Well 24 hours after I woke up on the Royal Caribbean Brilliance, I am back in the USA! What a trip! I think it is easy to forget the effort traveling takes, not to mention the patience. It has literally been 24 hours since I woke up and started my day. My flights have been great and on time, the waiting has been comfortable since I am able to take advantage of the lounges, but 24 hours is a long time no matter how you look at it!
I did sleep about 3 hours on the plane from Frankfurt so that has helped. But when I arrived and waited almost an hour for baggage at Dulles that never arrived I thought my patience was gone. I stood in line at the counter to find out it was delivered to another terminal, the best scenario I could have hoped for I guess, so that was another 1/2 hour of waiting for it to appear. Finally it did and i decided to just check it through to Denver rather than drag it to the hotel and back in the morning.
I took a taxi to the hotel, a little luxury, well deserved at this point, rather than waiting for the shuttle. And now I am calling it a night and heading to some much needed rest. Luckily the weather is beautiful here so once again my luck has prevailed.
My arrival home is with mixed emotions. As happy as I am to have this long journey almost over, it is hard to face going home and being alone now. The trip was such an adventure, and as always there is a let down and that will now be combined with my holiday blues. Oh well, I will focus on the pictures of the trip!
Happy Holidays to all of my readers! May your new year be filled with joy and adventure! Here's to a great 2010!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Hola de espana
Here I sit at the Barcelona airport waiting to board my Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt, then I'll wait patiently the 5 hours for my over the ocean flight to Dulles. All my winter travel has worked out well so I am sure this trip will be the same. And before I know it I will be home snuggled up with Bram and new little Bryci.
It is hard to believe that the pyramids are now part of my experiences! I hope to never cruise on Royal Caribbean again! Each day I got up with the mind set I would not complain, and each day they made that impossible. But I am off the ship and headed home so all looks brighter.
I've loved being away during the holiday festivities since this is a hard time for me, but now am looking forward to home. I'll write more from there.
Feliz navidad y prospero nuevo ano mi amigos!
It is hard to believe that the pyramids are now part of my experiences! I hope to never cruise on Royal Caribbean again! Each day I got up with the mind set I would not complain, and each day they made that impossible. But I am off the ship and headed home so all looks brighter.
I've loved being away during the holiday festivities since this is a hard time for me, but now am looking forward to home. I'll write more from there.
Feliz navidad y prospero nuevo ano mi amigos!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Speechless in Egypt
What can one say about a day like today? One that started with my setting foot on my 7th and last continent, Africa? That being followed by sitting on a camel in front of the great pyramids of Giza, 'kissing' the Sphinx, having lunch on the Nile and experiencing/surviving the traffic of Cairo...
Any suggestion? I truly am speechless and in awe of my day. So, so many incredible experiences in a one day tour.
The armed guard sat in the front of our bus the whole time and definitely made me feel so safe! He was very sweet to me and hung around me and I was so happy to have a man with a lot of guns in that setting! He only spoke Arabic, a slight problem but we smiled a lot and he took some great pics of me in these famous places. I was scared a lot, it was not a comfortable place for me to be but I am safely back on board the ship and met new friends and loved the day.
Traffic in Cairo is just like you see on tv and in the movies. Our outstanding guide told us you only need 3 things to drive in Egypt...a good horn, good brakes and good luck! That was an experience I would not care to ever repeat in my lifetime!
And now, surviving the incredible day in North Africa, I am off to bed for sweet, sweet dreams of ancient Egypt! Or maybe of the man with the guns next to me!
Any suggestion? I truly am speechless and in awe of my day. So, so many incredible experiences in a one day tour.
The armed guard sat in the front of our bus the whole time and definitely made me feel so safe! He was very sweet to me and hung around me and I was so happy to have a man with a lot of guns in that setting! He only spoke Arabic, a slight problem but we smiled a lot and he took some great pics of me in these famous places. I was scared a lot, it was not a comfortable place for me to be but I am safely back on board the ship and met new friends and loved the day.
Traffic in Cairo is just like you see on tv and in the movies. Our outstanding guide told us you only need 3 things to drive in Egypt...a good horn, good brakes and good luck! That was an experience I would not care to ever repeat in my lifetime!
And now, surviving the incredible day in North Africa, I am off to bed for sweet, sweet dreams of ancient Egypt! Or maybe of the man with the guns next to me!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Greece
Experiencing a taste of ancient Greece is quite a treat. Since I've been to Athens twice before I opted to take the tour there yesterday to the National Archealogical Museum and walked around in awe among statues and various other items that are dated back to 3000BC!! Absolutely unbelievable! The urge to touch things was hard to resist, I wanted to feel what ancient times were like. There were rooms and rooms of treasures and some were in quite good shape for their age! I have pictures and more pictures, so stunning to believe. Even though I've been to Pompeii, Ephesus and Kamiros, I still find it incredible to be among anything so old. An experience to remember!
It is also interesting to see the difference in tour guides. I've had 3 now and the one yesterday didn't really share a lot of interesting information, the man I had last year was captivating. Somewhere I have his name and email and would like to write and tell him he was the best guide!
After seeing the Tango Buenos Aires show last night I went to the Greek music and dancing show. Definitely an international evening. The tango show reminded me of Nestor in BA and on the Antarctica cruise. Now he was the performer! But the show was good and colorful and filled with dancing and singing, a typical shipboard show. It was good and worth seeing. I ended up eating at the late seating with Terry and Peter and dinner was nice and then it was off to bed for me.
This morning I woke up and looked out and we were approaching Rhodes. I felt thrilled to look at the scenery as we pulled into port. I love the excitement I feel when I am actually in these amazing places around the world. I know it is a childlike excitement but I can't seem to help the smiles that come out when I realize I am somewhere else exciting and exotic. I toured here last year so I walked around the old town and enjoyed every minute. It is cool and sunny, a perfect day for me! I ran into a lady I know from the ship so we shopped some and then sat at an outdoor cafe for a drink before going our separate ways. I had a coke and noticed the coke can had the ingredients written in Greek. The man told me that is how you can tell if it is legal. If it is in English it is imported from another country and that is not what they are supposed to do in the EU. I wandered and found some musical instruments and bought some souvenirs, the authentic ones were too expensive. Yes, I am coming home with more stuff!
Tomorrow we will get to Cyprus and I think I will enjoy the tour I have booked. It is churches but I chose it because it goes far into the countryside to old villages and that is what I like seeing. I will probably shop there when the tour is in the churches. And then Saturday is Egypt, finally!
Ciao from Greece!
It is also interesting to see the difference in tour guides. I've had 3 now and the one yesterday didn't really share a lot of interesting information, the man I had last year was captivating. Somewhere I have his name and email and would like to write and tell him he was the best guide!
After seeing the Tango Buenos Aires show last night I went to the Greek music and dancing show. Definitely an international evening. The tango show reminded me of Nestor in BA and on the Antarctica cruise. Now he was the performer! But the show was good and colorful and filled with dancing and singing, a typical shipboard show. It was good and worth seeing. I ended up eating at the late seating with Terry and Peter and dinner was nice and then it was off to bed for me.
This morning I woke up and looked out and we were approaching Rhodes. I felt thrilled to look at the scenery as we pulled into port. I love the excitement I feel when I am actually in these amazing places around the world. I know it is a childlike excitement but I can't seem to help the smiles that come out when I realize I am somewhere else exciting and exotic. I toured here last year so I walked around the old town and enjoyed every minute. It is cool and sunny, a perfect day for me! I ran into a lady I know from the ship so we shopped some and then sat at an outdoor cafe for a drink before going our separate ways. I had a coke and noticed the coke can had the ingredients written in Greek. The man told me that is how you can tell if it is legal. If it is in English it is imported from another country and that is not what they are supposed to do in the EU. I wandered and found some musical instruments and bought some souvenirs, the authentic ones were too expensive. Yes, I am coming home with more stuff!
Tomorrow we will get to Cyprus and I think I will enjoy the tour I have booked. It is churches but I chose it because it goes far into the countryside to old villages and that is what I like seeing. I will probably shop there when the tour is in the churches. And then Saturday is Egypt, finally!
Ciao from Greece!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Malta
So, since the stop in Tunisia was abandoned, Malta was added a 2nd time. I'm not sure why we didn't stop at another port since we are still scheduled to stop in Malta on the way back, but I am quite sure it is about money. Seems the things on this ship are all about money, they charge for things that are standard on Princess and that takes some getting used to. But the ship is beautiful, the most beautiful I have been on and the cabins are also wonderful. It's great to be with Terry and Peter too. Dinner is interesting, so many different kinds of people in our world! And a good cross sample of them are on this ship.
I wasn't sure what to expect in Malta but the captain said sailing in was like sailing into Venice. I couldn't imagine that, but I have to agree, it was a beautiful arrival! Cloudy skies, but that is okay with me, it means cool temps too. This island is quite fascinating! So much history and we even passed ancient monoliths, that were built before Stonehenge! It is called prehistory because it was before any written records were kept. So many countries have been here and we had a great guide that shared interesting information. The cities are built in walled areas, walls that are 20 meters thick!! Something to see! We stopped for photo stops and had time to wander through a fishing village. Unfortunately it was so cold that there were stores or craft stands open. That was a shame but as I walked around I did have the opportunity to talk to some local people. It seemed many spoke English, even the older ones. I think my pictures will be great and show the interesting things. All buildings are built with Malta limestone. The large domes are painted with a red paint that protects the frescos that are painted inside because the weather would ruin them otherwise. We went to a church that has the 3rd largest dome in Europe. The largest is St. Sophia Mosque in Istanbul and the 2nd is the Vatican. Another accomplishment now that I have seen the 3 largest domes in Europe. Who'd have ever thought that?
I was saddened to see two dogs wandering around the fishing village so I asked about them. Their 38 year old owner died and no one wants the dogs because they are big. That broke my heart! They just wander around and it was so cold, poor little orphans! I had a cheese sandwich and tried to give it to one of the dogs but she just wanted to be petted instead. Yes I would have brought them both home if I could. I hope that someone will take them in for the cold winter, but no one seemed to care. At least they said the shop owners help feed them, but no shops were even open today.
On another positive note, I learned about the Maltese Cross, and yes the maltese dogs do come from here, but I didn't see any of them. We saw the beautiful blue grotto and the caves that the first people lived in, the ones who built the massive 'temples'.
Tomorrow we are at sea and Wednesday we arrive in Athens. We are expecting winds of over 50 knots an hour and the captain hopes to get past the 20 ft waves soon and be ahead of the storm. We have to go quickly part of the way so hopefully I will sleep during the most rocky part.
And that, my friends, was my day in Malta!
I wasn't sure what to expect in Malta but the captain said sailing in was like sailing into Venice. I couldn't imagine that, but I have to agree, it was a beautiful arrival! Cloudy skies, but that is okay with me, it means cool temps too. This island is quite fascinating! So much history and we even passed ancient monoliths, that were built before Stonehenge! It is called prehistory because it was before any written records were kept. So many countries have been here and we had a great guide that shared interesting information. The cities are built in walled areas, walls that are 20 meters thick!! Something to see! We stopped for photo stops and had time to wander through a fishing village. Unfortunately it was so cold that there were stores or craft stands open. That was a shame but as I walked around I did have the opportunity to talk to some local people. It seemed many spoke English, even the older ones. I think my pictures will be great and show the interesting things. All buildings are built with Malta limestone. The large domes are painted with a red paint that protects the frescos that are painted inside because the weather would ruin them otherwise. We went to a church that has the 3rd largest dome in Europe. The largest is St. Sophia Mosque in Istanbul and the 2nd is the Vatican. Another accomplishment now that I have seen the 3 largest domes in Europe. Who'd have ever thought that?
I was saddened to see two dogs wandering around the fishing village so I asked about them. Their 38 year old owner died and no one wants the dogs because they are big. That broke my heart! They just wander around and it was so cold, poor little orphans! I had a cheese sandwich and tried to give it to one of the dogs but she just wanted to be petted instead. Yes I would have brought them both home if I could. I hope that someone will take them in for the cold winter, but no one seemed to care. At least they said the shop owners help feed them, but no shops were even open today.
On another positive note, I learned about the Maltese Cross, and yes the maltese dogs do come from here, but I didn't see any of them. We saw the beautiful blue grotto and the caves that the first people lived in, the ones who built the massive 'temples'.
Tomorrow we are at sea and Wednesday we arrive in Athens. We are expecting winds of over 50 knots an hour and the captain hopes to get past the 20 ft waves soon and be ahead of the storm. We have to go quickly part of the way so hopefully I will sleep during the most rocky part.
And that, my friends, was my day in Malta!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Gale Force Winds
Well, I am sailing on the sea, and finally it is calm. We had to take a different route to miss the bad storms and sped through gale force winds last night, and 10 ft. high waves. The first stop in Tunis was cancelled so we could try to beat the storm out of that area, and we did. So now we stop twice in Malta and my setting foot on my 7th and last continent is now postponed until Egypt. Being safe is what matters in the long run, but for now I'm disappointed on that change.
Expensive and very slow internet so this is short. Malta is our destination tomorrow and again on the way home. Oh well! I am in the Med!
Expensive and very slow internet so this is short. Malta is our destination tomorrow and again on the way home. Oh well! I am in the Med!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Enchanting!
As brave Mitzi was riding back to the hotel from the Christmas Market on the Sbahn 8, I was thinking that I needed a word to describe the amazing visit to the Christmas Market. Thank you Tim for giving me the perfect descriptive word...enchanting! I was like a child, smiling in wonder at all of the delights for the senses! The beauty of the night filled with lights and carousels and delicious scents of new foods and carolers and the massive lit tree in the square and...and...and! Yes this side trip to Frankfurt for a day at the famous Christmas Market was worth it!
If only I could have eaten more, so many delectable foods I wanted to try! I guess there just has to be a next time! And I won't be eating a big German hotel breakfast first! My favorites, actually the only things I tasted, were the marshmallow cream çupcake looking things, and the best by far was the stack of delicious potato pancakes! I've not had anything so much like my mom's that I grew up on, for the 20 years since she has died! Absolutely incredible! And I tried 2 dipping sauces and it would be hard to pick my favorite. There was a garlic one that had a delicious 'bite' to it and an herbed one that the owner told me was a local Frankfurt one, both delicious!
And now with a couple of polar bear souvenirs from this visit and a couple of sweet treats to share with Terry and Peter on the ship tomorrow, I am repacking for my trip onward to Barcelona in the morning. Tunisia and stepping on my final continent is only a couple of days away! Ciao for now! (I'd say auweid...., but have no idea how to spell it!
If only I could have eaten more, so many delectable foods I wanted to try! I guess there just has to be a next time! And I won't be eating a big German hotel breakfast first! My favorites, actually the only things I tasted, were the marshmallow cream çupcake looking things, and the best by far was the stack of delicious potato pancakes! I've not had anything so much like my mom's that I grew up on, for the 20 years since she has died! Absolutely incredible! And I tried 2 dipping sauces and it would be hard to pick my favorite. There was a garlic one that had a delicious 'bite' to it and an herbed one that the owner told me was a local Frankfurt one, both delicious!
And now with a couple of polar bear souvenirs from this visit and a couple of sweet treats to share with Terry and Peter on the ship tomorrow, I am repacking for my trip onward to Barcelona in the morning. Tunisia and stepping on my final continent is only a couple of days away! Ciao for now! (I'd say auweid...., but have no idea how to spell it!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
I Know My Number
Have you seen the tv commercials that ask, "Do you know your number?" It is advertising the sleep number bed. Well in my "Ibis" like hotel I had the unique opportunity to discover my number! A remote I mistakingly took for the tv remote for a short time, helped me discover this important fact. As with me and all technology, it takes a while to figure things out. I kept pushing the right button key because I was on the right side of the bed and nothing happened. Silly me, finally I figured out the remote isn't based on the bed when you are in it, it must be when you are facing it. So that discovered, I moved on to finding out my number. I'm not sure I did too well because my back is sore this morning. I discovered something interesting about the bed that isn't on tv. There is some kind of frame around the mattress that doesn't change and believe me, it can be quite painful when you attempt to get out of bed and find you have to basically have to climb out over that! Life is filled with unexpected experiences! An after all that I'm not even sure what my number is! But I am sure I don't want one of those beds now!
I'm in the business class lounge waiting to board the plane to Frankfurt and it interesting how many business men stop and talk to me about my little eee pc. Even as long as I've had it and as many similar ones that have come out it appears it is still an attention getter. It is a cute, convenient little thing!
A very quiet group of children just walked by and they were on a field trip. That reminded me of the field trip I took my class on when DIA first opened. What a great idea that would be for my new school!
That is all of the latest news as I wait to fly away for my big adventure! Au revoir until Frankfurt...
I'm in the business class lounge waiting to board the plane to Frankfurt and it interesting how many business men stop and talk to me about my little eee pc. Even as long as I've had it and as many similar ones that have come out it appears it is still an attention getter. It is a cute, convenient little thing!
A very quiet group of children just walked by and they were on a field trip. That reminded me of the field trip I took my class on when DIA first opened. What a great idea that would be for my new school!
That is all of the latest news as I wait to fly away for my big adventure! Au revoir until Frankfurt...
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Destination:???
And so it begins again...Mitzi on another adventure. Yes for some reason I decided to venture far, far away once again. Winter travel is not my thing, too much stress, this time when I heard 200 flights to Chicago were cancelled the day before I was headed here. But all went well and I arrived safely and almost on time. Everyone here is making a big deal about 13F temps! After what we have been through in Denver, this is almost balmy!
A new lesson learned...always keep a written record of where I have stayed in the past. I stayed at a nice hotel here in Chicago just a couple of months ago and made reservations this time at the same hotel...I thought! I'm in a taxi at 11PM and he drives a bit further than I remembered but I waited patiently. Finally we pull up to a not so nice hotel in a not so nice area. And yes, I verify it is the same hotel on my confirmation sheet. I walk in hauling all my luggage past 2 bellboys who offer no help. The girl at the desk is kind and I ask for a room near the elevator since I'm hauling my own luggage. I'm a little nervous here but head to my room knowing after I get ice I'll not leave my room anyway until I return to the airport tomorrow so I should be fine. I decide I must have thought I was at the Radisson last time but must have been at the Renaissance instead. Yep, at my age it will pay to write things down! I get off the elevator and walk and walk to my room at the end off the hall. Now I don't think that girl was nice at all! Oh well, too late to change hotels and so I am nestled in for the night!
Good night from the Radisson. Hopefully I will have better luck in Frankfurt!
A new lesson learned...always keep a written record of where I have stayed in the past. I stayed at a nice hotel here in Chicago just a couple of months ago and made reservations this time at the same hotel...I thought! I'm in a taxi at 11PM and he drives a bit further than I remembered but I waited patiently. Finally we pull up to a not so nice hotel in a not so nice area. And yes, I verify it is the same hotel on my confirmation sheet. I walk in hauling all my luggage past 2 bellboys who offer no help. The girl at the desk is kind and I ask for a room near the elevator since I'm hauling my own luggage. I'm a little nervous here but head to my room knowing after I get ice I'll not leave my room anyway until I return to the airport tomorrow so I should be fine. I decide I must have thought I was at the Radisson last time but must have been at the Renaissance instead. Yep, at my age it will pay to write things down! I get off the elevator and walk and walk to my room at the end off the hall. Now I don't think that girl was nice at all! Oh well, too late to change hotels and so I am nestled in for the night!
Good night from the Radisson. Hopefully I will have better luck in Frankfurt!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Day THREE with the Bears!
This day was spent on an official tundra buggy, the original tundra vehicle designed to see the bears. It was quite a bit rougher ride than I'd been on the previous 2 days. A visit to my chiropractor will be a welcome relief! I was with a really nice group of people who were experiencing the tundra and the bears for the first time. That was fun to see! They were kind and shared spaces, quite unlike the photography group that was connected with my group on the other tours. I have learned a lot and will be sure that I avoid those kind of people next time. But that is another story.
Back to day 3 on the tundra... We saw fewer bears than the days before but every bear is a thrill to watch, even if it is just watching them breathe while they sleep! We had the special opportunity to watch a bear frolic in the snow and other than the size, it wasn't much different than watching a dog enjoy the snow! He was adorable!! Stuck his head straight down into the snow and then turned a somersault. It is said that polar bears are an animal that plays and this was certainly proof of that! Luckily I remembered that I could take a video with my small camera and even though it is shaky, it is fun to watch the guy and his polar antics! That was a treat that I hadn't experienced before. Many of the bears we saw were sleeping, it was so hot for them. The guide told us that even though it was -4C that was like the bears had on 5 winter coats. Bears can heat themselves up but not cool themselves down so they have to be careful in the warmth. Watching the bears wander and sleep in the wild was, as always, a delightful experience! They are so beautiful!! I've not come across a person yet who wasn't totally thrilled to be in the presence of such amazing animals.
A highlight of the day was getting to see Kevin, the 'polar bear' man I met in Antarctica. He was surprised to see me, but I assured him I would be back, I'm in love with that experience! I had asked our guide if we would see him on the tundra and he said we just might run into him. But we were lucky to catch him at the dock, before we took off in vehicles. Later in the morning my driver backed up and ran right into Kevin's vehicle and I told him I hadn't literally wanted to run into him! Quite a coincidence with all of the buggies out there. There are 18 permits for vehicles in that area, 12 are for Tundra Buggy and 6 are for Great White Bear. You pass them but mostly you are not too close to them, except in unusual circumstances! Seeing Kevin was great, how nice it was to see both of my friends in Churchill!
At the end of the day we flew back to Winnipeg and I'm not sure exhaustion can describe the feeling after boucing around for 9 hours, hurridly repacking and heading out to the airport for a flight that was late and then finally arriving late. Mr. Perlman was there to meet and that was a nice way to end the trip.
Polar bears beware, I will return!
Back to day 3 on the tundra... We saw fewer bears than the days before but every bear is a thrill to watch, even if it is just watching them breathe while they sleep! We had the special opportunity to watch a bear frolic in the snow and other than the size, it wasn't much different than watching a dog enjoy the snow! He was adorable!! Stuck his head straight down into the snow and then turned a somersault. It is said that polar bears are an animal that plays and this was certainly proof of that! Luckily I remembered that I could take a video with my small camera and even though it is shaky, it is fun to watch the guy and his polar antics! That was a treat that I hadn't experienced before. Many of the bears we saw were sleeping, it was so hot for them. The guide told us that even though it was -4C that was like the bears had on 5 winter coats. Bears can heat themselves up but not cool themselves down so they have to be careful in the warmth. Watching the bears wander and sleep in the wild was, as always, a delightful experience! They are so beautiful!! I've not come across a person yet who wasn't totally thrilled to be in the presence of such amazing animals.
A highlight of the day was getting to see Kevin, the 'polar bear' man I met in Antarctica. He was surprised to see me, but I assured him I would be back, I'm in love with that experience! I had asked our guide if we would see him on the tundra and he said we just might run into him. But we were lucky to catch him at the dock, before we took off in vehicles. Later in the morning my driver backed up and ran right into Kevin's vehicle and I told him I hadn't literally wanted to run into him! Quite a coincidence with all of the buggies out there. There are 18 permits for vehicles in that area, 12 are for Tundra Buggy and 6 are for Great White Bear. You pass them but mostly you are not too close to them, except in unusual circumstances! Seeing Kevin was great, how nice it was to see both of my friends in Churchill!
At the end of the day we flew back to Winnipeg and I'm not sure exhaustion can describe the feeling after boucing around for 9 hours, hurridly repacking and heading out to the airport for a flight that was late and then finally arriving late. Mr. Perlman was there to meet and that was a nice way to end the trip.
Polar bears beware, I will return!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Day 2 with THE Bears
Not sure what to say, another spectacular day with the bears!! So many stories, so many pictures, so many memories! Today was a day of tundra buggying around on the shores of Hudson Bay watching bears and hanging out at the dog place where bears hang out around the dogs. Good pictures? A few!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Day 1 With THE Bears!
Before I start with the happenings of polar bear watching on the tundra, I have to share my spectacular experience last night. Ready for bed, exhausted from the day that started at 4:30 AM in Winnipeg, and included all of the above mentioned activities including shopping, I had a frantic knock at the door. One of my new friends shouted out that the lights were out! 'The Lights' here refers to the spectacular aurora borealis, the northern lights, a phenomenon I had yet to see but hoped to this trip. I was amazed at how quickly I was able to put on so many clothes! And the sight, well I'm not sure there words to describe the dancing lights. How lucky we were to be able to just stand down the street from our hotel for the light show. Streaks of greenish white lights wove around in curves in the sky above us. A stunning sight! The colors weren't as vivid to the naked eye as they showed up in photos. Bright streaks of green were waving in people''s photos, my camera was unable to capture the sight, but I doubt my mind will ever forget it! The Inuit people believe it is the spirits of their ancestors dancing in the sky, a belief that feels so possible as you see the lights gently weave their colorful magic across the sky. Maybe it was close to an hour that we stood outside watching, but as with the torch, nothing else seemed important. I'm sure I was cold, but I don't have any memory of that. I was, however, aware that the trucks marked 'polar bear alert patrol' kept passing us. Not sure if it was a comforting sight or not. Apparently this has been a big year for bears in town. Thank goodness there were no bear sightings while on foot! What an amazing job of keeping people safe they do here! And so finally the lights faded and one of the most extraordinary days of my life came to an end!
This morning after a quick breakfast we headed out to get on the Great White Bear tundra vehicles for a day that was filled with bear sightings! What magnificent creatures these bears are! Most were not doing anything but napping. A couple came to our vehicle and I believe I did get some nice shots. I believe my new camera did great and I loved the 10x zoom. The people counting said we saw over 30 bears! My favorite was the bear who walked towards us but stopped several feet back and stood in one place for quite a long time with his head hanging down and his eyes shutting. Finally he carefully and gracefully laid down right there on our path, covered his eyes with his paws and went to sleep. We are told to be silent so as not to scare them away, but when we were leaving I decided I just had to talk to the big guy and I .said "bye handsome". Surprisingly his great head lifted, he looked right at me and smiled. Okay I did make up the smiled part, but the eye contact was amazing, just the two of us looking at each other. What incredible creatures they are!
My day ended with dinner with Shari, the friend I met here last year. She has spent the year working with Polar Bears International and what interesting stories she had to tell! Today she got to help with a polar bear airlift from the 'polar bear jail' and actually got to touch the bear before it woke up in it's new location. So many dreams come true here for people like me, whose passion is the bears.
And hopefully tonight I will dream of my bears.
This morning after a quick breakfast we headed out to get on the Great White Bear tundra vehicles for a day that was filled with bear sightings! What magnificent creatures these bears are! Most were not doing anything but napping. A couple came to our vehicle and I believe I did get some nice shots. I believe my new camera did great and I loved the 10x zoom. The people counting said we saw over 30 bears! My favorite was the bear who walked towards us but stopped several feet back and stood in one place for quite a long time with his head hanging down and his eyes shutting. Finally he carefully and gracefully laid down right there on our path, covered his eyes with his paws and went to sleep. We are told to be silent so as not to scare them away, but when we were leaving I decided I just had to talk to the big guy and I .said "bye handsome". Surprisingly his great head lifted, he looked right at me and smiled. Okay I did make up the smiled part, but the eye contact was amazing, just the two of us looking at each other. What incredible creatures they are!
My day ended with dinner with Shari, the friend I met here last year. She has spent the year working with Polar Bears International and what interesting stories she had to tell! Today she got to help with a polar bear airlift from the 'polar bear jail' and actually got to touch the bear before it woke up in it's new location. So many dreams come true here for people like me, whose passion is the bears.
And hopefully tonight I will dream of my bears.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Churchill,Manitoba,Canada
What can one say when in the subarctic tundra? "Beautiful day out, only 0 degrees" Ör maybe 'Lucky we got a few new inches of snow last night." For me, just being here is the thrill! I'm currently watching the sky hoping the light clouds move out and this is one of the rare nights when the northern lights shine. Hopefully they can be seen from my hotel window if they appear. And I use the word hotel loosely.I tried everything to find a way to see the lights and although you could walk a short distance for a great view, going out at night alone is discouraged, the bears roam. So the only solution that anyone came up with is that I could call a taxi if I see them appearing. Last time at the lodge I had a room facing the street, this time I requested a room facing the back, where bears roam at night from time to time. My guess is that I'll be up most of the night looking out the window for one stunning sight or the other.
I arrived easily this morning, none of the drama that was part of last year's arrival. We left Winnipeg at 6:30 and watched the incredible reds of the sunrise on the horizon. Spectacular sight! I am thinking I need s thesaurus when I write about this trip, I don't know enough adjectives to describe it! The Calm Air flight was nice, almost all seats were full, people anticipating the upcoming adventure, most for the first time. People were calm, I was one of the most excited. Not only because I knew what was to come, but because the kid in me takes over at some point in my adventures when the worried adult is no longer useful. I was talking to the flight attendant who told the cutest story. She never flies the early morning flights but she did this morning because of 2 passengers. Paul and Mary have been coming to Churchill every year for 20 years and they have been married 40. They became friends with Tanya when they always seemed to be on her flghts. Now they email her when their plans are made and she always flies with them. Ah, how wonderful that they have each other to share this passion with! I shouldn't complain, I do have Mr. Perlman in Winnipeg who says he likes seeing my pictures and hearing my stories on my return. Hmm...
We waited a bit to be picked up at the airport when we got here. But the wait was made up for when our driver, Mac from Grand Junction, agreed to drive us into town to look around. Well, as we drove in it turns out we ended up following the Olympic torch! He let us out and we followed the end of the run to the end at the city square. We didn't run, I more or less slipped and slided behind the torch. I was shocked to immediately see Shari, who I met last year here. She is the one who told me about the torch being in town so that is the reason I'm here. It was fun to meet up with her for a bit and then I went to the front of the crowd to get pictures of the torch and the festivities. A kindergarten teacher who is also the school choir teacher was the first to run with the torch. She gave a nice speech about the meaning of peace and the Oympics and then led the children's choir in some songs. While this was going on I saw people having their pictures taken wth a young man and the torch. I talked to him, he was selected to carry the torch because of all of the service he has done for his community. And then the big moment arrived, I had my picture taken holding an Olympic torch! I learned something new, there are several torches, it is the flame that is passed on. Never too old to learn something new. As I was savoring every moment of this small town's celebration, Mac came up and everyone was back on the bus waiting for me. Funny, they were all cold and wanting to go to the lodge to dress appropriately. Only then did I realize how cold and wet I was. It was too bad we had to leave then, because by the time I changed into my boots and walked (well, slipped and slided) back to the square, the native Inuit dancers and drummers were over. So sad I missed that, but I'd held an Olympic torch so I guess you can't have everything. Or so they say, but sitting in my little room in the lodge, watching the light oranges of the sunset under the clouds, watching the helicopters fly by to land and listening to the train whistles, I think just maybe I do have it al!
Tomorrow at 7:30 the real polar bear adventure begins!
I arrived easily this morning, none of the drama that was part of last year's arrival. We left Winnipeg at 6:30 and watched the incredible reds of the sunrise on the horizon. Spectacular sight! I am thinking I need s thesaurus when I write about this trip, I don't know enough adjectives to describe it! The Calm Air flight was nice, almost all seats were full, people anticipating the upcoming adventure, most for the first time. People were calm, I was one of the most excited. Not only because I knew what was to come, but because the kid in me takes over at some point in my adventures when the worried adult is no longer useful. I was talking to the flight attendant who told the cutest story. She never flies the early morning flights but she did this morning because of 2 passengers. Paul and Mary have been coming to Churchill every year for 20 years and they have been married 40. They became friends with Tanya when they always seemed to be on her flghts. Now they email her when their plans are made and she always flies with them. Ah, how wonderful that they have each other to share this passion with! I shouldn't complain, I do have Mr. Perlman in Winnipeg who says he likes seeing my pictures and hearing my stories on my return. Hmm...
We waited a bit to be picked up at the airport when we got here. But the wait was made up for when our driver, Mac from Grand Junction, agreed to drive us into town to look around. Well, as we drove in it turns out we ended up following the Olympic torch! He let us out and we followed the end of the run to the end at the city square. We didn't run, I more or less slipped and slided behind the torch. I was shocked to immediately see Shari, who I met last year here. She is the one who told me about the torch being in town so that is the reason I'm here. It was fun to meet up with her for a bit and then I went to the front of the crowd to get pictures of the torch and the festivities. A kindergarten teacher who is also the school choir teacher was the first to run with the torch. She gave a nice speech about the meaning of peace and the Oympics and then led the children's choir in some songs. While this was going on I saw people having their pictures taken wth a young man and the torch. I talked to him, he was selected to carry the torch because of all of the service he has done for his community. And then the big moment arrived, I had my picture taken holding an Olympic torch! I learned something new, there are several torches, it is the flame that is passed on. Never too old to learn something new. As I was savoring every moment of this small town's celebration, Mac came up and everyone was back on the bus waiting for me. Funny, they were all cold and wanting to go to the lodge to dress appropriately. Only then did I realize how cold and wet I was. It was too bad we had to leave then, because by the time I changed into my boots and walked (well, slipped and slided) back to the square, the native Inuit dancers and drummers were over. So sad I missed that, but I'd held an Olympic torch so I guess you can't have everything. Or so they say, but sitting in my little room in the lodge, watching the light oranges of the sunset under the clouds, watching the helicopters fly by to land and listening to the train whistles, I think just maybe I do have it al!
Tomorrow at 7:30 the real polar bear adventure begins!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Germany Adventures
Ahh, the time in Germany has flown by and before we know it we will be on a TAP Portugal flight back to Lisbon tomorrow. And as usual, time with Cesar has flown by and weºve been busy with little time to share my adventures in my blog. It is late but Iºm awake so I decided to take time to record some of our highlights. I think it would take more than 3 days to write about the happenings of our trip, it would take so long to try to describe our experiences. How in words could I relate all that we have said and done and the senses it has touched.
I could write about the incredibly beautiful walk we took today among the beautiful fall colors in the Bavarian countryside as we walked to the famous Neuschwanstein castle. Looking up at the castle rising out of the autumn colors on a mountain top was a sight to behold. One which neither of us will ever forget! Hopefully we will forget the incredible hassle it took to get there, another story in itself. But the walk, an autumn experience to be written about and savored for years. The reds and oranges and yellows, with leaves floating down all around us as we walked to the castle in the overcast, cool afternoon, proved that fall is in the air. But it would be impossible to share the sounds and smells that were part of that other worldly experience. How lucky I feel to have shared this experience with a friend. The castle was beautiful inside too, but the stunning view from outside far exceeded what was inside in my opinion. And, oh my poor legs and feet! Even though we took a shuttle to a spot above the castle, part of the walk to arrive was uphill which was only made worse when we started the tour and climbed many stairs up a winding staircase to begin our tour on the 5th floor. I made it with quite a bit of effort, no way was I going to miss that sight! I am sure that the pain will remind of this accomplishment for days! Ahhh, but how worth it that was!
Yesterday was just as delightful as we explored the streets and sights of Salzburg, Austria. Neither of us had anticipated the quaint beauty of the city! Unfortunately we went later in the day than we should have and with all of the stores and sights closing at 6, we did miss a lot. A great destination for another trip! We saw Mozartºs birthplace but didnºt have time to go in, but we bought a darling musical note umbrella to use in our travels. Seems we always end up in places in the winter that are cold and rainy and now we will be prepared, with a memento of our trip to Austria. We had a true Bavarian lunch, I enjoyed it but Cesar isnºt fond of Bavarian cuisine we discovered. there was an incredible dessert that is named after Salzburg and that was a fun thing to try. Exploring in Europe is somewhat determined by the train schedule, Iºm actually becoming quite good at managing the train trips in a language I canºt read! Although being with Cesar is quite a security even though he knows no German and this is our first time to be where he is as clueless as I am about what is going on. But together we have managed. If you know me you know I donºt have a problem asking questions and the people here are so nice and helpful. We had a quite peculiar happening waiting to board our train. We were waiting on the platform where the train was supposed to arrive. We waited and waited and we were the only ones on the platform, and there was no sign of the train arriving. The info wasnºt posted on the sign, not a person was anywhere around. It was dark, cold and rather spooky being there all alone so we decided to leave and look for someone to ask about the train. We only found 3 workers who didnºt speak English and we tried to communicate to them the dilemma. One kind man tried to help us and pointed out the info on the schedule and we told him there was no sign of anything happening. We turned around and there were many, many people on the platform, and the sign was up and it was as though we had been in the twilight zone! Suddenly, without a sound, all the people had appeared and we were both in total shock. No idea how it all happened but at least being together, we both knew the total oddity of the moment. So on top of all the amazing events weºve had in Germany, we even spent a few minutes in the twilight zone together! On the train back to Munich from Salzburg we met a delightful girl who is a kindergarten teacher in a small town in Austria near the Italian border. She was so friendly and informative and we enjoyed being in her company on the long ride home.
Home, what memories we will have of this home away from home. Finding it was quite a nightmare when we arrived after midnight and wandered around the gigantic train station for at least an hour. We arrived at the airport and it was so empty and there were not many choices for transportation into town to our hotel, the Sofitel. It was just behind the train station we were told, but the journey to reach it after the midnight train ride to town was another story that wonºt make it to the blog. We did finally arrive a little before 2AM and the man who checked us in felt so sorry for us and gave us a room upgrade to a junior suite. WOW!! We were totally amazed when we walked in and saw our home for the next few days. The living room is quite modern, done in lime greens, and plums and black and white. there is a giant flat screen tv with speaker all around. There are stairs that lead up to a bedroom in a loft that is gorgeous and oh, so comfortable!! And the bathroom is incredible! We havenºt been able to spend nearly enough time in the room to enjoy the luxurious setting. Weºve decided to hang out here in the morning before going to the airport. The breakfast that comes with the room is delicious, many wonderful choices to make of foods from Germany and the US. A delight just to eat breakfast! The first morning I was ordering our eggs and mentioned that I was with my Portuguese friend. The sweet young girl cooking said that her colleague was from Portugal and I asked if she would have her come over and just start talking to Cesar in Portuguese. When I got to the table, Cesar knowing I always chat with everyone, asked if Iºd made any new friends and I told him I had. No more information. When the lady came up to our table and started talking in Portuguese, the look of surprise on his face was priceless! What fun that was for all of us.
Yes, Munich has been a delightful experience and now we will head back to Portugal for more adventures. We had a glich in our castle night plan, poor Cesar was given a double shift that day and he tried to get me to cancel our plans, but who knows if and when I will ever be back and even if I am, it isnºt easy to get the royal suite. So being we adjusted the plan and I will not get the part I pictured of us having a dinner outside in the beautiful walled village at sunset. Now we will be going at midnight when he gets off work and staying late the next day. It was the only way it could work out so it was better than nothing. I just couldnºt leave without this exciting part of the plan! Not what Iºd hoped for, but better than nothing!
Well,once again I am off to bed. Ciao from Germany
I could write about the incredibly beautiful walk we took today among the beautiful fall colors in the Bavarian countryside as we walked to the famous Neuschwanstein castle. Looking up at the castle rising out of the autumn colors on a mountain top was a sight to behold. One which neither of us will ever forget! Hopefully we will forget the incredible hassle it took to get there, another story in itself. But the walk, an autumn experience to be written about and savored for years. The reds and oranges and yellows, with leaves floating down all around us as we walked to the castle in the overcast, cool afternoon, proved that fall is in the air. But it would be impossible to share the sounds and smells that were part of that other worldly experience. How lucky I feel to have shared this experience with a friend. The castle was beautiful inside too, but the stunning view from outside far exceeded what was inside in my opinion. And, oh my poor legs and feet! Even though we took a shuttle to a spot above the castle, part of the walk to arrive was uphill which was only made worse when we started the tour and climbed many stairs up a winding staircase to begin our tour on the 5th floor. I made it with quite a bit of effort, no way was I going to miss that sight! I am sure that the pain will remind of this accomplishment for days! Ahhh, but how worth it that was!
Yesterday was just as delightful as we explored the streets and sights of Salzburg, Austria. Neither of us had anticipated the quaint beauty of the city! Unfortunately we went later in the day than we should have and with all of the stores and sights closing at 6, we did miss a lot. A great destination for another trip! We saw Mozartºs birthplace but didnºt have time to go in, but we bought a darling musical note umbrella to use in our travels. Seems we always end up in places in the winter that are cold and rainy and now we will be prepared, with a memento of our trip to Austria. We had a true Bavarian lunch, I enjoyed it but Cesar isnºt fond of Bavarian cuisine we discovered. there was an incredible dessert that is named after Salzburg and that was a fun thing to try. Exploring in Europe is somewhat determined by the train schedule, Iºm actually becoming quite good at managing the train trips in a language I canºt read! Although being with Cesar is quite a security even though he knows no German and this is our first time to be where he is as clueless as I am about what is going on. But together we have managed. If you know me you know I donºt have a problem asking questions and the people here are so nice and helpful. We had a quite peculiar happening waiting to board our train. We were waiting on the platform where the train was supposed to arrive. We waited and waited and we were the only ones on the platform, and there was no sign of the train arriving. The info wasnºt posted on the sign, not a person was anywhere around. It was dark, cold and rather spooky being there all alone so we decided to leave and look for someone to ask about the train. We only found 3 workers who didnºt speak English and we tried to communicate to them the dilemma. One kind man tried to help us and pointed out the info on the schedule and we told him there was no sign of anything happening. We turned around and there were many, many people on the platform, and the sign was up and it was as though we had been in the twilight zone! Suddenly, without a sound, all the people had appeared and we were both in total shock. No idea how it all happened but at least being together, we both knew the total oddity of the moment. So on top of all the amazing events weºve had in Germany, we even spent a few minutes in the twilight zone together! On the train back to Munich from Salzburg we met a delightful girl who is a kindergarten teacher in a small town in Austria near the Italian border. She was so friendly and informative and we enjoyed being in her company on the long ride home.
Home, what memories we will have of this home away from home. Finding it was quite a nightmare when we arrived after midnight and wandered around the gigantic train station for at least an hour. We arrived at the airport and it was so empty and there were not many choices for transportation into town to our hotel, the Sofitel. It was just behind the train station we were told, but the journey to reach it after the midnight train ride to town was another story that wonºt make it to the blog. We did finally arrive a little before 2AM and the man who checked us in felt so sorry for us and gave us a room upgrade to a junior suite. WOW!! We were totally amazed when we walked in and saw our home for the next few days. The living room is quite modern, done in lime greens, and plums and black and white. there is a giant flat screen tv with speaker all around. There are stairs that lead up to a bedroom in a loft that is gorgeous and oh, so comfortable!! And the bathroom is incredible! We havenºt been able to spend nearly enough time in the room to enjoy the luxurious setting. Weºve decided to hang out here in the morning before going to the airport. The breakfast that comes with the room is delicious, many wonderful choices to make of foods from Germany and the US. A delight just to eat breakfast! The first morning I was ordering our eggs and mentioned that I was with my Portuguese friend. The sweet young girl cooking said that her colleague was from Portugal and I asked if she would have her come over and just start talking to Cesar in Portuguese. When I got to the table, Cesar knowing I always chat with everyone, asked if Iºd made any new friends and I told him I had. No more information. When the lady came up to our table and started talking in Portuguese, the look of surprise on his face was priceless! What fun that was for all of us.
Yes, Munich has been a delightful experience and now we will head back to Portugal for more adventures. We had a glich in our castle night plan, poor Cesar was given a double shift that day and he tried to get me to cancel our plans, but who knows if and when I will ever be back and even if I am, it isnºt easy to get the royal suite. So being we adjusted the plan and I will not get the part I pictured of us having a dinner outside in the beautiful walled village at sunset. Now we will be going at midnight when he gets off work and staying late the next day. It was the only way it could work out so it was better than nothing. I just couldnºt leave without this exciting part of the plan! Not what Iºd hoped for, but better than nothing!
Well,once again I am off to bed. Ciao from Germany
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Greetings from Portugal
Yes, it is true, I am back in Portugal. Itºs been 3 months since I was here. I am in my hotel room with a balcony that overlooks Cesarºs hotel and behind that the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. As you can tell I am on a computer with a Portuguese keyboard so the apostrophe appears as the small circle that I can never find on the American keyboard when I want to use it for degrees of temps. Anyway, back to my reality, Portugal.
The trip here was exhausting, as always, although it does seem harder each time, but only until I see Cesar at the airport and then all is forgotten, except how worth it, it was to be back in beautiful Portugal with my friend!
The trip, while tiring, was quite nice! I used my air miles to purchase a first class ticket and the trip was luxurious to say the least! A seat that reclined totally and quite personal service. At 2AM, when all of my American friends were snug in their beds, I was gently awakened by a flight attendent telling me it was time for breakfast. We were just an hour out of Frankfurt and it was 10AM there. Then a 3 course breakfast was served. Something one could get quite used to, traveling first class! (not the getting up at 2am)
Arriving in Frankfurt was a bit exciting, I no longer panic at new experiences, well at least the safe ones. I knew I would find my way eventually to the next flight. Going through passport control was okay, I told the man it was my first time in Germany and he actually smiled at me. I had been told that my connection would be close to my arrival gate. That was a lie and when I stopped to ask directions I was told it was a very long walk, that was not a lie! Now that I am a more seasoned traveler, I spend more time observing than panicking. I saw two things at the airport that are unique to Germany, at least as far as my experience goes. In the bathroom, I found that the soap is released, not when you push down on the soap dispenser, but when you let go. Strange phenomenon to me. Yes, possibly I am easily intrigued. I pushed down and nothing came out so I pushed and pushed without totally releasing the handle, gave up, released it and all this soap came spewing out! Yes, easily intrigued! Just love those new experiences!! And then as I am strolling through the airport I notice someone go by on a bicycle! Yes a bicycle! The man appeared to be one of the maintenance men. A little later, a man in a suit went past me on a bicycle! Yes, apparently many of the airport workers have bikes! I passed a parking area for the bikes and they had little license plates on them too. very interesting concept, more places should do this for easy transportation inside the airport I think. No one seemed to mind and there wasnºt a problem for them to get around the people. Iºm interested to see if there are people on bikes in the Munich airport too. I purchased a couple of things on my walk through the airport and was amazed at how expensive it is! I did find a childrenºs book about a polar bear with polar bear finger puppet on it, in German!! What a wonderful addition to my polar bear collection that is! Who would have dreamed Iºd find anything polar bear in Germany!
The plane left on time and 3 hours later I was arriving at my old familiar hangout, the Lisbon airport! I waited a bit for Cesar and before I knew it we were off on our adventure. It was a quiet evening. we walked in the rain to an an Italian restaurant and then walked back to the hotel. I slept while he worked on his business and this morning we had breakfast at the hotel and then he walked across the street to work and I will take a nap after finishing this entry. Iºll shop this afternoon for souvenirs in the village of Cascais and then when he is off at 4 we head to the airport to fly to Munich, a fun 3 days ahead of us.
and so, ciao from Portugal! the bed is calling my name!
The trip here was exhausting, as always, although it does seem harder each time, but only until I see Cesar at the airport and then all is forgotten, except how worth it, it was to be back in beautiful Portugal with my friend!
The trip, while tiring, was quite nice! I used my air miles to purchase a first class ticket and the trip was luxurious to say the least! A seat that reclined totally and quite personal service. At 2AM, when all of my American friends were snug in their beds, I was gently awakened by a flight attendent telling me it was time for breakfast. We were just an hour out of Frankfurt and it was 10AM there. Then a 3 course breakfast was served. Something one could get quite used to, traveling first class! (not the getting up at 2am)
Arriving in Frankfurt was a bit exciting, I no longer panic at new experiences, well at least the safe ones. I knew I would find my way eventually to the next flight. Going through passport control was okay, I told the man it was my first time in Germany and he actually smiled at me. I had been told that my connection would be close to my arrival gate. That was a lie and when I stopped to ask directions I was told it was a very long walk, that was not a lie! Now that I am a more seasoned traveler, I spend more time observing than panicking. I saw two things at the airport that are unique to Germany, at least as far as my experience goes. In the bathroom, I found that the soap is released, not when you push down on the soap dispenser, but when you let go. Strange phenomenon to me. Yes, possibly I am easily intrigued. I pushed down and nothing came out so I pushed and pushed without totally releasing the handle, gave up, released it and all this soap came spewing out! Yes, easily intrigued! Just love those new experiences!! And then as I am strolling through the airport I notice someone go by on a bicycle! Yes a bicycle! The man appeared to be one of the maintenance men. A little later, a man in a suit went past me on a bicycle! Yes, apparently many of the airport workers have bikes! I passed a parking area for the bikes and they had little license plates on them too. very interesting concept, more places should do this for easy transportation inside the airport I think. No one seemed to mind and there wasnºt a problem for them to get around the people. Iºm interested to see if there are people on bikes in the Munich airport too. I purchased a couple of things on my walk through the airport and was amazed at how expensive it is! I did find a childrenºs book about a polar bear with polar bear finger puppet on it, in German!! What a wonderful addition to my polar bear collection that is! Who would have dreamed Iºd find anything polar bear in Germany!
The plane left on time and 3 hours later I was arriving at my old familiar hangout, the Lisbon airport! I waited a bit for Cesar and before I knew it we were off on our adventure. It was a quiet evening. we walked in the rain to an an Italian restaurant and then walked back to the hotel. I slept while he worked on his business and this morning we had breakfast at the hotel and then he walked across the street to work and I will take a nap after finishing this entry. Iºll shop this afternoon for souvenirs in the village of Cascais and then when he is off at 4 we head to the airport to fly to Munich, a fun 3 days ahead of us.
and so, ciao from Portugal! the bed is calling my name!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Three Phase Birthday
I believe it is over, my birthday that is. Technically it was only one day last week, but the celebrating has lasted a little extra this year. It wasn't a Switzerland birthday, but not much could come close to that extraordinary birthday. The 2 surprise birthday cakes in 2 different countries on my birthday, the Swiss fondue dinner in Switzerland and the walk in the Alps, well, what can one say? It was heavenly last year and now life is definitely back to earth.
But it has had a touch of heaven, when all is looked at as a whole.
PHASE 1: At the end of the British Isles cruise I stayed an extra day and flew over to Portugal for a day. Crazy, maybe, but I was too close not to visit César, so we made it work. I arrived there the evening of July 7, exactly 2 weeks before my birthday. It didn't seem like a birthday celebration, but it was a wonderful 24 hours. We checked into the hotel and then César rushed me to change and get ready for my 'birthday' dinner. In Portugal it is bad luck to wish someone a happy birthday before their birthday so he tried hard to not wish me one, but still make the visit special. My dinner was a wonderful surprise, he had booked reservations at a Fado restaurant. Fado is the traditional Portuguese music I love and we had talked about visiting a club, but had never done it. Not only was the candlelight dinner excellent at the little Portuguese restaurant, but there was a variety of entertainment including folk music and dance along with fado. A wonderful evening, actually very exciting! After dinner we got ice cream and sat on our balcony enjoying it as we enjoyed the full moon reflecting off the Atlantic Ocean. A beautiful Portuguese night, and so comfortable to be back with my friend. We talked until early the next morning, slept a little, and then had a nice breakfast at the hotel before he walked across the street to his hotel for work. I relaxed in the morning then went into Cascais and walked around the beautiful little town, I had lunch alone overlooking the ocean once again, you can't really avoid the ocean in Cascais. I didn't feel alone, César and I talked often that day. I walked back to his hotel and spent the rest of the afternoon curled up on a canopy lounging bed overlooking the ocean in the pool area of his fancy hotel. Finally I was cool! And lying there looking at the deep blue ocean and feeling the breeze over my body, I hoped that I would never forget that feeling, the ultimate in peace and relaxation! And I felt so safe with my friend inside watching out for me. When work was finished, we drove to a little local sandwich shop in Lisbon and ate some delicious food, nothing like our sandwiches here, just perfect, another unique taste of Portugal. I have to give César credit, we have eaten all over Europe and he always orders for me and I always love whatever he chooses! We had 2 pieces of a pastry like cake that had whipped cream filling and a caramel top for my birthday cake and he did what he had never done before in his life. He wished me a happy birthday early. We decided that since it was our only chance and since I'm not Portuguese it would be okay. After our rushed meal in the hot little corner cafe, we rushed to the airport and before I knew it I was telling him goodbye and on my way back to London. My first phase of my birthday celebration was over. And as always, seeing César was incredibly wonderful.
PHASE 2: I flew to Winnipeg the afternoon before my birthday to enjoy the day with my friend there, the man I met when I flew through Winnipeg to go to Churchill to see the polar bears. It seemed like it would be an exciting visit...until immigration decided it was strange that I was visiting for just 3 days (what would there be to do for more time I wondered, but didn't ask) and I was in for quite an experience being interrogated for an hour. I arrived feeling like an excited teacher ready for another new experience, but finally left the airport feeling as though I'd been treated like a criminal. It took a while to get over it and start enjoying the time with Mr. Perlman. We had fun, it was a nice, relaxing time, and there is so much of Winnipeg I didn't get to see yet. Maybe I'll go back for 2 days and see what immigration can do to me next time! I was alone most of my birthday and when I stopped to buy a cake, they decorated it and brought it to me and it had real pansies on the top. It looked so pretty, actually it looked better than it tasted. The pansies made me think of my mom, they were her favorite flowers, a birthday wish from my mom, perhaps? The Fringe festival was in Winnipeg so I enjoyed seeing some of the sights during the day and even went to one play. There were many, many plays all over town and it would have been fun to see others too. The one I saw sounded familiar when the people were telling me about it as I bought my ticket and I realized that I had heard that story very recently, when I was in Edinburgh. And that is where it took place. Evidently the best plays of this Fringe will then go to Edinburgh for the big Fringe festival that is there in August, when the Tattoo is also there. Such a coincidence. I flew home the next day, and Canada had no problems with my leaving, although I was a little sad, I'd had such a nice time. I arrived home in the late afternoon, picked up Bram from the kennel and got ready to start work, again, the next day.
PHASE 3: After 2 days of work and meetings, I flew to Oklahoma on Saturday to see my cousin's son, Jamie, in a big production of 'Jacob and the Technicolor Dreamcoat'. I've never gotten to see him perform and this was his biggest show and part ever, so it was a good one to see. Reba and Chuck picked me up at the airport and when I walked up to my hotel room door I was delightfully surprised! The door was decorated with a 'happy birthday' banner, balloons and streamers. I walked inside and the whole room was decorated! It looked beautiful! Finally someone had really planned a celebration for me! Now it felt like a real birthday. Reba knows how to do decorating! We laughed and enjoyed the afternoon as I opened the gifts they brought me. Later Jillian, Reba's daughter arrived from Dallas with a birthday cake she had made for me. They had planned a party after the show with some other cousins who live in the area. The funny thing is I have always loved the 'funfetti' cake mix and that is the one Jill made for me so it was even my favorite kind! We all went out for a big dinner and then to the show. Jamie was a star! I was so excited to see how incredible he was! And he's my cousin! He is at OU now in the music program, he acts, sings and dances! I am sure someday I will be flying to Broadway to see him! And he is a sweetheart too. I did some reiki while I was there, the first in a long time. We went back to the hotel, ate cake, I drank my first Cosmopolitan, and then the party and the final celebration of my birthday was over. Today I flew home.
Tomorrow I start working full time for a while and then it will be part time. My job is seeming like it will be wonderful! The philosophy of this school is a perfect match for me so it should be a great fit. I have a lot of responsibility and independence, and already appreciation! And so my new year begins with settling down to reality. My 2 year fairy tale ended when I left Winnipeg I think. I know I can't complain, that was quite the 'grand finale'. Although César wants me to visit in the fall and spend time at the castle that you can stay in, I'm not sure I'll make the trip. It's a long way to go. And I feel like the polar bears of Churchill are calling my name, so I might head back up to Hudson Bay in the fall. I'm afraid that reality might take over and all my traveling will cease. Only time will tell. I'm going to try to hold on to bits of the fantasy life I created.
And so now, I do feel a year older...and a little wiser too!
But it has had a touch of heaven, when all is looked at as a whole.
PHASE 1: At the end of the British Isles cruise I stayed an extra day and flew over to Portugal for a day. Crazy, maybe, but I was too close not to visit César, so we made it work. I arrived there the evening of July 7, exactly 2 weeks before my birthday. It didn't seem like a birthday celebration, but it was a wonderful 24 hours. We checked into the hotel and then César rushed me to change and get ready for my 'birthday' dinner. In Portugal it is bad luck to wish someone a happy birthday before their birthday so he tried hard to not wish me one, but still make the visit special. My dinner was a wonderful surprise, he had booked reservations at a Fado restaurant. Fado is the traditional Portuguese music I love and we had talked about visiting a club, but had never done it. Not only was the candlelight dinner excellent at the little Portuguese restaurant, but there was a variety of entertainment including folk music and dance along with fado. A wonderful evening, actually very exciting! After dinner we got ice cream and sat on our balcony enjoying it as we enjoyed the full moon reflecting off the Atlantic Ocean. A beautiful Portuguese night, and so comfortable to be back with my friend. We talked until early the next morning, slept a little, and then had a nice breakfast at the hotel before he walked across the street to his hotel for work. I relaxed in the morning then went into Cascais and walked around the beautiful little town, I had lunch alone overlooking the ocean once again, you can't really avoid the ocean in Cascais. I didn't feel alone, César and I talked often that day. I walked back to his hotel and spent the rest of the afternoon curled up on a canopy lounging bed overlooking the ocean in the pool area of his fancy hotel. Finally I was cool! And lying there looking at the deep blue ocean and feeling the breeze over my body, I hoped that I would never forget that feeling, the ultimate in peace and relaxation! And I felt so safe with my friend inside watching out for me. When work was finished, we drove to a little local sandwich shop in Lisbon and ate some delicious food, nothing like our sandwiches here, just perfect, another unique taste of Portugal. I have to give César credit, we have eaten all over Europe and he always orders for me and I always love whatever he chooses! We had 2 pieces of a pastry like cake that had whipped cream filling and a caramel top for my birthday cake and he did what he had never done before in his life. He wished me a happy birthday early. We decided that since it was our only chance and since I'm not Portuguese it would be okay. After our rushed meal in the hot little corner cafe, we rushed to the airport and before I knew it I was telling him goodbye and on my way back to London. My first phase of my birthday celebration was over. And as always, seeing César was incredibly wonderful.
PHASE 2: I flew to Winnipeg the afternoon before my birthday to enjoy the day with my friend there, the man I met when I flew through Winnipeg to go to Churchill to see the polar bears. It seemed like it would be an exciting visit...until immigration decided it was strange that I was visiting for just 3 days (what would there be to do for more time I wondered, but didn't ask) and I was in for quite an experience being interrogated for an hour. I arrived feeling like an excited teacher ready for another new experience, but finally left the airport feeling as though I'd been treated like a criminal. It took a while to get over it and start enjoying the time with Mr. Perlman. We had fun, it was a nice, relaxing time, and there is so much of Winnipeg I didn't get to see yet. Maybe I'll go back for 2 days and see what immigration can do to me next time! I was alone most of my birthday and when I stopped to buy a cake, they decorated it and brought it to me and it had real pansies on the top. It looked so pretty, actually it looked better than it tasted. The pansies made me think of my mom, they were her favorite flowers, a birthday wish from my mom, perhaps? The Fringe festival was in Winnipeg so I enjoyed seeing some of the sights during the day and even went to one play. There were many, many plays all over town and it would have been fun to see others too. The one I saw sounded familiar when the people were telling me about it as I bought my ticket and I realized that I had heard that story very recently, when I was in Edinburgh. And that is where it took place. Evidently the best plays of this Fringe will then go to Edinburgh for the big Fringe festival that is there in August, when the Tattoo is also there. Such a coincidence. I flew home the next day, and Canada had no problems with my leaving, although I was a little sad, I'd had such a nice time. I arrived home in the late afternoon, picked up Bram from the kennel and got ready to start work, again, the next day.
PHASE 3: After 2 days of work and meetings, I flew to Oklahoma on Saturday to see my cousin's son, Jamie, in a big production of 'Jacob and the Technicolor Dreamcoat'. I've never gotten to see him perform and this was his biggest show and part ever, so it was a good one to see. Reba and Chuck picked me up at the airport and when I walked up to my hotel room door I was delightfully surprised! The door was decorated with a 'happy birthday' banner, balloons and streamers. I walked inside and the whole room was decorated! It looked beautiful! Finally someone had really planned a celebration for me! Now it felt like a real birthday. Reba knows how to do decorating! We laughed and enjoyed the afternoon as I opened the gifts they brought me. Later Jillian, Reba's daughter arrived from Dallas with a birthday cake she had made for me. They had planned a party after the show with some other cousins who live in the area. The funny thing is I have always loved the 'funfetti' cake mix and that is the one Jill made for me so it was even my favorite kind! We all went out for a big dinner and then to the show. Jamie was a star! I was so excited to see how incredible he was! And he's my cousin! He is at OU now in the music program, he acts, sings and dances! I am sure someday I will be flying to Broadway to see him! And he is a sweetheart too. I did some reiki while I was there, the first in a long time. We went back to the hotel, ate cake, I drank my first Cosmopolitan, and then the party and the final celebration of my birthday was over. Today I flew home.
Tomorrow I start working full time for a while and then it will be part time. My job is seeming like it will be wonderful! The philosophy of this school is a perfect match for me so it should be a great fit. I have a lot of responsibility and independence, and already appreciation! And so my new year begins with settling down to reality. My 2 year fairy tale ended when I left Winnipeg I think. I know I can't complain, that was quite the 'grand finale'. Although César wants me to visit in the fall and spend time at the castle that you can stay in, I'm not sure I'll make the trip. It's a long way to go. And I feel like the polar bears of Churchill are calling my name, so I might head back up to Hudson Bay in the fall. I'm afraid that reality might take over and all my traveling will cease. Only time will tell. I'm going to try to hold on to bits of the fantasy life I created.
And so now, I do feel a year older...and a little wiser too!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Winnipeg Ponderings
If someone gives you a gift and there is a $25,000 fine to have it, is it still considered a gift? :-)
If Winnie the Pooh was really named after Winnipeg, then where is Pooh Corner?
Might it be in the corner of Canadian immigration where interrogations go on hour after hour and innocent, teacher type people are pulled into it?
Or might it be in the corner executive suite of a high rise hotel where wonderful, memorable birthday events go on?
Might it be on the corner where the liquor mart is that has a variety of liquor bottles with polar bears on them?
Or perhaps on the corner where the sandwich shop is that gives you donuts with your sandwiches rather than chips and pickles?
Hmmmm...where might Pooh corner be?
If you meet someone with the same name are you really cousins?
If you 'write a novel' at various times of the night, will it sell?
If you eat a pansy, are you a flower child?
What did she really do to 'wash that man right out of her hair' in "South Pacific"?
If you fly away for an unknown adventure, will it always be a nice experience?
Can you find a new friend and then walk away for good?
And exactly what things are newsworthy on a blog of a birthday trip?
I wonder......
If Winnie the Pooh was really named after Winnipeg, then where is Pooh Corner?
Might it be in the corner of Canadian immigration where interrogations go on hour after hour and innocent, teacher type people are pulled into it?
Or might it be in the corner executive suite of a high rise hotel where wonderful, memorable birthday events go on?
Might it be on the corner where the liquor mart is that has a variety of liquor bottles with polar bears on them?
Or perhaps on the corner where the sandwich shop is that gives you donuts with your sandwiches rather than chips and pickles?
Hmmmm...where might Pooh corner be?
If you meet someone with the same name are you really cousins?
If you 'write a novel' at various times of the night, will it sell?
If you eat a pansy, are you a flower child?
What did she really do to 'wash that man right out of her hair' in "South Pacific"?
If you fly away for an unknown adventure, will it always be a nice experience?
Can you find a new friend and then walk away for good?
And exactly what things are newsworthy on a blog of a birthday trip?
I wonder......
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Independence Day - Edinburgh, Scotland
July 4th, and the first time I wasn't in Colorado to celebrate. A strange feeling to be across the world on our independence day. The ship had a grand display in the atrium, but unfortunately it was taken down by late that night when I went to take a picture. There was a very tall statue of liberty surrounded by red, white and blue balloons. There was a table laid out with red, white and blue decorations and a cake or two. I don't think they cut and served the cakes, but I wasn't around at all, so they might have in the evening. It was a massive and quite impressive display and the only reminder that it was our independence day.
Diana, Alec and I went to shore together, it was a tender port. It was always nice to be with them, having friends on a cruise was so much more fun! I am afraid I am spoiled now, having friends to see, talk to and have dinner with. And I already miss hearing their British accents, but I am sure I have picked up some of their sayings, even if it isn't the same coming out of my mouth. When something is good, it is brilliant, and a young man is a chap or bloke and I like those terms. We were surprised that there weren't more British on the ship, it was mainly Americans, with a large group of Asians too.
And so the three of us decided to take a shuttle into Edinburgh from S. Queensferry, where we docked. That was a good choice. I decided to take a tour that afternoon rather than spending the whole day in Edinburgh. By that time my feet were so painful I knew I couldn't walk to all the places I would want to see in that beautiful city so I would have to go back someday anyway to see more. Maybe it will be a destination for César and I, he loves the city too. When we arrived in Edinburgh, Diana and Alec were off on their walk to explore the city and I was off to find the hop on/off bus. It was just a few blocks away from where the shuttle dropped us off, but with the road construction there was a little walking detour. The bus driver assured me the ride around the city was only an hour and that would give me time to get back to the shuttle, to get back to the ship for my afternoon tour, so I boarded the bus for an overview of the city. I'd been before and took the half day tour and the traffic was so terrible I wasn't looking forward to that again, but loved seeing the city! I love Edinburgh! With the beautiful castle up on the hill, it is a gorgeous sight for a city. On my last trip to Edinburgh two years ago in August I also went to the castle for the Scottish Tattoo so the memory of that was fresh in my mind. That was an absolutely incredible night. The kind of experience that is a once in a lifetime event. As one of the other passengers and I said as we left, there really were not words to describe the intense emotions that night evoked. No words at all to describe the deep way we were touched from everything from the castle, the sunset, the music and the lone bagpiper on the castle walls playing a tune for all the soldiers in battle. Moving beyond description. An interesting thing about that night was that it was the night the BBC filmed it for the video. I have since ordered the video and it shows all that we saw, but it does not have the deep effect being there in person had.
Anyway, this trip to Edinburgh was still enjoyable, even if not followed by the Tattoo. The bus went to the most historic places and we were back in time for me to walk the few blocks to the shuttle. Other people were there who were going back to the ship for the afternoon tour to Braveheart country and the Stirling Castle. Braveheart, now I know so much more about that part of Scottish history. I don't like watching violence or torture, but I might have to watch the movie again now that I am familiar with the people and places in it. William Wallace fought and was killed, I won't go into what being 'drawn and quartered' means since as I remember it the movie is quite explicit. Robert the Bruce was also a famous historic figure in that time and he was fighting for the independence of Scotland after William Wallace and did become king of the people. I was a little confused by the difference, he was not king of Scotland, but king of the people. We actually walked on the battlefield of the 14th century war and saw a huge monument to Robert the Bruce. I believe it was my first battlefield I've walked on, but it wasn't to be my last this trip. We then went to Stirling Castle and again it was a bit of a walk up, but nothing like I'd already done, so I knew I would make it. This castle was quite famous too, however I don't remember the details. By that time I'd seen so many castles and heard so many stories and my feet hurt so badly, I was doing good just to get around to see everything. I sat for a while on one of the walls at the top of the castle, not a bad way to spend my independence day, in the lands where another revolt had ended in another country's independence. I liked the connection with that.
The tour took us through beautiful countryside and little villages and I look forward to returning to Scotland someday to enjoy that beauty again! There was a long line to get back on the tenders and I didn't mind, it was a time to chat with people and I was in no hurry to leave Scotland. But once we got to the ship, I was happy to know that a sea day followed and I could rest and pack. On the sea day I ate lunch at the grill, decided the hot dog would be as close to a 4th barbeque as I would get this year, and that was fine with me!
Diana, Alec and I went to shore together, it was a tender port. It was always nice to be with them, having friends on a cruise was so much more fun! I am afraid I am spoiled now, having friends to see, talk to and have dinner with. And I already miss hearing their British accents, but I am sure I have picked up some of their sayings, even if it isn't the same coming out of my mouth. When something is good, it is brilliant, and a young man is a chap or bloke and I like those terms. We were surprised that there weren't more British on the ship, it was mainly Americans, with a large group of Asians too.
And so the three of us decided to take a shuttle into Edinburgh from S. Queensferry, where we docked. That was a good choice. I decided to take a tour that afternoon rather than spending the whole day in Edinburgh. By that time my feet were so painful I knew I couldn't walk to all the places I would want to see in that beautiful city so I would have to go back someday anyway to see more. Maybe it will be a destination for César and I, he loves the city too. When we arrived in Edinburgh, Diana and Alec were off on their walk to explore the city and I was off to find the hop on/off bus. It was just a few blocks away from where the shuttle dropped us off, but with the road construction there was a little walking detour. The bus driver assured me the ride around the city was only an hour and that would give me time to get back to the shuttle, to get back to the ship for my afternoon tour, so I boarded the bus for an overview of the city. I'd been before and took the half day tour and the traffic was so terrible I wasn't looking forward to that again, but loved seeing the city! I love Edinburgh! With the beautiful castle up on the hill, it is a gorgeous sight for a city. On my last trip to Edinburgh two years ago in August I also went to the castle for the Scottish Tattoo so the memory of that was fresh in my mind. That was an absolutely incredible night. The kind of experience that is a once in a lifetime event. As one of the other passengers and I said as we left, there really were not words to describe the intense emotions that night evoked. No words at all to describe the deep way we were touched from everything from the castle, the sunset, the music and the lone bagpiper on the castle walls playing a tune for all the soldiers in battle. Moving beyond description. An interesting thing about that night was that it was the night the BBC filmed it for the video. I have since ordered the video and it shows all that we saw, but it does not have the deep effect being there in person had.
Anyway, this trip to Edinburgh was still enjoyable, even if not followed by the Tattoo. The bus went to the most historic places and we were back in time for me to walk the few blocks to the shuttle. Other people were there who were going back to the ship for the afternoon tour to Braveheart country and the Stirling Castle. Braveheart, now I know so much more about that part of Scottish history. I don't like watching violence or torture, but I might have to watch the movie again now that I am familiar with the people and places in it. William Wallace fought and was killed, I won't go into what being 'drawn and quartered' means since as I remember it the movie is quite explicit. Robert the Bruce was also a famous historic figure in that time and he was fighting for the independence of Scotland after William Wallace and did become king of the people. I was a little confused by the difference, he was not king of Scotland, but king of the people. We actually walked on the battlefield of the 14th century war and saw a huge monument to Robert the Bruce. I believe it was my first battlefield I've walked on, but it wasn't to be my last this trip. We then went to Stirling Castle and again it was a bit of a walk up, but nothing like I'd already done, so I knew I would make it. This castle was quite famous too, however I don't remember the details. By that time I'd seen so many castles and heard so many stories and my feet hurt so badly, I was doing good just to get around to see everything. I sat for a while on one of the walls at the top of the castle, not a bad way to spend my independence day, in the lands where another revolt had ended in another country's independence. I liked the connection with that.
The tour took us through beautiful countryside and little villages and I look forward to returning to Scotland someday to enjoy that beauty again! There was a long line to get back on the tenders and I didn't mind, it was a time to chat with people and I was in no hurry to leave Scotland. But once we got to the ship, I was happy to know that a sea day followed and I could rest and pack. On the sea day I ate lunch at the grill, decided the hot dog would be as close to a 4th barbeque as I would get this year, and that was fine with me!
Back in Time - Invergordon, July 3, 2009
Before going on this British Isles cruise I read some books to learn about the places I was going. They were realistic fiction, the kind I enjoy learning history from. I began the "Outlander" series by Diana Gabaldon. It is a 'back in time' novel series which became interesting to me when I saw that in Inverness, Scotland, there was a Diana Gabaldon Outlander tour. The heroine, Claire, walks into a stone circle in the Scottish highlands and is taken back 200 years in time to the revolution of Culloden. So I read 3 of the series before leaving. I didn't take the tour, it was only offered at certain times or certain days, but I signed up for tours that would show me the area. When the ship arrived in Inverness I was thrilled to be in that part of Scotland. Both because it was the setting for the first 2 of the series, and because I was going to see Loch Ness!
I wasn't able to be on the tour I'd requested that visited Culloden, but I saw incredible sights! When you are on the tours, ship's or otherwise, you never know what kind of tour guide you will get. This day I had the two extremes. The morning started with the outstanding guide, he appeared in full highland dress and was fascinating to look at! I talked to his friend who was another tour guide, also dressed in tradional costume and he told me he had taken Diana Gabaldon around Scotland to see the places where her novel was set and he was sure that the handsome, brave Jamie Fraser was based on him! Ahh, but the hair color was different! Everything is so exciting to me when I travel and I thought this was a great coincidence, meeting the man who spent time with the author. Well Ian, who has also been in local films made of the great battles of Scotland and has been the model for greeting cards, was an outstanding guide! We learned so much about that area and although I missed getting to see the great battlefield at Culloden he made everything so interesting. We arrived at Uraquat. not spelled correctly, and I was a bit alarmed at the long walk downhill to see the castle ruins. This castle was very important in the Scottish history, it began as a stone age fort and was turned into a castle sometime in the following centuries. Many different families in history lived there and it was finally burned out to keep it from enemy hands. It sits on a beautiful cliff overlooking the ocean. I did make it down to the castle and back up again, thankfully! It was a bit of a climb for me, actually much more than a 'bit', and I felt proud that they didn't have to send the motorized wheel chair down to get me, which was the solution Ian had when I asked what would happen if I couldn't make it back up. It wasn't like the Giant's Causeway that had a shuttle up and down. The castle overlooked the large Loch Ness and it is said in legend that Nessie, the Loch Ness monster lives far beneath the castle. I didn't have the chance to see her, I guess you don't get everything. It was interesting that a scientist from America is now living there and owns the little museum and store, which we didn't get to go into, and his equipment has determined that there is an area of a different energy, perhaps the real Nessie. I would have liked more information about that.
Ian told us about the Rowan tree, which had also been discussed on the previous tour. The Rowan tree is planted in each yard because it keeps the witches away. This is a very strong superstitious belief in Scotland. He said he knows his mother in law isn't a witch because she passes it every time she visits, but his wife is starting to enter the house from the back so he is wondering about her, a cute story I thought. I was sad to see this tour end, it was so informative and entertaining as Ian is an entertainer too. He gave me his website so I could be in touch with him if I have any more questions.
The afternoon was a tour to a different part of the highlands. I went southeast on the first tour into the highlands and the afternoon one was to the northwest. Such beautiful countryside! It reminded me of Antarctica which is said to have a million different shades of blue, because Scotland had a million different shades of green. I would have to say the highlight of the tour was seeing the highland cattle. They have long shaggy fur and are beautiful! One guide said they aren't as popular as the other cattle, they are for meat and take a long time to grow, so they become more like pets. A later tour guide said that wasn't true, they are raised for the meat and the taste is surpassed by no other animal. I don't plan to ever taste one to decide for myself! The beautiful cow stopped eating and looked at us and I hope that my picture does turn out well, but if not I bought a postcard or two. We went to Shin Falls, a beautiful waterfall where the salmon were jumping out of the water on their uphill swim. I was looking forward to this view and when the tour guide told us it was 50 steps down to see the falls, I thought it would be impossible to make it the 50 steps back up, especially after the long trek I'd had that morning. But the part of me that still surprises me, was determined not to miss a sight and I knew I had to make it down to see that, which meant I had to make it back up. So off I headed down the 50 steps. What the guide did not tell us was that between each 10 or so steps was a long downhill path! What a walk! I was so thankful that the path led through the trees and there was a cool breeze, not sure I would have made it back up in the oppressive heat that met us at each port. British Isles, cool and cloudy? I didn't see that at all! I believe it must be a lie to keep outsiders from moving to the beautiful countries! So down I went and unfortunately the people were in mass at the rail and I just got a quick peek and didn't see any salmon at all, a sad fact, but I did see the falls and did make it back up, so it was a good trip. Unfortunately we had a tour guide who was on her first tour, with us and the bus driver knew and shared more than she did. Quite a disappointment after the wonderful morning guide. Thank goodness the bus driver was such a delight though, I enjoyed him and his stories. The people in Ireland and Scotland are so friendly! He explained that the Atlantic salmon are different than the Pacific, much, much larger and they don't die after their first spawning. I liked that news, I was so sad seeing the dead salmon along the river banks in Alaska.
On the tours we drove through Inverness which looked like a lovely city, and this became one of the ports that I would like to return to, although I would love to return to all the ports, this trip was amazing. And as we walked to the ship when we arrived back in Invergordon, a bagpipe band was performing for the ship, and it appeared to be a high school band! They were incredible and such a joy to hear as we boarded the ship to sail away from Scotland. I was happy that it was not our last stop in Scotland, we had Edinburgh to look forward to!
I wasn't able to be on the tour I'd requested that visited Culloden, but I saw incredible sights! When you are on the tours, ship's or otherwise, you never know what kind of tour guide you will get. This day I had the two extremes. The morning started with the outstanding guide, he appeared in full highland dress and was fascinating to look at! I talked to his friend who was another tour guide, also dressed in tradional costume and he told me he had taken Diana Gabaldon around Scotland to see the places where her novel was set and he was sure that the handsome, brave Jamie Fraser was based on him! Ahh, but the hair color was different! Everything is so exciting to me when I travel and I thought this was a great coincidence, meeting the man who spent time with the author. Well Ian, who has also been in local films made of the great battles of Scotland and has been the model for greeting cards, was an outstanding guide! We learned so much about that area and although I missed getting to see the great battlefield at Culloden he made everything so interesting. We arrived at Uraquat. not spelled correctly, and I was a bit alarmed at the long walk downhill to see the castle ruins. This castle was very important in the Scottish history, it began as a stone age fort and was turned into a castle sometime in the following centuries. Many different families in history lived there and it was finally burned out to keep it from enemy hands. It sits on a beautiful cliff overlooking the ocean. I did make it down to the castle and back up again, thankfully! It was a bit of a climb for me, actually much more than a 'bit', and I felt proud that they didn't have to send the motorized wheel chair down to get me, which was the solution Ian had when I asked what would happen if I couldn't make it back up. It wasn't like the Giant's Causeway that had a shuttle up and down. The castle overlooked the large Loch Ness and it is said in legend that Nessie, the Loch Ness monster lives far beneath the castle. I didn't have the chance to see her, I guess you don't get everything. It was interesting that a scientist from America is now living there and owns the little museum and store, which we didn't get to go into, and his equipment has determined that there is an area of a different energy, perhaps the real Nessie. I would have liked more information about that.
Ian told us about the Rowan tree, which had also been discussed on the previous tour. The Rowan tree is planted in each yard because it keeps the witches away. This is a very strong superstitious belief in Scotland. He said he knows his mother in law isn't a witch because she passes it every time she visits, but his wife is starting to enter the house from the back so he is wondering about her, a cute story I thought. I was sad to see this tour end, it was so informative and entertaining as Ian is an entertainer too. He gave me his website so I could be in touch with him if I have any more questions.
The afternoon was a tour to a different part of the highlands. I went southeast on the first tour into the highlands and the afternoon one was to the northwest. Such beautiful countryside! It reminded me of Antarctica which is said to have a million different shades of blue, because Scotland had a million different shades of green. I would have to say the highlight of the tour was seeing the highland cattle. They have long shaggy fur and are beautiful! One guide said they aren't as popular as the other cattle, they are for meat and take a long time to grow, so they become more like pets. A later tour guide said that wasn't true, they are raised for the meat and the taste is surpassed by no other animal. I don't plan to ever taste one to decide for myself! The beautiful cow stopped eating and looked at us and I hope that my picture does turn out well, but if not I bought a postcard or two. We went to Shin Falls, a beautiful waterfall where the salmon were jumping out of the water on their uphill swim. I was looking forward to this view and when the tour guide told us it was 50 steps down to see the falls, I thought it would be impossible to make it the 50 steps back up, especially after the long trek I'd had that morning. But the part of me that still surprises me, was determined not to miss a sight and I knew I had to make it down to see that, which meant I had to make it back up. So off I headed down the 50 steps. What the guide did not tell us was that between each 10 or so steps was a long downhill path! What a walk! I was so thankful that the path led through the trees and there was a cool breeze, not sure I would have made it back up in the oppressive heat that met us at each port. British Isles, cool and cloudy? I didn't see that at all! I believe it must be a lie to keep outsiders from moving to the beautiful countries! So down I went and unfortunately the people were in mass at the rail and I just got a quick peek and didn't see any salmon at all, a sad fact, but I did see the falls and did make it back up, so it was a good trip. Unfortunately we had a tour guide who was on her first tour, with us and the bus driver knew and shared more than she did. Quite a disappointment after the wonderful morning guide. Thank goodness the bus driver was such a delight though, I enjoyed him and his stories. The people in Ireland and Scotland are so friendly! He explained that the Atlantic salmon are different than the Pacific, much, much larger and they don't die after their first spawning. I liked that news, I was so sad seeing the dead salmon along the river banks in Alaska.
On the tours we drove through Inverness which looked like a lovely city, and this became one of the ports that I would like to return to, although I would love to return to all the ports, this trip was amazing. And as we walked to the ship when we arrived back in Invergordon, a bagpipe band was performing for the ship, and it appeared to be a high school band! They were incredible and such a joy to hear as we boarded the ship to sail away from Scotland. I was happy that it was not our last stop in Scotland, we had Edinburgh to look forward to!
Thoughts from Home
I'm home. As I've said before, that statement has so many aspects to it. I am grateful as always to return home safely. But my homecoming has been dampened by an unavoidable reality. My last entry was before I got the bad news from home that my 16 year old kitty was going downhill quickly and it was a day to day drama about what to do. I was very clear about my instructions to euthanize her immediately when she began to suffer. However everything started happening on the 4th of July weekend, when everyone but the emergency clinics are closed, and her caretakers were changing from the girl who she comes out for to a very sweet girl that she hides from. Unfortunately she hid and no one had any idea how badly she had gotten and when I arrived home she looked like a different cat, so my first responsibility when I arrived was to have her euthanized. A very difficult homecoming. I found out a very dear friend, my "2nd mother" in Houston also died yesterday. And so, now, as well as the end of my trip, other thoughts and decisions took my time and focus.
But the trip never wavered from being extraordinary! And with the desire to focus on that right now rather than my deep sadness, I'm going to write about the final days of my incredible journey. They are well worth noting in print. And so I will go back in time...
But the trip never wavered from being extraordinary! And with the desire to focus on that right now rather than my deep sadness, I'm going to write about the final days of my incredible journey. They are well worth noting in print. And so I will go back in time...
Thursday, July 2, 2009
North Sea
Rocky cliffs coming out of a misty ocean...the scene for most of the day from my balcony on the ship. We spent the day at sea, going around the top of Scotland in the North Sea. Beautiful! So serene, looked like a movie from some exotic place, although the weather went from being sunny this morning to cool and cloudy this afternoon. A perfect day for catching up. A perfect day for sitting on the balcony reading and thinking. It is almost 10:30 PM and the moon is now almost full and sitting in the blue sky over the island we are passing, with the only other sight, the light from the lighthouse on top of the cliffs. Other worldly feeling. Dusk but far from dark. The mist is barely visible at the foot of the cliffs now and tomorrow will probably dawn a beautiful day. We have had wonderful weather and I am sure it will continue, regardless of the fact that we are so far north.
Yesterday was an interesting day in Scotland. The ship docked in Greenock and it was a beautiful day, so unlike the torrential rains that met me on my last trip there. That time I had a trip to Loch Lomond in the afternoon and the rains dampened, pun intended, the journey, but not my spirits! I remember going to the bus in the downpour and César told me I didn't have to go in that weather, I could cancel and get a refund and I asked him if he was crazy, a little rain was not keeping me from the Scottish countryside! I can still see his smile with the rain pouring down around him, saying he didn't think so but wanted to be sure. And the day was wonderful. This time I decided to take a tour that drove along the coast of Scotland to the castle of Culzean. Such a scenic drive, the ocean and the hillsides covered with sheep! The castle was wonderful, still furnished and there were various things to see on the grounds. I ate lunch in the visitor center, the only place, and passed up the Scottish staple, haggis, and opted for a mushroom strogonoff that was quite good. After the castle, I purchased 2 tartan scarfs, which are marked with the clan's name. Our driver was from the Campbell clan and he was actually able to tell me by the pattern of the scarfs which clan it was from! I was impressed! It is a big deal over here! After the lunch and shopping I was in for another real treat. I took the walk to the walled garden. My first experience in one and I felt like I had walked into the 'Secret Garden'. The view was spectacular and the roses growing up the wall were so beautiful! I talked to one of the gardeners and it was a pleasure to stroll through the gardens. After the garden experience, there was one more thrill for the day. The herd of red deer that live on the castle grounds were near the fence and I was able to pet 2 of them and I have pictures of their beautiful faces so close! What a thrill! A highlight for sure for me!
We went by Robert Burn's cottage and I learned more about him. He is the author of Auld Lang Syne, that I didn't know. As always, I was filled with interesting information that will motivate me to learn more when I get home. It was a beautiful day in the Scottish hills and I look forward to tomorrow, a day in the highlands and at Loch Ness.
Yesterday was an interesting day in Scotland. The ship docked in Greenock and it was a beautiful day, so unlike the torrential rains that met me on my last trip there. That time I had a trip to Loch Lomond in the afternoon and the rains dampened, pun intended, the journey, but not my spirits! I remember going to the bus in the downpour and César told me I didn't have to go in that weather, I could cancel and get a refund and I asked him if he was crazy, a little rain was not keeping me from the Scottish countryside! I can still see his smile with the rain pouring down around him, saying he didn't think so but wanted to be sure. And the day was wonderful. This time I decided to take a tour that drove along the coast of Scotland to the castle of Culzean. Such a scenic drive, the ocean and the hillsides covered with sheep! The castle was wonderful, still furnished and there were various things to see on the grounds. I ate lunch in the visitor center, the only place, and passed up the Scottish staple, haggis, and opted for a mushroom strogonoff that was quite good. After the castle, I purchased 2 tartan scarfs, which are marked with the clan's name. Our driver was from the Campbell clan and he was actually able to tell me by the pattern of the scarfs which clan it was from! I was impressed! It is a big deal over here! After the lunch and shopping I was in for another real treat. I took the walk to the walled garden. My first experience in one and I felt like I had walked into the 'Secret Garden'. The view was spectacular and the roses growing up the wall were so beautiful! I talked to one of the gardeners and it was a pleasure to stroll through the gardens. After the garden experience, there was one more thrill for the day. The herd of red deer that live on the castle grounds were near the fence and I was able to pet 2 of them and I have pictures of their beautiful faces so close! What a thrill! A highlight for sure for me!
We went by Robert Burn's cottage and I learned more about him. He is the author of Auld Lang Syne, that I didn't know. As always, I was filled with interesting information that will motivate me to learn more when I get home. It was a beautiful day in the Scottish hills and I look forward to tomorrow, a day in the highlands and at Loch Ness.
The Giant's Causeway
Finn McCool, an Irish folk character, got in a war with a giant Scottish character and they had a challenge to make a path across the ocean between the two countries and the famous Giant's Causeway is the result of that challenge. What a sight to behold it was! Unfortunately we didn't have long to spend there, it is about a mile walk downhill to reach the site and then a shuttle is the best way back up. Everyone in the Belfast area must have been there that day and the wait to get back was so long that I only spent about 5 minutes exploring the rocks and the geological site. A beautiful place near the ocean, where you could climb to your heart's content on the large stones. Something to see and I only wish I hadn't had to spend 40 minutes in the line to get down to get the bus to leave. But I've seen it and the way things go, who knows when I might be there again, with more time to spend. For now, what an experience it was!
The drive through the countryside did not disappoint at all. Many shades of green on the rolling hills in the countryside, speckled with cows and sheep along the way. So peaceful and so like all the pictures you see of the Irish countryside. Rock walls and blue skies and castle ruins along the way. So many castles here, so many in ruins, however many are still lived in too.
I was a little nervous about being in Belfast, after all the years that the 'civil war' made the news, but in the 10 years since the Friday Agreement was made, the different sides have settled into a peace that feels safe. It is hard to imagine the city the way it was during the 30 years of the conflict. We drove past a wall painted with a mural representing the different factions of that time and the wall was quite unsettling to me, although our guide felt it was a sign of the peace they have reached. So although Belfast is in Ireland, it is a part of Britian.
And after one more very long day, we returned to the port of Belfast, so sail away to more adventures.
The drive through the countryside did not disappoint at all. Many shades of green on the rolling hills in the countryside, speckled with cows and sheep along the way. So peaceful and so like all the pictures you see of the Irish countryside. Rock walls and blue skies and castle ruins along the way. So many castles here, so many in ruins, however many are still lived in too.
I was a little nervous about being in Belfast, after all the years that the 'civil war' made the news, but in the 10 years since the Friday Agreement was made, the different sides have settled into a peace that feels safe. It is hard to imagine the city the way it was during the 30 years of the conflict. We drove past a wall painted with a mural representing the different factions of that time and the wall was quite unsettling to me, although our guide felt it was a sign of the peace they have reached. So although Belfast is in Ireland, it is a part of Britian.
And after one more very long day, we returned to the port of Belfast, so sail away to more adventures.
Back again...
Okay, I'll try this again, with my eyes rested! Finally we have a sea day, a time to catch up with rest and thoughts and emails!
After our cruise of the Lake, we ate a typical British lunch at a restaurant overlooking the lake. Not far away was the Beatrix Potter museum and we drove past it, a lovely building. That visit will have to wait for a future tour, but it was so special knowing that I was in the spot where Peter Rabbit and his friends were created! We continued our drive into the hills and arrived in Grassmere.
In Grassmere we visited the gravesite of William Wordsworth in a lovely little cemetary and had famous gingerbread, quite different than anything I've had before, quite gingery! The Lake district was beautiful, as I mentioned, but hot, did I mention that? Oh my, the weather in England, as well as Ireland and Scotland has been quite warm for me! I don't believe the stories people tell of all of the rain and clouds here at all! So in the heat, I rested in a little cafe as the others went walking and enjoyed their rare sunshine.
Time with Peter and Terry flew by and before we knew it, it was time to head home, back to the ship in it's new port in Liverpool. This ship seems to have made the news twice this trip, on it's docking in the new berth in Liverpool and in Belfast, the largest ship to ever dock there.
It was time to adjust to just being one of many in the rest of the ports after our personalized P&T tour of the Lake District of England!
After our cruise of the Lake, we ate a typical British lunch at a restaurant overlooking the lake. Not far away was the Beatrix Potter museum and we drove past it, a lovely building. That visit will have to wait for a future tour, but it was so special knowing that I was in the spot where Peter Rabbit and his friends were created! We continued our drive into the hills and arrived in Grassmere.
In Grassmere we visited the gravesite of William Wordsworth in a lovely little cemetary and had famous gingerbread, quite different than anything I've had before, quite gingery! The Lake district was beautiful, as I mentioned, but hot, did I mention that? Oh my, the weather in England, as well as Ireland and Scotland has been quite warm for me! I don't believe the stories people tell of all of the rain and clouds here at all! So in the heat, I rested in a little cafe as the others went walking and enjoyed their rare sunshine.
Time with Peter and Terry flew by and before we knew it, it was time to head home, back to the ship in it's new port in Liverpool. This ship seems to have made the news twice this trip, on it's docking in the new berth in Liverpool and in Belfast, the largest ship to ever dock there.
It was time to adjust to just being one of many in the rest of the ports after our personalized P&T tour of the Lake District of England!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Peter Rabbit Ferries Cross the Mersey
Exhausting! This trip, with a port and a long tour each day is exhausting! And Peter and Terry were wonderful but you should have seen me at the end of the 10 hour day we spent when in port in Liverpool yesterday! I barely could walk onto the ship and up to the buffet for dinner. Bedtime was quite early once again, but what a wonderful day it was!
We arrived on the Mersey River and although I didn't go on the ferry, I saw it when we returned at the end of a very long day. We drove to the Lake District, on the wrong side of the road, I might add, and it was beautiful! I know now why it is so famous. And Peter had planned the perfect day! I had to smile when I saw Terry walking towards us on the street, US flag waving in his hand! So sweet! We made it to Windemere in time for the steam train ride. It was short and smelly but beautiful. Then we joined hundreds of other cruise passengers who were on a tour to take a cruise on Lake Windimere. It was SO hot! They always tell me that it is unusual, however it is always very hot when I am here so I don't believe my British friends!
Well, I thought I could write more, but my eye is closing so it seems the rest will have to wait...
We arrived on the Mersey River and although I didn't go on the ferry, I saw it when we returned at the end of a very long day. We drove to the Lake District, on the wrong side of the road, I might add, and it was beautiful! I know now why it is so famous. And Peter had planned the perfect day! I had to smile when I saw Terry walking towards us on the street, US flag waving in his hand! So sweet! We made it to Windemere in time for the steam train ride. It was short and smelly but beautiful. Then we joined hundreds of other cruise passengers who were on a tour to take a cruise on Lake Windimere. It was SO hot! They always tell me that it is unusual, however it is always very hot when I am here so I don't believe my British friends!
Well, I thought I could write more, but my eye is closing so it seems the rest will have to wait...
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Braveheart
Yes, William Wallace was Scottish, however the movie was filmed, at least in part, in the Wicklow hills of Ireland, where I was this afternoon. Actually it is the middle of the night so it was yesterday when I was in Dublin and the surrounding area. I succumbed to exhaustion last night, ate an early dinner at the buffet and was in bed at 7:30PM and I'm sure well asleep by 7:31PM! So now I'm somewhat rested, but it is still the middle of the night. Ahhh, the down side of being on the other side of the world. But the upside far outweighs my trouble with the times!
Dublin was a nice city, Diana, Alec and I went into town this morning and since it was a Sunday, not much was open so we took the hop on/off bus and saw an overview of the city. So many famous people from Ireland! Even Bram Stoker went to college here at the famous Trinity College. The famous Book of Kells is there, but I was told that it is currently not on show so we didn't visit there. Another trip another time! We saw the grave of Lord Weston, the man who invented the crossword puzzle. The driver did a great tour, filled with Irish humor. Quite enjoyable!
Then I took the shuttle back to the ship for my afternoon tour and they stayed and enjoyed the city. I was on a tour to the Irish countryside and Glendalough. It means the 'valley of 2 lakes'. The drive was beautiful, green hillsides and spots of cattle and sheep roaming. Just like you might picture Ireland! I became bored with all the history of the monks in Ireland so I left the tour as they roamed through the remains of Glendalough and I talked with local people at the stands of 'wares'. Met an interesting couple who told me about the real story of what is going on with religion in Ireland. I had hoped to learn more about the Celtic background, but that wasn't mentioned at all on the tour. I walked through the ruins of the ancient monastery of St. Kevin and did find it fascinating. There were two stone archways and right inside the 2nd one was a large stone with a cross carved on it, and if someone looking for safely reached that rock they were safe from the outside world, as long as they lived and worked inside the monastery. That is mentioned in a lot of historical books, so it was moving to stand by that stone, knowing the history. I don't usually buy jewelry, but loved a pair of earrings, with the Celtic symbol for the seasons on them, so they are now mine.
Tomorrow will be exciting because my friend Peter will be picking up Diana, Alec and I from the ship when we dock in Liverpool and taking us on our own private tour! We will be heading to Wales and to the charming English town of Chester. So more beauty and fun awaits! There is even a 'Walk in the Steps of the Beatles' tour here and you can actually take a 'Ferry cross the Mersie'! It is supposed to be a beautiful place, developed in the Victorian era. And so, the journey continues!
Dublin was a nice city, Diana, Alec and I went into town this morning and since it was a Sunday, not much was open so we took the hop on/off bus and saw an overview of the city. So many famous people from Ireland! Even Bram Stoker went to college here at the famous Trinity College. The famous Book of Kells is there, but I was told that it is currently not on show so we didn't visit there. Another trip another time! We saw the grave of Lord Weston, the man who invented the crossword puzzle. The driver did a great tour, filled with Irish humor. Quite enjoyable!
Then I took the shuttle back to the ship for my afternoon tour and they stayed and enjoyed the city. I was on a tour to the Irish countryside and Glendalough. It means the 'valley of 2 lakes'. The drive was beautiful, green hillsides and spots of cattle and sheep roaming. Just like you might picture Ireland! I became bored with all the history of the monks in Ireland so I left the tour as they roamed through the remains of Glendalough and I talked with local people at the stands of 'wares'. Met an interesting couple who told me about the real story of what is going on with religion in Ireland. I had hoped to learn more about the Celtic background, but that wasn't mentioned at all on the tour. I walked through the ruins of the ancient monastery of St. Kevin and did find it fascinating. There were two stone archways and right inside the 2nd one was a large stone with a cross carved on it, and if someone looking for safely reached that rock they were safe from the outside world, as long as they lived and worked inside the monastery. That is mentioned in a lot of historical books, so it was moving to stand by that stone, knowing the history. I don't usually buy jewelry, but loved a pair of earrings, with the Celtic symbol for the seasons on them, so they are now mine.
Tomorrow will be exciting because my friend Peter will be picking up Diana, Alec and I from the ship when we dock in Liverpool and taking us on our own private tour! We will be heading to Wales and to the charming English town of Chester. So more beauty and fun awaits! There is even a 'Walk in the Steps of the Beatles' tour here and you can actually take a 'Ferry cross the Mersie'! It is supposed to be a beautiful place, developed in the Victorian era. And so, the journey continues!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Moby Dick??
Moby Dick? What in the world does that mean? Well, my day in Ireland started in the town of Youghal, pronounced yo'll, with a long 'o'. And it just so happens that Moby Dick was filmed there in 1954, I have pictures to show to prove that! So now on the 'have to see' movie list for the end of this trip, is now Moby Dick, along with My Fair Lady. Those are extremes!
Ireland is beautiful! So green everywhere you look! After a little rain at Youghal and some time to browse through the town, we drove through the countryside, through several little towns that were beautiful! We drove by where Sir Walter Raleigh lived, the town where William Penn came from and the town where the namesake of Berkely University came from. And that is just the people I remember! We ate lunch at a hotel in Cork, having some Irish music and dance to entertain us. It was not my favorite meal, although I will say the salads I've had in each place have been delicious. But the stew was not my favorite meal, by far.
Next we drove to Blarney castle. I have to admit that I did not kiss the Blarney stone, the climb up might have been okay, but lying on my back on metal rails to scoot out and kiss the stone upside down just didn't sound like anything I could do and walk afterwards. Our cute Irish bus driver told us that if we couldn't get up to the top of the castle to do that, we could kiss him and be gifted with eloquence by proxy, I think he was surprised when I decided to do this instead! What a fun man, told me we could go out dancing if I were staying the night, I know I would have laughed a lot with him. I think of what a fellow teacher said on her blog, "Disneyland is not the happiest place on earth, Ireland is" and I believe that is true. However I asked a store clerk why the town was so quiet this morning and she said that it was a Saturday morning in Ireland, NO ONE got up unless they had to go to work! What a lot I've learned!
Shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills was a delight, so many beautiful things to look at! And I was lucky enough to meet a children's author and got a book autographed by him! What a nice man and he seemed full of Blarney too!
Tomorrow is another day in Ireland, Dublin this time. A year and a half ago the internet didn't work in Dublin so I think this may be the last entry for a couple of days. On Monday we will be in Liverpool and Peter will be meeting Diana, Alec and me at the ship for a fun day of sightseeing with friends. Not sure which places we will go, but wherever will be fun!
Moby Dick...
Ireland is beautiful! So green everywhere you look! After a little rain at Youghal and some time to browse through the town, we drove through the countryside, through several little towns that were beautiful! We drove by where Sir Walter Raleigh lived, the town where William Penn came from and the town where the namesake of Berkely University came from. And that is just the people I remember! We ate lunch at a hotel in Cork, having some Irish music and dance to entertain us. It was not my favorite meal, although I will say the salads I've had in each place have been delicious. But the stew was not my favorite meal, by far.
Next we drove to Blarney castle. I have to admit that I did not kiss the Blarney stone, the climb up might have been okay, but lying on my back on metal rails to scoot out and kiss the stone upside down just didn't sound like anything I could do and walk afterwards. Our cute Irish bus driver told us that if we couldn't get up to the top of the castle to do that, we could kiss him and be gifted with eloquence by proxy, I think he was surprised when I decided to do this instead! What a fun man, told me we could go out dancing if I were staying the night, I know I would have laughed a lot with him. I think of what a fellow teacher said on her blog, "Disneyland is not the happiest place on earth, Ireland is" and I believe that is true. However I asked a store clerk why the town was so quiet this morning and she said that it was a Saturday morning in Ireland, NO ONE got up unless they had to go to work! What a lot I've learned!
Shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills was a delight, so many beautiful things to look at! And I was lucky enough to meet a children's author and got a book autographed by him! What a nice man and he seemed full of Blarney too!
Tomorrow is another day in Ireland, Dublin this time. A year and a half ago the internet didn't work in Dublin so I think this may be the last entry for a couple of days. On Monday we will be in Liverpool and Peter will be meeting Diana, Alec and me at the ship for a fun day of sightseeing with friends. Not sure which places we will go, but wherever will be fun!
Moby Dick...
Friday, June 26, 2009
Greetings from Guernsey!
Finally, today I feel human! After 11 hours of sleep, I arose to look out on the beautiful island of Guernsey. I was going ashore with Alec and Diana but woke up at some point and told them to go without me, I still needed more sleep. I'm glad I made that decision so I could enjoy the island when I did go ashore. So once again, I headed to shore alone. We had to tender in, which means a wait until it is time for your ticket to be called. I have been a little spoiled in the past, when on César's ship he always let me go on the tender when I wanted, it pays to have friends in high places. Now I have to wait my turn just like the other 3,000 passengers. Once ashore I didn't want to just walk around the little town, I wanted to see the island. I'd read the "Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" and wanted to see where the characters lived. I waited at the taxi stand and finally a man came up and I was able to take a taxi ride around the island for about an hour and a half for 30 pounds. Les, my driver, was from Manchester, lived here for 26 years and moved to France 2 years ago but comes back every year to see his son and drives a taxi for his friend. He hadn't read or heard of the story so didn't know where to take me to see that part of the village, but what a delightful ride it was and what a kind man. He fought in the Falkland war and is quite happy to not go near either of the Americas again. His parents live in Warrington, Terry and Peter, it is a small world! He took me to the first mail box in guernsey, one of the scenic places here, which tells you about the island I think. We went to the home where Victor Hugo lived when he was exiled and where he wrote "Les Miserables". There was no time to take a tour of the home, but on peeking in the door, it was amazing inside, things were so old! I did go out in his garden and tried to imagine a famous writer sitting there creating, what a lovely place it was, although small and green, quite unlike Monet's garden in Giverny. We went up to the top of the cliffs to look down at the area where Renoir painted, but we were met with thick fog, so that sight will remain a mystery to me. We drove to the other side of the island and there was a group of kidsat the Guernsey Surf School, waiting for the tide to come in. This is a charming place and one to put on the list of places to return to! I even saw a Guernsey cow along the way. There is a little chapel, which is quite small and made of broken plates and other pottery, built by a monk. My thought, they must have been clumsy to have broken that many things to be able to build a miniature chapel with pieces. After the wonderful taxi ride I walked through the main part of town. I was in a little store and asked the lady if she had bookmarks, and a young man said he'd seen them at another store so he walked through the town with me to find the store. He saved me a lot of work by taking me there. What a nice young man, he was from Canada visiting a friend who lives here. I stopped at a market in town after buying the bookmarks and got a little snack. I asked the server what he recommended and he suggested potato wedges with bacon and Guernsey chedder cheese. How could I resist? Bacon here is not like bacon in America, it is more like what we call Canadian bacon, and it was delicious! And that, my friends, was a day in Guernsey, the 2nd largest of the Channel Islands, occupied by over 90,000 german troops in the 2nd world war. The sun shone the whole day with just areas of fog in places, which is quite normal I was told. And in about an hour we sail away to Cork, Ireland, where I will have a tour for the entire day around the area, including the Blarney castle, where the Blarney stone is.
Small world, last night in the elevator going to dinner there was a young boy and it turned out he is from Aurora! The first person on the ship I talk to, all the way in England and he is from my home. Amazing! Having dinner with Diana and Alec and other table mates was quite an enjoyable experience. I am going to love having friends to share this adventure with!
My day in London was a delight. I saw the concierge who I have known since my first trip here, so that was a nice welcome, what a kind man he is! I took the tube all alone to Covent Garden and walked around the area where "My Fair Lady" was filmed. that was exciting for me, one of my favorite movies when I was young. When I arrived in Southampton, Pat and Ernie picked me up from the terminal and we went out and had a nice lunch, and Diana and Alec joined us when they got to town. We were all on the Antarctica cruise together, so it was a nice reunion! We missed Terry and Peter though.
Well, time to nap. Tomorrow, Cork, Ireland.
Small world, last night in the elevator going to dinner there was a young boy and it turned out he is from Aurora! The first person on the ship I talk to, all the way in England and he is from my home. Amazing! Having dinner with Diana and Alec and other table mates was quite an enjoyable experience. I am going to love having friends to share this adventure with!
My day in London was a delight. I saw the concierge who I have known since my first trip here, so that was a nice welcome, what a kind man he is! I took the tube all alone to Covent Garden and walked around the area where "My Fair Lady" was filmed. that was exciting for me, one of my favorite movies when I was young. When I arrived in Southampton, Pat and Ernie picked me up from the terminal and we went out and had a nice lunch, and Diana and Alec joined us when they got to town. We were all on the Antarctica cruise together, so it was a nice reunion! We missed Terry and Peter though.
Well, time to nap. Tomorrow, Cork, Ireland.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
On the Road,oops, SEA Again!
True, I'm on the sea again, this time I have sailed away from Southampton, and this time in the company of friends! Diana and Alec have joined me for this exciting British Isles cruise and the fun has begun! However no more time to write now, time for this wimpy American to go to bed! Maybe more tomorrow when we arrive in the Channel Islands, Guernsey to be exact. 10 ports in 12 days, not much time to write, but maybe a few things will make it into print. Our last stop is in Le Havre, one of my favorite places, France again! And then I added a short trip to Portugal at the end, and then I return home to become a member of reality again. Until then, more adventures await!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
More???
Yes, it's true, more travel is on the way. I start my new job near the end of July and I just needed ONE MORE TRIP before that! Okay, maybe I didn't NEED it, but what fun it will be!
I have booked the wonderful British Isles cruise and will visit many new places and experience many different aspects of the countries. I'm very excited about it. I was lucky enough to get a nonstop flight from Denver to London Heathrow, seems like a piece of cake after the connections I usually have to make! An easy commute to reach the ship! And my friends Alec and Diana, who drove to Dover to meet me and then watched the ship float past without docking, will be joining me on the cruise! Everything fell together so easily, it was just meant to happen!
It's a short trip, this time, only a 12 day cruise, stopping at 10 or 11 ports. I'll spend an extra day in London at each end of the trip and try to see a little more of London that way. Now that I've been on the tram alone in Belgium with only Flemish speaking people, I can probably handle the tube alone!
And so in a little more than a month, I will be heading out on a new adventure! Any suggestions of what to see on this trip?
Ciao for now!
I have booked the wonderful British Isles cruise and will visit many new places and experience many different aspects of the countries. I'm very excited about it. I was lucky enough to get a nonstop flight from Denver to London Heathrow, seems like a piece of cake after the connections I usually have to make! An easy commute to reach the ship! And my friends Alec and Diana, who drove to Dover to meet me and then watched the ship float past without docking, will be joining me on the cruise! Everything fell together so easily, it was just meant to happen!
It's a short trip, this time, only a 12 day cruise, stopping at 10 or 11 ports. I'll spend an extra day in London at each end of the trip and try to see a little more of London that way. Now that I've been on the tram alone in Belgium with only Flemish speaking people, I can probably handle the tube alone!
And so in a little more than a month, I will be heading out on a new adventure! Any suggestions of what to see on this trip?
Ciao for now!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Hasta Luego Europa
Saying goodbye is never easy for me and it seems to get harder, the older I get. How does one say goodbye at the end of an adventure like this? And so instead of goodbye, I decided to use the Spanish term for ¨"until later" with the hopes that it won't be long before I am back in Europe again. Travel, as I have experienced becomes an addiction and before one adventure is over, I am hungry for the next! But for now, this is it, no future plans have developed and so leaving is a little harder I think!
But what a wonderful stay I had in Copenhagen, made so by the kind young man I met exactly 2 years ago on this same trip when it ended here. Travelling alone does have it's challenges, but as one absolutely beautiful lady told me the last night, so does spending 30 days with one's spouse! It was cute, and her much older husband looked on in disbelief as she went on and on about the challenges of being in such close quarters with anyone, no matter how much you love them. But the joys of both situations on a trip like this definitely outweigh the challenges.
I was in no hurry to get off the ship when it arrived and that in itself was a nice change. The busses began leaving for the airport at 5:30 AM I heard. I had a nice leisurely breakfast and disembarked about 8AM, knowing that Tue wouldn't be at the hotel to greet me until after 8. When I walked in he smiled and welcomed me and it was so comfortable. The lobby was lovely and I was immediately happy to see the hotel had elevators, my suitcases weigh a lot, and I know some hotels don't have lifts and what a long walk up that would have been! He checked me into my lovely room and I realized I was exhausted so I crawled into the comfy bed to rest and found it was wonderfully comfortable, just as was the bed in Rome! Tue had explained I had free pay tv, but there was no way to block the adult tv. So cute, I assured him I was an adult and could handle it! Later I told him that it was a good thing I had the 'adult' tv because most of the stations were in Danish but those I could understand. He laughed at that. Actually it was similar to Portugal in that some of the shows are in English and subtitled in Danish which makes it fun to try to learn some of the words as you watch.
The day was cold and rainy and so plans to visit the Tivoli Gardens were traded for a trip around the city in the hop on-off bus. I've seen a lot of it before, so I decided to rest again for the afternoon. I went into the store next to the hotel and they were unable to use my visa so I went back to the hotel and told Tue my dilemma, I didn't have any Danish kroner. He managed to give me some and put it on my room charge and was so sweet. He told me that was why he wanted me staying at his hotel so that he could take care of me and help me with any thing I needed! How sweet of him and how nice it felt to be taken care of! So I went back and purchased the dog magazine in Danish. I have bought something in every country in that language to share with the kids at my new school. Tue's girlfriend met us at the hotel and we had an incredible dinner and sat and chatted for almost 3 hrs. The food was excellent and he was happy to take me to dinner although I fought that the whole time! The creme brulee was the best I've ever tasted anywhere! Copenhagen is quite expensive so at least he got the half price discount for being a supervisor there. They are a delightful couple and so young to have accomplished so much!
While I was in the lobby I was listening to a group of people talking and told them I wasn't eavesdropping, but just loved hearing their accents! They asked if I knew where it was from and of course I did recognize their Irish accents. They started talking to me and one lady was amazed that I travelled alone and loved my stories. They were the historical society of Ireland and are here on a short trip. They had a reception at the embassy there. They meet and travel once a year to different places. We had a delightful conversation and they left for Tivoli Gardens. This morning the main lady I talked to, insisted I get her address and phone number so I could call her when I make it to Dublin. I told her I show up when people invite me so be sure about that. She said she loved my stories and the way I travel and would love to have me as a guest at her 14 bedroom home in the countryside of Ireland. And I had just been thinking I was returning home with no new friends to keep in touch with. And now I have Therese of Ireland. Tue laughed that I'd made a new friend in such a short time in the lobby of his hotel. One never knows what will happen on an adventure!
And after a great night's sleep and a deicious breakfast, who can top having a danish in Denmark, I said a fond farewell to my dear friend of 2 years and he helped me to the taxi with all of my things and here I am at the Copenhagen airport waiting for my flight home. It is a long journey ahead and I know that I will arrive home safely with many memories and over 1,000 new pictures to support them.
And so, once again, hasta luego Europa!
But what a wonderful stay I had in Copenhagen, made so by the kind young man I met exactly 2 years ago on this same trip when it ended here. Travelling alone does have it's challenges, but as one absolutely beautiful lady told me the last night, so does spending 30 days with one's spouse! It was cute, and her much older husband looked on in disbelief as she went on and on about the challenges of being in such close quarters with anyone, no matter how much you love them. But the joys of both situations on a trip like this definitely outweigh the challenges.
I was in no hurry to get off the ship when it arrived and that in itself was a nice change. The busses began leaving for the airport at 5:30 AM I heard. I had a nice leisurely breakfast and disembarked about 8AM, knowing that Tue wouldn't be at the hotel to greet me until after 8. When I walked in he smiled and welcomed me and it was so comfortable. The lobby was lovely and I was immediately happy to see the hotel had elevators, my suitcases weigh a lot, and I know some hotels don't have lifts and what a long walk up that would have been! He checked me into my lovely room and I realized I was exhausted so I crawled into the comfy bed to rest and found it was wonderfully comfortable, just as was the bed in Rome! Tue had explained I had free pay tv, but there was no way to block the adult tv. So cute, I assured him I was an adult and could handle it! Later I told him that it was a good thing I had the 'adult' tv because most of the stations were in Danish but those I could understand. He laughed at that. Actually it was similar to Portugal in that some of the shows are in English and subtitled in Danish which makes it fun to try to learn some of the words as you watch.
The day was cold and rainy and so plans to visit the Tivoli Gardens were traded for a trip around the city in the hop on-off bus. I've seen a lot of it before, so I decided to rest again for the afternoon. I went into the store next to the hotel and they were unable to use my visa so I went back to the hotel and told Tue my dilemma, I didn't have any Danish kroner. He managed to give me some and put it on my room charge and was so sweet. He told me that was why he wanted me staying at his hotel so that he could take care of me and help me with any thing I needed! How sweet of him and how nice it felt to be taken care of! So I went back and purchased the dog magazine in Danish. I have bought something in every country in that language to share with the kids at my new school. Tue's girlfriend met us at the hotel and we had an incredible dinner and sat and chatted for almost 3 hrs. The food was excellent and he was happy to take me to dinner although I fought that the whole time! The creme brulee was the best I've ever tasted anywhere! Copenhagen is quite expensive so at least he got the half price discount for being a supervisor there. They are a delightful couple and so young to have accomplished so much!
While I was in the lobby I was listening to a group of people talking and told them I wasn't eavesdropping, but just loved hearing their accents! They asked if I knew where it was from and of course I did recognize their Irish accents. They started talking to me and one lady was amazed that I travelled alone and loved my stories. They were the historical society of Ireland and are here on a short trip. They had a reception at the embassy there. They meet and travel once a year to different places. We had a delightful conversation and they left for Tivoli Gardens. This morning the main lady I talked to, insisted I get her address and phone number so I could call her when I make it to Dublin. I told her I show up when people invite me so be sure about that. She said she loved my stories and the way I travel and would love to have me as a guest at her 14 bedroom home in the countryside of Ireland. And I had just been thinking I was returning home with no new friends to keep in touch with. And now I have Therese of Ireland. Tue laughed that I'd made a new friend in such a short time in the lobby of his hotel. One never knows what will happen on an adventure!
And after a great night's sleep and a deicious breakfast, who can top having a danish in Denmark, I said a fond farewell to my dear friend of 2 years and he helped me to the taxi with all of my things and here I am at the Copenhagen airport waiting for my flight home. It is a long journey ahead and I know that I will arrive home safely with many memories and over 1,000 new pictures to support them.
And so, once again, hasta luego Europa!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Safe Journey Ahead
And so, the trip is almost over. Hard to believe that 17 days has passed and I've once again seen such amazing places around the world. Such mixed feelings, sad that it is over and glad to be headed home once again. Everyone is hoping for a safe journey and I can remember the fear I experienced 2 years ago at the end of this cruise when I was facing my first transatlantic flight. Now I know I will be safe and only dread the airport hassles, which are just a part of flying these days. I remember the fear I experienced when I was left all alone at the big white tent near the airport, when the kind kid, Tue, stuck his head in and offered to help me. Now he will be at the hotel to greet me tomorrow when I arrive there. This will be the first time I stay at a small hotel, but he promised I would like it and he would give me a very nice room. We will be going to dinner tomorrow night and he will have some suggestions for my day of sightseeing when I get there. This is the first time I've taken a taxi at the end of the cruise, but I am confident that all will go well and I will arrive at the hotel with no problems. The next morning I will head to the airport and the long flight home, but at least will be rested and ready. And then late on Sunday night I will be home, back to reality.
Today was a wonderful last day! We were told it would be the coldest port but to everyone's surprise and pleasure, it was a warm, bright sunny Norwegian day. I loved the ride into the countryside and enjoyed the beautiful setting of Hadeland Glass Factory once again. The Viking Ship Museum is amazing, even after having visited there several times. So much history here, so much beauty! The 'royal' yacht was in the water, near our ship but we had no sighting of the royal family. A beautiful day in Oslo is over once again.
And home sweet home is waiting!
Today was a wonderful last day! We were told it would be the coldest port but to everyone's surprise and pleasure, it was a warm, bright sunny Norwegian day. I loved the ride into the countryside and enjoyed the beautiful setting of Hadeland Glass Factory once again. The Viking Ship Museum is amazing, even after having visited there several times. So much history here, so much beauty! The 'royal' yacht was in the water, near our ship but we had no sighting of the royal family. A beautiful day in Oslo is over once again.
And home sweet home is waiting!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Beauty Beyond Words
4:00AM - what is there to do? I woke up and noticed a light under the dark drapes, got up to just peek out and see the early sunrise now that we are in the North Sea before I turned over and went back to sleep. What awaited me beyond the blinds brings tears to my eyes! A beauty so intense that I could just stare. The ship is no longer in the North Sea, we are floating up the Oslo Fjord and I had somehow forgotten the beauty that kept me awake for days when I was on my Norwegian cruise to the top of the European continent. So many emotions flooded back, so many thoughts! I grabbed my camera and was out taking pictures in the cold of the Norwegian morning in my gown, no time to waste getting dressed! First of all, the wooded hillsides covered in white houses is stunning in itself. But add to that the pinks, purples reds and oranges of the sunrise in the sky and clouds behind that and you have one of nature's most beautiful paintings! I stood mesmerized by the beauty I faced and tears filled my eyes. How lucky I am to experience such amazing and beautiful sights around the world!
Tulips in Holland
My mother had a flower shop in Houston for a few years when I graduated from college. That inspired me to go to floral design school and when I completed the program I worked at a florist shop in Denver and helped my mom for years at her little shop on holidays and when she went on her vacations to Las Vegas. She always made a big deal about getting her tulips from Holland. And of course I always saw pictures of the tulips in Holland and couldn't imagine seeing that beauty in person. Two years ago when I took this same cruise I was signedup ahead of time for the tour of Keukenhof Tulip Gardens. Before we reached Rotterdam they made an announcement that the tulips had bloomed early and weren't there so we could change our tour. I decided to go to Amsterdam instead and although I enjoyed it a lot, it wasn't tulips in Holland, so that desire was still inside. This time I knew that nothing would stop me from seeing tulips in Holland! (Of course if the weather had prevented a landing, I know that would have delayed that dream becoming a reality.) But weather decided to cooperate this time and we reached the dock with no troubles at all.
This was my 3rd visit to The Netherlands, and I know the terminal well and right where to go to find the things I want to take home. This was another tour that started in the afternoon and I just couldn't wait all morning on the ship. I had also taken the ship's shuttle into town here too and didn't find a lot to do so I knew I had a couple of hours and needed another new adventure. What was there to do and see? Well the only thing I kept thinking of was the area called Kinderdijk (spelling?) In this area there are many original windmills along a dike. I decided to try to take a taxi to see them. I am a little nervous about doing that alone, but it was worth it to see original windmills in Holland! After all, windmills, clogs and tulips are what Holland is all about, right? And I see a man making clogs in the ship's terminal each time I am there, so that I've seen. Time to see the rest! I had to talk to the taxi drivers about getting me there and back and after they found out I didn't have 3 hours, nor would I pay 300 euros, I was able to find a man who would take me for 2 hours and charge 110 euros. It is a lot, but seeing the windmills was a desire that just had to be satisfied. So off we headed. Turns out he had only been there once years ago and had to call his father for directions. We had to drive onto a tiny ferry to go across a small waterway, held about 6-9 cars at a time and took less than 5 minutes. We finally found them and how exciting to see 2rows of windmills! They were along a narrow waterway and beautiful although I am sure the pictures did not capture the beauty! I didn't spend long there, I knew we didn't have a lot of time and I wanted to get back to the ship in plenty of time for the tour to the tulip gardens. I got 'home' safely and with such an exciting new experience to tell about!
I had a quick lunch and headed out to the buses for the tour about 20 minutes early. I got to the parking lot on the shore and was shocked, all 5 buses were already filled with people! My friend, the tour manager, told me that people had been there almost an hour. I know so many people were excited to be going to the tulips and they were on the ship all morning just waiting. He assured me 2 more buses were coming and they were late, but did arrive and got filled and we were on our way. We got to the gardens much later, the traffic was terrible, and we still had to meet at the same time that the other buses who arrived way before us had to meet. I requested a few extra minutes and was told no, we had to get back to the ship in time to sail. I walked as fast as I could the whole time, less than 2 hours, and still didn't see everything. (My legs are very sore today!) I even missed seeing the famous windmill there!! That was disappointing, but I did get a calendar with a picture of it so that will have to do for now.
The tulips were incredible! You could see where probably half of them had already been cut back, I cannot imagine the beauty just a few weeks ago! Such beautiful colors and a variety of sizes and heights. The pinks, reds, yellows and purples were stunning! There were a variety of other flowers around, but tulips were the focal point! There are millions of bulbs there, from all over the world. I didn't hear this, but the gardens are open on the first of April and close by the end of May. Two short months for acres of gorgeous flowers. The gardens were filled with people, but it was not as crowded as Monet's Garden was. A truly spectacular sight! I am not sure how much earlier one should visit the gardens to see the fields of color on the drive to the gardens and to see the gardens at their best, but I am sure someday I will make a trip to Amsterdam and take a whole day to enjoy the gardens, earlier in the spring.
And until then, the visit to Oslo will have to be enough to enjoy. So tomorrow we arrive there and I will once again be driving through the countryside to the Hadeland Glass Factory, set in a valley next to a lake at the foot of a mountain. Tomorrow, Norway splendor!
Before I know it, I will be flying from Copenhagen to home, via D.C. And in my mind will remain the incredible sights of this vacation, so many beautiful things to see in the world!
This was my 3rd visit to The Netherlands, and I know the terminal well and right where to go to find the things I want to take home. This was another tour that started in the afternoon and I just couldn't wait all morning on the ship. I had also taken the ship's shuttle into town here too and didn't find a lot to do so I knew I had a couple of hours and needed another new adventure. What was there to do and see? Well the only thing I kept thinking of was the area called Kinderdijk (spelling?) In this area there are many original windmills along a dike. I decided to try to take a taxi to see them. I am a little nervous about doing that alone, but it was worth it to see original windmills in Holland! After all, windmills, clogs and tulips are what Holland is all about, right? And I see a man making clogs in the ship's terminal each time I am there, so that I've seen. Time to see the rest! I had to talk to the taxi drivers about getting me there and back and after they found out I didn't have 3 hours, nor would I pay 300 euros, I was able to find a man who would take me for 2 hours and charge 110 euros. It is a lot, but seeing the windmills was a desire that just had to be satisfied. So off we headed. Turns out he had only been there once years ago and had to call his father for directions. We had to drive onto a tiny ferry to go across a small waterway, held about 6-9 cars at a time and took less than 5 minutes. We finally found them and how exciting to see 2rows of windmills! They were along a narrow waterway and beautiful although I am sure the pictures did not capture the beauty! I didn't spend long there, I knew we didn't have a lot of time and I wanted to get back to the ship in plenty of time for the tour to the tulip gardens. I got 'home' safely and with such an exciting new experience to tell about!
I had a quick lunch and headed out to the buses for the tour about 20 minutes early. I got to the parking lot on the shore and was shocked, all 5 buses were already filled with people! My friend, the tour manager, told me that people had been there almost an hour. I know so many people were excited to be going to the tulips and they were on the ship all morning just waiting. He assured me 2 more buses were coming and they were late, but did arrive and got filled and we were on our way. We got to the gardens much later, the traffic was terrible, and we still had to meet at the same time that the other buses who arrived way before us had to meet. I requested a few extra minutes and was told no, we had to get back to the ship in time to sail. I walked as fast as I could the whole time, less than 2 hours, and still didn't see everything. (My legs are very sore today!) I even missed seeing the famous windmill there!! That was disappointing, but I did get a calendar with a picture of it so that will have to do for now.
The tulips were incredible! You could see where probably half of them had already been cut back, I cannot imagine the beauty just a few weeks ago! Such beautiful colors and a variety of sizes and heights. The pinks, reds, yellows and purples were stunning! There were a variety of other flowers around, but tulips were the focal point! There are millions of bulbs there, from all over the world. I didn't hear this, but the gardens are open on the first of April and close by the end of May. Two short months for acres of gorgeous flowers. The gardens were filled with people, but it was not as crowded as Monet's Garden was. A truly spectacular sight! I am not sure how much earlier one should visit the gardens to see the fields of color on the drive to the gardens and to see the gardens at their best, but I am sure someday I will make a trip to Amsterdam and take a whole day to enjoy the gardens, earlier in the spring.
And until then, the visit to Oslo will have to be enough to enjoy. So tomorrow we arrive there and I will once again be driving through the countryside to the Hadeland Glass Factory, set in a valley next to a lake at the foot of a mountain. Tomorrow, Norway splendor!
Before I know it, I will be flying from Copenhagen to home, via D.C. And in my mind will remain the incredible sights of this vacation, so many beautiful things to see in the world!
Beautiful Belgium
Tuesday, May 12 we actually were able to dock and see Belgium. Passengers were happy to be on land and although it was a cold, windy, and sometimes rainy day, we were in a port to see more and that was great! My tour was of Brugges, my favorite place in the world, and it began at 12:30 so I had the morning free. Most people just hang out on the ship and wait for the tours in the afternoon but I hate spending time in Europe on a ship. I've taken the shuttle to Blankensberg before and I've walked down the long main street to the beach there. This time I watched the port lecture on Zeebrugge, the seaport we docked at, several times and knew I had to do something new. There was a tram that went along the beach for 20 minutes, I thought, to a town of Oostend (not spelled correctly). I decided I could do that in the 2 hours I had before I had to get to the ship for the afternoon tour. So I took the shuttle into Blankensberg, crossed the churchyard, street and square and found the tram station on the other side, bought a ticket and waited. Luckily I was sitting next to a 17 yr old girl who spoke some very broken English and she was going to OOstend for school so she would show me how to go. Well, the tram was 15 minutes late, which she said never happens and as we left I saw no beach and there were small hills between the tram and the beautiful white sand beaches of Belgium. AND the tram stopped along the way but no one else seemed to speak English, so there Iwas all alone on a tram going somewhere I'd never been. No beach to be seen, just traffic and a few little villages. The tram stopped at places where you could cross the street and climb over the dunes to get to the beach, but I didn't know how I would get back from the middle of nowhere. It was not scenic at all and finally, after a 50 minute ride I was in the city of Oostend. Now what? I only had a couple of minutes before I had to get on the tram back so I wouldn't miss Brugges. I was nervous! I walked a little ways down a street and saw a bookstore. This trip I have gotten something written in every language to share with kids and I was able to pick up some cute books on numbers, letters, colors and words in Flemish. I needed to go to the bathroom before heading back for the long trip so I went into a little restaurant and asked if they had good hot chocolate, after all it was Belgium, and the lady said it was melted chocolate so I ordered a cup. It was the best in the world, I am sure!!! It was so delicious, maybe even better than what we had in Musee d'Orsey in Paris. I savored it quickly, visted the restroom and rushed down the street to the tram stop. I had only gone 1/2 a block, someday I will go back and spend longer. I waited a few minutes for the tram, not one person spoke English, but I knew which one I wanted and off I went, for the50 minute ride back to Blankensberg. I rushed back to where the ship shuttle was, and watched it drive away! I was worried then! But I chatted with a nice couple from Argentina who are on the ship too and when the bus came and loaded we went to the ship without a wait. I arrived 10 minutes before the bus left for Brugges! Enough time to run in and drop off my packages at the purser's desk and go to the bathroom and get on the next bus. And off I went for another glorious day in Brugges!
Arriving in Brugges, you have to park at the edge of the city and walk in. They say it is a mile, but I think it is less. They always go to the same place and tell you they will meet you there in 3 hours. Luckily the meeting place is right across the street from my favorite waffle stand! It is a tiny restaurant and even though it was a cold,cloudy day, the tables were out on the street. I ordered the waffle I love, savored that incredible taste, and then headed off to explore my town! I always recommend Lily's to everyone I talk to and no one has been disappointed in their waffles yet! One couple told me they should pay me for being such a great travel consultant, everything I told them to do was wonderful. I wandered around the town and ended up in front of a different 'friete' stand so decided to have frites (fries) with tartare sauce on them, and they were delicious! I met a couple on that side of town and told them about the waffle place and before my group left, they arrived there and ordered their waffle. I always get back to the meeting place early, time for one last waffle! This time I talked to the owner/manager and he remembered me. He asked me if Ihadn't been there earlier andI said I go twice a visit! He said he remembers me saying one time I was a pig for eating 2. Actually that was the time I took 2 to César back on the ship and said I wasn't a pig really, they were for a friend. Whatever, he did remember me! And he thanked me for sending so many of the cruise passengers to his restaurant, he said you are the one aren't you? And I said I was! So after enjoying one last delicious, to die for waffle, I left with the group for the walk back to the bus. It was a cold, windy day, but it was in Brugges, so how could that ever be a bad day? A dream, and I think it was my 5th visit there. Hopefully, not my last! There is still so much of Brugges I haven't seen yet! Maybe I should just arrange to fly to Brussels, and take a train to Brugges for a few days, that would be delighful!
So that was my day off the bus in Belgium! New adventures, familiar favorites and a new place to go for the best hot chocolate in the world!!
Arriving in Brugges, you have to park at the edge of the city and walk in. They say it is a mile, but I think it is less. They always go to the same place and tell you they will meet you there in 3 hours. Luckily the meeting place is right across the street from my favorite waffle stand! It is a tiny restaurant and even though it was a cold,cloudy day, the tables were out on the street. I ordered the waffle I love, savored that incredible taste, and then headed off to explore my town! I always recommend Lily's to everyone I talk to and no one has been disappointed in their waffles yet! One couple told me they should pay me for being such a great travel consultant, everything I told them to do was wonderful. I wandered around the town and ended up in front of a different 'friete' stand so decided to have frites (fries) with tartare sauce on them, and they were delicious! I met a couple on that side of town and told them about the waffle place and before my group left, they arrived there and ordered their waffle. I always get back to the meeting place early, time for one last waffle! This time I talked to the owner/manager and he remembered me. He asked me if Ihadn't been there earlier andI said I go twice a visit! He said he remembers me saying one time I was a pig for eating 2. Actually that was the time I took 2 to César back on the ship and said I wasn't a pig really, they were for a friend. Whatever, he did remember me! And he thanked me for sending so many of the cruise passengers to his restaurant, he said you are the one aren't you? And I said I was! So after enjoying one last delicious, to die for waffle, I left with the group for the walk back to the bus. It was a cold, windy day, but it was in Brugges, so how could that ever be a bad day? A dream, and I think it was my 5th visit there. Hopefully, not my last! There is still so much of Brugges I haven't seen yet! Maybe I should just arrange to fly to Brussels, and take a train to Brugges for a few days, that would be delighful!
So that was my day off the bus in Belgium! New adventures, familiar favorites and a new place to go for the best hot chocolate in the world!!
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