12th August 2012 - Leeds, United Kingdom
Leeds, United Kingdom
Up early again, good sleep, back to London today on train, Brett and Crabby playing bridge, Patsy writing post cards, I should be doing the same! Booked in to Pullmans St Pancras again at about mid day then off to St. Paul's by taxi, me and Patsy went for a tour through, quite spectacular, then walked over wobbly bridge around over the London Bridge to the Tower of London, which we didn't go through as too late, went to the Tower Bridge went up and in for a look, caught the ferry back up to the London Eye which took about ten minutes in the line up and 30mins to go around, walked back over bridge, had a meal at restaurant, then taxis back to hotel. Bed 13th August Brett and Crabby off to Lourdes Cricket ground on a tour, Nora and Pats off to Westminster Abby by taxi then Buckingham Palace again, no changing of the guard but got closer look at gates. Walk to Harrods via Sloane Street, bought some choccys at Harrods, amazing store, saw the memorial shrine for Princess Diana and Dodi walked down Picadilly street to meet Brett and Crabby @ St James Place, had a look around Piccadilly Circus markets and down Regent and Oxfords Streets that were really buzzing! Had a few stops at a couple of old pubs on the way back to our motel. Quick freshen up then across the road for tea, then back to bed! 14th August Up early to catch the Eurostar to Brussels, 8.58, stop at Brussels for a look, beautiful church, palace, boy *******, Belgium waffles, and some chocolates. Bought a little painting from a painter in the square. Back to train station to catch train to Amsterdam! Had to catch 2 trains from Brussels, enjoyed the country side, beautiful and green! Off the train to book in to our motel, M Gallery, "quaint room" but clean and bed comfy! Out for quick look around and get bite to eat, not much open for meals as 10pm , had a nice pizza from across he road. Me and pats had a coffee afterwards, brett and crabby went to the Grasshopper for a beer, smell of hooch everywhere! 15 August Breaky at place close by then hired bikes to ride around for a look! Omg very hair raising experience! Make sure you have your wits about you! Apart from being on the right side of the road, you have to watch for scooters, and people and other cyclists everywhere! was enjoyable but relieved to get back in one piece! Beautiful city, canals everywhere, had a local dish for tea Hutspot, which was mashed potato, carrots and onion with a big meat ball! Then went for a wander to the red light district - that was an eye opener! 16th August Up early to Van Gogh museum, which I thoroughly enjoyed! Was very interesting. Train to see wind mills at sansche, very pretty little spot! Had lunch on the front of restaurant on the riverside, caught train back to Amsterdam, Patsy went to Anne franks house, which she thoroughly enjoyed! Was a huge line up and I didn't feel like waiting! Brett and I went for a walk, beautiful day, sat and had a few drinks and a pizza at Ponte Vecchio pizza place across the road from our motel. Met up with patsy and Michael again and went on a canal cruise, which was a great way to see the city, very informative and interesting. Bite to eat for tea at Argentinian restaurant, sat outside and ate, then went for another wander through the streets seeing it was our last night, even though we were all really tired, e ded up back in the red light district, was a huge amount of people traffic tonight being a Friday night, and realised there were so many more streets of it that we didn't realise, people everywhere, a real tourist attraction! Coffee and ice cream shops next to condomeries, sex shops and the knock shops, was very surprised that some families were out walking through this area with their children! 17th August, 2012, Saturday Up bright and early again to catch the 9.01 train to Berlin, met a Sydney couple, Oliver and Greg who were travelling for 3 months. Train trip was relaxing, beautiful countryside. Arrived in Berlin train station caught taxi to our motel Melia,, was upgraded to the 7th floor, very nice room, settled in and went down to the motel bar for a few drinks, sat outside, weather was beautiful, had tapas for nibbles, chorizo sausages, potato dumplings and calamari. Went for a walk around the corner found a Italian restaurant, had schnitzel for tea. 18th August, Sunday Patsys birthday, up early to breaky, breakfast beautiful spread, then walk to fat tire bike tours near the big tv antenna building, our guide Derrick was fantastic, very informative, left at 11 for about 3-4 hours, Went out for a nice meal at a restaurant not far from motel for patsys birthday, 19 August, Monday Caught train to Sauch... concentration camp, was an interesting trip, had an audio guide to help Learn more about that time, was quite an eerie feeling walking around the place knowing there were such atrocities to mankind there. Went shopping for a little while as hotel not far from main shopping hub, very exclusive shops. Brett and crabby went up tv tower, brett got some great photos a great few of Berlin Had tea at Vietnamese restaurant, nice spring rolls. 20th August, Tuesday Train to Prague, leave at 9am Arrive in Prague after a 5 hour train trip, had a German guy in our cabin who told us bait about he sights we were passing etc. book in to Grand Majestic hotel, short walk to the old city centre. Prague is quite pretty, went for a walk across King Charles bridge and up to the castle for a look, too late to go through it but meander back down with a few stops along the way for drink and toilet breaks. Money in Prague is a bit confusing the Koran is about 50 to $3 Australian so about 500 Koran is $30. Bucks. So lunch cost about $1400 for the 4 of us or about $70 AUD. Stopped to view the castle at night from a floating restaurant, I ordered a glass of moscato grappa thinking it was wine but it was a spirit or something couldn't drink it! The market square had lots of food stalls, tried potato dumpling dish, with pork and cabbage. The view a round the square at night was beautiful, old churches lit up looked amazing, people everywhere. Prague is well know for its amber and garnets so there are jewellery stores everywhere, as well as souvenir stores, leather goods stores etc. Walk back to the motel, free wifi in the foyer so spent bait of time on the Internet before bed. 21st August, Wednesday Meandered down to old square again, brett and crabby climbed up the bell tower and me and pats had a browse around walked across King Charles bridge again, lunch at stall, potato pancake with sauerkraut on top which brett and i shared, was huge, Crabby and pats tried the ham. Had a huge walk up to a monastery which had an awesome view do the city and then walked back to the castle which had a church in the middle of it. Amazing old church, had a look inside too. A long walk back to the motel for quick freshen up and then tea at restaurant down the road from motel. Restaurant was really quaint and had nice meal (chicken snitzel) Went for a wander back down to old city for more photo shoots, I got split up from others! Couldn't find my way back to bridge, so after walking around in circles I ended up waiting for them under the clock while they took night shots of the castle. Back to motel and quick wifi session and to bed. 22nd August, Thursday Early start to Vienna today, 8.39 train, broke bag on the way to the station. Sleep on train Had a walk around to a few of the attractions today, but legs very sore and stiff still from previous day! Found an Aussie pub and chatted to a vietnamese/french guy out the front who was very nice and gave us a few tips on where we should visit in Vienna as well as France. Stopped and had a Vienna schnitzel at a bar not far from our motel. Retire reasonably early as worn out! Lots of Muslims staying at the Hilton hotel! They're everywhere, their kids running amuck! 23rd August, Friday Weather - beautiful, food - snitzel, hamburgers Got up went and had breakfast at a coffee place across the road from a bag shop so that we could buy another bag as soon as shop opens! Had hop on hop off bus tour today, which was just luxury! Did all 3 routes, stopped and got off at the palace which was just amazing, very opulent, a real eye opener! Went to the market and had a browse around, bought some nice scarves as gifts, fellas waited in a bar close by! Guy in bar quite chatty, spoke a bit of English. Walked back along to find restaurant for tea, ran into Vietnamese guy again that we had met the day before. He told us we should go to 1516 bar for tea, so we did! Had another schnitzel for tea, brett had hamburger! Back to hotel to pack up and get organised for early start tomorrow morning! 24th August, Saturday Weather - started off raining, chocolate croissants for breakfast at the train station 4.45 start to get to train station for 6.30 start! Trip quite foggy and looks cool outside, but very picturesque countryside. Arrived in Mestre and taxied to Vienna, hotel very nice, walked around and explored a bit of the scenery, had a gondola ride - cost 100 euro but was just gorgeous. Stopped and had a nice meal on the way back to our motel, sat outside but started raining, so moved inside to eat. Retired back to hotel, Had a beautiful night at Vienna, 25th August, Sunday Me and Pats did quick bit of shopping before having to get on ship. Our cabin is fantastic, great room and nice to be able to sit out on deck. Ship is just gorgeous, We have an awesome dinner table right at the back of the ship next to the rear window, here every night of the cruise, very lucky! 26th August, Monday Bari - quite a hot day, walked from ship to town- not that far, had a look around, 2 nice old churches and a castle, stopped an had an ice cream so I could use the loo! Walked back to the ship. Meals at 7 every night, first sitting. Can pick from quite a few different courses and huge variety. Cocktails after tea is becoming the norm! 27th August, Tuesday Katakalon excursion to Olympia, where the Olympics started, quite a warm day, tour guide a bit on the boring side but was interesting seeing where the Olympics all started. Had time for a quick bit of shopping, very pushy retailers! Bought a pair of s/s ear rings. Back to ship, 28th August, Wednesday Santorini today! Been looking forward to it all trip! Had to catch a tender to the island, then caught cable car up e very steep hill. Crabby very hung over, stopped so he could get something greasy to eat and we all enjoyed a capacino while enjoying the gorgeous view, We decided to hire a car, a little vw convertible! Very cute, brett drove crabby navigated! First drive to Oia, very picturesque, mission to get snap of the famous white church with blue dome! Wow - just a spectacular view! Hot day again! Got sunburnt! Sat and had a drink and enjoyed the view! Drove to a black sand beach on the other side of santorini, water was just beautiful, had a meal at a seaside cafe, moussaka, chicken skewers for brett, pizza for crabby, chicken dish for Patsy. Went for a swim in the Mediteranean ocean, was hard to walk in the water, very pebbly, sand very hot! Drove back to Fira to take car back! Only had time to have a quick look in the shops, didn't buy anything, decided to walk down the hill as cable car line up very long! Wrong move, track full of donkey ****, steep and very slippery! Wouldn't advise anyone to do it but another thing I can say I done! Tender back to ship, very hot and stuffy on board! Me and pats go for swim in pool on board! Small Poland too many kids around, just quick dip to cool down as too many people, squealing kids! Shower and ready for tea. Very tired have an early night, organise an hour of wifi. 29th August, Thursday Early start, dock at Piraeus, tour guide to the Acropolis, guide great, had a great look around the ruins, before going into e city for a quick shop then back onto bus and back to ship. Lazy afternoon back on ship, sleep, put color in hair. 30th August, Friday Corfu today, Sofia our guide very good. Went for walk around town centre. Then off to p..... A seaside town, beautiful ocean but very cold water! 31st August, Saturday Dubrovnik today, picked up by Stephan, he drove us up to the look out which had a beautiful view of Dubrovnik, was a little windy, cable car not working as too windy, one way road up very windy road. He gave us a bit of a brief talk on history of town etc, then drive us down to the old town where Marietta walked us around and gave us a tour around before letting us off to have a free time before boarding back onto ship. Have all afternoon to relax on board, have a sleep and relax in room, all very tired! Have meal and then head to Manhattan bar for drinks, mainly cocktails! Which has been a main staple for the week! Last night on ship! 1st September, Sunday Off ship at Venice! Train to Florence, book into hotel where brett discovers he has left his iPad behind in train, mad dash to train to See if he can locate it, luckily it was found in between seats where we were sitting! Although train was on its way to Rome! Was bought back to Florence on next train - very lucky! W caught grin to Pisa for a quick look at the leaning tower, did all the goofy photo shots with patsy and Michael! Then caught train back to Florence! 2nd September, Monday Me and brett go off to look around at a few churches we missed last time inFlorence, patsy and mike go venturing by themselves. Brett went up tower, I went shopping on Ponte Vecchio bridge, bought s/s ring! Met up with pats and mike at about 5 then walked up to the lookout which has a gorgeous view of the city, stopped and had a meal, more pasta!!! Brett and crabby had t-bones! 3rd September, Tuesday Up and early off to Rome for the day, patsy me and crabby do a Vatican tour which included the Sistine Chappell! Which I didn't do last time in Rome, was very pleased I did it, it was amazing, afterwards, we taxi to colosseum for a quick look before heading to Trevi fountain and Spanish steps, stop for a meal on the way so we could use the toilets! Taxi driver to train station was hilarious, music full bore signing Italian opera. Ad driving like a lunatic, couldn't stop laughing! Back to Florence all worn out but freshen up before going for one last night walk around Florence, gorgeous night! 4th September, Wednesday Up early start, train to Milan, then onto Nice. Booked into Motel, then went to beach for a look, just beautiful, stop and have a couple of drinks at seaside restaurant, cocktails and wine! Then had tea at Buffalo Bill, burgers were nice for a change from pizza and pasta! Back to motel, had a earlish night. 5th September, Thursday Caught train to Monaco for day trip, Monaco just stunning, walk around past casino, swim at the beach and a few drinks and lunch enjoying the view. Caught taxi to Princes Palace for a look and then walk back to train station, back to Nice. Swim at pool at motel! 6th September, Friday Caught train to Cannes, caught a tour train which took us around Cannes for a hour, stopped at a church which was up high and had a good view of the town. Lunch at a Irish pub before going back to Nice. Had a walk around to Casino then back to motel. Found a restaurant around the corner for tea, Hippopotamus Restaurant where brett ordered something he thought was going to be kebabs but got raw meat instead! He did try it reluctantly and decided it was that bad after all, the waitress was great, she gave us a few tips on the French cuisine, even gave us some duck liver to try! 7th September, Saturday Train to Montpelier , arrived and caught taxi to Mercure Hotel. Had a little look thought the shopping mall then went out to get something to eat in the Comedie Square, was raining so took refuse in a cafe to grab a bite to eat but after being ignored for quite a while by the waiters we decided to move on and find another place. Found a place that had an English menu, waiter didn't know much English, we ordered a chicken skewers with salad chips veges and rice. Nice waiter. Walked back to motel and had a night cap in the crabs room. 8th September, Sunday Bit of a sleep in then walk around to some of the sights, found a little cafe and had a drink then found another Irish pub and had a few more, went and found a Chinese wok cafe and took it back to Irish pub to eat as they didn't have a food menu. Back to motel for a nana nap then down to Irish pub for tea,(Cafe Oz next to it was already checked out by patsy and mike but said it was a bit grouse) had hamburgers and burritos, patsy and I taken a liking to beer with syrup! Back to motel! 9th September, Monday Early start, train to Barcelona at 7.30 Arrive in Barcelona, apartment 4th floor, heaps of very steep stairs, elevator only big enough for one person! Don't use it at all as too claustrophobic, decide to go and have some lunch, end up eating in the square off the La Ramblas. Paella time! Meander down the La Ramblas for a look around decided to buy 2 day bus pass and start it straight away! Do 2 routes around on bus to have a good look around and see what we want to go back and look at the next day! Tuesday 10th September Hop on/off bus, walk around down the beach area, beaches really nice. Go to Sagrada Familiar again for some more photos around the church. Lunch on nearby cafe. Take a tram up to Diablo mountain then funicular up top, absolutely stunning view of Barcelona, 2 more beautiful churches up there as well. I went through Gaudi house while brett went and wondered around. Very unique building. Decide to go on bus again and see the fountain light up but it wasn't on, wait around for quite awhile to see it! Lucky we saw a bit of it the night before on the bus tour! Walk back towards apartments, stop and have tea at a restaurant on the way! Time to have tapas, all very tasty and very nice waitress etc. Walk back to apartments! Wednesday 11th September Last day to look around Barcelona. Raining! Public holiday and Catalonians having a peaceful protest/march around Barcelona. Red and yellow everywhere! Stumble across festivities where they let loose heaps of red and yellow balloons! Look around museum where Christopher Columbus documents are held. Saw a few more lovely churches. Lunch at an irish pub. meander around the streets doing abit of shopping. Hop on bus and go out to Shopping centre Montmagnum for a look around as raining. Back to motel to do washing, machines not ready so go for a walk, stumble over an Oz cafe and have a few drinks. Go and have tea in la ramblas square for the last time while we wait for a clothes to dry. Thursday 12th September Early taxi to airport to fly out to Paris! Arrive in Paris, taxi to our motel, all of us hoping to be the first to see the Eiffel Tower! Crabby wins! Mercure hotel just a short walk from Eiffel Tower, our room has absolutely no view of the tower and not a very interesting view full stop!! Patsy and Michael have a reasonable view of the top section of the tower. Go for walk around the Eiffel Tower then train out to get our Paris passes, find a cafe to have some lunch. Decide to meander around Paris for a look, go to Notre Dame church, quite a beautifully church, look around the many souvenir shops then walk to the Louvre area, hang around there until dark to make the most of the nice night and photo shots when it lights up! Find a restaurant for tea on the way back to motel, had a really nice chicken salad. Walk around Eiffel Tower again at night, enjoying the views! Friday, 13th September Hop on hop on/off bus for a few stops jump off at arc de Triomphe, decided not to climb as raining, walk down the Champs élysées for a browse around shops. Train out to Bastille for a look around. Found pandora shop for patsys present! Decide to go to Louvre as raining, saw Mona! Stopped raining when we came out so decided to make the most of the sun and go back to Arc de Triomphe, climb the 200+ steps up to the top, beautiful view of the city from the top! Quite stuffed afterwards! Go back to motel, deciding whether to go up the Eiffel Tower while it is quite nice outside! Decided to go in case weather gets worse over the next few days! Climbed up to the 2nd level! 600+ steps!!! More than enough steps for one day! Fantastic views, very interesting looking at it so close from underneath as well! Lights start to flicker as we neared the top floor! Lights flicker on the hour from 9pm for 5 mins. Starts to rain when aft we reach the top, spend the 13€ per glass for champagne! Lift all the way down! Yay! Was great but very worn out from such a busy day! Saturday, 14th September Train out to see Catacombs, line up for about an hour and a half to get in, very interesting was mind blowing to see another side of the history of Paris, takes about an hour or so to go through. Go to shopping centre where brett goes up tower to get a great view of the city, I went shopping! Went to wax museum, whirlwind look through! Train back to motel, decide to order room service for tea, as too stuffed to go out, grab a few drinks and go to crabs room, give pats her birthday present. Sunday, 15th September Early start to Versailles to go to the palace, huge line up takes about 45 mins to get in, amazingly opulent inside, crowds very pushy and we just rush thought quickly as its way too crowded. Train back to Paris, go on river cruise then train to Montmartre, take petite train up to top, church beautiful inside, mass on while we were there, the nuns choir signing, was great to listen to. A lady outside church playing the windup organ and signing, sounds great, was a real French feel! Have a look around front of Moulin Rouge area where we are going back for show. Train back to motel to get ready to train back to Moulin Rouge, meet Patsy and Michael at Irish pub close by to Moulin Rouge for tea. Show was great, better than thought it would be, train back to near motel coffee and crime brûlée at restaurant near our motel then back to bed. Monday, 16th September Last day to sight see and shop, have breaky on way to train station, catch train to La Fayetteville and Opera are to do a bit of shopping, went up to top of Department store at La Fayetteville for lunch and to see the views, raining again! Train to Notre dame, brett gets some great shots from the top while I mosey around the souvenir shops. Train back to motel to pack and get organised, have last meal at our favourite restaurant around the corner! Tuesday, 17th September Early start plane to Dubai - goodbye Paris! Dubai here we come! Arrive in Dubai at dark, taxi ride to our motel. Hilton Jumerea beach. Right on the beach, lovely spot, walk down street, Indian for tea. Wednesday, 18th September Morning swim on the beach and then in the pool. Guided tour around Dubai in the afternoon from 2.30 until 7.30. Have a look around old area, around some mosques and also markets, including gold markets. Back to hotel too late for a swim, walk down street for tea, nice Asian restaurant. Thursday, 19th September Morning swim in pool and sea, hot and humid. Taxi ride out to Dubai Mall, huge place, huge indoor aquarium, ice rink, etc. Go up the tallest building in the world, up to level 124! Great view of Dubai. It hits you how just in the middle of the desert we are. Fountain show at 6 o'clock which is great then taxi back to motel for last swim in the pool to freshen up! Taxi to airport for late flight back to Autralia at 2.00 am.