The City of a 1000 Spires

But we haven't seen them all!  We used our tour bus pass and went into town again, and then we made our way to the cable car to get some of these huge city views.  Thommo managed to get some on the video, more home movies!

We then hopped on the tour bus and headed for the river cruise.  It is not an easy exercise getting around this old city, the roads are narrow, rough cobbles and twist and turn around their ancient buildings, it feels like making your way around a maize.

The river cruise was excellent, and we used this venue for your photos.  It was a glorious day and a lovely finish to our stay in Prague.  We are off to Vienna in the morning, so I will be sure to check our platform first!!

Bye for now, I will let you know when I start to feel better, for now - no change.  xoxoxo

Munich - No Train!!

Well, comment for Munich - very business like.  We had a very relaxed breakfast this morning, as our departure time is 9.45am.  We had an easy stroll to central station, and we checked the timetable but it was only listing a Prague train for 9.01am so we found a rare seat & relaxed.  We will go and check for our platform at 9.15am.  Well, off Thommo went and came back at 9.25 saying that our train was not listed!  I had better go and ASK and find out!?  I was worried at this point, as the stations are huge and it takes a good 10mins to get to a platform.  I found the Information desk, 3 windows all full and a queue - 9.35am.  Everyone had long queries - 9.40 - I made it to the window, showed our ticket and asked 'which platform please?'  Not platform, coach outside - large white one.  Thanks - 9.43 and I was running and waving to Thommo who was putting on his jacket, and  we grabbed our luggage headed for the exit.  Panic, I dragged my luggage in the lift and Thommo scrambled down the stairs as we watched a large white coach drive away!!  I did my usual panic mode and froze, and Thommo strode off towards the road - and then turned to tell me to get over? 

Our Prague coach was still loading - oh phew and we just added to the queue when another young fellow came along.  We looked at him and he said 'I'm south Victorian, and I organise these sort of things back home!"  So many Aussies, and we are the ones who actually talk! 

THAT really was a  close call - lesson - check platform first!!

The coach was very good for views, but we still had no luck for photos.  Would not like to travel on a coach, it really is claustrophobic.  The countryside again is delightful, and we are really enjoying the Autumn colours - they are lovely.

We arrived out side Prague Central at 2.45pm.  Busy place, and we gathered our luggage on the footpath, and Thommo checked out his trusty Garmon.  Off he walked to get the right direction, and then he pointed over to the general direction we had to go?!  All I could see was fly overs full of traffic!  It was a tortuous walk, along narrow cobbled streets, which are filthy, I haven't seen so much litter and cigarette stubs!  We walked and walked, it's only a klm Valerie, but it was hard.  Thommo did a couple of advance reckies, as the flyovers got in the way.  At last as we were looking for a crossing I read Hotel Opera just across the road
Thank goodness!  I was  exhausted, but our hotel is gorgeous - Thommo has chosen well again.  Arrived at hotel 4.15pm.

FRIDAY in  Prague.  We had a slow start but I needed it.  We did 1.1/2 bus tours through this ancient, crazy city.  Original 8 century buildings destroyed by Pragues worst fires have all been replaced with Gothic, Rennaisance and Boroque architecture!  The roman streets are everywhere, and make the bus ride a real bone (& back) shaker.  You have buildings to admire today, as we stayed on the buses.  Tomorrow we are going to check out a couple of the squares in different town quarters, and possibly a river cruise.  So folks we are going down for tea, talk again tomorrow.  xoxoxo

City of Monks

A long long time ago Munchen was the name for this city of Monks.  There are no monks anymore, but the name has stayed as we know it Munich.

Now I had better review our travels as quite a lot has happened since our last blog.  We left Berlin 3 days ago and we were in plenty of time for our train.  We travelled through some pretty country with lots of pine forests and farms.  Again it was impossible to get photos  so we have to commit the views to our memory.  When a town appears, first you spy church spire and then it is a concentration of steep roofed houses and massive blocks of apartments with most of them displaying window boxes of flowers - it does look so pretty.  Some of the buildings are painted in  bright colours eg. Yellow, red, blue but mostly white with the window frames and doors bright colours.

This was a 4.1/2 hour trip and then they announced we had to transfer to another train for the remaining 1.1/2 hour trip.  This is where the our extra fun began!  Not easy transferring trains when the coach & seat numbers do not correspond, so after a quick scramble we took the chance that having the same coach number was good enough.  We were listening for our station so we could collect our gear in time.  Well we were all together and I stepped off with our loose bags and Thommo went to step down with our ports - and whooshka the doors closed!  Nothing I did would open them all Icould do was look amazed as Thommo rolled away!!  All I could do was stay & wait, thought I would be waiting at least an hour, but it was only half & Thommo and I were reunited.  Our station was Munich Passing, and it was a pretty drab siding.  Thommo checked the Garmin and it indicated 5 kms as the crow flies, so, taxi!!  This time our directions had set us off 1 station early, next stop is Munich central, only approx. 400 metres from our hotel!?  This was where Thommo did the back-flip to me, so the 25 euro cab fare was  very unwelcome!

Long day, and I had to leave poor Thommo on his own to have tea, at a cafe down the road, which had been recommended by the barman.  It was an excellent choice, and we went back last night so I could take the photo of the beer!

Sightseeing today, and after a short stroll I convinced Thommo that the tour bus is the only way we are going to see most of this town.  Well, there are just a few of the 13th century buildings standing (tne city was almost flattened in the 2nd WW.), and they are surrounded by huge modern buildings for InternationalBanks, Universal Insurance companies and even more private banks.  The people are pleasant, very business like, no light chit-chat here.  Thommo gave me a rest in the afternoon, as we wanted to check-out the Oktoberfest.

Well, we set off at 6pm, and we just litterally had to follow the crowd,  by there thousands and quite a few looked wobbly on their legs!  Couldn't miss it, it is huge and must cover at least 2 square miles!  Tory you would be in your element here, the rides are awesome, miles of them bigger, scarrier than Dreamworld.  These rides are surrounded with again,huge beer halls/gardens and every description of food and souveniers.  Most of the people are in their national dress, and I guess with the help of the beer, they are all very jolly!!

If we could have made it in to a beer hall that would have been great, but the crowds waiting outside indicated a very very long wait!!  Frustrating for Thommo too, as it wou,d have been an experience to watch the dancing and enjoy a beer.  As it was we made it to his little beer house for tea, and his jug of beer.

After this blog I am off to get some more medical help, must try and fix this malais I am struggling with.  Off to Prague tomorrow, so we should have some special photos from there.  Enjoy our Munich moments below  xoxoxox

Berlin - East.

Our plan this morning is to go East!  We set off only to be totally barracaded from the marathon which  was running through town.  Thousands of spectators, bands, whistles and clackers were cheering the runners on.  We had to weave ourselves across via underground subways and when we made it to the station a very helpful local gave us the directions we needed. 

We only had 6/7 stations to Alexandraplatz and we stepped right into 'Sunday Markets!'  BUT boy were they different, we have photos for you to see how colourful it was, and Thommo did the tourist shop and bought our Ruskie hats!  He just had to have them!!?

Sorry to say I started to get wobbly again, so while I rested Thommo took off with the video and did some valuable scenery shots.  Lovely old buildings and churches, they are also excavating the ruins off a city from the middle ages, 13th century and the beginning of Berlin just under the current cities asphalt.  Apparantly, digging foundations for a new car park exposed this historic gem.

We gently strolled, for my benefit, and when we made it to the station we  relied on Thommos common sense, hopped on a train and 'clever boy' we were on the right one.  The marathon was over so it was an easy walk back to  our hotel.  I have been sorting our stuff ready for tomorrow, feeling lousy, and Thommo discovered that our blog had been blocked, and our user password had been disconnected by google!!  It seems 'our site had been compromised.  Well he worked feverishly on this tablet, and with new code and password he has us reinstated - how good is he?!

Meanwhile I have called for a doctor again, I have to get this stomach fixed now, and get to really enjoy the rest of this  trip.  Enjoy our happy  snaps below  xoxoxoxo

Berlin bedlam!!

Up at 6am, train to catch.  I am not feeling great, bugger.   It was a 6 hour trip and we only caught quick glances of countryside and towns between rail walls, trees and more trees, sorry no photos.  The countries are so flat, towns are concrete jungles of high apartments.  Some of the trees are just starting to turn red & gold, lots of corn fields, and even some Canola.  We stepped  off at Berlin Hauptbahnhoff and stood stunned and totally bemused as hundreds of people surrounded us.  "well  where are we?" says Thommo!  Err Berlin - I said.  What now?  Find someone, we made our way to the exit, switched on the Garmin, keyed in our hotel and set for walk.  Nothing!  It was internally stalling, couldn't trace us!?  I had to go and ask (at last) .  We had travelled too far, back on the train and back 3 stations to the Zoo.  Again Thommo was determined to master the garmin, I asked a bus driver, but Thommo was convinced he was on the right track - off we treck (in the opposite direction).  Remember, I am not feeling good!  We walked approx 500mtrs. and it was heading into a cobbled track through a park, and alongside the Zoo.  I propped and Thommo said he would go ahead and check it out.  I stayed with our luggage and watched camels in their enclosure, while walkers & cyclists streamed by me.  I almost started to think Thommo was lost, but he appeared at last - "we'll get a taxi!!'  I was too tired to even laugh, so we walked back the 500mtrs, asked the taxk, and we were only 500mtrs in the other direction!! 

Into reception, only to be told 'sorry we are full tonight, but we have a room for you close by, and we have upgraded your room for the next 2 nights!!'  NOT HAPPY,  This 4 hours since we arrived in Berlin!!  Now we are in our temporary room, and Ihad to lie down.  Thommo said we have to get you fixed, I had to admit I was not doing us any help this way, luckily the hotel has a house doctor, and what a gem he was.  Yes, I have drugs, injection to combat the nausea,follow up drops for the stomach bug and real pain killers for my back.  NB.  Woke up much better tnis morning.

First mission to transfer ourselves to our original hotel (after a delightful breakfast) and getting our gear into the upgraded suite we were really keen to hit the streets.  I rang our friends son Tristan (Prasser), who is studying in Berlin with girlfriend Louise, mainly to apologies that we wouldn't meet up with them as we had planned as I am travelling rather slowly, and it would mean a train trip for us.  But Tristan had given us some invaluable tips, including to try and see Brandenburger Gate today, as there was a major marathon organised for tomorrow in town, possibly road disruption.  Note;  Triston sounded rather sleepy?  Good reason, they had been out in the Octoberfest!!

So, off we went and walked the Joachimstrasse which is a major retail mecca here - cafes, shoes, clothes, shoes, coffee shops, souveniers, shoes, coffee shops, cafes by the hundreds it is unbelievable.  We checked out the Berlin Story and did a tour of an underground shelter (4 built in the post war in the event of a nuclea result in the cold war period).  Huge bunker for the preservation of 16000 people (first in first saved)!  Set up for supplies for 14 days (safe to go outside).  Of course this was not true with knowledge today, and tne living conditions would have been intolerable - but it was interesting to learn this fact.

Our next plan was to go and see the Brandenburger Gate.  We successfully negotiated the train trip, this time, we were armed with all the information.  What fun it was in the square, a local marathon was in progress, with The Gate as the finish we were able to see, cyclists and roller bladers race in cheered along by thousands of spectators.  It was great atmosphere, and we have a couple of photos at last.

We haven't planned tomorrow yet, Thommo is snoring on the couch as I am typing!!  So watch this space for more surprises!
Pics.  Me in front of The Gate.  Thommo found a Bear?!  (it is the Berlin Bear).  Me really in Berlin, and of course bicycles!

xoxoxoxo

Bongs everywhere!!

Well what a different city Amsterdam is, apart from all the water & canals, there are millions of people constantly on the move.  Millions of bicycles, and not an overweight person in sight.  They are all gazelles!  Another fine day for us and we took ourselves off to catch a bus which gave us a good idea of this busy place.  We then caught the Blue line canal bus which took us out tothe main harbour, and we saw where they built there huge ships, again amazing.  Thommo is being very patient,  I am still limping thank goodness for these tours.  We walked the streets, and alleyways, all paved and so many shops and cafes of every description. The specialty for the locals is Frommes, which is a paper cone of hot chips and a mayonnaise sauce poured over them (or any sauce of your choice).  We tried it, but sweet chilli wasn't good and too sticky!!

We chose little cafes down the alleyways, interesting and good.  Like the title you cannot believe the range and volume of bongs, and you can certainly smell the sweet M everywhere! 

Our final day here and Thommo wants to check-out the Red Light district, but we had some more sightseeing to do, and yes shopping.  Thommo was keen as the sale prices were so good!  Then we walked the Red Light district - yes we saw some girls in the windows but I didn't lose Thommo!?  We couldn't take photos here, it would upset the girls and there managers at the door!!

Lesson for today!  Stats:  550,500 bicycles in Amsterdam, 7,500 get stolen each year.  approx. 9,500 cycles through the station daily.  There are 2,500 houseboats, the authority have a freeze on new moorings.  16th century bridges in Amsterdam no. 1,250.  They plant elm trees along the canals because there roots go straight down, and there a lot of them.

Couple of snaps to follow.  Will try and get more in Berlin.  xoxoxo  Me in front of central station.  Thommo near canal.

Brussels

Leaving UK was pretty painless, the eurail was like sitting in a plane and we had a light meal during the trip.  Scenery was fleeting, very flat and we had no photos for you.  We arrived in Brussels Midi Station at 6pm and BAM chaos - people everywhere and no english!!  We stood totally bemused and Ray was anxious to find an ATM we might not have enough euro for the cab?  Errols Garmon was showing a 40 min walk to our hotel that would be 1 hour for me!!

Thommo went for walk and had no luck with ATM found 2 both out of order - Sunday?  We eventually asked a taxi how much for our fare & we had enough -phew!  Thommo has done marvels with our accommodation, our hotel is gorgeous and it was a relief to flop and have a cuppa.  Thommo went looking for an ATM but I snuggled in ready to attack the streets tomorrow.

Morning, and Yippee we found our little cafe just down the cobbled road, in Luxemburg Square which was a busy hub of students, business suits and taxis.  We waited out a couple of heavy showers and then hopped onto the tour bus for the innercity circuit, which confirmed that Brussels is the business centre of Europe.  I am sure 22 million live here, and they run everywhere, and smoke!!

Hopefully we have some  photos to show how busy this place is, the buildings are so dense it is almost impossible to get a photo of them or the sculptures they have, both historic and new.  We hopped onto the 2nd circuit which went through the older part of the city, and the apartments were more colourful and the older style trams ran through the middle of the roads surrounded by trees.

We had our tea back at our cafe, it was an easy walk and had pleasant staff.  Panic this morning, I had set our alarm alright, but our phone was on UK time, 1 hour behind!  We did record time getting ready and made it safely to the station.  Then it was looking for our train?!  Had to ask porters who seemed to find it amusing?  We found our train in plenty of time, and here we are almost in Amsterdam. 

We have arrived, it is amazing - people, cyclists, trams and taxis and those amazing canals, there is water everywhere!!  We stepped outside the Central Amsterdam and Thommo immediately saw our hotel the Victoria, how good is that?  Just a walk across the roads of tram lines, cycle/scooter lanes and pedestrians - absolutely scarey!!  We have photos, and we checked in our luggage into the hotel and our next mission was lunch.  Ah a decent cuppa too.  Then we went over to book our bus/canal tickets, we are really keen to get onto the  canal bus because the sun is shining.  We hopped on the Red line and the tour through the canals was wonderful, although the housebouts did not look so romantic close up!  16th century bridges, warehouses (which are now converted to luxury apartments).  Rather difficult to get the top of these lovely tall buildings sitting in the canal bus.  Thommo is still shaking his head at the crazy traffic, there is so much of it and add millions of pedestrians.  Bicyles here leave Japan for dead, it is so flat and parking stations are huge apart from around all the bridges!

I have more badges at last, they are so hard to source.  Time to re-group and get  this one away for you all.  School holidays again, Kizza having fun?  Did Noah go over to Sean & Aodhan's, and trust Fergus is not missing his school routine?  Bye for now xoxoxo