Malaga
On our last night in Malaga, Hannah and I had dinner at a very nice restaurant in the city centre, outside under an umbrella.
We both had lamb, mine Moroccan and Hannah had lamb chops - tiny lamb chops. Right next to our table were 3 elderly `proper`English people. They carried on like you wouldn´t belive about everything and anything. One of them knew it all - what ever the subject, he knew all there was to know. When some buskers came round, he said that he always gave them money, but never put his hand in his pocket once. He asked the other man at the table to give the money!! I don´t think he paid for dinner either, as the other two were a couple and picked up the bill! We couldn´t help overhearing as our table was so close. Well it made for an interesting evening anyway.
We caught a bus to Cadiz today, via the coast for much of way. We were at the very tip of the south of Spain. I had been wondering where the animals were as I hadn´t seen any livestock the whole time we have been here. They are all down here in the South. Lots of beasties, from goats, to sheep to beef!! There is also the biggest wind farm I have ever seen.
Our hotel here is right in the heart of the city. The cars drive around the outside of the city as the streets are too narrow unless you have one of those cutoff cars. Speaking of those strange vehicles, Hannah and I saw one parked at right angles to the kerb, in amongst all the other cars parked the ususal way. It looked so strange, but I guess the driver was facing the right way to just drive off!!
Hasta luego
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Malaga
Wednesday arvo in Malaga, the sun is shining (unlike in China) and there is a slight sea breeze from the Med. The palm trees are swaying a little, and all is well in this corner of the world.
We left Granada yesterday - took forever on the local bus to get to the bus station - and arrived here in Malaga around 2pm with absolutely no idea where our hotel was, how to get there, where to find a local bus etc. We wandered round the station looking for something, anything to give us a clue. Outside we saw a bus stop and asked a girl for some directions. We were at the right place for the bus into the centre of town so hopped aboard the next bus to come along. Once in town, we still had no idea where to go, so I asked a bus driver who gave us general directions - "that way" and waved his hand. Off we trudged again and not long after, found the street and hotel. Yay! The hotel is 50m off the main street and not far from all the action. We dropped our bags, took a deep breath and set off to explore yet another city. Malaga has a lovely feel to it and we enjoyed wandering along, getting the lay of the land. We found somewhere to have a late lunch, did a bit of shopping, then went back to our hotel for a rest and shower. Later in the evening we went out again looking for signs of the festival which is happening here this week. Unfortunately there was nothing happening. We will try again tonight.
This morning after breakie, we caught the tourist bus and spent the morning driving round seated on the top deck, taking in the sights and listening to the history. Then we stayed on the bus until it got back to the castle above the town. We spent a couple of hours wandering the turrets of the castle, imagining times gone by, when it was a thriving, busy town. At one stage, we were looking out at the pathway beside the castle walls, imagining a flock of goats/sheep being driven along, when we heard hoofbeats, and four horses came galloping along the path!! very spooky and quite exciting.
After the castle we came down to the town again and have booked our bus tickets for the journey to Cadiz tomorrow. Lets hope the weather is just as nice there.
Was feeling very proud of myself yesterday when some Spanish people asked me directions to the tourist office. I was able to explain, in Spanish, as Hannah and I had recently been there. Then last night, when looking at the map we had been given at said office, realised that I had sent them to the furtherest tourist office in town, and they were elderly folk too!!!! oops!
Hasta luego
We left Granada yesterday - took forever on the local bus to get to the bus station - and arrived here in Malaga around 2pm with absolutely no idea where our hotel was, how to get there, where to find a local bus etc. We wandered round the station looking for something, anything to give us a clue. Outside we saw a bus stop and asked a girl for some directions. We were at the right place for the bus into the centre of town so hopped aboard the next bus to come along. Once in town, we still had no idea where to go, so I asked a bus driver who gave us general directions - "that way" and waved his hand. Off we trudged again and not long after, found the street and hotel. Yay! The hotel is 50m off the main street and not far from all the action. We dropped our bags, took a deep breath and set off to explore yet another city. Malaga has a lovely feel to it and we enjoyed wandering along, getting the lay of the land. We found somewhere to have a late lunch, did a bit of shopping, then went back to our hotel for a rest and shower. Later in the evening we went out again looking for signs of the festival which is happening here this week. Unfortunately there was nothing happening. We will try again tonight.
This morning after breakie, we caught the tourist bus and spent the morning driving round seated on the top deck, taking in the sights and listening to the history. Then we stayed on the bus until it got back to the castle above the town. We spent a couple of hours wandering the turrets of the castle, imagining times gone by, when it was a thriving, busy town. At one stage, we were looking out at the pathway beside the castle walls, imagining a flock of goats/sheep being driven along, when we heard hoofbeats, and four horses came galloping along the path!! very spooky and quite exciting.
After the castle we came down to the town again and have booked our bus tickets for the journey to Cadiz tomorrow. Lets hope the weather is just as nice there.
Was feeling very proud of myself yesterday when some Spanish people asked me directions to the tourist office. I was able to explain, in Spanish, as Hannah and I had recently been there. Then last night, when looking at the map we had been given at said office, realised that I had sent them to the furtherest tourist office in town, and they were elderly folk too!!!! oops!
Hasta luego
Monday, January 28, 2008
Granada
Sunday morning and Hannah and I slept in, had a leisurely breakfast and got into town around 12. We strolled the avenue by the river soaking up the sun and atmosphere. We finally worked out where the tourist bus left from and got on board mid afternoon. We had a couple of hours touring on the bus and I managed to get a photo of the gypsy women fleecing some other poor tourists (made me feel a bit better knowing I wasn´t the only one). We went home quite early as being Sunday, most things were closed, besides we were on the cool side after travelling round on top of the bus.
We lazed round for the rest of the evening and had an early night.
Today we were up earlier and caught a couple of buses which got us to the Alhambra. After going the wrong way, cueing in the wrong line, and having a small difference of opinion with the security guard (who had a gun) we finally got our tickets. The palaces are magnificent and very well preserved. We loved the intricate stone work and designs everywhere. Quite undescribable really. We spent around 4 hours looking and walking before going back down to the centre of Granada. When we got back we sat in the sun having lunch then moved to a park bench by the fountain just soaking up the atmosphere. It was lovely. I must say that the guys driving the small buses up to the Alhambra take our lives into their hands, racing up and down very narrow streets with lots of twists and turns. Drivers here park in the oddest places - right on corners, up on kerbs, so close to each other that there isn´t even space for a finger between cars. They also drive up to a bus stop or any little space (not for parking) turn on their hazzard lights, and walk away to shop or pick up a parcel or whatever. When Hannah and I were waiting for a bus in Valencia, we watched a guy pull up over the road, get out of his car, push the car in front until it banged into the next car, then push his car until it banged into the front one!!! How strange. No one could get their car out without pushing the others out of the way. It is surprising that the cars don´t have more dings in them. The cars in this instance were all parked behind others so that the first cars could´t get out. Looked a bit like this
/ / / / / / / / / -first line of cars
-------------- -second line of cars
I don´t think driving in Spain is for me!!!
Hasta la vista
We lazed round for the rest of the evening and had an early night.
Today we were up earlier and caught a couple of buses which got us to the Alhambra. After going the wrong way, cueing in the wrong line, and having a small difference of opinion with the security guard (who had a gun) we finally got our tickets. The palaces are magnificent and very well preserved. We loved the intricate stone work and designs everywhere. Quite undescribable really. We spent around 4 hours looking and walking before going back down to the centre of Granada. When we got back we sat in the sun having lunch then moved to a park bench by the fountain just soaking up the atmosphere. It was lovely. I must say that the guys driving the small buses up to the Alhambra take our lives into their hands, racing up and down very narrow streets with lots of twists and turns. Drivers here park in the oddest places - right on corners, up on kerbs, so close to each other that there isn´t even space for a finger between cars. They also drive up to a bus stop or any little space (not for parking) turn on their hazzard lights, and walk away to shop or pick up a parcel or whatever. When Hannah and I were waiting for a bus in Valencia, we watched a guy pull up over the road, get out of his car, push the car in front until it banged into the next car, then push his car until it banged into the front one!!! How strange. No one could get their car out without pushing the others out of the way. It is surprising that the cars don´t have more dings in them. The cars in this instance were all parked behind others so that the first cars could´t get out. Looked a bit like this
/ / / / / / / / / -first line of cars
-------------- -second line of cars
I don´t think driving in Spain is for me!!!
Hasta la vista
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Adios Valencia, Hola Granada
Hannah and I found this great restaurant in the middle of the downtown area for dinner. It was really busy, noisy and like a tavern of old. The waiters shouted out your order to the guys behind the bar and everything was really cramped. We, or I, had decided that I felt like shnitzel and so proceeded to order it in Spanish, along with a salad. I did remark to Hannah that I didn´t always get what I was expecting in restaurants in Argentina which of course put a jinx to this meal. My shnitzel, was thin, fried steak, in a roll!! So much for my great Spanish.. I realised that it was exactly what I had ordered, I just didn´t know the word for breadcrumbs, and said ¨pan¨which is what I got!! It was yummy anyway. Hannah was sitting facing the bar and all through the meal she was getting hand signals and gestures from the boys behind the bar. At one stage she was trying to get the fridge door open to get herself an ice-cream and when the door didn´t open, there was much encouragement!! As we left, they blew her kisses!! During our meal, about four different men came in with roses, but this time we were prepared!!
We then went to McDonalds for a while and I wrote a couple of postcards that I still have in my bag. From there we went back to the hotel and Hannah napped while I did sudokus until after midnight when we collected our bags and walked to the train station. We found our room for the night, or should I say cupboard!! We were quite happy with it until we walked down the carriages looking for the cafe and passed by much larger, nicer coloured rooms!! Oh well.... Hannah got to sleep quite quickly but it took me a while. A knock on the door awoke us at 8am the next morning and very soon we arrived in Granada. We had a small breakie at the station and set off to find our B and B. Luckily the bus was not too far, up a hill, and we alighted outside a Land Agent with no clue as to where to go next. The women in the office took pity on us and rang Simon, our host, who appeared a couple of minutes later.
Our room is on the bottom floor (thankgoodness, heavy bags - Hannah says they would have dented the marble stairs) and is right next to the bathroom. I did do a couple of loads of washing before we set off to explore. We found a tourist office for a map, and had a very nice lunch in a plaza, checked out a few stores, then found the Cathedral, where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella are buried. You can actually see the coffins in the crypt!!!!
On the way out of the complex, we were sucked in once again!!! We were acosted by two old women who gave us sprigs of rosemary and grabbed our hands and read them,,,,, THEN demanded €5 !!!!! PER HAND.
I gave her €1 and Hannah gave €5. They were very insistant and wouldn´t take no for an answer so we hot-footed it out of there!! When you least expect it, there is someone out there who is out to get you!
So.. today is Sunday and we are on the lookout for men bearing roses, and gypsy women with sprigs of rosemary!!
We then went to McDonalds for a while and I wrote a couple of postcards that I still have in my bag. From there we went back to the hotel and Hannah napped while I did sudokus until after midnight when we collected our bags and walked to the train station. We found our room for the night, or should I say cupboard!! We were quite happy with it until we walked down the carriages looking for the cafe and passed by much larger, nicer coloured rooms!! Oh well.... Hannah got to sleep quite quickly but it took me a while. A knock on the door awoke us at 8am the next morning and very soon we arrived in Granada. We had a small breakie at the station and set off to find our B and B. Luckily the bus was not too far, up a hill, and we alighted outside a Land Agent with no clue as to where to go next. The women in the office took pity on us and rang Simon, our host, who appeared a couple of minutes later.
Our room is on the bottom floor (thankgoodness, heavy bags - Hannah says they would have dented the marble stairs) and is right next to the bathroom. I did do a couple of loads of washing before we set off to explore. We found a tourist office for a map, and had a very nice lunch in a plaza, checked out a few stores, then found the Cathedral, where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella are buried. You can actually see the coffins in the crypt!!!!
On the way out of the complex, we were sucked in once again!!! We were acosted by two old women who gave us sprigs of rosemary and grabbed our hands and read them,,,,, THEN demanded €5 !!!!! PER HAND.
I gave her €1 and Hannah gave €5. They were very insistant and wouldn´t take no for an answer so we hot-footed it out of there!! When you least expect it, there is someone out there who is out to get you!
So.. today is Sunday and we are on the lookout for men bearing roses, and gypsy women with sprigs of rosemary!!
Friday, January 25, 2008
No Nemo, pero ¨Bruce the Shark¨
Our first night in Valencia we decided to order room service, a first for Hannah, as we had been out and about till 9pm and were too tired to go and find a place to eat. It was quite nice, and Hannah really enjoyed her´s so that was a positive first experience. Yesterday we explored more of the city, after spending all morning sorting out our next move. It is quite difficult to get from Valencia to Granada. We have ended up booking a sleeper on a night train which leaves Valencia at 12.51am in the morning and gets to Granda the next morning just before 9am.
We found the Plaza de la Reina again after wandering around the Central Market which is very similar to the Melbourne market - only it is for food not all the other bits and pieces that Melbourne has. The building is magnificent with lots of blue and white tiling everywhere. We also had Churos and Chocolate just outside the market. The churos weren´t quite as good as Argentina and the cup of pure hot melted chocolate something else again. Needless to say we didn´t finish it. We had lunch in the Plaza in the sunshine and really enjoyed it . On the way back to the hotel, we passed by a nail salon and decided to have a manicure (Hannah´s shout) as our nails had suffered considerably on our travels!! Halfway through, Hannah said Ï don´t feel well. I looked up to see her face had lost every semblance of colour and she was about ready to keel off the high stool she was sitting on. After turning down the heat in the salon, giving her a coke, and an rest with head between knees, she was ok, thank goodness!!!
After a siesta in our room, we found our way to a Museum that displays Las Fallas from 1934 to the present day. These are ones that are saved from the flames by public vote and are all displayed in the museum. It was fascinating. We had a small problem trying to find the bus stop to get home, but after a frustrating hour, managed to catch a bus and were safely home soon after.
Today we went to the newest part of the city to the Aquarium and Hemiphere. It was a wonderday in the sunshine, with fish of all kinds - dolphin show, penquins, sharks, etc etc. We then watched a show in the hemisphere to finish our day. We have about 6 hours until our train leaves so we will while away the time in the centre of town before collecting our bags from the hotel. Next stop Granada
We found the Plaza de la Reina again after wandering around the Central Market which is very similar to the Melbourne market - only it is for food not all the other bits and pieces that Melbourne has. The building is magnificent with lots of blue and white tiling everywhere. We also had Churos and Chocolate just outside the market. The churos weren´t quite as good as Argentina and the cup of pure hot melted chocolate something else again. Needless to say we didn´t finish it. We had lunch in the Plaza in the sunshine and really enjoyed it . On the way back to the hotel, we passed by a nail salon and decided to have a manicure (Hannah´s shout) as our nails had suffered considerably on our travels!! Halfway through, Hannah said Ï don´t feel well. I looked up to see her face had lost every semblance of colour and she was about ready to keel off the high stool she was sitting on. After turning down the heat in the salon, giving her a coke, and an rest with head between knees, she was ok, thank goodness!!!
After a siesta in our room, we found our way to a Museum that displays Las Fallas from 1934 to the present day. These are ones that are saved from the flames by public vote and are all displayed in the museum. It was fascinating. We had a small problem trying to find the bus stop to get home, but after a frustrating hour, managed to catch a bus and were safely home soon after.
Today we went to the newest part of the city to the Aquarium and Hemiphere. It was a wonderday in the sunshine, with fish of all kinds - dolphin show, penquins, sharks, etc etc. We then watched a show in the hemisphere to finish our day. We have about 6 hours until our train leaves so we will while away the time in the centre of town before collecting our bags from the hotel. Next stop Granada
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
The New Knights Templar
well we did it! We found the Holy Grail!! It is right here in Valencia in the Cathedral. It was bought here in the 15th Century to keep it safe from plunderers!! We have photos too!!
Our train trip today was really interesting as we got to see the countryside. THere are miles and miles of citrus orchards and not a lot else but the scenery is quite stunning as it is so different.
We saw deserted white houses, ruins of old, and I mean old, castles and battlement walls, plus some horrendous new high rise apartment buildings.
We were able to walk to our hotel as it is only about 10 mins from the train station. THe hotel is very nice and modern and has all the conviences, including little bottles of stuff in the bathroom. Hannah didn´t think there was a shower at first coz it is behind a pillar.
We went out for a walk and found the Cathedral which is really close to our hotel and low and behold, the Holy Grail. We were there while everyone else was having a siesta so we had the whole place pretty much to ourselves.
Right now we are in a trendy shop which has internet and free drinks!! What a good day!!
19 degrees here today, grass is green instead of sand or dirt, an good, open-feel city.
Notes missed from other blogs:
Hannah struck again in the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, the one with Picasso´s Guernica, there was a video inside a table and Hannah leant against the table to get a better view - and was promptly told off, AGAIN!!! That makes for every museum so far!!
While we were on the tourist bus in Barcelona, an ambulance with 3 guys in it was going round and round the roundabout with sirens blaring and lights flashing. THe guys were having a thoroughly good time and laughing like crazy. Don´t think they were going to rescue anyone!!
Last night, just as we were walking back to our hotel after a very cheesy dinner, an ambulance and police pulled up just past our hotel. Not sure what that was about.
Anyway, that´s it for now, catch you soon. We are here for the next 3 days, so will be able to unpack a little.
Hasta la vista
Our train trip today was really interesting as we got to see the countryside. THere are miles and miles of citrus orchards and not a lot else but the scenery is quite stunning as it is so different.
We saw deserted white houses, ruins of old, and I mean old, castles and battlement walls, plus some horrendous new high rise apartment buildings.
We were able to walk to our hotel as it is only about 10 mins from the train station. THe hotel is very nice and modern and has all the conviences, including little bottles of stuff in the bathroom. Hannah didn´t think there was a shower at first coz it is behind a pillar.
We went out for a walk and found the Cathedral which is really close to our hotel and low and behold, the Holy Grail. We were there while everyone else was having a siesta so we had the whole place pretty much to ourselves.
Right now we are in a trendy shop which has internet and free drinks!! What a good day!!
19 degrees here today, grass is green instead of sand or dirt, an good, open-feel city.
Notes missed from other blogs:
Hannah struck again in the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, the one with Picasso´s Guernica, there was a video inside a table and Hannah leant against the table to get a better view - and was promptly told off, AGAIN!!! That makes for every museum so far!!
While we were on the tourist bus in Barcelona, an ambulance with 3 guys in it was going round and round the roundabout with sirens blaring and lights flashing. THe guys were having a thoroughly good time and laughing like crazy. Don´t think they were going to rescue anyone!!
Last night, just as we were walking back to our hotel after a very cheesy dinner, an ambulance and police pulled up just past our hotel. Not sure what that was about.
Anyway, that´s it for now, catch you soon. We are here for the next 3 days, so will be able to unpack a little.
Hasta la vista
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Babes in Barcelona or A Ramble up La Rambla
We made it to the airport without too much bother, except we are getting used to being taken for a ride, longer than needs be, by taxi drivers in Europe!!! The driver yesterday morning went the long way round to the train station, and we knew it because we had travelled those roads on the tourist bus. There was a lift and escalators at the station which was great because of our bags - 19 and 15kgs!! We missed the first train to the airport because we weren´t pushy enough, but caught the next one 5 mins later.
While we were waiting for our flight, one Chinese man, sitting beside us, dropped his trou to tuck himself in, and if that wasn´t bad enough, then he took his trousers off completely!! Not nice, and not what you expect. Suddenly the departure board was very interestng to look at!! Then, another one (Chinese one) started hawking and coughing and spitting up his lungs, not just once or twice but at 5 minute intervals for ages!! Yuck yuck!!!!!!!!
To make matters worse, when we got onto the plane, he was sitting just a few seats away, and continued to rid himself of the insides of his lungs. Hannah and I have decided that we really miss the clean air of NZ and all our clothes smell like smoke. Everyone smokes here and the air is very foggy in all restaurants and enclosed places.
We caught a airport bus into Barcelona and then a taxi to get to our hotel. Once again the taxi driver took a very roundabout way to our hotel. Our room is very nice, no tiles coming off the floor, a big bathroom with full size bath , airconditioning and a balcony that looks into La Rambla which is the main tourist avenue, pedestrian street. We wandered round the first afternoon and evening just getting a feel for the place, and stopped at a tapas bar for a drink and a snack. We managed to forgo the snails, which seem to be everywhere in Spain too, for a salad.
While we were sitting at the bar (cheaper than sitting at a table) a guy came in with some roses and starts telling Hannah how lovely she is and what was her name, ah, Hannah what a beautiful name and gives her a rose and one for me too. O f course it cost me $4!!!! Even the compliments cost money in Europe!!!!!!!!!!!!
We were checking out the tourist shops in the evening, which seem to all be run by Indians. One gentleman said to us ¨good morning¨ after trying to get us to look at all sorts of stuff, he said ¨morning is a good time to buy¨ (can´t type with an indian accent) We had to get out of the shop before we burst out laughing. Another Indian in a souvenir shop had a Borat accent, so we had to leave there too.
Today, our second day here, we had breakfast in the hotel and then caught the tourist bus to Sagrada Familia. What an amazing place. We went up one of the towers in the lift and walked up the stairs and across a small bridge thing (enclosed mostly) to the decending stairs and back to the lift. The guy in the lift said there were 10.000 people on the 31st Dec at the church. We are so pleased we didn´t come here then. We have been able to see lots without having to queue. Our next stop was the Gaudi Parc, another masterpiece. Barcelona has a totally different feel to Madrid and is all browns and oranges. The building are amazing and we have tons of photos.
We have just booked train tickets to Valencia for tomorrow and I have found a hotel that Hannah says will have tiles off the floor as there was no photo to look at on the net!! I will let you know. For now, we are off back to the hotel for a rest before this evening.
Hasta luego
While we were waiting for our flight, one Chinese man, sitting beside us, dropped his trou to tuck himself in, and if that wasn´t bad enough, then he took his trousers off completely!! Not nice, and not what you expect. Suddenly the departure board was very interestng to look at!! Then, another one (Chinese one) started hawking and coughing and spitting up his lungs, not just once or twice but at 5 minute intervals for ages!! Yuck yuck!!!!!!!!
To make matters worse, when we got onto the plane, he was sitting just a few seats away, and continued to rid himself of the insides of his lungs. Hannah and I have decided that we really miss the clean air of NZ and all our clothes smell like smoke. Everyone smokes here and the air is very foggy in all restaurants and enclosed places.
We caught a airport bus into Barcelona and then a taxi to get to our hotel. Once again the taxi driver took a very roundabout way to our hotel. Our room is very nice, no tiles coming off the floor, a big bathroom with full size bath , airconditioning and a balcony that looks into La Rambla which is the main tourist avenue, pedestrian street. We wandered round the first afternoon and evening just getting a feel for the place, and stopped at a tapas bar for a drink and a snack. We managed to forgo the snails, which seem to be everywhere in Spain too, for a salad.
While we were sitting at the bar (cheaper than sitting at a table) a guy came in with some roses and starts telling Hannah how lovely she is and what was her name, ah, Hannah what a beautiful name and gives her a rose and one for me too. O f course it cost me $4!!!! Even the compliments cost money in Europe!!!!!!!!!!!!
We were checking out the tourist shops in the evening, which seem to all be run by Indians. One gentleman said to us ¨good morning¨ after trying to get us to look at all sorts of stuff, he said ¨morning is a good time to buy¨ (can´t type with an indian accent) We had to get out of the shop before we burst out laughing. Another Indian in a souvenir shop had a Borat accent, so we had to leave there too.
Today, our second day here, we had breakfast in the hotel and then caught the tourist bus to Sagrada Familia. What an amazing place. We went up one of the towers in the lift and walked up the stairs and across a small bridge thing (enclosed mostly) to the decending stairs and back to the lift. The guy in the lift said there were 10.000 people on the 31st Dec at the church. We are so pleased we didn´t come here then. We have been able to see lots without having to queue. Our next stop was the Gaudi Parc, another masterpiece. Barcelona has a totally different feel to Madrid and is all browns and oranges. The building are amazing and we have tons of photos.
We have just booked train tickets to Valencia for tomorrow and I have found a hotel that Hannah says will have tiles off the floor as there was no photo to look at on the net!! I will let you know. For now, we are off back to the hotel for a rest before this evening.
Hasta luego
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Hotel Desperado - I mean Francisco 1
Hannah and I smiled nicely enough at the bus driver on Saturday morning so he let us on the bus with all our gear - sometimes they won´t if they are feeling cranky!! We had a small amount of difficulty finding the hotel, but after asking a couple of people, we arrived. The foyer looked really good, a little old but still nice, that is of course until you go upstairs. I think it must be one of the original hotels ever built. The floor tiles in our room come off if your feet are a little sticky, and it goes up and downhill. The bathroom is really small and they only provide soap, no cute little bottles of anything. The window, when open, overlooks an internal courtyard that is a building site. The tv is the size of the one Tim uses at home. All that aside, the one good thing is that it is right in the middle of downtown Madrid on a pedestrian street.
We unpacked a little then went and found the Madrid tourist bus, and toured round Madrid for the afternoon. There are two bus routes here and we did them both. We love all the really old, ornate buildings here, far more of them than in Paris.
After the bus trip, we went back to the hotel for a while, then went for a walk to find the theatre we had seen on the bus trip, where Beauty and the Beast was showing. We found it at 5.55pm and there was a show starting at 6pm.. We bought tickets and spent the next two 1/2 hours transported back in time. It was a great production with some really innovative staging. We laughed when the audience all clapped each time one of the characters turned back into a real person at the end of the show, especially when Chip runs on to his mother, Mrs Potts... there was a collective sigh of wonderment from the whole audience and then they all clapped. Anyone would think they didn´t know the story or that they thought it was real. Anyway it was a really good show. On the way home we stopped for a Kebap for dinner and got home round 11.30.
Today we were up earlyish.... 8.30 for breakfast before catching the metro to the Sofia Reina Museum. It opened at 10 and was free today. We got there before the crowds and spent several hours wandering the halls, taking everything in. John, you would have loved the Flaminco section. There were several original films showing flaminco music and dancing and also Ramon Montoya´s guitar!!
After the gallery, we caught a bus to the Rastro Markets. Think Melbourne markets, but on the street, not in one area. The crowds were huge and it was all uphill!!! I bought a necklace and Hannah bought a new top that she is wearing now. We finally ended up not too far from the hotel and so I bought some cheese and bread to go with the apples and Pringles we bought last night and we ate lunch in the hotel room. On our travels we have seen some amazing busking acts. A lot of them must be professionals so we have been treated to many great concerts in Paris and Madrid. Either Hannah or I usually find some change to give them as I think it mean to stop andlisten and then just walk away. Hannah has been taking photos for a busking series.
After a bit of a rest, we came up to the northern end of Plaza del Sol to find this internet cafe and so y0u are all up to date.
In the morning we will leave about 9 to get to the airport for our flight to Barcelona and the next stop in our journey.
thanks for all the emails y´all.
Hasta luego
We unpacked a little then went and found the Madrid tourist bus, and toured round Madrid for the afternoon. There are two bus routes here and we did them both. We love all the really old, ornate buildings here, far more of them than in Paris.
After the bus trip, we went back to the hotel for a while, then went for a walk to find the theatre we had seen on the bus trip, where Beauty and the Beast was showing. We found it at 5.55pm and there was a show starting at 6pm.. We bought tickets and spent the next two 1/2 hours transported back in time. It was a great production with some really innovative staging. We laughed when the audience all clapped each time one of the characters turned back into a real person at the end of the show, especially when Chip runs on to his mother, Mrs Potts... there was a collective sigh of wonderment from the whole audience and then they all clapped. Anyone would think they didn´t know the story or that they thought it was real. Anyway it was a really good show. On the way home we stopped for a Kebap for dinner and got home round 11.30.
Today we were up earlyish.... 8.30 for breakfast before catching the metro to the Sofia Reina Museum. It opened at 10 and was free today. We got there before the crowds and spent several hours wandering the halls, taking everything in. John, you would have loved the Flaminco section. There were several original films showing flaminco music and dancing and also Ramon Montoya´s guitar!!
After the gallery, we caught a bus to the Rastro Markets. Think Melbourne markets, but on the street, not in one area. The crowds were huge and it was all uphill!!! I bought a necklace and Hannah bought a new top that she is wearing now. We finally ended up not too far from the hotel and so I bought some cheese and bread to go with the apples and Pringles we bought last night and we ate lunch in the hotel room. On our travels we have seen some amazing busking acts. A lot of them must be professionals so we have been treated to many great concerts in Paris and Madrid. Either Hannah or I usually find some change to give them as I think it mean to stop andlisten and then just walk away. Hannah has been taking photos for a busking series.
After a bit of a rest, we came up to the northern end of Plaza del Sol to find this internet cafe and so y0u are all up to date.
In the morning we will leave about 9 to get to the airport for our flight to Barcelona and the next stop in our journey.
thanks for all the emails y´all.
Hasta luego
Friday, January 18, 2008
Todovia Cerado
The gods are against us seeing the royal palace. Probably don´t want us getting ideas above our station, or they probably just heard about Hannah. We did the same trip this morning as yesterday only to find the palace closed as it was full and not opening again till 11am which was over an hour to wait. Instead we went to the beautiful catherdral next door and gained peace and serenity instead. After that we just wandered, and ended up at Plaza del Sol where we had morning tea/lunch before catching the metro back to the school district. so.... not much to say today. Hannah is finishing her homework as I am writing, and I should be brushing up on my speech that is to be given today as it is my last class.
Later same day:
Hannah and I have just finished school and have our certificates in our hot little hands. I have 20 mins left on my internet account here and so I will do a little surfing as we probably won´t be back to this particular cafe.
My last classes were a little slow as two of the teachers were feeling unwell and a couple of the students had been up all night. Thursday nights are student nights at some of the discos here and it is not unusual for the students not to turn up to class at all on Fridays. One girl in our class was a no-show. Another of the students had seen her at 7am this morning still partying.
Tomorrow on to Hotel Francisco 1 downtown and back to being a tourist. It has been excellent going to school, mucho hablando en espanol which is very good for us both.
Hasta luego
Later same day:
Hannah and I have just finished school and have our certificates in our hot little hands. I have 20 mins left on my internet account here and so I will do a little surfing as we probably won´t be back to this particular cafe.
My last classes were a little slow as two of the teachers were feeling unwell and a couple of the students had been up all night. Thursday nights are student nights at some of the discos here and it is not unusual for the students not to turn up to class at all on Fridays. One girl in our class was a no-show. Another of the students had seen her at 7am this morning still partying.
Tomorrow on to Hotel Francisco 1 downtown and back to being a tourist. It has been excellent going to school, mucho hablando en espanol which is very good for us both.
Hasta luego
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Cerrado!!!
This morning Hannah and I were up at a reasonable hour to take in the sights of the Royal Palace here in Madrid in the centre of town. We caught our regular bus which ends it´s run not too far from the palace. The place is huge! don´t know why I thought it wouldn´t be, as it´s a palace and all! We saw/heard a guy playing the guitar - the song you always play John, so Hannah had to go and give him some money and I took a photo. We were saying that it is time that you took up guitar playing again John, so be prepared for some serious nagging when we get home. Anyway, we walked up to the gates only to discover that the place is closed/cerrado today as there is an official happening happening. We did see some men in fancy uniforms with guns but that´s about all. We will try again tomorrow, as a lady on guard said it was open tomorrow, if not then, in the weekend.
Hannah and I went to a bar on the way home the other night for a drink and tapas. We sat at the bar and ordered wine, cheese and olives. As we were sitting there I suddenly saw what was right in front of me, a pig´s foot, complete with leg and thigh!!! It looked so strange just sticking up in the air. The foot looked rather dirty too!!!! They cut slices off the leg when someone wants ham. Ham is very famous here in Spain coz they say they have the best in the world.
We had a look at the leg and decided to take their word for it!!
Only 2 more days at school and I have to give a speech on Friday. We have homework each night and have covered quite a lot, much of it we already know but at least it is cemented in now.
Time to go for el almuerzo (morning tea) now before classes forthe rest of the day.
Hasta la vista
We are in the internet cafe again, of course, and
Hannah and I went to a bar on the way home the other night for a drink and tapas. We sat at the bar and ordered wine, cheese and olives. As we were sitting there I suddenly saw what was right in front of me, a pig´s foot, complete with leg and thigh!!! It looked so strange just sticking up in the air. The foot looked rather dirty too!!!! They cut slices off the leg when someone wants ham. Ham is very famous here in Spain coz they say they have the best in the world.
We had a look at the leg and decided to take their word for it!!
Only 2 more days at school and I have to give a speech on Friday. We have homework each night and have covered quite a lot, much of it we already know but at least it is cemented in now.
Time to go for el almuerzo (morning tea) now before classes forthe rest of the day.
Hasta la vista
We are in the internet cafe again, of course, and
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hannah is ¨wanted´in museums in Europe
Today we got up early and ventured into town via the metro to visit the Prado Museum. Downtown Madrid is very beautiful with dozens of old, very ornate buildings we love it. The museum is having a special exhibit of Velazquez at the moment which we took in as well. Hannah does not have to pay to get into the museums here in Europe as she is under 18 which is a great concept. While we were in the Louvre, she was ´told off´for leaning on a stone crypt while I was taking a photo, and today she took a photo in the Prado museum and was quickly set upon by an official who had been lurking by the door. We have decided that Hannah´s photo is probably on their ´wanted list´now and she will be stalked whenever she enters a museum to make sure she doesn´t do anything wrong.
I am back at the internet cafe as the internet at the school is painfully slow and we have found a handy-dandy place just down the road that has internet for 1 euro an hour which is great.
THis morning I asked if I could do some washing as we are getting through our limited wardrobe. On all the guff I have, it says that you can do one lot of laundry per week. Well, (getting on my high horse) Senora Pilar says that we can´t do laundry coz we are only there for a week. For those of you who know me, I was mightly peeved and Hannah said it showed on my face. (Fancy that!) Anyway, I shall do some handwashing and hang it on the radiator in our room. I must remember to remove it in the morning as the Senora is in our room during the day. - we aren´t allowed to make our beds. Now if I was at all cynical, I would say that she wants to keep an eye on what is happening.
Anyway, enough of that. Thanks for the emails, it is great to hear what is happening at home and abroad. We have been thinking of you all as we come across different situation. We especially thought of you Christie as we were in the middle of our adventure in Wakken Trog!!!
Hey Lynn, hope your journey went well and that you are now settled in (or out of ) Perth. Am looking forward to some initial impressions.
Kay, have fun at school! at least you can do your washing!
Claire and family, enjoy the sun and surf at Whitianga
Dianne and family, thanks for looking out for the two poor things down the road, and enjoy the wedding
You will enjoy the webcam Elaine, Hannah and I thought it would be great in our situation.
Hasta luego
Viv
I am back at the internet cafe as the internet at the school is painfully slow and we have found a handy-dandy place just down the road that has internet for 1 euro an hour which is great.
THis morning I asked if I could do some washing as we are getting through our limited wardrobe. On all the guff I have, it says that you can do one lot of laundry per week. Well, (getting on my high horse) Senora Pilar says that we can´t do laundry coz we are only there for a week. For those of you who know me, I was mightly peeved and Hannah said it showed on my face. (Fancy that!) Anyway, I shall do some handwashing and hang it on the radiator in our room. I must remember to remove it in the morning as the Senora is in our room during the day. - we aren´t allowed to make our beds. Now if I was at all cynical, I would say that she wants to keep an eye on what is happening.
Anyway, enough of that. Thanks for the emails, it is great to hear what is happening at home and abroad. We have been thinking of you all as we come across different situation. We especially thought of you Christie as we were in the middle of our adventure in Wakken Trog!!!
Hey Lynn, hope your journey went well and that you are now settled in (or out of ) Perth. Am looking forward to some initial impressions.
Kay, have fun at school! at least you can do your washing!
Claire and family, enjoy the sun and surf at Whitianga
Dianne and family, thanks for looking out for the two poor things down the road, and enjoy the wedding
You will enjoy the webcam Elaine, Hannah and I thought it would be great in our situation.
Hasta luego
Viv
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
And so at last, to SPAIN!!!
We caught at taxi from the hotle to the airport in Brussels in the end, too much lifting and hoofing our bags otherwise. We checked with a very friendly man, who wanted to know all about NZ, seems they don´t have too many visitors from down under.
Our flight was uneventful - just what you want from an aeroplane flight, and we landed in Spain on time. We swept out of the arrival doors expecting to see a sign with our names and a friendly face welcoming us, but, you guessed it! Nada!!! We waited 45 mins and tried to phone 3 times but still nothing. I walked round looking expectantly at all the people with cards but still nada.
In the end we caught a taxi to the address of our homestay.
When we got there, we discovered that it was a huge appartment block, (of course there are many here). We got in the front door when two girls came out as there was no reply to our use of the buzzer. We took the lift up to the first floor and knocked on the door and rang the bell, still nada. By this time I was getting very peeved. We went down to the ground floor again and this time I was able to speak to someone on the phone from the school.
In a few minutes, Pilar, the lady we are staying with, came down. Turns out she was in her apartment the whole time. Go figure!! She said that there was someone at the airport but I certainly didn´t see anyone, so there is a mystery for you.
Our room is small but comfortable, we have a wardrobe each with a table inthe middle that you have to shift if you want to open the wardrobe door, no biggie.
We catch a bus nearly at the front door and get off not too far from the school. Quite good.
We are in different classes which are small, 6-10 people only and there are students from all over the world which is really interesting. We start at 1.30 and finish at 6.30, then by the time we have caught the bus home, it´s about 7.30, and very dark.
So, that will be our week, we are eating real Spanish home-cooked food and Hannah and I have been able to eat everything so far, even the strange white, thick soup the first night. I think it might have been potato and garlic but I´m not sure.
Ok, time for you to send me a comment!!! If you don´t have a blog address, just send an email to my gmail. spanishviv@gmail.com coz we would love to hear from you too. Thanx to my regular commentees!!!
Hasta luego
Our flight was uneventful - just what you want from an aeroplane flight, and we landed in Spain on time. We swept out of the arrival doors expecting to see a sign with our names and a friendly face welcoming us, but, you guessed it! Nada!!! We waited 45 mins and tried to phone 3 times but still nothing. I walked round looking expectantly at all the people with cards but still nada.
In the end we caught a taxi to the address of our homestay.
When we got there, we discovered that it was a huge appartment block, (of course there are many here). We got in the front door when two girls came out as there was no reply to our use of the buzzer. We took the lift up to the first floor and knocked on the door and rang the bell, still nada. By this time I was getting very peeved. We went down to the ground floor again and this time I was able to speak to someone on the phone from the school.
In a few minutes, Pilar, the lady we are staying with, came down. Turns out she was in her apartment the whole time. Go figure!! She said that there was someone at the airport but I certainly didn´t see anyone, so there is a mystery for you.
Our room is small but comfortable, we have a wardrobe each with a table inthe middle that you have to shift if you want to open the wardrobe door, no biggie.
We catch a bus nearly at the front door and get off not too far from the school. Quite good.
We are in different classes which are small, 6-10 people only and there are students from all over the world which is really interesting. We start at 1.30 and finish at 6.30, then by the time we have caught the bus home, it´s about 7.30, and very dark.
So, that will be our week, we are eating real Spanish home-cooked food and Hannah and I have been able to eat everything so far, even the strange white, thick soup the first night. I think it might have been potato and garlic but I´m not sure.
Ok, time for you to send me a comment!!! If you don´t have a blog address, just send an email to my gmail. spanishviv@gmail.com coz we would love to hear from you too. Thanx to my regular commentees!!!
Hasta luego
Monday, January 14, 2008
Wakken Trog and back - just!!!
Well!! It was certainly a voyage of discovery, about many things, including our fitness level!!
We caught a train to Kortrijk, not sure of spelling, and then a bus to Wakken Trog. Don´t you just love that name! The driver of the bus was a little concerned as there was only one bus back that day as it was a Saturday. We arrived in Wakken at about 1.13pm and the driver even got off the bus to show us where to flag down the driver of the return bus - at 18.30pm. We thought, ok, must be a bit to do in Wakken!! How wrong we were. It is just one street, with a central meeting, market type area. The only shops, places open were a lotto shop, where the man told us there were no taxis in the area, a restaurant, where we had a very tasty lunch and looked up Bulte in the phone book, and yes there are some, but not in Wakken itself, rather the surrounding districts, even a N.Bulte - and we have the photo to prove it!!, and a supermarket that we explored from top to bottom and where I bought the most georgous bear. It was freezing cold and with 3 hours to wait (nowhere To wait) we asked the girl at the restaurant for the best way to get back to Kortirjk and the train. The only way was to walk approx 8km to another village where we could catch a train or bus. After a short discussion, we decided that walking was better than waiting so set off!! The sun was going down and we had to walk through the countryside on the bike path (thank heavens for the bike path as people drive very quickly on the open road). We stopped at a pub for more directions and were finally at the entrance to the station when the train arrived. We had to run (picture that!!) through the underpass and up the stairs to get to the platform. As we got to the train, the doors started to close so I jumped on and held them open with my hands and one leg (picture that) all the while saying to Hannah ¨get on¨ She had to squeeze past me, but we made it!! We didn´t have a ticket, coz we had no time to buy one, so had our fingers crossed that no guard would come on.
We made it back to Kortrijk in time for the next train back to Brussels, which was about the time the bus was winding its way to Wakken!!!.
So, that was quite an adventurous day and one we are not too keen to repeat. We did like Kortrijk and I managed to find some tops for me!! Yay
We are now in Madrid and I am still trying to catch up with this blog so more next time.
We caught a train to Kortrijk, not sure of spelling, and then a bus to Wakken Trog. Don´t you just love that name! The driver of the bus was a little concerned as there was only one bus back that day as it was a Saturday. We arrived in Wakken at about 1.13pm and the driver even got off the bus to show us where to flag down the driver of the return bus - at 18.30pm. We thought, ok, must be a bit to do in Wakken!! How wrong we were. It is just one street, with a central meeting, market type area. The only shops, places open were a lotto shop, where the man told us there were no taxis in the area, a restaurant, where we had a very tasty lunch and looked up Bulte in the phone book, and yes there are some, but not in Wakken itself, rather the surrounding districts, even a N.Bulte - and we have the photo to prove it!!, and a supermarket that we explored from top to bottom and where I bought the most georgous bear. It was freezing cold and with 3 hours to wait (nowhere To wait) we asked the girl at the restaurant for the best way to get back to Kortirjk and the train. The only way was to walk approx 8km to another village where we could catch a train or bus. After a short discussion, we decided that walking was better than waiting so set off!! The sun was going down and we had to walk through the countryside on the bike path (thank heavens for the bike path as people drive very quickly on the open road). We stopped at a pub for more directions and were finally at the entrance to the station when the train arrived. We had to run (picture that!!) through the underpass and up the stairs to get to the platform. As we got to the train, the doors started to close so I jumped on and held them open with my hands and one leg (picture that) all the while saying to Hannah ¨get on¨ She had to squeeze past me, but we made it!! We didn´t have a ticket, coz we had no time to buy one, so had our fingers crossed that no guard would come on.
We made it back to Kortrijk in time for the next train back to Brussels, which was about the time the bus was winding its way to Wakken!!!.
So, that was quite an adventurous day and one we are not too keen to repeat. We did like Kortrijk and I managed to find some tops for me!! Yay
We are now in Madrid and I am still trying to catch up with this blog so more next time.
Friday, January 11, 2008
The sun king's crib!!
Well, and we thought we were well off with our gadgets and everything available to us thesedays!
Man, the good people of Versailles really knew how to decorate. Nothing exceeds like excess aye John!!
We went to Versailles on a cold wet day so didn't do the gardens apart from viewing them from the inside.
The hall of mirrors is something to see - again, and again, the most lavish golden *lost for words*
Really, by the time you get right through the palace, well the bits you are allowed to get through, you become somewhat numb to the glory of it all. Oh look, another golden statue, gosh yet another 65 square foot painting on the wall - on the ceiling, yawn!!!
Not really, but it is over whelming.
We came back into Paris to do a bit more retail therapy before finding a steak for Hannah for dinner. It was our best (and most expensive, sorry credit card/John) but really yummy and worth it!! I had lamb! I found my way to a travel agent and bought tickets to
Belgium for the next day at 10.55am.
We were going to have an early night after packing but ended up rather late again so we slept in until 9am. We reached the train at 10.52am, argh!! after one unnecessary traispe up some stairs with very heavy, not too manouverable suitcases. If we tried to carry them on our backs Hannah says we would go backwards!
So, here we are in Brussels, fantastic hotel, friendly people and will begin our journey of ancestral discovery tomorrow
Au voir!
Viv and Hannah
Man, the good people of Versailles really knew how to decorate. Nothing exceeds like excess aye John!!
We went to Versailles on a cold wet day so didn't do the gardens apart from viewing them from the inside.
The hall of mirrors is something to see - again, and again, the most lavish golden *lost for words*
Really, by the time you get right through the palace, well the bits you are allowed to get through, you become somewhat numb to the glory of it all. Oh look, another golden statue, gosh yet another 65 square foot painting on the wall - on the ceiling, yawn!!!
Not really, but it is over whelming.
We came back into Paris to do a bit more retail therapy before finding a steak for Hannah for dinner. It was our best (and most expensive, sorry credit card/John) but really yummy and worth it!! I had lamb! I found my way to a travel agent and bought tickets to
Belgium for the next day at 10.55am.
We were going to have an early night after packing but ended up rather late again so we slept in until 9am. We reached the train at 10.52am, argh!! after one unnecessary traispe up some stairs with very heavy, not too manouverable suitcases. If we tried to carry them on our backs Hannah says we would go backwards!
So, here we are in Brussels, fantastic hotel, friendly people and will begin our journey of ancestral discovery tomorrow
Au voir!
Viv and Hannah
Thursday, January 10, 2008
More Paris
After our bus trips round Paris, I was nearly asleep (not that I was bored, just tired and cold), so we headed back to the hotel for a nap to regain some much needed energy.
We caught the metro to the Champs Elyesses (spelling?) and walked the whole way to the Arc de Triumph. It is really beautiful with all the trees lit up and the lights etc. We stopped off halfway up and had dinner in a really nice restaurant, upstairs, and continued our journey fortified with good food. The Arc de Triumph is just like the photos - that sounds inane but it really is, can't think of other words to describe it, but being there just makes it all the more special. Hard to think of Paris taken over by the Germans during the war, but the parade at the liberation of Paris would have been something else.
After the Arc, we decided that we could find our way to walk to the Tower as we couldn't see a metro sign. After about 1/2 an hour we did find it, having caught tantilizing glimpses of it as we walked the streets. As it was close to 11pm, we decided to wait across the bridge until the lights came on, which they did, we duely took photos and a video, then went to go up the tower only to discover that it closed at 11pm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were gutted and also peeved at all the guys trying to sell bits and pieces to the tourists. They just wouldn't give up.
After our disapointment with the tower lifts, we walked home, a very long way!!! and decided to try the lifts again the next night, after the Louvre.
We caught the metro to the Champs Elyesses (spelling?) and walked the whole way to the Arc de Triumph. It is really beautiful with all the trees lit up and the lights etc. We stopped off halfway up and had dinner in a really nice restaurant, upstairs, and continued our journey fortified with good food. The Arc de Triumph is just like the photos - that sounds inane but it really is, can't think of other words to describe it, but being there just makes it all the more special. Hard to think of Paris taken over by the Germans during the war, but the parade at the liberation of Paris would have been something else.
After the Arc, we decided that we could find our way to walk to the Tower as we couldn't see a metro sign. After about 1/2 an hour we did find it, having caught tantilizing glimpses of it as we walked the streets. As it was close to 11pm, we decided to wait across the bridge until the lights came on, which they did, we duely took photos and a video, then went to go up the tower only to discover that it closed at 11pm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were gutted and also peeved at all the guys trying to sell bits and pieces to the tourists. They just wouldn't give up.
After our disapointment with the tower lifts, we walked home, a very long way!!! and decided to try the lifts again the next night, after the Louvre.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Intrepid Explorers
Day 2 in Paris saw us buying a ticket on the Open Air bus tour round Paris from a really nice guy in a little tourist shop not far from the hotel.
We waited for the bus for ages before deciding to walk instead. We found the Notre Dame and were blown away by the sheer majesty and excitment of it all. We walked round the whole thing then Hannah decided she wanted to go up the tower. Did I mention that it was freezing and we didn't have our coats? After a reasonably short wait in the freezing cold, we started on the 4oo sprial stone steps. I must admit you do get a fantastic view of Paris from up there. Hannah went up the last 150steps on her own, right to the very very top.....
We finally found the tour bus and took the city tour which was very worthwhile. We also did the blue route which was not exciting but kept us out of the cold!!
More to come later,,,,, my time has run out!
We waited for the bus for ages before deciding to walk instead. We found the Notre Dame and were blown away by the sheer majesty and excitment of it all. We walked round the whole thing then Hannah decided she wanted to go up the tower. Did I mention that it was freezing and we didn't have our coats? After a reasonably short wait in the freezing cold, we started on the 4oo sprial stone steps. I must admit you do get a fantastic view of Paris from up there. Hannah went up the last 150steps on her own, right to the very very top.....
We finally found the tour bus and took the city tour which was very worthwhile. We also did the blue route which was not exciting but kept us out of the cold!!
More to come later,,,,, my time has run out!
Ahh Paris!!!
Hannah and I had an interesting flight to Europe. We didn't get to sit together and then Hannah got shifted coz some woman said she didn't have enough space. Actually Hannah had a better seat in the end. There was a very tall, large man behind me who went to sleep with his head against the back of my seat. Everytime I pushed my seat back, he pushed, so the back of my chair was upright again. After several of these manouvers, I got the hostess,(a sour German - sorry to you nice Germans) to ask him to sit up.
On arrival in Frankfurt, on very little sleep, Hannah and I successfully made our way through an amazingly huge airport to our next departure lounge. It took us about 1/2 hour of walking and going through several checkpoints. We were waiting at the lounge, about ready to board when we discovered that the departure lounge for our flight had changed!! We did make it to the next plane and had a good Short! flight to Paris.
Our bags were transfered successfully to the new flight (some anxious moments waiting at the carousel in Paris) and we didn't even have to go through customs. Something about coming from Germany.
We also managed to find the train, buy a ticket at a machine (very proud of myself) and get to the correct station in Paris. From there things changed a little and we spent about 1.2 hour wandering the streets of St Michel looking for our hotel . I think it must be the only street in Paris not on any map!!!! After stumbling into one hotel on the street (yes we did find it in the end) and anouncing that we had arrived, we discovered that we were int he wrong hotel, ours was two doors further up!!
Our room is fine, smallish, but has a decent bathroom, a fridge and tv etc so we are set.
On arrival in Frankfurt, on very little sleep, Hannah and I successfully made our way through an amazingly huge airport to our next departure lounge. It took us about 1/2 hour of walking and going through several checkpoints. We were waiting at the lounge, about ready to board when we discovered that the departure lounge for our flight had changed!! We did make it to the next plane and had a good Short! flight to Paris.
Our bags were transfered successfully to the new flight (some anxious moments waiting at the carousel in Paris) and we didn't even have to go through customs. Something about coming from Germany.
We also managed to find the train, buy a ticket at a machine (very proud of myself) and get to the correct station in Paris. From there things changed a little and we spent about 1.2 hour wandering the streets of St Michel looking for our hotel . I think it must be the only street in Paris not on any map!!!! After stumbling into one hotel on the street (yes we did find it in the end) and anouncing that we had arrived, we discovered that we were int he wrong hotel, ours was two doors further up!!
Our room is fine, smallish, but has a decent bathroom, a fridge and tv etc so we are set.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Saturday 5th Jan
These trucks are everywhere here and make 4wheel drives look like minis!!
Traffic wardens at work at the mall
One more sleep!!
This morning John and I were up reasonably early and went to buy another suitcase as Hannah and I are not taking all our clothes to Europe and what with all the pressies, John and Tim have no room left. We picked up another gift for someone at home and then rang David to come and get us about lunchtime. Christie dropped Hannah and Tim off just after we arrived home. Sally is still not well, and spent last night in the outpatients waiting to be seen by a DR. They sent her home with painkillers but they don't seem to be working. We hope she gets better soon.
This afternoon Hannah and I packed our bags for Paris and John has been showing me some last minute technical stuff about saving photos etc.
Tonight we are going out for Indian food. We were wondering if it was Sioux or Apache or what!!
Tim has been having a very quiet day watching TV and getting over his 2am morning. Hannah is feeling the effects too but they will be fine. Today the weather was overcast but quite warm and it did rain last night as the roads were wet this morning. We really have been very lucky with the weather here.
Check out some of the past blogs as I have added a couple more photos.
Well, this is probably the last post until we find an Internet cafe in PARIS!!! Au revoir!!
Friday 4th Jan
Today was movie day. Christie picked Hannah, Tim and me up after lunch to catch the new movie "The Book of Secrets" staring Nicholas Cage. The movie theatre is bigger than Sylvia Park, Hannah tells me, and the kids were thrilled to see that it looked just like the movies in that the "Box Office" (it's called that too) where you buy the tickets, was outside. The movies are cheaper here too - $6 each, although that could be because it was a matinee. The film was good, and follows on after the last one, plus a year or so. After the movies, Tim and Hannah went off with Christie, David and Danielle to stay the night. They went to Wal Mart, ate dinner out at the Red Robin (gourmet burgers) and stayed up late playing on the Wii etc.
We ordered Chinese takeout and had a quiet night here watching old home movies.
John and I were originally going out with Lyn and Sally but Sally was sick and couldn't make it.
Only 2 more sleeps til we start the next stage of our holiday!!!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Thursday 3rd Jan
John enjoying a coffee outside a Victoria's Secrets shop in the Mall.
This morning was relatively quiet, just hung around the house, Tim spent the day on the couch as he has a temperature and is not feeling great. After lunch, Sally rang to see if we wanted a lift to the Mall, and after a discussion with John, we decided it would be a good idea.
The first thing we bought was a ring for me for my birthday and Christmas. It is very lovely and I love it. We found a coffee shop that made quite a decent coffee with no flavourings, and sat taking in our surroundings. The next stop was a travel shop where we found some padlocks, and a couple of fluro tags for our bags. We also bought a new travel clock with a night light as the one we have is too hard to set to a definite time.
Sally picked us up at 4 and we went to a market for a look around. I bought some olives, artichokes and cheese.
Colwyn and Christie picked us up at 6 and we went to a local seafood place for dinner. It was very American in looks, with vinyl seats and booths. The food was really delicious and we were all very contented by the time we had finished. After dinner we walked around the mall a bit then fell into Borders bookshop as we were all finding the less than 0 degree weather somewhat challenging, esp Colwyn who only had a tshirt on. We found a few travel books that found their way to the checkout counter plus a map of Paris that Hannah and I can map our travels on. All in all a great night with good company!
The first thing we bought was a ring for me for my birthday and Christmas. It is very lovely and I love it. We found a coffee shop that made quite a decent coffee with no flavourings, and sat taking in our surroundings. The next stop was a travel shop where we found some padlocks, and a couple of fluro tags for our bags. We also bought a new travel clock with a night light as the one we have is too hard to set to a definite time.
Sally picked us up at 4 and we went to a market for a look around. I bought some olives, artichokes and cheese.
Colwyn and Christie picked us up at 6 and we went to a local seafood place for dinner. It was very American in looks, with vinyl seats and booths. The food was really delicious and we were all very contented by the time we had finished. After dinner we walked around the mall a bit then fell into Borders bookshop as we were all finding the less than 0 degree weather somewhat challenging, esp Colwyn who only had a tshirt on. We found a few travel books that found their way to the checkout counter plus a map of Paris that Hannah and I can map our travels on. All in all a great night with good company!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
January 2
The family at The Olive Garden for dinner. (Tim and I stayed home)
Meg, Hannah and Tim in the lounge
Today was girls shopping day. Christie picked up me, Hannah, and Meg before lunch and we went to a sports goods store where I bought myself a pair of runners for Europe, and Hannah found another pair of shoes for school. We went to a real Good'ol Boys Texas restaurant for lunch where they serve drinks in large jam jars, there was a map of Texas on the wall and a Texan flag as well as many other Texan items. Hannah took a video with her camera that we will try and download sometime. After lunch, we hit the mall where Meg bought me a jumper for my birthday and I bought her one for her birthday too. We cruised the shops until I found a wonderful red wool coat that I couldn't resist as it was 75% off!!!!! Hannah and Danielle found a shop of clothes for under 21's where Hannah bought a couple of pairs of shorts for school. Meg found some warm trousers and David Jnr got a computer game. We didn't get home till after 4 all shopped out.
John and Tim went out this morning with Lyndon to Battleship Texas which is about an hour from here on the coast. They had a good time exploring the ship then came home, arriving here just before we did. Tim is not very well and so he and I are home alone tonight while the others have all gone out for dinner.
John has been sorting out our luggage, trying to fit all the purchases into our bags, but I think it is a losing battle and he will have to buy another bag. I think he and Tim will be able to check their bags all the way to Auckland without having to deal with them in LAX. I hope so anyway.
The weather here is cold now and is supposed to be below freezing tonight. People round here are covering their water pipes so that they don't freeze. We are warm and toasty in the house as the heating is on to keep the temperature at 71 oF. The wind was really cold today, but the days have been beautiful with lots of sun.
I hope no one has been effected by the earthquakes and that y'all are enjoying the summer.
Glad to hear the camping and packing is going well..... John and Tim will be home in time to catch up with you Lynn, especially if you are leaving from Auckland.
Take care everyone, will write more soon.
January 1
New Year's Day and we came back to Meg and Dave's this morning from Christie's place. The gang all came over for a late lunch then we had a quiet evening just the 6 of us for the first time since we have been here. We watched a DVD of Dave's after dinner and crawled the stairs to bed around 12ish. Not a big news day!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year's Eve
This morning John, Tim, Hannah and Grampy went to the guitar shop some way from here to buy new machine heads for a guitar of John's that has been languishing in a cupboard here for many a year. John bought new strings for it but discovered that one of the tuning pegs was cracked hence the new machine heads. After many tunings, the guitar is now playable again and I think we are bringing it home for Tim as it is the next size up for him.
After lunch John and Grampy dropped Hannah and I off at the Mall so that Hannah could exchange a top. We browsed a few shops but nothing leapt out at us to buy so we came home.
Last night we all went to Christie and Colwyn's fav Mexican Restaurant. We were served by the same waiter (they request him especially) that has been serving them for many, many years (according to Danielle). All the staff there seem to be very Mexican - read Spanish speaking!!
On the way home we went and played Laser Tag - my first time, and boy could you tell by my score, I was last!! Or maybe I just lack the killer instinct? Hannah and I decided not to play a 2nd game and she whupped my ass at Air Hockey. John, Hannah, Tim and I went over to Christie's as we were staying the night and staying up to see the New Year in. We played Wii Nintendo while we were waiting for midnight. Heaps of people in the neighbourhood were letting off fireworks which we could see from the lounge windows. Colwyn was working at the firestation and called in a couple of times. He had to race off in the firetruck with sirens and lights blazing the 2nd time.
By the way, if you click on the Disneyland and Universal posts, Hannah has put some photos up for y'all to see.
Happy New Year all y'all!!!! That's what you say for more than one person (I learnt that today)
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