8 1/2 hours later and we have arrived in Sydney. )Food was good but surprisingly to me at least, the service wasn't as good as with Virgin Atlantic. Watched a dead boring movie then got stuck into watching more of the 'House of Cards' tv series (with Kevin Spacey); looking forward to it coming to Oz one day, but it will ahve to be on free tv as I still haven't bothered to hook up to Foxtel. Very glad to touch down on Oz soil, and a very smooth landing it was. Very easy to get through Immigration with the e passport, but Jan's bag took ages to arrive and we then queued with the rest of the great unwashed to get through Customs, which we eventually manged to do, reasonably unscathed. Then down to Virgin Domestic transfers and onto the bus for the short ride to the domestic terminal. Once more into the breach, we headed for the Virgin club lounge and having Jan as a friend who is 'special' does occasionally pay off as her Platinum membership got us in once again.. That girl really does have some redeeming qualities!!! So here we now sit, sipping our lattes wondering whether to have pancakes or muffins. Our next and final plane of this journey leaves in another 2 1/2 hours.
As I am typing away Jan is reading her book, but has just interrupted me to show me that she is using the sick bag from the aeroplane as her current book mark - what was it I was just saying about redeeming qualities??? We are probably going to have to move seats soon too, as there is a big cement pillar behind the lounge chair Jan has chosen to sit in, but she keeps hitting her head on it. (my theory about our DV relationship really does have merit...)
It is hard to imagine that by later this afternoon my suitcase will have been emptied, the first load of washing underway, a hot coffee on the go and any thing I've purchased while away will be sitting on the dining table until I can remember who I bought what for. It has been a great holiday and I feel like I've actually had 3 holidays in 1 with Europe, Iceland and the UK as my travel itineraries. Hope you've enjoyed the trip. You will have time to rest up now until our next foray into the unknown, which is likely to be to Norfolk Island in December. That should prove very interesting and potentially entertaining as I take on the role of Travel Director for a group of people I have never met before. But in the mean time, fasten that seat belt, get your seat back into the upright position, return your tray table, put up the footrest and turn off all electronic devices pending arrival at our final destination of this current tour.
Stay tuned...
Thursday, 25 September 2014
Wednesday, 24 September 2014
Hong Kong
Our flight was half an hour late leaving but arrived in HK about 25 minutes early so I think they use 'guesstimates' sometimes, similar to bus timetables. Reasonable flight and although my initial headset didn't work, I did watch one movie and started on the 2nd when I realized that it was about 2 a.m. UK time so i should probably try and get some sleep, which I am very pleased to report I actually achieved. Premium Economy seats not as luxurious as Business Class, but at least there is more leg and bum room so that helped,plus those couple of drinks both before and during dinner may have helped!
Anyway it was now about 5.30 p.m. Wednesday local time when we arrived, after a 12 and a half hour flight that left at about 11p.m. Tuesday night UK time. We have about a 3 hour wait for our Cathay flight to Sydney. Went to the transfers desk and got our next boarding pass. No luck getting into the Virgin Atlantic lounge this time, but that's okay. We wandered down towards our boarding gate after going through the necessary screening processes. Found a little restaurant place near our gate so had a cuppa and sandwich. Nothing exciting to report at HK airport. So now we wait.
The sooner Richard Branson comes up with time travel, the better!!!
Anyway it was now about 5.30 p.m. Wednesday local time when we arrived, after a 12 and a half hour flight that left at about 11p.m. Tuesday night UK time. We have about a 3 hour wait for our Cathay flight to Sydney. Went to the transfers desk and got our next boarding pass. No luck getting into the Virgin Atlantic lounge this time, but that's okay. We wandered down towards our boarding gate after going through the necessary screening processes. Found a little restaurant place near our gate so had a cuppa and sandwich. Nothing exciting to report at HK airport. So now we wait.
The sooner Richard Branson comes up with time travel, the better!!!
Farewell to London
Good night's sleep and a very civilised lie in. We'd bought our breakfast at Sainsbury's last night so had our brekkie in bed this morning. Then it was time to pack. I couldn't put it off any longer. I don't understand how rolling all my clothes up really tightly makes more room, but somehow it does. We had been laughing how the mountain of clothes that was spilling out all over my suitcase were somehow going to fit, but fit they did - with room to spare and no need to open the extra zip area. And it is just only over the weight so I am doing very well. With such a laid back morning, we decided that we would extend our hold on our room until 5 p.m. which is when we were booked for our shuttle bus pick up. Eventually we we were ready to venture out into the Strand for another lovely day where we caught the tube and then a bus to Battersea to visit uncle Frank again. He is such a sweetie. He is quite intuitive/psychic and had prepared a written page each for both Jan and me. You have no need to know what he had written for me, other than for me to be very surprised at how accurate he was! (Sadly there was no mention of a huge lottery win though!!!) We took uncle Frank to a nearby diner where we had a really nice casual lunch. I had finally had my typical London fish and chips meal!!! Then it was time for us to head back to our hotel where we did the return bus and tube trip. As much as London is a very busy and sometimes crowded place and I have no inclination to live here at all, the public transport system puts our local one to shame. Anyway, a nice wander back towards our hotel and Princess Shiny Bright decides that she wants icecream so we happen upon a nice little Italian restaurant where she orders a 'Godfather Fragali' (Jan says I have to make it clear that it was the small one, not the large one) and out comes this very large high dish full of icecream, cream, and flavourings. I can't take the moral high ground here though, as I had baked lemon cheesecake which was very scrummy. Then a waddle back to our hotel where we were able to sit quietly and watch the fluff in our navel for while (in actual fact Jan had the tv on and we were watching some programme on 'Hoarders' which I found particularly mind-numbing but then a programme called 'Cheaters' came on and we were 'entertained' by some ex-child star talk us through 2 separate stories where low lifes were caught on camera playing up on their respective partners. Jan was a bit miffed that I dragged her way before then end of the programme and so doesn't know if the 2 women who were cheated one were stupid enough to go back to their respective a***hole cheating partners. For those who are aware of the tale of the missed ending to the World Women's snooker championship finals that Jan recounts with a tear in her eye, I think the 'Cheaters' ending will somehow also find its way into the annals of all time 'Karen turned the tv off before I got to see the ending' sagas. Anyway, freshly showered, all packed and accepting on the inevitable fact that our holiday is coming to an end, we checked out of our room and and had only a new minutes wait until the shuttle van arrived. Traffic wasn't too bad and we were at Heathrow in about an hour. We were dropped very close to the Virgin Atlantic check in counter and as we were Premium Economy we were able to go straight to the specific counter and book ourselves in, no fuss. we then went through the various check points and into departures. Neither of us were particularly interested in last minute shopping so Jan thought it might be worth a try to go to the Virgin Atlantic lounge and see whether we could get in - even though she didn't have her Virgin Platinum card with her and we weren't at all sure she was entitled to take a guest in anyway. However the old adage of ""if you don't ask, you don't get" proved very true, as the delightful Larry who was at the Concierge counter let us both in even though he shouldn't have - he said he liked the look of us. I told him that he was my new best friend (not sure if you have ever heard me use that phrase before???). Anyway he took us into the lounge and showed us where everything was. We pretended like we were so accustomed to such privilege and after ordering a couple of cheeky Savs, found a couple of very comfortable chairs and plonked ourselves down for the duration. Ordered our dinner from the menu (each item chef prepared) so Jan had a field mushroom burger and chips while I had the chicken Tikka Masala - very nice indeed. After a 2nd little white wine, Jan had dessert - warm chocolate fondant, which she tells me I have to tell you was very nice, we only had a short wait until it was time to board our plane. So that is where I will leave you for now. We have had a great time in the UK, weather has been really good, no big crowds and a lovely 'no rush' agenda to see and do things. I have a new appreciation for the place. Not looking forward to the return flights, but needs must...
Tuesday, 23 September 2014
London (again)
Had a lovely dinner last night in the hotel's Indian restaurant. We've had a lovely day and been spoilt by nice weather. Decided in the morning that we didn't want an early breakfast so instead headed off across to Southbank where we had a light breakfast at one of the many eateries and then we went to the 'London Dungeon'. I had no idea what I was in store for however my one criterion that I'd set was that there be NO RATS! What was I thinking in trusting Princess Shiny Bright??? Soo ff we headed into the tunnels and darkness and our first encounter as the 'tour' set off was between glass cages of rats. There were also some crates that you were dared to place your hand inside to guess what what inside. Jan informed me that the one she stuck her hand in felt like kidney or liver some such, but as her hand wasn't covered with blood as she removed her hand from inside the crate, I was optimistic that the 'innards' weren't real!!!
As we went through the various tunnels and had different stories told to us we had to get into small narrow 'boats' that were taking us through the Traitors Gate into prison. At one stage we were sprayed with water so we were now quite wet sitting in a boat in a darkened tunnel. As luck would have it, the bloody thing broke down so we were stranded in a black tunnel going nowhere and a voice overhead telling us to stay in the boat and keep our hands inside and not stand up. Trust me, I wasn't going anywhere. Eventually a voice overhead apologized for the break down and then then the lights all came on. No more mystery about where we were then... Finally side emergency doors were opened and we were shepherded through a corridor where we eventually were back into the tour - but no more water and boats! Not sure how much of it we missed, but I was ready to call it quits at that stage. Jan naturally was in her element. So, the tour continued. After about an hour and a half we finally got to the end where we had a final scare of sitting in seats that dropped suddenly - simulating the same drop experienced if hanged!!! Then we made good our escape. We have the photos to prove it! Time for a cuppa and muffin.
It's a lovely day outdoors so we wandered around past the London Eye, houses of parliament and Big Ben, past Downing Street and Trafalgar Square. Then back to the hotel for a well earned cuppa and rest, because then we ere off to Delauneys for our Viennese Tea. By the time we had eaten our way through the 3 tiers of finger food and delightful sweet treats we were both totally stuffed, so waddled back to our hotel again where we flopped on our beds. Then eventually we ventured out into the street again to get some more milk for our coffees, plus as we were both still very full from afternoon tea, we bought sandwiches that would suffice for our dinner. Back to the room, stuck on the idiot box (Jan is in charge of the remote control.. Give me strength...), made short work of some more Bailey's on ice, penned my epistle to you and now it is time for my supper.
This is our last night in London as we we start our journey home again tomorrow night. Weather is forecast for lovely again tomorrow. We are planning a leisurely morning and then off to see Uncle Frank again. Will be a lovely farewell to London.
As we went through the various tunnels and had different stories told to us we had to get into small narrow 'boats' that were taking us through the Traitors Gate into prison. At one stage we were sprayed with water so we were now quite wet sitting in a boat in a darkened tunnel. As luck would have it, the bloody thing broke down so we were stranded in a black tunnel going nowhere and a voice overhead telling us to stay in the boat and keep our hands inside and not stand up. Trust me, I wasn't going anywhere. Eventually a voice overhead apologized for the break down and then then the lights all came on. No more mystery about where we were then... Finally side emergency doors were opened and we were shepherded through a corridor where we eventually were back into the tour - but no more water and boats! Not sure how much of it we missed, but I was ready to call it quits at that stage. Jan naturally was in her element. So, the tour continued. After about an hour and a half we finally got to the end where we had a final scare of sitting in seats that dropped suddenly - simulating the same drop experienced if hanged!!! Then we made good our escape. We have the photos to prove it! Time for a cuppa and muffin.
It's a lovely day outdoors so we wandered around past the London Eye, houses of parliament and Big Ben, past Downing Street and Trafalgar Square. Then back to the hotel for a well earned cuppa and rest, because then we ere off to Delauneys for our Viennese Tea. By the time we had eaten our way through the 3 tiers of finger food and delightful sweet treats we were both totally stuffed, so waddled back to our hotel again where we flopped on our beds. Then eventually we ventured out into the street again to get some more milk for our coffees, plus as we were both still very full from afternoon tea, we bought sandwiches that would suffice for our dinner. Back to the room, stuck on the idiot box (Jan is in charge of the remote control.. Give me strength...), made short work of some more Bailey's on ice, penned my epistle to you and now it is time for my supper.
This is our last night in London as we we start our journey home again tomorrow night. Weather is forecast for lovely again tomorrow. We are planning a leisurely morning and then off to see Uncle Frank again. Will be a lovely farewell to London.
Monday, 22 September 2014
London - Day 2
Woke up to a fresh day - blue skies and about 13 degrees so no need for heavy jackets or umbrellas. Jan had breakfast in the hotel while I decided that I wasn't all that hungry - having eaten chocolate before bed time last night, no wonder! We then headed to the Embankment and got the water taxi to Bankside to visit and do a tour of The Globe theatre. I know I keep using the same descriptive words, but it was very interesting and I have a whole new appreciate of Shakespeare -even though I still don't understand most of it! Way too much double innuendo and deep for me.
Then we headed back on the river taxi towards our hotel we where we went for a light lunch at a cafe near the hotel. Back to our room to change and then a wander through Covent Garden markets - which are immediately behind our hotel, then a coffee in a nearby cafe and then to see our show at the Duchess Theatre.
While we were sitting in the downstairs bar at this delightful little theatre, a lass came in and asked us if we had seen her little dog that had run away. Only because I had seen a picture of this same lass on the bill board out the front of the theatre, I realized that she was one of the cast so we played along with not knowing where the dog was but offering to help look for it if required. And so the fun began. As we went to take our seats a fellow asked us if we had seen a missing dog..., or the boxed set of his Duran Duran CDs! Even before the play had started there was all sorts of mayhem, confusion and hysterical theatrics occurring on the stage, and then the play began in earnest. From the first moments we were both laughing so much that our sides hurt. It was such a great little farce and so cleverly done. We thoroughly enjoyed the show and should it come to your neck of the woods (it is only very recent in the UK), you will be doing your laughing gear a favour by going along to see it.
We should have realized how 'silly' and how much of a hoot it was going to be based on a couple of the billboards out the front!
So full of good cheer and still laughing over the show we headed back to the hotel where we had a much needed cuppa. Jan has talked me into going to the London Dungeon show tomorrow morning - she is in big trouble if there are real rats there, is all I can say!!! So back to our next best friends at the Concierge desk to book our tickets. Again back in our room for a Baileys on Ice and developing a plan for the evening. This has given me time to bring you up to date while I sip my beverage in comfort. More to follow after dinner - as I'm Jan will have done something else noteworthy by then!
While we were sitting in the downstairs bar at this delightful little theatre, a lass came in and asked us if we had seen her little dog that had run away. Only because I had seen a picture of this same lass on the bill board out the front of the theatre, I realized that she was one of the cast so we played along with not knowing where the dog was but offering to help look for it if required. And so the fun began. As we went to take our seats a fellow asked us if we had seen a missing dog..., or the boxed set of his Duran Duran CDs! Even before the play had started there was all sorts of mayhem, confusion and hysterical theatrics occurring on the stage, and then the play began in earnest. From the first moments we were both laughing so much that our sides hurt. It was such a great little farce and so cleverly done. We thoroughly enjoyed the show and should it come to your neck of the woods (it is only very recent in the UK), you will be doing your laughing gear a favour by going along to see it.
We should have realized how 'silly' and how much of a hoot it was going to be based on a couple of the billboards out the front!
Sunday, 21 September 2014
London
Happy Birthday Princess Shiny Bright!
I did my rendition of 'Happy Birthday dear Ja....an!' when we were both barely awake and that set the tone for the day.
Good night's sleep and no early morning alarm so that is a bonus. Had a bit of steady rain overnight but nothing this morning. Took our time getting ourselves up and moving and then headed out onto the Strand where we ended up at Starbucks for a late breakfast. Then back to our room to plan our day. Down to the Concierge to check out a couple of shows we were both interested in seeing. Would have liked to see 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' tonight but it is booked out and no more shows until Tuesday night when we leave so that won't work for us. However we have been able to book a show for tomorrow afternoon. it is new on here and is a comedy, 'The Play That Went Wrong'. Hopefully it is as good as we have been told. Then on the underground and a bus to Battersby to see Jan's uncle Frank. He is 90 years old and an absolute gentleman. He is so sprightly and 'with it'. Some of you may remember previous mention of him some time ago, due to his involvement in the 'Beltie conspiracy' at the London end.
Anyhow, I hadn't been in his apartment 2 minutes (hadn't even made it to the lounge room to sit down) when he insisted on giving me some lovely linen serviettes. They will certainly get some use at future high teas and Princess events. We got on famously and he is so interesting to hear all his stories from the old days. Just to give you some idea of what he has packed into his life, his stories were laced with involvement in some way or another with such identities as the Krey brothers, Sir Laurence Olivier and Richard Burton. In fact we had lunch at a pub that the latter was very keen on! Here's a photo of 'The 'Fox on the Hill'.
and here's a photos of the 3 amigos.
We had a lovely lunch and all too soon it was time for our taxi back to Frank's place. We've had a lovely afternoon. Weather was fine and we'll certainly catch up with him again before we have to head home. Bus and train back to our hotel. Did a little bit of tourist souvenir shopping in a little store near the hotel. Then back to our room for a re-group, back to the Concierge to confirm shuttle pick ups to the airport for Tuesday and made a plan for our day tomorrow. As we have decided that we need to have high tea in London during our stay, we were planning on going to the Savoy, however the delightful fellow in the Concierge office suggested an alternative venue that is a 2 minute walk away. We headed off to the place and have now booked our Viennese afternoon tea for Monday. Then as it was still so pleasant outside we took a wander along the Thames. Were thinking of having dinner at one of the restaurants on the Thames but the the birthday girl decided she really wanted pasta, and as she is still a 'kept' woman we wandered back towards our hotel to 'Salieri' where we had a really lovely pasta dinner.
When we placed the drink order I told our lovely waitress that the champagne was for Jan as it was her birthday. So when we had finished our meal she gave us both a complimentary cocktail - Limoncello on ice, to celebrate Jan's birthday. How nice was that? Jan initially said 'no' to the drink, saying that she doesn't normally like cocktails but gave in and then as you would guess, loved it! The old fellow eating dinner on his own at the table next to us started laughing at Jan and so we struck up a conversation with him. He is from Queensland. Had a chat with him for a while and then back to our hotel where we finally got the tv working (with the aid of a maintenance fellow) which made Jan happy and then a very leisurely evening and thankfully an early night (well at least early for us so far.
It really has been a very pleasant day and Jan is a very satisfied birthday girl!
I did my rendition of 'Happy Birthday dear Ja....an!' when we were both barely awake and that set the tone for the day.
Good night's sleep and no early morning alarm so that is a bonus. Had a bit of steady rain overnight but nothing this morning. Took our time getting ourselves up and moving and then headed out onto the Strand where we ended up at Starbucks for a late breakfast. Then back to our room to plan our day. Down to the Concierge to check out a couple of shows we were both interested in seeing. Would have liked to see 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' tonight but it is booked out and no more shows until Tuesday night when we leave so that won't work for us. However we have been able to book a show for tomorrow afternoon. it is new on here and is a comedy, 'The Play That Went Wrong'. Hopefully it is as good as we have been told. Then on the underground and a bus to Battersby to see Jan's uncle Frank. He is 90 years old and an absolute gentleman. He is so sprightly and 'with it'. Some of you may remember previous mention of him some time ago, due to his involvement in the 'Beltie conspiracy' at the London end.
Anyhow, I hadn't been in his apartment 2 minutes (hadn't even made it to the lounge room to sit down) when he insisted on giving me some lovely linen serviettes. They will certainly get some use at future high teas and Princess events. We got on famously and he is so interesting to hear all his stories from the old days. Just to give you some idea of what he has packed into his life, his stories were laced with involvement in some way or another with such identities as the Krey brothers, Sir Laurence Olivier and Richard Burton. In fact we had lunch at a pub that the latter was very keen on! Here's a photo of 'The 'Fox on the Hill'.
It really has been a very pleasant day and Jan is a very satisfied birthday girl!
Saturday, 20 September 2014
Farewell to Iceland
After a good night's sleep and no need for an early morning 'suitcase out the door' we took ourselves down to breakfast and as again the skies were grey and overcast with likely light rain we decided that this narrowed down our options for how to spend our last morning in Iceland. Jan had been looking through some brochures and found one for the Saga museum which was of the history of Iceland. It sounded good so we got a taxi to take us there. It opened at 10 and we were there shortly after. It was excellent. We had an audio headset that we used to take us around each of the scenes. The mannequins were absolutely 100% life like. So much better than Madame Tussaud's. One of them was in a standing position but moving ever so slightly as though it was breathing!!! I initially thought that it was an actual person - and it was a part of the museum's show that he would start talking, but that wasn't the case... unbelievable. After wandering around all the diaramas we then went out of this area to watch a video in the darkened film room of how they made all the scenes and models. It was really interesting. They have been so exact in recreating authenticity in the clothing , weapons and everyday objects they constructed using traditional methods. All the weapons were specifically crafted and the wool and linen articles were all hand-dyed. As we had come into the video room with the film already started we sat through till the end, and as the video was on a loop we watched it from the start until it got to the bit where we came in. As we went to leave I whispered to Jan that the young fellow sitting in front of me hadn't moved. Jan wanted to know how many times he was going to sit through the movie, and it was then that I realized that 'he' was in fact a mannequin. It was so lifelike that we were still whispering to each other in case 'he' might hear us! Being the Princesses that we are we then had great fun taking our own photos with 'him'. There was also an older Asian fellow sitting in the front row right at the end. I asked Jan whether she thought he was a mannequin too and we both thought we had seen him earlier in the main part of the museum, but as he was sitting so still and had his eyes closed, neither of us were 100% sure. Thankfully Jan refrained from holding a mirror up to his mouth and I didn't sit next to him and put my hand in his lap as he then opened his eyes, realized that the movie was still going, got up and left. We almost wet ourselves laughing. Took ourselves to the cafe area across from the video area, and had a cuppa - and a few laughs with the lass serving at the counter when we commented on the lifelikeness of the young fella watching the video. We got the impression that most people never pick up on the idea that he isn't real!!!
Anyway we then had a little walk around the nearby area but it was quite industrial and nothing of major interest, plus it was light drizzle so we got a taxi back to out hotel and as it was already 12.30 only had a short wait for the shuttle to take us to the airport.
In the airport we had to do an online book-in at one of those silly self service things. We both finally got our luggage labels printed up and boarding passes printed, but we weren't sitting together and it was way beyond our comprehension of how to try and find 2 seats together. We decided that we could endure 2 1/2 hours separation during the flight. Through Immigration and then grabbed a bit of lunch then onto the plane. It was a fairly full flight. I was really surprised to find myself seated next to 2 of the English people who had been on the ICeland tour - and what was even more of a coincidence they are the same couple that Jan had sat next to on the way from Heathrow to Reykjavik. What are the odds?
Uneventful flight so arrived at Heathrow safe and sound. Walked for what felt like miles until we got to Border Security. It really peeves me that we Aussies are trapped within a Commonwealth that ties us to Mother England's apron strings but we have to queue with the also-rans rather than fast tracked with the EU countries. Bah humbug... However I shall attempt to keep my anti-establishment views in check and continue the story.
When we get to the Border Security counter, we both go up to the counter together and hand over our passports. One of the questions on the form we have to complete asks how many days are we in the UK. We have both put 4. The lass at the counter said something like, 'So you've come for 4 days of fun, have you? Jan says 'yes', and as the lass is stamping her passport I said 'yes' as well, 'but I want my stamp so to say "her for 4 days of fun". The lass thought that was so funny and kept us chatting with her for about 5 minutes, bugger anyone else waiting! She noted my middle name and said that this was her middle name to. I said that perhaps we were related and had been separated at birth. She thought that was hilarious, especially as she is originally from Trinidad and has a somewhat noticeably darker complexion than me. We were clearly having so much fun at the counter, that the fellow sharing the booth next to her made a comment because he wanted to be included and she told him to get back to work. He said he kept hearing bits of what we were saying and wanted to hear more. I did feel sorry for the young girl standing at his counter who simply wnated her passport stamped and to be allowed through!!!
Anyway, after more laughing and me still insisting that I expected to find a stamp in my passport that says 'here for 4 days of fun' we left Border Security and made our way to luggage collection that took about half an hour, but thankfully both our cases arrived okay - and I was happy to not only see mine come out on the conveyor, but that it wasn't wet!!! Then through Customs and we almost got out through the duty free shop when we spotted a bottle of Baileys that called to us to 'buy me' which we did. It must have been a slow night in Heathrow as the sales assistant wanted to chat, to the point that another sales lady came over too and wanted to know where we had been and where we were going and what would we be doing in London - maybe they had already heard that we were here for 4 days of fun??? Eventually we got out into the main arrivals area and there was our driver waiting for us - Jan had pre-booked a car. We then made our way to the car park where we got into the luxurious Mercedes, sat back in the soft leather back seats, put on the individual air conditioners and sat back as we drove in absolute luxury to our hotel - the Strand Palace. Got to the hotel about 9.30 ish. Booked in to our room, had a Baileys (Jan knew where to find the ice machine) and then across the road to grab a salad and sandwich for our very late dinner. Back to our room to eat our supper and then bed as it is now after midnight.
Weather is warm so am hoping for more of same tomorrow. We have had a terrific time in Iceland, so am expecting great things from our short London stay.
Good night for now - as I am a very tired little travelling Princess.
Anyway we then had a little walk around the nearby area but it was quite industrial and nothing of major interest, plus it was light drizzle so we got a taxi back to out hotel and as it was already 12.30 only had a short wait for the shuttle to take us to the airport.
In the airport we had to do an online book-in at one of those silly self service things. We both finally got our luggage labels printed up and boarding passes printed, but we weren't sitting together and it was way beyond our comprehension of how to try and find 2 seats together. We decided that we could endure 2 1/2 hours separation during the flight. Through Immigration and then grabbed a bit of lunch then onto the plane. It was a fairly full flight. I was really surprised to find myself seated next to 2 of the English people who had been on the ICeland tour - and what was even more of a coincidence they are the same couple that Jan had sat next to on the way from Heathrow to Reykjavik. What are the odds?
Uneventful flight so arrived at Heathrow safe and sound. Walked for what felt like miles until we got to Border Security. It really peeves me that we Aussies are trapped within a Commonwealth that ties us to Mother England's apron strings but we have to queue with the also-rans rather than fast tracked with the EU countries. Bah humbug... However I shall attempt to keep my anti-establishment views in check and continue the story.
When we get to the Border Security counter, we both go up to the counter together and hand over our passports. One of the questions on the form we have to complete asks how many days are we in the UK. We have both put 4. The lass at the counter said something like, 'So you've come for 4 days of fun, have you? Jan says 'yes', and as the lass is stamping her passport I said 'yes' as well, 'but I want my stamp so to say "her for 4 days of fun". The lass thought that was so funny and kept us chatting with her for about 5 minutes, bugger anyone else waiting! She noted my middle name and said that this was her middle name to. I said that perhaps we were related and had been separated at birth. She thought that was hilarious, especially as she is originally from Trinidad and has a somewhat noticeably darker complexion than me. We were clearly having so much fun at the counter, that the fellow sharing the booth next to her made a comment because he wanted to be included and she told him to get back to work. He said he kept hearing bits of what we were saying and wanted to hear more. I did feel sorry for the young girl standing at his counter who simply wnated her passport stamped and to be allowed through!!!
Anyway, after more laughing and me still insisting that I expected to find a stamp in my passport that says 'here for 4 days of fun' we left Border Security and made our way to luggage collection that took about half an hour, but thankfully both our cases arrived okay - and I was happy to not only see mine come out on the conveyor, but that it wasn't wet!!! Then through Customs and we almost got out through the duty free shop when we spotted a bottle of Baileys that called to us to 'buy me' which we did. It must have been a slow night in Heathrow as the sales assistant wanted to chat, to the point that another sales lady came over too and wanted to know where we had been and where we were going and what would we be doing in London - maybe they had already heard that we were here for 4 days of fun??? Eventually we got out into the main arrivals area and there was our driver waiting for us - Jan had pre-booked a car. We then made our way to the car park where we got into the luxurious Mercedes, sat back in the soft leather back seats, put on the individual air conditioners and sat back as we drove in absolute luxury to our hotel - the Strand Palace. Got to the hotel about 9.30 ish. Booked in to our room, had a Baileys (Jan knew where to find the ice machine) and then across the road to grab a salad and sandwich for our very late dinner. Back to our room to eat our supper and then bed as it is now after midnight.
Weather is warm so am hoping for more of same tomorrow. We have had a terrific time in Iceland, so am expecting great things from our short London stay.
Good night for now - as I am a very tired little travelling Princess.
Friday, 19 September 2014
Back to Reyjkavik
Another grey drizzly morning, but as there is absolutely no rest for the wicked, we are up and off again about 8.15 a.m. I did forget to tell you dear armchair travellers, that yesterday morning we had only been on the coach a few minutes when Princess Shiny Bright turns to me and says, "I'm enjoying being a kept woman." Having no idea what the demented girl is talking about, I get her to repeat what she has just said and then tell me what the heck she is talking about. It transpires that as we have been taking it in turn to buy lunches, dinners, drinks, etc. it has currently worked out that she has paid more than me which means that I'm to pay for the next few meals until we even out again. This to her way of thinking is that I'm somehow significantly responsible for her upkeep which makes her a 'kept' woman. All I could say was 'IDIOT!'. I think that a number of people on the tour think that this is Jan's actual name!!!
Now back to our day... a lovely old church was the first Bishop's church - even has a basement which is like a mini museum and crypt. Bjornee keeps taking us to so many 'extra' special stops along the way that aren't in the travel guide. He has thoroughly spoilt us. So then on to the first scheduled stop for the day at Fridheimer farm which has masses of tomato greenhouses. It was actually very interesting to hear how they grow the tomatoes 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The farm also has a number of the Icelandic horses stabled so we got to see a few of them up close and personal. Jan was in her element with the animals. Then on to another unscheduled stop at a waterfall called something that translates to 'White Horse' referring to the horse's man. This waterfall wasn't as high as many others and was very pretty to watch as the fast flowing waters ran into a wide meandering river. We then make our way to 'The Golden Circle". This refers to the 3 "must see' highlights in the region. First of these is the Geysir geothermal area. Plenty of hot springs - and only a light sulphur smell. We got a bit wet in the rain waiting for the largest geyser to explode. Not as big as that one in Yellowstone Park, USA, but can still reach 30 metres. Then on to Gullfloss 'Golden Waterfalls' which were pretty spectacular. Still raining lightly but that isn't stopping us from doing anything or seeing anything. This waterfall was all the more spectacular as it belts over the top after winding its way to the edge, and then crashes down a much narrower path as it cuts through beautiful lava rock walls. Then time for lunch - once again a big bowl of soup and crusty bread, then back on the coach where we then head to Pingvellir National Park (UNESCO). Very light rain now if any, so it is good that it has fined up for us. It is Iceland's greatest historical site as it is the original home of the world's oldest existing parliament. There is also a large water area where they drowned women convicted of adultery and other immoral behaviours. Quite apart from the historical value of this park though is the magnificent geology as it is the visible site of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the North American and European tectonic plates meet - and seeing the 'gap' between them is quite amazing. I don't know how to effectively describe it and the photos I will eventually add to this blog don't do it justice either. You'll simply have to come to Iceland yourselves to see it. We are heading back to Reykjavik now and along the way stop at a hot springs spa (unfortunately not enough time to actually get into it, damn) but just one more place I'll come back to next time... then a very picturesque drive along 'back roads' via the Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plant following the huge pipeline and back to the Natura hotel in Reyjkavik we land.
As Bjorn our driver, gets all the suitcases out of the back of the coach, I could not believe it but my case has gotten wet yet again, only on the other side this time - and it was in one of the black plastic bags, but not sealed at the top where the water has gotten in. How bloody unlucky can one person be? Anyway I gave Bjorn a tip from Jan and me, and thanked him for being such a great driver, however I did say that I couldn't believe that my case got wet yet again. With a silly smile on his face and with a very thick accent he simply said, "Shit happens!" and gave me hug. I almost wet myself laughing. Hugs and kisses to Bjorn after Jan gave him our tip and then back into the hotel to book in for our last night in Iceland.
Up into our room long enough for me to pull everything out of my suitcase as the wet patch was at the bottom - and thankfully nothing was west this time due to the lining of the suitcase, however I got the bathroom hair dryer out and tried to dry at least some of the outside as best I could. Then we bundled ourselves up again and got a taxi to the Hallgrimskirkja church. This is an amazing piece of architecture. had a wander inside. How they managed to build such a tall columns is beyond me. I know that I am repeating myself, but it is amazing. then with map in hand we head towards the main street. It is odd how houses are dotted along side shops all over the place. this part of the city is very 'touristy'. I have been on a mission to find a brooch that Vicki wanted but we have had no luck whatsoever so far. Jan is also running out of time to get those souvenirs for those names still on her list. I've heard about a tiny food trailer that allegedly has the 'world's best hot dogs' so Jan and I head off in the general direction of where we think it is. Wasn't at all easy to find - and if I'd trusted Jan's map reading we would have ended up at a Lobster pop up cafe'! However almost by accident we bumped into the Baejarins bestu pylsur van (meaning "The town's best hot dogs") and Jan decides that she is going to try a plain one where I have one with all the sauces. jan tried a bit of mine and then decided that she would like one with the lot too. Keep in mind that she is a 'kept' woman so I buy us each another hot dog with the lot. it is no exaggeration that they are delicious and I would not usually every eat a hot dog as I remember them as tasting like rubbish. The write ups i had rad about this little gem of a hot dog stand all say that there are usually long queues but it is well worth the wait. however we only had one person in front of us each time we ordered. there is no shelter near the stand and it was light drizzle at the time but we did what everyone else who has ever had one of the hot dogs has done,and that was stand around the parking lot eating them! Deciding that we then wanted a cuppa we went in search of a cafe. There are no shortage of eating places around the city area, but most were either too fancy or pubs until we found a quirky little crepe house where not only did we each have a coffee, but a special crepe too. Jan decided to have hot chocolate fudge and fresh strawberries on hers whereas I just wanted a Mars Bar melted inside mine. The crepes were huge and so were we by the time we waddled out!!!. We then decided that we would walk back to the hotel. I think I must have been experiencing a sugar rush from the chocolate overdose, but I let Jan take charge of the map to get us back to the hotel. We managed to get back to our hotel without loss of life, limb or virginity, but were a bit damp from the light rain. However a very successful venture out on our own. Back into our room and a re-packing of bags required. It is nice to have some time in the room and even nicer to know that we don't have to have bags out by 8.15!!!
We are now so very close to the end of our too short time in Iceland. It is an awesome place and we are already talking about a return visit in 2016, probably after my European River Cruise.
Hope you've enjoyed this leg of the travel blog, as we head towards the last part of the current grand adventure.
The Icelandic Princesses and Beltie have had a truly remarkable and amazing Iceland adventure.
Now back to our day... a lovely old church was the first Bishop's church - even has a basement which is like a mini museum and crypt. Bjornee keeps taking us to so many 'extra' special stops along the way that aren't in the travel guide. He has thoroughly spoilt us. So then on to the first scheduled stop for the day at Fridheimer farm which has masses of tomato greenhouses. It was actually very interesting to hear how they grow the tomatoes 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The farm also has a number of the Icelandic horses stabled so we got to see a few of them up close and personal. Jan was in her element with the animals. Then on to another unscheduled stop at a waterfall called something that translates to 'White Horse' referring to the horse's man. This waterfall wasn't as high as many others and was very pretty to watch as the fast flowing waters ran into a wide meandering river. We then make our way to 'The Golden Circle". This refers to the 3 "must see' highlights in the region. First of these is the Geysir geothermal area. Plenty of hot springs - and only a light sulphur smell. We got a bit wet in the rain waiting for the largest geyser to explode. Not as big as that one in Yellowstone Park, USA, but can still reach 30 metres. Then on to Gullfloss 'Golden Waterfalls' which were pretty spectacular. Still raining lightly but that isn't stopping us from doing anything or seeing anything. This waterfall was all the more spectacular as it belts over the top after winding its way to the edge, and then crashes down a much narrower path as it cuts through beautiful lava rock walls. Then time for lunch - once again a big bowl of soup and crusty bread, then back on the coach where we then head to Pingvellir National Park (UNESCO). Very light rain now if any, so it is good that it has fined up for us. It is Iceland's greatest historical site as it is the original home of the world's oldest existing parliament. There is also a large water area where they drowned women convicted of adultery and other immoral behaviours. Quite apart from the historical value of this park though is the magnificent geology as it is the visible site of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the North American and European tectonic plates meet - and seeing the 'gap' between them is quite amazing. I don't know how to effectively describe it and the photos I will eventually add to this blog don't do it justice either. You'll simply have to come to Iceland yourselves to see it. We are heading back to Reykjavik now and along the way stop at a hot springs spa (unfortunately not enough time to actually get into it, damn) but just one more place I'll come back to next time... then a very picturesque drive along 'back roads' via the Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plant following the huge pipeline and back to the Natura hotel in Reyjkavik we land.
As Bjorn our driver, gets all the suitcases out of the back of the coach, I could not believe it but my case has gotten wet yet again, only on the other side this time - and it was in one of the black plastic bags, but not sealed at the top where the water has gotten in. How bloody unlucky can one person be? Anyway I gave Bjorn a tip from Jan and me, and thanked him for being such a great driver, however I did say that I couldn't believe that my case got wet yet again. With a silly smile on his face and with a very thick accent he simply said, "Shit happens!" and gave me hug. I almost wet myself laughing. Hugs and kisses to Bjorn after Jan gave him our tip and then back into the hotel to book in for our last night in Iceland.
Up into our room long enough for me to pull everything out of my suitcase as the wet patch was at the bottom - and thankfully nothing was west this time due to the lining of the suitcase, however I got the bathroom hair dryer out and tried to dry at least some of the outside as best I could. Then we bundled ourselves up again and got a taxi to the Hallgrimskirkja church. This is an amazing piece of architecture. had a wander inside. How they managed to build such a tall columns is beyond me. I know that I am repeating myself, but it is amazing. then with map in hand we head towards the main street. It is odd how houses are dotted along side shops all over the place. this part of the city is very 'touristy'. I have been on a mission to find a brooch that Vicki wanted but we have had no luck whatsoever so far. Jan is also running out of time to get those souvenirs for those names still on her list. I've heard about a tiny food trailer that allegedly has the 'world's best hot dogs' so Jan and I head off in the general direction of where we think it is. Wasn't at all easy to find - and if I'd trusted Jan's map reading we would have ended up at a Lobster pop up cafe'! However almost by accident we bumped into the Baejarins bestu pylsur van (meaning "The town's best hot dogs") and Jan decides that she is going to try a plain one where I have one with all the sauces. jan tried a bit of mine and then decided that she would like one with the lot too. Keep in mind that she is a 'kept' woman so I buy us each another hot dog with the lot. it is no exaggeration that they are delicious and I would not usually every eat a hot dog as I remember them as tasting like rubbish. The write ups i had rad about this little gem of a hot dog stand all say that there are usually long queues but it is well worth the wait. however we only had one person in front of us each time we ordered. there is no shelter near the stand and it was light drizzle at the time but we did what everyone else who has ever had one of the hot dogs has done,and that was stand around the parking lot eating them! Deciding that we then wanted a cuppa we went in search of a cafe. There are no shortage of eating places around the city area, but most were either too fancy or pubs until we found a quirky little crepe house where not only did we each have a coffee, but a special crepe too. Jan decided to have hot chocolate fudge and fresh strawberries on hers whereas I just wanted a Mars Bar melted inside mine. The crepes were huge and so were we by the time we waddled out!!!. We then decided that we would walk back to the hotel. I think I must have been experiencing a sugar rush from the chocolate overdose, but I let Jan take charge of the map to get us back to the hotel. We managed to get back to our hotel without loss of life, limb or virginity, but were a bit damp from the light rain. However a very successful venture out on our own. Back into our room and a re-packing of bags required. It is nice to have some time in the room and even nicer to know that we don't have to have bags out by 8.15!!!
We are now so very close to the end of our too short time in Iceland. It is an awesome place and we are already talking about a return visit in 2016, probably after my European River Cruise.
Hope you've enjoyed this leg of the travel blog, as we head towards the last part of the current grand adventure.
The Icelandic Princesses and Beltie have had a truly remarkable and amazing Iceland adventure.
Thursday, 18 September 2014
Photos
Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands)
Woke to grey skies and drizzle. Also heard Alex in the room next door coughing up a lung at abut 5.30 a.m. so figured he was still alive and hadn't gone into a diabetic coma overnight. When we got up abut 6.30, Jan suggested going and knocking on his door to make sure he was up and getting ready, but I talked her out of it as I had no intention in being involved in providing a 'first to find' and 'last to hear' statement to local police if he had died since 5.30! anyway, we headed off to breakfast and thankfully Alex was already there (and no, it wasn't like the movie 'Weekend at Bernie's" where someone had propped the body up in a chair!!!
After breakfast time to get on the coach and Bjorn our driver had bought large black plastic bags especially to put my suitcase in so that it didn't get wet. How kind was that? He was still very apologetic abut my case getting wet before. So on the coach we all get and in most overcast and damp weather we head off to the south coast to Landeyjarhofn harbour about an hour away to get the ferry from Bakkafjara to the Westman Islands. As I have been paying attention when Bjornee tells us about the places we are going to, I can impart my new found knowledge to you that the reason they are called the Westman Islands is because they are west of Scotland (and some Scot dude named them). makes it hard to work out directions when the Westmand Islands are off the south coast. So a 45 minute reasonably smooth ferry trip later we arrive in Heimaey which is the main island for the group (consisting of 15). It is still raining slightly and cold winds so no one is too keen for much walking in the open at this stage, however we bravely head up to the Eldborg volcano which is still warm from its latest eruption 40 years ago. It is an amazing sight. First stop is Landakirkja church which is the oldest building in the islands and survived the last volcano. It was a relly pretty little chapel.We also visit Storhofoi which is where the lighthouse is and is the windiest place in Iceland and possibly the whole of Europe, where four calm days are the the limit in an average years (wind speed can pass 30m/sec!) Pretty impressive views there, if you don't get blown off the cliffs... Then we went looking for Puffins but I am very disappointed to say that we didn't see a single one and apparently we shouldn't have expected to see them as they have all left the nest before mid-September each year ... bugga!
Beltie was especially disappointed and was even wearing her specially designed puffin hunting glasses - but she did manage to find a troll!
Back on the coach and off to have a wander around Skansinn which is where the lava flow stopped in 1973. Pretty little Norse timber church near the site, which is the only one of its kind in Iceland. Apparently was a gift from the people of Norway. Next to it was Landlyst, which is the 2nd oldest building in the islands. Nearby was this tiny little cannon which apparently was placed on a hill by the locals to fortify their little town should invaders' come into the harbour. If it had been me I'd put up the welcome flag and they could have taken over the entire island. why any one would want ot live here is beyond me. It is a fishing village that has grown beyond it's needs - and why you would stay in a place that has such potential to see further volcanic activity is a mystery. Anyway a few wanted to climb to the top o the 'new' volcano (including Princess Shiny Bright) so they were promptly sent off to climb the volcano whereas 5 of us wanted to keep warm and dry so were taken to the nearby and very new (only opened in June this year and they are still doing a lot of work on it - didn't even have a sign up with the name of the place) 'Pompei of the North' museum. This houses a great display of one of the homes as it was left devastated after the last volcano. The whole thing is quite interactive and had a thoroughly interesting audio track to follow as you wandered around the exhibition. I was really impressed with it. eventually the volcano climbers arrived down at the museum and Princess SB was like a drowned rat - so wet was she that she had to get her suitcase out of the coach to find a dry pair of trousers to wear. There were similar very wet apparitions from the rest of that group. We then went into the main streets where everyone went their separate ways for lunch. Jan and I found a delightful little restaurant had a really lovely lunch - she had an African vegetable curry and I had a chicken wrap that is the best one I've every had!!! Mind you we didn't get to have lunch till almost 3 p.m. as we'd been all over the island checking out anything of the slightest interest. Back on the ferry for a 5.30 departure and it was bit more choppy in the waters on the ride back to the mainland. Then to our new hotel for the night which meant dinner wasn't till 8 p.m. Sat with the other 4 Aussies and the guy from Glasgow and an American woman for dinner. It was a really nice meal and they were good company. We Aussies know how to enjoy ourselves and find humour in everything! After dinner Jan and I traipsed outside and wandered about in the cool and bit damp conditions until we found an ATM to get some Kroner. That done it was back to our rooms and being well and truly time for bed bundled ourselves in for the night. This missive to you tonight is a bit rushed as it is past 11.30 p.m.and I'm pooped. Still no time to download photos to add to items but I have the best intentions for that to occur eventually.
Another good day had by all even if the weather wasn't in our favour.
After breakfast time to get on the coach and Bjorn our driver had bought large black plastic bags especially to put my suitcase in so that it didn't get wet. How kind was that? He was still very apologetic abut my case getting wet before. So on the coach we all get and in most overcast and damp weather we head off to the south coast to Landeyjarhofn harbour about an hour away to get the ferry from Bakkafjara to the Westman Islands. As I have been paying attention when Bjornee tells us about the places we are going to, I can impart my new found knowledge to you that the reason they are called the Westman Islands is because they are west of Scotland (and some Scot dude named them). makes it hard to work out directions when the Westmand Islands are off the south coast. So a 45 minute reasonably smooth ferry trip later we arrive in Heimaey which is the main island for the group (consisting of 15). It is still raining slightly and cold winds so no one is too keen for much walking in the open at this stage, however we bravely head up to the Eldborg volcano which is still warm from its latest eruption 40 years ago. It is an amazing sight. First stop is Landakirkja church which is the oldest building in the islands and survived the last volcano. It was a relly pretty little chapel.We also visit Storhofoi which is where the lighthouse is and is the windiest place in Iceland and possibly the whole of Europe, where four calm days are the the limit in an average years (wind speed can pass 30m/sec!) Pretty impressive views there, if you don't get blown off the cliffs... Then we went looking for Puffins but I am very disappointed to say that we didn't see a single one and apparently we shouldn't have expected to see them as they have all left the nest before mid-September each year ... bugga!
Beltie was especially disappointed and was even wearing her specially designed puffin hunting glasses - but she did manage to find a troll!
Another good day had by all even if the weather wasn't in our favour.
Wednesday, 17 September 2014
Vik - Skaftafell to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
After a reasonable night's sleep and breakfast, we headed off at about 8.15. Very few clouds in the sky which is a lovely blue so everyone is happy that there is no rain forecast for today.We head off towards Skftafell National Park, however we stop in 'The Middle of Nowhere' which supposedly was the site of an old farmhouse but now is the site of numerous little rock formations (many of them made by tourists) and it is a really odd little site. Legend now has it that they are little houses for the hidden people (elves) so Jan, naturally, had to attempt to add an extra floor on one of the little folk's dwellings!!! Then onto to various waterfalls that were incredibly 'wow' factor. There are so many waterfalls in this place that it is impossible to stop at everyone of them. On to Skaftafell National Park where the diversity of sites is amazing. One side of the road will have lush green woodlands or farmed land, while the other view of is black mountains or the black lava 'sand' for as far as the eye can see, or then there will be large lava carrying streams that are fast flowing down from the mountains as they wind their way out to sea. And then when you look further ahead there is sheer white at the top of mountains, which is the glacier. You almost wonder if your eyes are deceiving you - is it the glacier or is it fluffy white clouds? In the distance we see the country's highest peak - Hvannadalshnukur (2,100 metres). Bjornee is an excellent source of information and tells us that although the park was founded in 1967 it wasn't until 1974 that a ring-round around it opened which made it easily accessible. Earlier roads and bridges were washed away (or more correctly swept away) after volcano eruptions.
As we continue driving we pass a number of views of the glacier. Apparently Vatnajokull is the largest ice cap in Europe (about 8,300 sq km). Postcards and photos are just not going to do it justice. We pass several outlet glaciers on the way to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon where we board one of the 'duck' boat thingies that drives on land then goes into the water and becomes a boat. (Have a photo but you'll have to wait until I eventually get time to download photos). Anyway it was one of those most fantastic travel moments that I will never forget. I put the experience right up there with my balloon flight over Goreme in Turkey, walking on the Athabascar glacier in the Rockies and now a Glacier lagoon boat ride amongst floating icebergs! Took heaps of photos and they have come out brilliantly. For those who saw the James Bond movie 'Die Another Day', one of the scenes were filmed in this lagoon. After our 45 minute boat ride where we even got to taste a bit of 1000 year old iceberg (and Jan got to hold a huge chunk of iceberg)we were back on the coach for a short drive to the nearby glacier where we were able to clamber over rocks to be alongside the glacier. More 'wow' moments. Finally at about 3 p.m. we stopped for lunch at a roadside cafe where we both had a big bowl of vegetable soup - plus Jan had an icecream (okay, so I'm a dobber...) snow on our return journey back to Vik we have a couple more stops at various waterfalls and even a stop at the Dwarf Basalt columns.
We have had an absolutely fantastic day. It has been non stop, but every part of the day has just been great. Finally just before 7 p.m. we get back to our hotel and enough time for a quick cuppa and then to dinner. Jan decided that she was going to have a local beer with her dinner - I've never seen her drink beer before so had no idea what she'd be like on it. So up she goes to the bar and asks for her beer. When she came back with the beer I asked her if she had used the Icelandic name for the pale ale and she told me she had and how she pronounced it. I said it probably wasn't said the way she had said it and I told her she sounded more Danish than Icelandic. With that she told me that she only knew one Scandinavian language. With that, I told her that talking in English but saying it using her best version of the Swedish chef from the Muppets does not mean that she can speak a foreign language. I think I hurt her feelings???
However, we moved on from that moment and went into the dining room. I had the dubious pleasure of sitting at the end of the long table opposite Alex (in his late 70s by our estimation, from Fyfe, Scotland). He is diabetic and left his insulin home in Scotland. He has more teeth missing that present and those he does have haven't seen a dentist since medieval times. He walks with a cane and is very unsteady on his feet, is always late for the bus and being hard of hearing doesn't always get the message. Anyway, while we were having dinner he was busy with his shoe horn trying to get his shoes on his feet properly. Eventually he got them on properly and promptly showed me. I told him that he needed to sleep in them tonight so that it won't take so long for him to get ready in the morning. He said he'll need to be up by 3.30 to be ready for our 8.15 start. I offered to set his alarm for him. (Earlier on the bus when he was last to get on, 10 minutes after everyone else, I asked him if he had a note from his mum to explain why he was late again, but I don't think he heard me). Anyway, eventually as the evening wore on and my patience with him wore down even further, he looks across the table and says to me, "Why was everyone singing 'Happy birthday' to me (meaning him) on the bus before". Well I totally cracked up, as we had sung happy birthday whilst on the bus, but to Ian from Glasgow who happened to have his birthday today. Jan was laughing so much that she was crying. I couldn't talk for laughing so much as I tried to explain that it was the fellow sitting 2 down from him who was having a birthday and that's who we were all singing to. God knows what he will think tomorrow when we sing Happy Birthday to Mara for her birthday!!!
Anyway, he's in the room next to us so I told him that if he gets into any difficulty during the night to bang on the wall - the wall the opposite side of our room! I wonder if he'd like to meet Marianne from Austria???
And on that note I bid you goodnight...
As we continue driving we pass a number of views of the glacier. Apparently Vatnajokull is the largest ice cap in Europe (about 8,300 sq km). Postcards and photos are just not going to do it justice. We pass several outlet glaciers on the way to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon where we board one of the 'duck' boat thingies that drives on land then goes into the water and becomes a boat. (Have a photo but you'll have to wait until I eventually get time to download photos). Anyway it was one of those most fantastic travel moments that I will never forget. I put the experience right up there with my balloon flight over Goreme in Turkey, walking on the Athabascar glacier in the Rockies and now a Glacier lagoon boat ride amongst floating icebergs! Took heaps of photos and they have come out brilliantly. For those who saw the James Bond movie 'Die Another Day', one of the scenes were filmed in this lagoon. After our 45 minute boat ride where we even got to taste a bit of 1000 year old iceberg (and Jan got to hold a huge chunk of iceberg)we were back on the coach for a short drive to the nearby glacier where we were able to clamber over rocks to be alongside the glacier. More 'wow' moments. Finally at about 3 p.m. we stopped for lunch at a roadside cafe where we both had a big bowl of vegetable soup - plus Jan had an icecream (okay, so I'm a dobber...) snow on our return journey back to Vik we have a couple more stops at various waterfalls and even a stop at the Dwarf Basalt columns.
We have had an absolutely fantastic day. It has been non stop, but every part of the day has just been great. Finally just before 7 p.m. we get back to our hotel and enough time for a quick cuppa and then to dinner. Jan decided that she was going to have a local beer with her dinner - I've never seen her drink beer before so had no idea what she'd be like on it. So up she goes to the bar and asks for her beer. When she came back with the beer I asked her if she had used the Icelandic name for the pale ale and she told me she had and how she pronounced it. I said it probably wasn't said the way she had said it and I told her she sounded more Danish than Icelandic. With that she told me that she only knew one Scandinavian language. With that, I told her that talking in English but saying it using her best version of the Swedish chef from the Muppets does not mean that she can speak a foreign language. I think I hurt her feelings???
However, we moved on from that moment and went into the dining room. I had the dubious pleasure of sitting at the end of the long table opposite Alex (in his late 70s by our estimation, from Fyfe, Scotland). He is diabetic and left his insulin home in Scotland. He has more teeth missing that present and those he does have haven't seen a dentist since medieval times. He walks with a cane and is very unsteady on his feet, is always late for the bus and being hard of hearing doesn't always get the message. Anyway, while we were having dinner he was busy with his shoe horn trying to get his shoes on his feet properly. Eventually he got them on properly and promptly showed me. I told him that he needed to sleep in them tonight so that it won't take so long for him to get ready in the morning. He said he'll need to be up by 3.30 to be ready for our 8.15 start. I offered to set his alarm for him. (Earlier on the bus when he was last to get on, 10 minutes after everyone else, I asked him if he had a note from his mum to explain why he was late again, but I don't think he heard me). Anyway, eventually as the evening wore on and my patience with him wore down even further, he looks across the table and says to me, "Why was everyone singing 'Happy birthday' to me (meaning him) on the bus before". Well I totally cracked up, as we had sung happy birthday whilst on the bus, but to Ian from Glasgow who happened to have his birthday today. Jan was laughing so much that she was crying. I couldn't talk for laughing so much as I tried to explain that it was the fellow sitting 2 down from him who was having a birthday and that's who we were all singing to. God knows what he will think tomorrow when we sing Happy Birthday to Mara for her birthday!!!
Anyway, he's in the room next to us so I told him that if he gets into any difficulty during the night to bang on the wall - the wall the opposite side of our room! I wonder if he'd like to meet Marianne from Austria???
And on that note I bid you goodnight...
Tuesday, 16 September 2014
Reykjavik to Vik
Nice breakfast at the hotel after a reasonable night's sleep, although when we went to bed it was like gale force winds against the window, sufficient for Jan to volunteer to close the window without me suggesting it! So off we head south on our first full day of our Volcanoes and Glaciers tour. Bjornee is our travel guide and Bjorn in our driver. There are 21 people on the tour, mainly Brits plus a young couple from Virginia, USA (or as he says, just out of Washington), and we haven't had a chance to meet the others properly yet.
Weather is cool, but certainly not cold, but grey and rain/drizzle. We pass such amazingly diverse terrain - the black lava fields versus lush green fertile farming land. Our first stop is at a fabulous waterfall that we are actually able to go and walk behind. It is light rain at the time, but I got more wet the closer I got to the waterfall. Jan ofcourse was Princess Shiny Bright and was sidetracked with every other drop of water, so managed to get decidedly wetter than I thought necessary as she made her way right around the back of the waterfall! Even though the weather was disappointing, we still managed to get some super photos. The force of the water coming over the top of the lava hill was breath taking.
Then on to Eyjafjallajokull Visitor Centre which is near Porvaldseyri Farm which is located at the foot of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano that last erupted in April 2010 (and caused airports all over the world to close due to the volcano ash.) we saw a 20 minute video about the volcano which was really interesting. Jan wanted to buy some bits of volcano rock from the lovely little gift shop on site, but we are unsure about whether she could bring them back into the country if Customs got hold of them. So instead we both bought magnets that said," What part of EYJAFJALLAJOKULL don't you understand?'
Then it was on into Skogar and the Skogafoss waterfall. Again truly breath taking ( but still in light rian.drizzle). Then on to the Skogar Folk Museum where we had lunch - lovely big bowl of mushroom soup which was very tasty. Had a good look around the museum and could easily have spent more time there, but time to get back on he bus and away we go past the Solheimajokull Glacier. due to the poor weather conditions we weren't able to stop at it or do any walking on it, but maybe we'll get more lucky with the weather tomorrow. So instead we stopped at the ocean near Vik. Amazing coastline and not a speck of sand in sight. It was all all volcano 'soil', rocks and pebbles. Was quite windy and again that damn drizzle but nothing that is going to stop us going exploring. Had a nice hot chocolate in the cafe and then back onto the coach for a short drive the other side of the rocky outcrop to the small town/village of Vik. Arrived at our hotel and when we got our suitcases out the back of the bus, I found that the front of my suitcase was very wet - have no idea how it happened other than knowing that my suitcase had been placed top side down on the floor of the luggage compartment and it must have been very wet there somehow. I wasn't happy and showed Bjornee who also couldn't work out how it happened. don't really care whether he solves the mystery or not, as I told him that I won't be putting my suitcase in the bottom of the luggage compartment again. Once in our room I got the suitcase open and found a few papers inside the top pocket were wet along with most of my socks and some of my smalls ( or more correctly my not-so-smalls). Quick wash up in the bathroom handbasin and a makeshift Chinese laundry over the shower got that mini disaster under control. We went across the road to what Bjornee had told us was a woollen shop with supposedly locally made knitted/woolen items, but I wasn't convinced that anything there was made locally and the woollen items were very 'rough' to the touch and I'm sure would have been very itchy to wear, plus they were very expensive so no purchases for me there. Went next door to the roadhouse to buy some tea bags and milk, but could only get the tea bags. Back at hotel reception we asked for a small jug of milk and then back to our room where Jan offered to make us a cuppa which was a lovely thought on her part until she went to grab the electric jug off the little plastic tray bench it was sitting on and managed to pull the whole plastic tray off the wall, sending the jug base, coffee and tea sachets, cups and mixers in every direction. Once we gathered up that mess and decided not to attempt to put the plastic tray back on the wall, she then went to fill the jug and managed to pull the lid completely off the top of the jug. By this stage I figured I needed alcohol a damn sight more than I needed a cuppa but Jan being Jan persisted and eventually a cup of tea was made and enjoyed. Time for dinner so we dutifully trooped off to the restaurant where our group had the set menu of chicken broth soup,rack of lamb and vegetables, then Skyr dessert. Jan being our token Vegetarian, had a salad then quiche (which they called Vegetable pie). We had both had enough so headed back to our room for an early night. Bjornee had said that he wanted the group to all get together after dinner so that we could do introductions, but we'd had enough so said our farewells to those at our table and back to our room where we settled in for the night.
It's been a lovely day, despite the weather not being as kind as it could be. Chances are that tomorrow will be even better.
(PS, Jan said to include that she hasn't done any thing silly yet, but her idea of 'silly' clearly doesn't gel with mine as I've had to give her THE LOOK a few times already today!)
Weather is cool, but certainly not cold, but grey and rain/drizzle. We pass such amazingly diverse terrain - the black lava fields versus lush green fertile farming land. Our first stop is at a fabulous waterfall that we are actually able to go and walk behind. It is light rain at the time, but I got more wet the closer I got to the waterfall. Jan ofcourse was Princess Shiny Bright and was sidetracked with every other drop of water, so managed to get decidedly wetter than I thought necessary as she made her way right around the back of the waterfall! Even though the weather was disappointing, we still managed to get some super photos. The force of the water coming over the top of the lava hill was breath taking.
Then on to Eyjafjallajokull Visitor Centre which is near Porvaldseyri Farm which is located at the foot of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano that last erupted in April 2010 (and caused airports all over the world to close due to the volcano ash.) we saw a 20 minute video about the volcano which was really interesting. Jan wanted to buy some bits of volcano rock from the lovely little gift shop on site, but we are unsure about whether she could bring them back into the country if Customs got hold of them. So instead we both bought magnets that said," What part of EYJAFJALLAJOKULL don't you understand?'
Then it was on into Skogar and the Skogafoss waterfall. Again truly breath taking ( but still in light rian.drizzle). Then on to the Skogar Folk Museum where we had lunch - lovely big bowl of mushroom soup which was very tasty. Had a good look around the museum and could easily have spent more time there, but time to get back on he bus and away we go past the Solheimajokull Glacier. due to the poor weather conditions we weren't able to stop at it or do any walking on it, but maybe we'll get more lucky with the weather tomorrow. So instead we stopped at the ocean near Vik. Amazing coastline and not a speck of sand in sight. It was all all volcano 'soil', rocks and pebbles. Was quite windy and again that damn drizzle but nothing that is going to stop us going exploring. Had a nice hot chocolate in the cafe and then back onto the coach for a short drive the other side of the rocky outcrop to the small town/village of Vik. Arrived at our hotel and when we got our suitcases out the back of the bus, I found that the front of my suitcase was very wet - have no idea how it happened other than knowing that my suitcase had been placed top side down on the floor of the luggage compartment and it must have been very wet there somehow. I wasn't happy and showed Bjornee who also couldn't work out how it happened. don't really care whether he solves the mystery or not, as I told him that I won't be putting my suitcase in the bottom of the luggage compartment again. Once in our room I got the suitcase open and found a few papers inside the top pocket were wet along with most of my socks and some of my smalls ( or more correctly my not-so-smalls). Quick wash up in the bathroom handbasin and a makeshift Chinese laundry over the shower got that mini disaster under control. We went across the road to what Bjornee had told us was a woollen shop with supposedly locally made knitted/woolen items, but I wasn't convinced that anything there was made locally and the woollen items were very 'rough' to the touch and I'm sure would have been very itchy to wear, plus they were very expensive so no purchases for me there. Went next door to the roadhouse to buy some tea bags and milk, but could only get the tea bags. Back at hotel reception we asked for a small jug of milk and then back to our room where Jan offered to make us a cuppa which was a lovely thought on her part until she went to grab the electric jug off the little plastic tray bench it was sitting on and managed to pull the whole plastic tray off the wall, sending the jug base, coffee and tea sachets, cups and mixers in every direction. Once we gathered up that mess and decided not to attempt to put the plastic tray back on the wall, she then went to fill the jug and managed to pull the lid completely off the top of the jug. By this stage I figured I needed alcohol a damn sight more than I needed a cuppa but Jan being Jan persisted and eventually a cup of tea was made and enjoyed. Time for dinner so we dutifully trooped off to the restaurant where our group had the set menu of chicken broth soup,rack of lamb and vegetables, then Skyr dessert. Jan being our token Vegetarian, had a salad then quiche (which they called Vegetable pie). We had both had enough so headed back to our room for an early night. Bjornee had said that he wanted the group to all get together after dinner so that we could do introductions, but we'd had enough so said our farewells to those at our table and back to our room where we settled in for the night.
It's been a lovely day, despite the weather not being as kind as it could be. Chances are that tomorrow will be even better.
(PS, Jan said to include that she hasn't done any thing silly yet, but her idea of 'silly' clearly doesn't gel with mine as I've had to give her THE LOOK a few times already today!)
Monday, 15 September 2014
Reyjkavik
Plane was 30 minutes leaving but still managed to arrive on time just after 4 p.m. Iceland time. It is quite weird travelling on my own where I'm in the significant minority that does not speak a second language. Anyway, I can usually make myself known and lots of pointing and shrugging of shoulders seems to be working okay for me so far.
Having arrived in Iceland to very low cloud and heavy rain that seemed to blow in sideways, it was not the most promising start, however I had been pre-warned not to panic when upon leaving the airport I was confronted with a very depressing moonscape in all directions. Eventually the countryside became less bleak and various styles of housing was dotted all over the place. We drove through a 'town' called 'Town of Elves' but it looked like it was more like an industrial area than anything that elves might want to set up house in. Anyway after about a 50 minute bus trip into Reyjkavik (which is a large, sprawling and well developed city), I was dropped at the Natura hotel which is right next to the domestic airport. While waiting at reception to book in, Jan came down to the lobby to meet me so it was hugs all around then up to our room for a well earned cuppa and catch up. She has had a great time in London, although there was a bit of fun and games initially booking into her London hotel. We'll have to update you all on that at a later time - when neither of us are so tired.
The rain has stopped but it is still very very windy outside. In checking tomorrow's weather it is forecast for rain so we'll try and be optimistic
Anyway, we have checked out our tour paperwork of what time we have to be ready in the lobby in the morning and decided that we'd both like an early night, so headed down to the hotel restaurant where we shared a cheese croquette entree which was heavenly, and then Jan had the vegetarian lasagne which didn't have any pasta in it & she says tasted decidedly like ratatouille while I had a hamburger which touched the spot perfectly. After a carafe of white wine we then asked for the bill which I paid for on a credit card. It came to some 10,000 Kroner which Jan worked out to be about $11 each. She was impressed at how reasonably priced the meal was. However I worked it out to about $50 each ... and so my Icelandic adventure with Jan begins!
Having arrived in Iceland to very low cloud and heavy rain that seemed to blow in sideways, it was not the most promising start, however I had been pre-warned not to panic when upon leaving the airport I was confronted with a very depressing moonscape in all directions. Eventually the countryside became less bleak and various styles of housing was dotted all over the place. We drove through a 'town' called 'Town of Elves' but it looked like it was more like an industrial area than anything that elves might want to set up house in. Anyway after about a 50 minute bus trip into Reyjkavik (which is a large, sprawling and well developed city), I was dropped at the Natura hotel which is right next to the domestic airport. While waiting at reception to book in, Jan came down to the lobby to meet me so it was hugs all around then up to our room for a well earned cuppa and catch up. She has had a great time in London, although there was a bit of fun and games initially booking into her London hotel. We'll have to update you all on that at a later time - when neither of us are so tired.
The rain has stopped but it is still very very windy outside. In checking tomorrow's weather it is forecast for rain so we'll try and be optimistic
Anyway, we have checked out our tour paperwork of what time we have to be ready in the lobby in the morning and decided that we'd both like an early night, so headed down to the hotel restaurant where we shared a cheese croquette entree which was heavenly, and then Jan had the vegetarian lasagne which didn't have any pasta in it & she says tasted decidedly like ratatouille while I had a hamburger which touched the spot perfectly. After a carafe of white wine we then asked for the bill which I paid for on a credit card. It came to some 10,000 Kroner which Jan worked out to be about $11 each. She was impressed at how reasonably priced the meal was. However I worked it out to about $50 each ... and so my Icelandic adventure with Jan begins!
Sunday, 14 September 2014
Say farewell to Munich
We had our farewell dinner in a delightful restaurant in the Bavarian forest. Our main meal was Pork knuckle. Not really a huge fan of pork but figured I would give it a try as it is our last night in Europe so I should at least sample a local dish. The knuckle was huge and the crackling cooked to perfection. I simply couldn't eat it all though. Not a fan of the dumplings which appear to be congealed balls of dough. Love the sauerkraut . Dessert was Bavarian Cream which to all intents and purposes was whipped cream with fine sugar through it. Too rich for my taste, but the wine was good! There's that recurring alcohol theme again... Have also developed quite a taste for Schnapps so I'm sure there will be a future Princess occasion where they will be on the drinks menu.
So after very fond farewells and much photo taking amongst our group we head back to the hotel. It was lovely to have a room to myself - albeit when we first arrived at the hotel there wasn't a room booked for me, and then they gave me a room that was already occupied. Finally sorted and I was able to ensconce myself into a lovely big room and re-pack my suitcase which is sadly already just over the weight limit. I'll worry about that later...
Final breakfast in the morning and then checkout and on the coach at 8.45 to the airport. Arrived at Terminal 1 just before 9.30. As my flight doesn't leave until 2 p.m. I am now sitting in the front departure area waiting for the Iceland Air check in counter to open (2 hours before departure). Thankfully there is free wifi so I am currently ensconced in the waiting area near the check in counters penning these ramblings to you.
Weather this morning is cool, grey skies and intermittent rain so good timing to be leaving. I've had a great trip and met some wonderful people. As I have the time, I shall now enlighten you on some of my travel companions.
Mike and Barbara are a retired Jewish couple from New York. They are absolutely wonderful people and totally hilarious, especially when they start telling stories and keep interrupting each other. They should have their own television sit com. We will definitely be keeping in touch. I'm going to work out how to include New York in my visit to the States next year for the WPF Games as they have invited me to stay with them. Dianne and Richard are from Fairfax Virginia so we have booked to catch up during the Games as they live in Fairfax. Ginny and Fred live in Wisconsin and have suggested that if I'm going to New York then I also need to come and see them. Fred thinks I am wonderful as I have been giving him my Vitamin C tablets each day as he has a shocking cold - I somehow seem to be all things to all people!!! Darlene and Gary are from Toronto and figure if I'm visiting the others for the Games in the States next year then I need to visit them in 2019 when the Games are held in Toronto!!! Phil and Walter insist that I stay with them the next time I am in Ireland, and they also want to take me to Jersey where one of their daughters live. Not sure when I'll be back to Ireland but it is definitely on the list to re-visit (along with Scotland and the Whiskey trail). So many other nice people too, so it will be interesting to see how many end up keeping in contact via email. Ursula and Koonst ((not sure how to spell it) from South Africa are thinking of visiting Australia so I've offered to host them in South Oz if they make it that far. No surprisingly Marianne and I are probably not going to keep in touch. She really was a nice old thing, but quite dipsy (her words, not mine) and is not used to having to share. She was clearly lonely and insisted in saying everything that came into her head at the time, thinking that I would want to know it and be suitably interested every time. Many of you would know that I am not a morning person and I actually am quite content with my own company a lot of the time. Marianne never got it. We didn't have a cross word between us, but she was hard work. Thankfully we had our own seats on the coach so we weren't in each others' pockets 24/7. I mustn't moan though, as that's the chance you take when you don't pay the single supplement.
So that's probably about it for my Imperial Europe tour. Time to go and grab a cuppa and then attempt to wait patiently for the check in counter to open - just hope that blasted volcano has settled down as I haven't been checking its status - as I simply don't want to know any bad news while on holiday...
Unless there is a drama of some sort, my next epistle will be from Iceland. Hope to be able to upload some more photos to the site too as I have some great shots.
Auf Wiedersehn...
So after very fond farewells and much photo taking amongst our group we head back to the hotel. It was lovely to have a room to myself - albeit when we first arrived at the hotel there wasn't a room booked for me, and then they gave me a room that was already occupied. Finally sorted and I was able to ensconce myself into a lovely big room and re-pack my suitcase which is sadly already just over the weight limit. I'll worry about that later...
Final breakfast in the morning and then checkout and on the coach at 8.45 to the airport. Arrived at Terminal 1 just before 9.30. As my flight doesn't leave until 2 p.m. I am now sitting in the front departure area waiting for the Iceland Air check in counter to open (2 hours before departure). Thankfully there is free wifi so I am currently ensconced in the waiting area near the check in counters penning these ramblings to you.
Weather this morning is cool, grey skies and intermittent rain so good timing to be leaving. I've had a great trip and met some wonderful people. As I have the time, I shall now enlighten you on some of my travel companions.
Mike and Barbara are a retired Jewish couple from New York. They are absolutely wonderful people and totally hilarious, especially when they start telling stories and keep interrupting each other. They should have their own television sit com. We will definitely be keeping in touch. I'm going to work out how to include New York in my visit to the States next year for the WPF Games as they have invited me to stay with them. Dianne and Richard are from Fairfax Virginia so we have booked to catch up during the Games as they live in Fairfax. Ginny and Fred live in Wisconsin and have suggested that if I'm going to New York then I also need to come and see them. Fred thinks I am wonderful as I have been giving him my Vitamin C tablets each day as he has a shocking cold - I somehow seem to be all things to all people!!! Darlene and Gary are from Toronto and figure if I'm visiting the others for the Games in the States next year then I need to visit them in 2019 when the Games are held in Toronto!!! Phil and Walter insist that I stay with them the next time I am in Ireland, and they also want to take me to Jersey where one of their daughters live. Not sure when I'll be back to Ireland but it is definitely on the list to re-visit (along with Scotland and the Whiskey trail). So many other nice people too, so it will be interesting to see how many end up keeping in contact via email. Ursula and Koonst ((not sure how to spell it) from South Africa are thinking of visiting Australia so I've offered to host them in South Oz if they make it that far. No surprisingly Marianne and I are probably not going to keep in touch. She really was a nice old thing, but quite dipsy (her words, not mine) and is not used to having to share. She was clearly lonely and insisted in saying everything that came into her head at the time, thinking that I would want to know it and be suitably interested every time. Many of you would know that I am not a morning person and I actually am quite content with my own company a lot of the time. Marianne never got it. We didn't have a cross word between us, but she was hard work. Thankfully we had our own seats on the coach so we weren't in each others' pockets 24/7. I mustn't moan though, as that's the chance you take when you don't pay the single supplement.
So that's probably about it for my Imperial Europe tour. Time to go and grab a cuppa and then attempt to wait patiently for the check in counter to open - just hope that blasted volcano has settled down as I haven't been checking its status - as I simply don't want to know any bad news while on holiday...
Unless there is a drama of some sort, my next epistle will be from Iceland. Hope to be able to upload some more photos to the site too as I have some great shots.
Auf Wiedersehn...
Salzburg to Munich
This morning it is heavy rain and grey skies. We have been so lucky with the weather to date, that there is no point in complaining. Marianne waves us off from the hotel - I breathe a huge sigh of relief and we head into the city of Salzburg - our hotel is about 20 minutes out. A local guide takes us for a lovely walking tour through the old city. there is light drizzle so umbrellas up for part of the time, but then the rain stops and we are once again able to wander about easily. What a delightful place. We wander through beautiful gardens and see fabulous old buildings. There are so many museums and they make a big thing of Mozart's birthplace and original residence. When our walking tour ends we are taken to a fabulous little cake shop where we are all offered hot drinks and our choice of any of the gateaux or cakes. I had a hot chocolate and piece of baked cheesecake. Mmmm, yummy. Then we were free to wander for a couple of hours before we had to meet the group again. I had a lovely time wandering about the stalls and strolling through various alleys. Bought a bit of bling and a couple of touristy souvenirs that when I get home I'm likley to wonder what ever was I thinking!
Back on the coach and a last look back at Salzburg. Then about 2 1/2 hour drive to Munich. We are now back at the Hilton hotel where I started 9 days ago. We have our group Farewell Dinner tonight in the which I am looking forward to.
It has been a really good tour with the various places we have visited. I've enjoyed all bar one of the optional tours and would recommend the trip to others - however I'd re-think being prepared to share a room. But then again, I've now got so many more stories to tell!!!
My flight to Iceland leaves tomorrow at about 2 p.m. however I will be on the shuttle bus at about 8.30 in the morning so once again I get to see much more than I want of another airport.
hope you've enjoyed the tour so far - perhaps the best is still yet to come!!!
Back on the coach and a last look back at Salzburg. Then about 2 1/2 hour drive to Munich. We are now back at the Hilton hotel where I started 9 days ago. We have our group Farewell Dinner tonight in the which I am looking forward to.
It has been a really good tour with the various places we have visited. I've enjoyed all bar one of the optional tours and would recommend the trip to others - however I'd re-think being prepared to share a room. But then again, I've now got so many more stories to tell!!!
My flight to Iceland leaves tomorrow at about 2 p.m. however I will be on the shuttle bus at about 8.30 in the morning so once again I get to see much more than I want of another airport.
hope you've enjoyed the tour so far - perhaps the best is still yet to come!!!
Saturday, 13 September 2014
Salzburg
This is sour first day of truly grey and damp weather but we remain optimistic. The Wachau Valley is so very scenic and you can already feel that you are getting into 'The Sound of Music' country. we had a very short photo stop at Melk Abbey which is quite magnificent from the outside. Lara showed us a video of the abbey and its history while we were on the coach so we got a bit of an idea of how impressive it must be inside. Certainly worth a visit if we had more time. Lunch at a motorway rest stop which was very impressive as there were so many food choices,beautifully set out. I had a piece of vegetarian lasagne that filled the dinner plate. It was without a doubt the best vegetarian lasagne I have ever had! Then onto Salzburg where most of us stay on the coach to do an optional tour of Hitler's notorious 'Eagles Nest'. We have to ascend about 5000 feet on a very narrow road, which meant we had to leave out huge coach to get onto smaller ones for the last 20 minutes to the top. Spectacular scenery and thankfully it has stopped raining so we are very lucky to get the great views that we did. Very cloudy against the mountains, but the valley below was just magnificent. To hear the history of how this place was built was so interesting. We walked through the man made tunnel that Hitler drove through to get to the brass lift which took him to the top of the mountain for the beautiful residence that was built for him as a gift for his birthday. Some of you may already know that Hitler and I share birthdays - albeit a lot of years apart! So if you are thinking of what to get me for my next birthday I'm sure I can get hold of the plans for my own 'Eagles Nest' retreat!!! On our descent we get a glimpse of the ruins of Obersalzburg where a couple of Hitler's offsiders had their own residences built. It is now a huge InterContinetal 5 star hotel and gold course.
Then we had dinner in our hotel which was as disappointing as the hotel. We have generally been in very obvious 4 star hotels (and paid for it, I might add) but the Holiday Inn in new Salzburg just did not cut the mustard. Thankfully it was the 2nd to last night and not at the beginning or I would have been very worried.
Anyway our room had the twin beds immediately side by side and as the side tables were either side of the beds pushed together we weren't able to separate the beds any further apart. Thankfully there was a fold up bed in our room too, so I slept on that. The mattress was firmer than the one on the other bed anyway, so I didn't mind at all. Not to let me get away with a good night's sleep though, Marianne had a nightmare during the night and let out screams and cries that frightened the bejeesus out of me. I woke her up as best I could and then spent the rest of the night worrying that I might be in for a repeat performance. then to add insult to injury she was up and faffing about at 6 a.m. when we didn't need to be up till 7.30. There is light at the end of the tunnel though as she finishes the tour this morning as she is going to visit relatives in Austria today.
So after breakfast the coach bids a fond farewell to Marianne.
Then we had dinner in our hotel which was as disappointing as the hotel. We have generally been in very obvious 4 star hotels (and paid for it, I might add) but the Holiday Inn in new Salzburg just did not cut the mustard. Thankfully it was the 2nd to last night and not at the beginning or I would have been very worried.
Anyway our room had the twin beds immediately side by side and as the side tables were either side of the beds pushed together we weren't able to separate the beds any further apart. Thankfully there was a fold up bed in our room too, so I slept on that. The mattress was firmer than the one on the other bed anyway, so I didn't mind at all. Not to let me get away with a good night's sleep though, Marianne had a nightmare during the night and let out screams and cries that frightened the bejeesus out of me. I woke her up as best I could and then spent the rest of the night worrying that I might be in for a repeat performance. then to add insult to injury she was up and faffing about at 6 a.m. when we didn't need to be up till 7.30. There is light at the end of the tunnel though as she finishes the tour this morning as she is going to visit relatives in Austria today.
So after breakfast the coach bids a fond farewell to Marianne.
More Vienna
I actually penned a full page to you today on the Coach but it clearly failed to publish and or save so I have no idea what I originally intended to tell you. I am currently in Salzburg and some of the letters on the Keyboard are in different places so it is making typing very slow going. Anyway, last night was disappointing. The meal may have been described in the brochure as fine dining but I didn't think much of it. Supposedly the 4 courses were based on the Hapsburg Royal Family menus. I am not descended from them as the Food was very boring and needed tomato sauce at least on the main meal! The concert hall was very sterile and as I was expecting an actual theatre, to go into a large hall that had similar seats that we'd used in the Dining room was not real Flash. The Music was good and the musicians okay but nothing to write home about. However having said that, it was still okay, just not worth the 99 Euro that I paid.
Back to the room and then bed.Thankfully in the morning I was first out the room door. The previous morning Marianne had mangaed to lock us in as she had used the key chain and then couldn't get the damn Thing to open. I had visions of us being trapped in the room together and was already planning on whether to throw a chair or her out through the window!!! Once I managed to get her to get out of the way I pushed back the Little black plastic keeper and voila, the key chain slid open. Thank the Lord for small mercies. I have decided that the quality of one's roomies can vary from one extreme to the other - consider Jo, grandma and Princess Shiny Bright!!! Clearly lack of sleep is impacting on my mental health as I am almost looking forward to sharing a room with Princess SB.Make sure you read this last sentence twice, though as I have stated that I am ALMOST looking forward to my next roomie, that isn't set in concrete!!!
Anyway...So to an overcast morning we bid farewell to Vienna. I would certainly come again. The City centre is very Tourist friendly. We are hopeful that the rain will hold off but it is dark and Grey.
More to follow once I've worked out how to use my own Little Frizz Computer so that I don't have to Keep fighting with this local Keyboard.
Back to the room and then bed.Thankfully in the morning I was first out the room door. The previous morning Marianne had mangaed to lock us in as she had used the key chain and then couldn't get the damn Thing to open. I had visions of us being trapped in the room together and was already planning on whether to throw a chair or her out through the window!!! Once I managed to get her to get out of the way I pushed back the Little black plastic keeper and voila, the key chain slid open. Thank the Lord for small mercies. I have decided that the quality of one's roomies can vary from one extreme to the other - consider Jo, grandma and Princess Shiny Bright!!! Clearly lack of sleep is impacting on my mental health as I am almost looking forward to sharing a room with Princess SB.Make sure you read this last sentence twice, though as I have stated that I am ALMOST looking forward to my next roomie, that isn't set in concrete!!!
Anyway...So to an overcast morning we bid farewell to Vienna. I would certainly come again. The City centre is very Tourist friendly. We are hopeful that the rain will hold off but it is dark and Grey.
More to follow once I've worked out how to use my own Little Frizz Computer so that I don't have to Keep fighting with this local Keyboard.
Friday, 12 September 2014
Vienna
Out to dinner to a fantastic hotel. We have been told to expect rain in the morning. As we have been so spoiled with perfect weather to date, we can't complain even if it does rain now as each day we get told to expect rain. Anyway all dressed up and off to dinner we head. Again it was one of those uber-quirky places where every conceivable wall space and ceiling is covered with various collectibles. The is the welcome party that met us on our arrival. Much fanfare and flag waving. I of course am very used to such excitement and fuss when I deign to visit small municipalities so found it much to my liking!
During courses I wandered about the building and found this distinguished fellow who insisted I had a royal portrait taken with him. We'd been told that the washrooms were something to behold and much to my amusement found that the women's toilet cubicle was covered with framed sepia photos of naked men in various poses. There was also a mirror on the door and behind the cistern so it was a bit disconcerting also looking at oneself in what appeared to be a never ending corridor!!! Not to be left wondering what the men's loos would look like I asked one of the guys on our tour to checkout whether there were any men in their loo and when I got the all clear I snuck in and took a couple of Kodak moments! Rather than post them on here I shall save them for private viewings at a later time...
The meal was quite delicious and huge portions. I had Vienna schnitzel and quite simply couldn't not eat half of it.We started with Schanpps (drunk out of test tubes stuck in a small block of wood) and then as much wine or beer as you could possible drink. The beer glasses were curved which meant that you had to tip them slightly sideways to make them look upright. Not sure that I explained that well, but I'm pretty sure I took a photo of them too so will try and find it to post later. After some waltzing and being serenaded by violins and guitars it was all too soon time to get back on the coach.
Whilst on the coach Lara put a CD on that was supposed to be mood music. It was music mainly from the 80s and 90s and I knew most of the songs. I can only blame the Schnapps for what came next, as the music 'You've lost that loving feeling' came on and I had a Tom Cruise in 'Top Gun' moment where I sidled down the bus and on bended knee sang to Walter (An Irish fellow that I'd sat with at dinner), that he'd lost that loving feeling!!! Everyone cracked up and thankfully he got right into the swing of things, gave me a hug and we had a lovely moment :) I did a little curtsey and sat back in my seat. When we got off the bus, his wife Phil, said that he will be talking about being serenaded in Vienna for months to come! So back tot he hotel we came and off to bed I went. Thankfully there were no green lights from battery chargers to keep Marianne awake tonight - no you are very correct Vicki, that she is bloody lucky that she didn't end up seeing stars the previous night!!!
So after a good night's sleep it was off to Schonbrunn Palace house this morning and after our conducted tour we came outside to have time to wander in the gardens but unfortunately there was a steady drizzle so I didn't walk too far, but still got some lovely photos. It is a magnificent building and beautifully maintained. Then we headed into Vienna for an orientation tour, then I found my way into the Swarovski Crystal shop where I simply had to buy myself some earrings. Then I found a restaurant that had a buffet style set up so I had a lovely salad for lunch. My New York buddies Barbara and Mike also came into the same restaurant and we ended up sharing a table. They are simply delightful and I really enjoy their company - they are the ones I helped out with their camera - and clearly Americans aren't nearly as affected by a green glow from a battery charger as Austrians are. (I know, move on, build a bridge and all that forgive and forget stuff, but I'm just not quite ready to let it got yet!)
So after a very drizzly day and a bit more touristy shopping, it is back to the hotel and time for a blog catch up as we are out to a 4 course dinner tonight and then a classical Viennese concert. All very high brow and refined - very princessy!!!
The meal was quite delicious and huge portions. I had Vienna schnitzel and quite simply couldn't not eat half of it.We started with Schanpps (drunk out of test tubes stuck in a small block of wood) and then as much wine or beer as you could possible drink. The beer glasses were curved which meant that you had to tip them slightly sideways to make them look upright. Not sure that I explained that well, but I'm pretty sure I took a photo of them too so will try and find it to post later. After some waltzing and being serenaded by violins and guitars it was all too soon time to get back on the coach.
Whilst on the coach Lara put a CD on that was supposed to be mood music. It was music mainly from the 80s and 90s and I knew most of the songs. I can only blame the Schnapps for what came next, as the music 'You've lost that loving feeling' came on and I had a Tom Cruise in 'Top Gun' moment where I sidled down the bus and on bended knee sang to Walter (An Irish fellow that I'd sat with at dinner), that he'd lost that loving feeling!!! Everyone cracked up and thankfully he got right into the swing of things, gave me a hug and we had a lovely moment :) I did a little curtsey and sat back in my seat. When we got off the bus, his wife Phil, said that he will be talking about being serenaded in Vienna for months to come! So back tot he hotel we came and off to bed I went. Thankfully there were no green lights from battery chargers to keep Marianne awake tonight - no you are very correct Vicki, that she is bloody lucky that she didn't end up seeing stars the previous night!!!
So after a good night's sleep it was off to Schonbrunn Palace house this morning and after our conducted tour we came outside to have time to wander in the gardens but unfortunately there was a steady drizzle so I didn't walk too far, but still got some lovely photos. It is a magnificent building and beautifully maintained. Then we headed into Vienna for an orientation tour, then I found my way into the Swarovski Crystal shop where I simply had to buy myself some earrings. Then I found a restaurant that had a buffet style set up so I had a lovely salad for lunch. My New York buddies Barbara and Mike also came into the same restaurant and we ended up sharing a table. They are simply delightful and I really enjoy their company - they are the ones I helped out with their camera - and clearly Americans aren't nearly as affected by a green glow from a battery charger as Austrians are. (I know, move on, build a bridge and all that forgive and forget stuff, but I'm just not quite ready to let it got yet!)
So after a very drizzly day and a bit more touristy shopping, it is back to the hotel and time for a blog catch up as we are out to a 4 course dinner tonight and then a classical Viennese concert. All very high brow and refined - very princessy!!!
Wednesday, 10 September 2014
Budapest Gyor Vienna
Absolutely lovely evening last night in a 5 start restaurant - which was a huge surprise as the brochure indicated that we were having dinner with a local family at their farm. Turns out this local family owns a winery and flash restaurant, so after some delightful wine tasting - just loved the Rose, cheese and nibbles, it was time for upstairs to be waited on with some fabulous local delicacies. Very yummy. When we came back to our coach, we saw that there had been some light rain but it was still warm.
Got to bed a very tired and totally satisfied little princess. However that didn't last long. I was sound asleep when Marianne woke me up to tell me that the green light from the camera battery charger that I had plugged was keeping her awake! A delightful couple from New York had been having trouble with their camera, typically Miss Know It All (that would be me) offered to see if I could get the battery to charge, and it was very easily done. However I had to take the charger out of the socket so that Marianne could sleep - I would have thought that closing her eyes and shutting her mouth would have been helpful. End result I don't think I ended up getting more than about 3 hours sleep as she proceeded to toss and turn and snore, often all at the same time. I contemplated smothering her with my pillow but apparently that is illegal in most European countries no matter how sorely provoked one might be.
Anyway, haven't had nearly enough sleep but managed to get up and out to the coach for an 8 a.m. departure to the magnificent Hungarian Parliament House. Our group had a private tour through this beautiful building. Its history is fascinating. Took 19 years to build, but was built entirely by Hungarian locals who donated so much of what was needed to build it. they even brought their own gold to be melted down to create a very fine gold paint that is used extensively throughout the building. The dome area also houses the Hungarian crown. sceptre and rod. It is billed as the most ornate state parliament in Europe and I reckon they have that right. We then went to see some more different architecture which was interesting and then a walk across a park to the world famous Gundel restaurant for chocolate pan cakes and drinks. Once I get a chance to download some more photos I'll include one of my yummy chocolate crepe. .
Then it was back on the coach and off we head to Vienna.
We cross the Transdanubia region to Gyor where we stopped in a quaint little city for lunch. I was still full from my earlier chocolate indulgence so had a drink and an apple to fill me up again.Once again I was impressed by the architecture of this little place. It seems that every building can tell a different story. Lots of Baroque style in the main walking mall. Then off we head again to Vienna where we are staying at the Hilton Danube - very impressive. The hotel is right on the river, although our room is not on the water side - no matter it is a huge room and very luxurious. I intend getting a good night sleep tonight, and may even forgive Marianne by tomorrow morning if I do.
Weather has been cooler than yesterday with more cloud cover but still warm and no need for jackets. Off to a local restaurant for dinner tonight where there is also lots of music, so I'll probably be asked to perform a couple of ABBA numbers or too - or Waltzing Matilda!!! (I've already had 2 couples ask me to sit with them for dinner tonight, so I have no shortage of dinner companions, however I wish you guys could be here to share this fabulous trip - well not really all of you, just those of you who meet the special best friends threshold!)
Got to bed a very tired and totally satisfied little princess. However that didn't last long. I was sound asleep when Marianne woke me up to tell me that the green light from the camera battery charger that I had plugged was keeping her awake! A delightful couple from New York had been having trouble with their camera, typically Miss Know It All (that would be me) offered to see if I could get the battery to charge, and it was very easily done. However I had to take the charger out of the socket so that Marianne could sleep - I would have thought that closing her eyes and shutting her mouth would have been helpful. End result I don't think I ended up getting more than about 3 hours sleep as she proceeded to toss and turn and snore, often all at the same time. I contemplated smothering her with my pillow but apparently that is illegal in most European countries no matter how sorely provoked one might be.
Anyway, haven't had nearly enough sleep but managed to get up and out to the coach for an 8 a.m. departure to the magnificent Hungarian Parliament House. Our group had a private tour through this beautiful building. Its history is fascinating. Took 19 years to build, but was built entirely by Hungarian locals who donated so much of what was needed to build it. they even brought their own gold to be melted down to create a very fine gold paint that is used extensively throughout the building. The dome area also houses the Hungarian crown. sceptre and rod. It is billed as the most ornate state parliament in Europe and I reckon they have that right. We then went to see some more different architecture which was interesting and then a walk across a park to the world famous Gundel restaurant for chocolate pan cakes and drinks. Once I get a chance to download some more photos I'll include one of my yummy chocolate crepe. .
We cross the Transdanubia region to Gyor where we stopped in a quaint little city for lunch. I was still full from my earlier chocolate indulgence so had a drink and an apple to fill me up again.Once again I was impressed by the architecture of this little place. It seems that every building can tell a different story. Lots of Baroque style in the main walking mall. Then off we head again to Vienna where we are staying at the Hilton Danube - very impressive. The hotel is right on the river, although our room is not on the water side - no matter it is a huge room and very luxurious. I intend getting a good night sleep tonight, and may even forgive Marianne by tomorrow morning if I do.
Weather has been cooler than yesterday with more cloud cover but still warm and no need for jackets. Off to a local restaurant for dinner tonight where there is also lots of music, so I'll probably be asked to perform a couple of ABBA numbers or too - or Waltzing Matilda!!! (I've already had 2 couples ask me to sit with them for dinner tonight, so I have no shortage of dinner companions, however I wish you guys could be here to share this fabulous trip - well not really all of you, just those of you who meet the special best friends threshold!)
Budapest
Okay, it is official - Budapest is my absolute favourite place so far. The river cruise at night was simply awesome. We were each given a glass of bubbles upon arrival on our boat, then we had a huge Hungarian buffet dinner. So much gorgeous food. Not sure that many of the dishes fare well in the Weight Watchers menu plan, but I'm on holidays so I'll worry about the potential thickening waist line in a couple of weeks! Nce localwines to accompany dinner and then it was time to head up top to have a drink or two and watch Budapest at night whilst crusiing on the Danube!!! I wonder what the peasants are doing?
Hey peasants, what are you doing???
All too soon it was 10 p.m. and time to head back to our hotel. What a lovely, lovely day.
Then after breakfast we were up and out again at 8 a.m. for a city sights orientation tour and first stop was Heroes Square which had some fabulous monuments. Then off to the UNESCO listed Castle Hill district. Fabulous views across the parliament and Danube river which were even more impressive as the weather continues to be brilliant - about 25 degrees with lovely blue skies and a few fluffy white clouds. No sooner did we drop some of our group back at the hotel and we were off again on the optional tour to Szentendre (St Andrew's). Lovely stop along the way at an excavated Roman city of Aquincum. I certainly didn't expect to be seeing Roman ruins in Hungary, but I'm learning much more about Hungary's history and it sounds like almost every man and his Communist dog has been through the place at some stage. Then it was on to Szentendre and lunch in a totally quirky restaurant where we had goulash soup (three bowls of it) and cake. (Okay they also served wine...). Then it was time for shopping, shopping, shopping. The town is a delightful maze of medieval buildings with cobbled streets. Although there was plenty of imitation Chinese items, there were also a number of locally handcrafted items and clothing. The Hungarian embroidery was simply beautiful - so I had to buy just a few things... what a lovely day. Back on the coach and then back into the hotel room for a much needed cuppa and blog catch up. But that isn't the end of our day as we are about to head off to dinner where we are guests of a local family. Can this perfect weather hold out?
Did I already wonder what the peasants might be doing???
Hey peasants, what are you doing???
All too soon it was 10 p.m. and time to head back to our hotel. What a lovely, lovely day.
Then after breakfast we were up and out again at 8 a.m. for a city sights orientation tour and first stop was Heroes Square which had some fabulous monuments. Then off to the UNESCO listed Castle Hill district. Fabulous views across the parliament and Danube river which were even more impressive as the weather continues to be brilliant - about 25 degrees with lovely blue skies and a few fluffy white clouds. No sooner did we drop some of our group back at the hotel and we were off again on the optional tour to Szentendre (St Andrew's). Lovely stop along the way at an excavated Roman city of Aquincum. I certainly didn't expect to be seeing Roman ruins in Hungary, but I'm learning much more about Hungary's history and it sounds like almost every man and his Communist dog has been through the place at some stage. Then it was on to Szentendre and lunch in a totally quirky restaurant where we had goulash soup (three bowls of it) and cake. (Okay they also served wine...). Then it was time for shopping, shopping, shopping. The town is a delightful maze of medieval buildings with cobbled streets. Although there was plenty of imitation Chinese items, there were also a number of locally handcrafted items and clothing. The Hungarian embroidery was simply beautiful - so I had to buy just a few things... what a lovely day. Back on the coach and then back into the hotel room for a much needed cuppa and blog catch up. But that isn't the end of our day as we are about to head off to dinner where we are guests of a local family. Can this perfect weather hold out?
Did I already wonder what the peasants might be doing???
Tuesday, 9 September 2014
Bratislava to Budapest
Lara, our travel guide, has us doing a seat rotation on the coach each day. I was seated about mid way behind the centre doors to start with, and each day we usually move about 2 seats clockwise. So this morning I was right at the back in the corner. As there was a spare seat right at the front, Lara did a lucky dip for the front seat, and guess which princess was selected??? There were some grumbles from other lesser mortals, but I collected up my bags and sasheyed down to the very front for the day. So I had prime spot all day on a day when we spent quite a bit of time on the coach. It's not as good as Business Class on a plane, but it sure beats sitting at the back of a very long coach going over very bumpy Czech Republic motor ways!!!
Have to leave you for now as I'm about to head off on my Danube River dinner cruise (drinks are included!!!)
Monday, 8 September 2014
Prague sightseeing
Arriving in Prague at about 3.30 we have enough time to settle into our rooms and then head back downstairs for the bus to take us for dinner. I have misled you dear armchair travel companions, as in fact we are not dining at a castle for dinner, but instead to a very quirky restaurant which has a treasure trove of old firearms on the walls, suits of armour, dead stuffed animals on the walls and ceiling and all manor of collectibles. it was pretty noisy with 50 of us squashed into our room but everyone was in good spirits so was a lovely event. During dinner we all had to stand up, announce our name and where we were from. By the time it got to me I had heard about 23 couples stand up and say what wedding anniversary they were celebrating that year, so I simply said my name and that I was from South Australia, and that I wasn't celebrating any anniversaries. Amazingly that brought the house down and people were rolling in the aisles laughing - not sure that it really was my sparkling wit or the copious amounts of Czech beer that some of them had consumed. Anyway i am somehow now everyone's adopted daughter, cousin, sister, etc. as I am the only 'real' Aussie on the tour - apart from a Scottish couple now living in Perth and Marianne who is Austrian by birth and with a accent that makes you think she has just stepped off the boat!!! Anyway, after dinner we then had a walking tour of Prague by night. What a beautiful old city and so very pretty. We ended up in an other quirky pub where a dude playing piano accordion had lots of people singing along to the tunes they knew - or thought they knew. When he got to 'Waltzing Matilda' I was the only one who knew the words so had to sing a rousing version on my own. Shame he didn't play any ABBA or I'm sure they'd have been asking an encore of me... He started an 'Aussie, Aussie, Aussie', but it just isn't the same with only 2 people involved. I'll have to try and teach the others by the end of the tour.
Anyhow a lovely stroll along the Charles Bridge and back to our hotel close to midnight. A very big day out for a little girl, if I do say so myself!
A reasonable night's sleep and on the coach for a tour of the 1000 year old Prague castle. The weather is very mild and got considerably warmer as the day wore on. The cathedral's grounds are quite beautiful, or more correctly many of the buildings are. Andre, our guide for the day, is a local who is very entertaining in his story telling. We then headed into the Old Town square to see the Astronomical clock. We were then left to our own devises for a couple of hours and then met the group again for a luncheon cruise on the River Vltava. Lunch was traditional local foods and very nice - so much of it, plus free drinks so I am developing quite a taste for the local Rieslings. When in Rome...
After a lovely 2 hour cruise it was back to shore, back on the bus and back to the hotel for a much needed cuppa, feet up and blog catch up. So there you have it. I've had a fabulous day in Prague. Am totally pooped but am sure to get my 2nd wind come dinner time and/or happy hour whichever comes first. If the weather is able to stay as good as it has been so far then it will be perfect although we have been told that there are likely to be showers tonight. I will simply wait and see.
PS - talk about this truly small world that we live in - I've met an American couple who live in Fairfax Virginia which is where the WPFG are being held next year. We are already making plans to catch up in the good 'old USA next year!!!
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