Justin’s hotel room.
The girls stayed home at C&K’s place then went shopping in Walnut Creek. The visits to Ross’ Marshall sans Nordstrums were a great success.
Thursday 4th August
Fay and I were up and had breakfast and out the door
After all we had some more shopping to do. Ross’ once again, Fry’s for electrical and we had to return the rental car.
A quick lunch at Quizno’s (Subway American style) and were back in the hotel room in time for Fay to shower and get ready into BART her way into SF for the girl night out.
Because the young men were organizing the event, it didn’t quite go to plan. They forgot half the food (but not the drinks) and the barbecue utensils. The cricket game was a pleasant affair where everyone had a bat or two and a bowl, but it only last an hour or so as new had to catch the BART into San Francisco.
The place for the Bucks was a restaurant along Embarcadero. Kevin and I lasted till 10.30 and caught the BART home. Ben stayed longer and bunked on Justin’s hotel room.
The girls stayed home at C&K’s place then went shopping in Walnut Creek. The visits to Ross’ Marshall sans Nordstrums were a great success.
Thursday 4th August
Fay and I were up and had breakfast and out the door
After all we had some more shopping to do. Ross’ once again, Fry’s for electrical and we had to return the rental car.
A quick lunch at Quizno’s (Subway American style) and were back in the hotel room in time for Fay to shower and get ready into BART her way into SF for the girl night out.
Tuesday August 3rd
Hearst's Castle - Servants' indoor swimming Pool.
Then onto US Highway 1 (The Pacific Highway right up the coast past Big Sur, an absolutely magnificent wild coastal area on the highway. Only pictures can tell the story and even then not completely.
We then continued our drive to Gilroy, the garlic capital of America, which you can verify by the steak Dianne air when you enter the town.
A long but amazing day.
Adrian forgot to mention the dead skunk in the middle of the road stinking to high heaven! Actually more then one. Ben is surviving being with his parents 24 hours a day!
With only 1hr 20minute drive to San Francisco tomorrow, we are almost there
Tuesday August 3
Well today was Camarillo to Gilroy via Hearst’s Castle and Big Sur.
It was a long day as we got to the Hotel at 5pm after leaving at 7.55am.
Hearst’s Castle is absolutely amazing. Owned by 1920’s newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, he bought every bit of art he could find – 2500year old Egyptian statues, 16th century Italian and Spanish art and installing a mosaic with 1.5 million Murrano glass tiles in an indoor swimming pool that no one wanted to use – s0 he said the staff could use it.
Well today was Camarillo to Gilroy via Hearst’s Castle and Big Sur.
It was a long day as we got to the Hotel at 5pm after leaving at 7.55am.
Hearst’s Castle is absolutely amazing. Owned by 1920’s newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, he bought every bit of art he could find – 2500year old Egyptian statues, 16th century Italian and Spanish art and installing a mosaic with 1.5 million Murrano glass tiles in an indoor swimming pool that no one wanted to use – s0 he said the staff could use it.
The buildings and grounds are amazing and from his front door he could see 40 miles into the distance and everything he saw, he owned.
Then onto US Highway 1 (The Pacific Highway right up the coast past Big Sur, an absolutely magnificent wild coastal area on the highway. Only pictures can tell the story and even then not completely.
We then continued our drive to Gilroy, the garlic capital of America, which you can verify by the steak Dianne air when you enter the town.
A long but amazing day.
Adrian forgot to mention the dead skunk in the middle of the road stinking to high heaven! Actually more then one. Ben is surviving being with his parents 24 hours a day!
With only 1hr 20minute drive to San Francisco tomorrow, we are almost there
Wednesday 3 August
The picture is a helicopter sucking up water to fight the bush fire near Big Sur.A relaxed departure, 9am, saw us have an easy 1hr20min drive to Colleen and Kevin’s place in Concord. After an obligatory cup of tea (or 2 or three) our car was used for transportation to transport people to the Buck’s barbecue and cricket game.
Because the young men were organizing the event, it didn’t quite go to plan. They forgot half the food (but not the drinks) and the barbecue utensils. The cricket game was a pleasant affair where everyone had a bat or two and a bowl, but it only last an hour or so as new had to catch the BART into San Francisco.
The place for the Bucks was a restaurant along Embarcadero. Kevin and I lasted till 10.30 and caught the BART home. Ben stayed longer and bunked on Justin’s hotel room.
The girls stayed home at C&K’s place then went shopping in Walnut Creek. The visits to Ross’ Marshall sans Nordstrums were a great success.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Monday August 2nd
Off early for the drive to Camarillo about 45miles North of LA. It took 3 hours and was quite a drive as we drove through the outskirts of LA with all its associated traffic snarls - but 3 hours isn't too bad.
After checking in, we opted to go to the shopping outlets for a large slice of retail therapy - actually not an overdose.
We are now back in the room and will be heading out to the local shops for a spot of food, then a quick retire to bed.
Tomorrow is a long day in the saddle about 5hrs driving and a trip to Hearst's Castle.
After checking in, we opted to go to the shopping outlets for a large slice of retail therapy - actually not an overdose.
We are now back in the room and will be heading out to the local shops for a spot of food, then a quick retire to bed.
Tomorrow is a long day in the saddle about 5hrs driving and a trip to Hearst's Castle.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Sunday 1 August
Another day, another fun time in San Diego.
After a breakfast (Free) we were off to the San Diego zoo.
We spent nearly six hours roaming the vast expanse of the zoo. Lions and tigers and bears (oh joy! Lions and tigers and bears (oh joy! – See the wizard of oz for details). We did see some amazing things like The polar bear enclosure, hippos sleeping under water and an amazing free flying bird show including one of the birds singing “Old McDonald Had a Farm”.
Flamingos, bears, snakes, zebras, and the list goes on.
We found out today that yesterday was the coldest July day in SD since 1914 (63.3 degrees) but today was we were coming home it was 81, quite a change.
We had a snooze when we got home and while Ben slept on Fay and I went to the cathedral for 5.15 mass. Actually the SATNAV took us to another (incorrect) address but we quickly drove ourselves (without SATNAV) to the cathedral and we were only 15 minutes late. The mass was said by an Australian bishop – the bishop for weewak in New Guinea... He has a sister who lives on Higgins and is good friends with a couple who are from the Kippax parish.
After mass we headed to Little Italy in SD and had a great meal and walked the streets for 30 minutes then made our way home...
It is now time for bed.
Tomorrow we are off the Camarillo, a place about 30 miles North of Santa Barbara – a 3 hour drive.
_________________________________
Todays Funnies
Corduroy pillows are making headlines.
Is a book on voyeurism a peeping tome?
Dancing cheek-to-cheek is really a form of floor play.
Sea captains don't like crew cuts.
Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?
A successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter.
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
A gossip is someone with a great sense of rumour.
Without geometry, life is pointless.
When you dream in colour, it's a pigment of your imagination.
After a breakfast (Free) we were off to the San Diego zoo.
We spent nearly six hours roaming the vast expanse of the zoo. Lions and tigers and bears (oh joy! Lions and tigers and bears (oh joy! – See the wizard of oz for details). We did see some amazing things like The polar bear enclosure, hippos sleeping under water and an amazing free flying bird show including one of the birds singing “Old McDonald Had a Farm”.
Flamingos, bears, snakes, zebras, and the list goes on.
We found out today that yesterday was the coldest July day in SD since 1914 (63.3 degrees) but today was we were coming home it was 81, quite a change.
We had a snooze when we got home and while Ben slept on Fay and I went to the cathedral for 5.15 mass. Actually the SATNAV took us to another (incorrect) address but we quickly drove ourselves (without SATNAV) to the cathedral and we were only 15 minutes late. The mass was said by an Australian bishop – the bishop for weewak in New Guinea... He has a sister who lives on Higgins and is good friends with a couple who are from the Kippax parish.
After mass we headed to Little Italy in SD and had a great meal and walked the streets for 30 minutes then made our way home...
It is now time for bed.
Tomorrow we are off the Camarillo, a place about 30 miles North of Santa Barbara – a 3 hour drive.
_________________________________
Todays Funnies
Corduroy pillows are making headlines.
Is a book on voyeurism a peeping tome?
Dancing cheek-to-cheek is really a form of floor play.
Sea captains don't like crew cuts.
Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?
A successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter.
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
A gossip is someone with a great sense of rumour.
Without geometry, life is pointless.
When you dream in colour, it's a pigment of your imagination.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
July 31 - San Diego
Up and at 'em.
We were off to USS Midway Museum. It is an aircraft carrier commissioned in 1945 and has been restored and moored in San Diego Harbour.
Quite an impressive museum. We walked the whole ship with the headsets going giving explanations etc. Quite a few aircraft parked on the flight deck as well, all in pretty good condition but none in flying nick. We were there for nearly 2 hours and it was great.
We had a photo taken as we boarded and collected it as we left. The false backgrounds were added later. We also had to buy me a hat as I had left my hat in the hotel. We decided to buy a Tshirt/cap package - great except that when we got home the Tshirt was an XL but it must be a child's size - all very strange.
We then walked along the waters edge (all built up) with plenty of shops and food emporiums. We eventually had some lunch there and went home to crash for an hour or so.
We then drove to San Diego Airport to pick up ben at 3.15. His flight was delayed for 20 minutes or so, so Fay was dropped off at the doors and I did some circuits while he collected his bags. We came back to the room and we hung around for 45 minutes or so.
Off to the baseball - San Diego Padres versus Florida Marlins. A quick ten minute drive to the ballpark and an hours drive around in bumper to bumper traffic looking for parking - we gave up and went back to the waters' edge to grab some tea.
Ben was pretty tired and we weren't far behind him.
And so another day of adventure draws to a close.
We were off to USS Midway Museum. It is an aircraft carrier commissioned in 1945 and has been restored and moored in San Diego Harbour.
Quite an impressive museum. We walked the whole ship with the headsets going giving explanations etc. Quite a few aircraft parked on the flight deck as well, all in pretty good condition but none in flying nick. We were there for nearly 2 hours and it was great.
We had a photo taken as we boarded and collected it as we left. The false backgrounds were added later. We also had to buy me a hat as I had left my hat in the hotel. We decided to buy a Tshirt/cap package - great except that when we got home the Tshirt was an XL but it must be a child's size - all very strange.
We then walked along the waters edge (all built up) with plenty of shops and food emporiums. We eventually had some lunch there and went home to crash for an hour or so.
We then drove to San Diego Airport to pick up ben at 3.15. His flight was delayed for 20 minutes or so, so Fay was dropped off at the doors and I did some circuits while he collected his bags. We came back to the room and we hung around for 45 minutes or so.
Off to the baseball - San Diego Padres versus Florida Marlins. A quick ten minute drive to the ballpark and an hours drive around in bumper to bumper traffic looking for parking - we gave up and went back to the waters' edge to grab some tea.
Ben was pretty tired and we weren't far behind him.
And so another day of adventure draws to a close.
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