Well we have arrived back in Amsterdam and making good to fly home to Australia tomorrow via Dubai.
Of course as we left Copenhagen, the weather was stunning with an expected temperature of 21 degrees - this is the last of the indian summer days they can expect I imagine.
The only problem with flying is the amount of time in the lead up to, the last minute gate changes and the trudge at the arrival gates to collect luggage and clear customs. The flight was full, but with only a one hour flying time, that was ok.
We arrive at Schipol Airport and begin the very lengthy taxi to the gate - I got a giggle out of the thought of this being one hell of a big taxi cab! At one point, the air hostess made an announcement about the driving, driving, driving to our gate. She advises that it is a 7 km ride.
Finally we arrive and the plane disgorges the passengers and when we reach the baggage claim - as luck would have it, at the far end of the airport, there are not only our bags on the carousel, but 6 other flights as well. Again, as luck would have it, our bags are in the last lot. At least by the time we had collected them, most of the hordes had disappeared.
The final few souvenirs bought, we catch a cab to our hotel - another Tesla - Donna is thrilled. It amazes her that all the cabs are luxury cars. Our first Tesla taxi driver had explained that the running costs are so much less with the Tesla, that it pays the taxi company to make the initial purchase investment.
The lines for taxis and the traffic from the airport today is unbelievable. Turns out that the Congress is meeting in The Hague at the moment!
Anyway, its been a great trip, all the better because I have been able to share it with Donna.
Hope you all enjoyed coming along for the ride. Catch you all when we are back in Oz.
Over and out (again).
Showing posts with label Sydney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sydney. Show all posts
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Monday, August 12, 2019
Its a long way on a full load plane
Well so much for the first blog on Friday!
For those who haven't heard, the weather in SE Australia went to the wall on Friday and after some serious doubt about whether we might need to make a dash for Brisbane, or worst still for Sydney, our flight finally took off from Hervey Bay 2 hrs 30 mins late. A very 'chunky' flight with an almost empty plane (could spell a danger if that becomes a regular occurence), and a landing at a much higher power level than I think I have ever expected into a nasty cross wind on the ground. A challenging start to the journey, but nonetheless, it was a start!
So got in to Sydney about 4:30 pm and by the time I had collected my luggage and got a cab to Donna's it was about 5:15. She finished work at 7 so at least I had time to catch my breath! By the time we had eaten dinner and decided what cameras and chargers, adapters, power sources we could share, midnight was beckoning and so was bed.
And now I am truly on holidays. Slept in until 7 am! Pure bliss. The wind continues to rage and I was very thankful for the electric blanket on the bed last night, even though I can't normally sleep in one. Definitely no longer in Kansas Toto, and nor am I in Queensland. The day is miserable in the wind and Antony tells me that snow is falling in Canberra today.
While Donna packs, I re-pack and end up leaving few items of clothing at her place. My suitcase feels a little lighter and when we way it, I have lost the grand sum of 1 kg! Garry has a mate who drives a Silver Service Taxi and so at 11:30 we call for George. We are at the international terminal just before 12 noon, ready to queue to book in and seats allocated.
Chloe tells me that this flight is often full and sure enough it is a full load with not a single empty seat. Luckily we are seated on the right side of the plane. Donna in the centre and me on the aisle. The lady at the window is Jennifer from New Lambton in Newcastle - about a 15 minute drive from Mum's place. It's a small world I often say.
We are away about 30 minutes late, again due to the wind in Sydney and all travellers are glad to be off. It is a 13 hr 50 min flight to Dubai where we have a 4 hour stop. Service on the plane is good,and although Emirates offer seats with extra pitch and width, sardines still feel like sardines in a can. The aisles are narrow and when inconsiderate people fully recline their seats,it is still impossible to lay down the food tray. The 12,039 km trip feels every minute! Food is good, despite all the comments people make about airline food. With no where to stretch and too many people needing to get up and down to loos,there is no opportunity to walk the aisles,so a very long, cramped flight.
With very little sleep under our belt, we were glad to touch down in Dubai at 00:15 am to a hot and steamy 37 degs! Thank goodness we are staying inside and not venturing ot in that! Unlike many other airports, this truly is a 24 hour operation. You can buy just about anything here. The gold sellers aren't too expensive with 24 carat gold selling for USD$65 per gram. Interesting, but truly, nothing appealed!
Did you know that Dubai's main Terminal B where all planes arrive is shaped like the wing of a plane? And it is the longest terminal building in the world. We seemed to have to walk forever to get from or entry point to our next gate, but in reality, only walked half the length. Oh, and that was before we are bussed out to the plane, into the heat, and have to climb a mount everest of stairs in front of us!
Our departure is also delayed 15 minutes, so at 4:00 am we push pack from the deck. When I asked if the flight was full at check-in, I am told it is overbooked. Bugger. This flight we have two centre seats in the middle of the row. And the same deal with inconsiderate people in front.
HELLO AMSTERDAM. It is 17 degs heading for 21. A beautiful late summer morning. We join the never-ending congo line of passengers weaving towards passport control under the watchful eye of security. Plane after plane seems to disgorge its load on to the end of the line. Once at the front, Donna and I face no delays, no questions and walk through in seconds. The baggage claim area is frenetic (remember all those passengers). It doesn't take too long before we claim our suitcases and head through Customs. As there is no staff at the 'Something to Declare' gate, we just join the 'Nothing to Declare line with one man casually asking random people what they have in odd shaped packages. Again we just glide on through. Starbucks and a coffee are calling. Mmmm.
We try all the sim providers, but the cheap ones are only offering local calls. So over to Telecom where I manage to get UK based sim that will cover all of Europe, but not calls to Australia. If you want to send me a message, do so through Messenger or Facebook.
Finally it is time to go over to the Hotel. As we have dragged the luggage enough (and not to mention being dog-tired), I decide to shout us a cab. Donna just about wets herself when she realises we are getting into a Tesla. As a cab! And like all cabbies all over the world, he owns the road - across lanes, ignoring speed limits. 20 minutes later we pull up at Hotel Espresso which is just outside the old city area. AND, showers had its in to bed we go for a couple of hours.
Definitely refreshed and with feet and ankles that have lost some of the swelling, we head out about 6 pm to start exploring. We have bought a 24 hour tram ticker as we are a short walk to the closest tram into Dam Square, the main square in Amsterdam. We hop off and head off on foot. How I hate the 'cats' we are walking on (in french, cobblestones are referred to as 'la tete de la chat' - the head of the cat). They are at times uneven and I have to take extra care not to trip.
The Square is quite stunning, although the amount of litter is amazing. Lots of people out. The are numerous little lanes and streets fanning out in every direction.
Tram lines criss-cross the streets and run very frequently. between them, crazy cab-drivers and the millions of cyclists, pedestrians (who if I remember correctly have the right of way, take their lives in their hands.
It is after 7 pm now on a Sunday evening. Many of the retail stores are shut, but the ubiquitous Coffee Shop (not to be confused with a Cafe) are doing a roaring trade and so are all of the adjoining eateries, from pizza slices, to pommes frites, to sitdown restaurants - all catering to people with heightened appetites!
Donna manages to be dwarfed in a pair of clogs outside a Cheese Shop where we sampled the wares including some amazing flavoured gouda, only leaving after bu a sample pack to take with us.
All the way we are heading for Anne Frank's House (or are we Donna?) up alleys and down streets first north then west then east. We cross canals, climbing up and then down the cobbled bridges. We are nearly collected by a car coming at speed around a corner, with more passengers than should fit, jumping out and taking off at a run - a pub Crawl is on! Oh to be that young and have that much energy again!!
We eventually reach Anne Franks House. No photos and I wait because of all the steep narrow stairs. Looking across the canals and down the streets we see the fabulous architecture that the city is known for and manage to get photos of quite a few - small selection here.
I peep in through the grilled of a closed museum door but still lit within for another perspective.
Finally we are really flagging and our feet still somewhat swollen and sore. We have dinner at 9:45 pm just as the light is falling in to the dark of night. A cosy little pancake restaurant where we celebrate our arrival with a Prosecco, have a savoury pancake apiece (Donna = spinach and goat cheese, me = cheese and ham) and share a plate of Poffertjes, mini Dutch pancakes.
Then its off to the tram for the journey back to the Hotel.
More walking and a canal trip tomorrow.
Night all, I've had it and its time to crawl into bed at 1:40 am here! See you on the morrow.
For those who haven't heard, the weather in SE Australia went to the wall on Friday and after some serious doubt about whether we might need to make a dash for Brisbane, or worst still for Sydney, our flight finally took off from Hervey Bay 2 hrs 30 mins late. A very 'chunky' flight with an almost empty plane (could spell a danger if that becomes a regular occurence), and a landing at a much higher power level than I think I have ever expected into a nasty cross wind on the ground. A challenging start to the journey, but nonetheless, it was a start!
So got in to Sydney about 4:30 pm and by the time I had collected my luggage and got a cab to Donna's it was about 5:15. She finished work at 7 so at least I had time to catch my breath! By the time we had eaten dinner and decided what cameras and chargers, adapters, power sources we could share, midnight was beckoning and so was bed.
And now I am truly on holidays. Slept in until 7 am! Pure bliss. The wind continues to rage and I was very thankful for the electric blanket on the bed last night, even though I can't normally sleep in one. Definitely no longer in Kansas Toto, and nor am I in Queensland. The day is miserable in the wind and Antony tells me that snow is falling in Canberra today.
While Donna packs, I re-pack and end up leaving few items of clothing at her place. My suitcase feels a little lighter and when we way it, I have lost the grand sum of 1 kg! Garry has a mate who drives a Silver Service Taxi and so at 11:30 we call for George. We are at the international terminal just before 12 noon, ready to queue to book in and seats allocated.
Chloe tells me that this flight is often full and sure enough it is a full load with not a single empty seat. Luckily we are seated on the right side of the plane. Donna in the centre and me on the aisle. The lady at the window is Jennifer from New Lambton in Newcastle - about a 15 minute drive from Mum's place. It's a small world I often say.
We are away about 30 minutes late, again due to the wind in Sydney and all travellers are glad to be off. It is a 13 hr 50 min flight to Dubai where we have a 4 hour stop. Service on the plane is good,and although Emirates offer seats with extra pitch and width, sardines still feel like sardines in a can. The aisles are narrow and when inconsiderate people fully recline their seats,it is still impossible to lay down the food tray. The 12,039 km trip feels every minute! Food is good, despite all the comments people make about airline food. With no where to stretch and too many people needing to get up and down to loos,there is no opportunity to walk the aisles,so a very long, cramped flight. With very little sleep under our belt, we were glad to touch down in Dubai at 00:15 am to a hot and steamy 37 degs! Thank goodness we are staying inside and not venturing ot in that! Unlike many other airports, this truly is a 24 hour operation. You can buy just about anything here. The gold sellers aren't too expensive with 24 carat gold selling for USD$65 per gram. Interesting, but truly, nothing appealed!
Did you know that Dubai's main Terminal B where all planes arrive is shaped like the wing of a plane? And it is the longest terminal building in the world. We seemed to have to walk forever to get from or entry point to our next gate, but in reality, only walked half the length. Oh, and that was before we are bussed out to the plane, into the heat, and have to climb a mount everest of stairs in front of us!
Our departure is also delayed 15 minutes, so at 4:00 am we push pack from the deck. When I asked if the flight was full at check-in, I am told it is overbooked. Bugger. This flight we have two centre seats in the middle of the row. And the same deal with inconsiderate people in front.
HELLO AMSTERDAM. It is 17 degs heading for 21. A beautiful late summer morning. We join the never-ending congo line of passengers weaving towards passport control under the watchful eye of security. Plane after plane seems to disgorge its load on to the end of the line. Once at the front, Donna and I face no delays, no questions and walk through in seconds. The baggage claim area is frenetic (remember all those passengers). It doesn't take too long before we claim our suitcases and head through Customs. As there is no staff at the 'Something to Declare' gate, we just join the 'Nothing to Declare line with one man casually asking random people what they have in odd shaped packages. Again we just glide on through. Starbucks and a coffee are calling. Mmmm.
We try all the sim providers, but the cheap ones are only offering local calls. So over to Telecom where I manage to get UK based sim that will cover all of Europe, but not calls to Australia. If you want to send me a message, do so through Messenger or Facebook.
Finally it is time to go over to the Hotel. As we have dragged the luggage enough (and not to mention being dog-tired), I decide to shout us a cab. Donna just about wets herself when she realises we are getting into a Tesla. As a cab! And like all cabbies all over the world, he owns the road - across lanes, ignoring speed limits. 20 minutes later we pull up at Hotel Espresso which is just outside the old city area. AND, showers had its in to bed we go for a couple of hours.
Definitely refreshed and with feet and ankles that have lost some of the swelling, we head out about 6 pm to start exploring. We have bought a 24 hour tram ticker as we are a short walk to the closest tram into Dam Square, the main square in Amsterdam. We hop off and head off on foot. How I hate the 'cats' we are walking on (in french, cobblestones are referred to as 'la tete de la chat' - the head of the cat). They are at times uneven and I have to take extra care not to trip.The Square is quite stunning, although the amount of litter is amazing. Lots of people out. The are numerous little lanes and streets fanning out in every direction.
Tram lines criss-cross the streets and run very frequently. between them, crazy cab-drivers and the millions of cyclists, pedestrians (who if I remember correctly have the right of way, take their lives in their hands.It is after 7 pm now on a Sunday evening. Many of the retail stores are shut, but the ubiquitous Coffee Shop (not to be confused with a Cafe) are doing a roaring trade and so are all of the adjoining eateries, from pizza slices, to pommes frites, to sitdown restaurants - all catering to people with heightened appetites!
Donna manages to be dwarfed in a pair of clogs outside a Cheese Shop where we sampled the wares including some amazing flavoured gouda, only leaving after bu a sample pack to take with us.All the way we are heading for Anne Frank's House (or are we Donna?) up alleys and down streets first north then west then east. We cross canals, climbing up and then down the cobbled bridges. We are nearly collected by a car coming at speed around a corner, with more passengers than should fit, jumping out and taking off at a run - a pub Crawl is on! Oh to be that young and have that much energy again!!
We eventually reach Anne Franks House. No photos and I wait because of all the steep narrow stairs. Looking across the canals and down the streets we see the fabulous architecture that the city is known for and manage to get photos of quite a few - small selection here.I peep in through the grilled of a closed museum door but still lit within for another perspective.
Finally we are really flagging and our feet still somewhat swollen and sore. We have dinner at 9:45 pm just as the light is falling in to the dark of night. A cosy little pancake restaurant where we celebrate our arrival with a Prosecco, have a savoury pancake apiece (Donna = spinach and goat cheese, me = cheese and ham) and share a plate of Poffertjes, mini Dutch pancakes.
Then its off to the tram for the journey back to the Hotel.
More walking and a canal trip tomorrow.
Night all, I've had it and its time to crawl into bed at 1:40 am here! See you on the morrow.
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Everyone and everything was crying
Its always hard to leave loved ones and the end of this trip has been no different. We left Steph and Felix at 7:15 am on Thursday to begin the mammoth trip home.
Tears all round.
Even the sky is crying. It is the first day of significant rain in our whole trip and for once, it feels justified and real. We head up into the low cloud hanging over the Rechburg hill behind Straßdorf and into blinding rain and howling wind - a bit like someone wailing.
Over the top, it clears a little, although the going is still slower than normal in morning work traffic.
We are headed to Munich International Airport (Franz Josef Strauß) via Ulm. Somehow, this trip seems to take longer - as though something is holding us back a little.
Tears all round.Even the sky is crying. It is the first day of significant rain in our whole trip and for once, it feels justified and real. We head up into the low cloud hanging over the Rechburg hill behind Straßdorf and into blinding rain and howling wind - a bit like someone wailing.
Over the top, it clears a little, although the going is still slower than normal in morning work traffic.
We are headed to Munich International Airport (Franz Josef Strauß) via Ulm. Somehow, this trip seems to take longer - as though something is holding us back a little.
The traffic while normal for a business day is heavy and we keep pushing on.
We get to Munich Airport at around 9:50 am. Returning the rental car is an interesting experience here - you drive into a huge underground lot where all the company's cars are received together by an efficient band of ipad toting young people. Quick checks all round for damage and mileage and a check of fuel and you are asked to "leave the keys in the ignition please" and off you go.
Michael sorts a luggage trolley as we have as much to bring home as we took over!Back through the car rental hall - thank goodness we are not trying to get a car today, there are hundreds of people in multiple queues.
We had discussed upgrading our return flights to business class to try to give us some more space and the hope of some sleep. I had emailed Thai Airways, but they said it could only be done on the day at check-in. We have a little time to kill, as the check-in desk does not ope until 2.5 hours before departure (it is now 4 hours before). We find a cafe and have one last German meal for breakfast - Weisse Wurst mit Bretzel und Mustard. We added freshly squeezed orange juice to top it off - yummo.
Finally, the check-in counter is open. We walk up to the clerk and tell her we want to enquire about an upgrade to Business Class. She tickets our economy seats and then sends us to her colleague for the purchase. Just to make sure that we know how much it will cost, she takes out her mobile phone and calculates the two ticket prices and shows it to us. €2,990 ($4,470.23) THEN she tells us that this is for the Munich to Bangkok sector only. Egads. Still, we so need some sleep - neither of us slept well last night. The Clerk is just about to process the new tickets when I had a brainwave and I can't think why I didn't think of it before:
"Is the plane full?" I ask."No", she says "in fact there are about 100 empty seats".
"Any chance that we can have a spare seat between us then," I ask.
She is very obliging - she gives us seats 40D and 40G which are the two aisle seats in the centre block, and blocks out the two seats between us - effectively giving us 4 seats!! For free.
Way to go - a $4,470 saving!
Feeling very pleased with ourselves, we head through security through a maze of walkways and corridors and get to passport control to find only 1.5 gates open. 1.5 because the second one is dealing with people in wheelchairs (any older Indian), families with babies or children, rabbis who refuse to queue like everyone else and the odd person who tries to jump the queue. This was the most painful part of the process and it takes more than 40 minutes to snake our way through. Michael stops to get nougat that we couldn't get in Schwäbisch Gmünd and, having coffee, we realise that we still have some unspent Euros. It is better to spend than to lose on the exchange, so we pool it and Michael goes to see what he wants to buy. Came back with a new watch for ME, and nothing for himself. Ahh, love! 💖
Needless to say, we had a comfortable flight and Michael even managed a few good zzzz's. The service is fabulous and the trip uneventful. Food was really tasty - complete with real cutlery. I had Chicken in Gravy with Potato and vegetables while Michael chose Pork and Beans with rice and an egg. We both had a small proscuitto salad, pretzel rolls, cheese and crackers and cake.
When we get to Bangkok, we need to transit to our next departure - along with at east half of our flight and many from other flights. One of the very good things about Bangkok Airport is that the signage is really clear in directing you where to go - AND it includes distances so you know how far to your destination! And unlike our arrival where we had to walk so far, this time it is only 350 m to the transit security check point and then only 400 m to the next gate. Then down to the gate that is not yet open.
And the world is still crying. We came in to Bangkok through some pretty impressive storms that included lightening!
And if the first flight was so good, this one was almost the opposite. I will be writing to Thai Airways and pointing out the very significant differences. The plane is full - in fact I only see two empty seats.
Michael is beginning to look annoyed. Now that we are on the way home, he just wants to GET home!
We are served breakfast, the same one that we had so recently had on the Munich - Bangkok sector - not a problem, not everyone has come from that flight. No pre-meal drink of water - yes, problem. Cheese omelette, potato cake, chicken sausage and tomato relish. Orange juice, diced fruit (the pineapple and pawpaw (which I don't normally like, were delish), croissant with impossible-to-open butter and jam.
Ten very long hours later - no water offered between meals - in fact no service at all, no working entertainment system, which meant that the lights were dimmed out as soon as breakfast was served - like by 10 am and the heating turned up. Talk about the sweats. Being crammed,it is hard to sleep. Thankfully, I still had Felix's book and soon finished that.
Later in the flight we got to know three young Italians sitting next to and in front of us. They are coming to Australia for their working holiday year and we chat about their home and ours. They know about couchsurfing, so we expect them to visit us during the year!
Ten VERY LONG HOURS later, we touch down in Sydney.
Donna is meeting us - wonderful. I sms her to let her know that we need to go through quarantine where, as expected, the painted eggs present a problem - they need to be dipped in some anti-bacterial solution and if we want to keep the egg carton that has protected them thus far, it will cost us $100 to have it treated. It goes!
The officer is very obliging (although I witness two of her colleagues not as nice). She helps dry and wrap them and even gets us some bubble wrap to help protect them.
Finally, out to Donna and to be greeted with bear hugs. I think that we are all remembering our joint time in Europe all those years ago.
We get out to the car and are whizzed around to the Mecure only a couple of kms from the Airport. Although the waiter at their restaurant is closing, when the manager sees that there are a number of people wanting something to eat or drink, she makes him stay open.
We have a panini and a coffee and then head to the room. Its now about 9:30 pm and neither of us have had any quality sleep for about 2 days. we chat with Donna for a little longer and then head to bed.
Tomorrow, the last leg home and then we need to race home from Hervey Bay airport as Bella arrives at 1:30 pm.
Love to all - see you soon.
Another adventure done. 😢
We had discussed upgrading our return flights to business class to try to give us some more space and the hope of some sleep. I had emailed Thai Airways, but they said it could only be done on the day at check-in. We have a little time to kill, as the check-in desk does not ope until 2.5 hours before departure (it is now 4 hours before). We find a cafe and have one last German meal for breakfast - Weisse Wurst mit Bretzel und Mustard. We added freshly squeezed orange juice to top it off - yummo.
Finally, the check-in counter is open. We walk up to the clerk and tell her we want to enquire about an upgrade to Business Class. She tickets our economy seats and then sends us to her colleague for the purchase. Just to make sure that we know how much it will cost, she takes out her mobile phone and calculates the two ticket prices and shows it to us. €2,990 ($4,470.23) THEN she tells us that this is for the Munich to Bangkok sector only. Egads. Still, we so need some sleep - neither of us slept well last night. The Clerk is just about to process the new tickets when I had a brainwave and I can't think why I didn't think of it before:
"Is the plane full?" I ask."No", she says "in fact there are about 100 empty seats".
"Any chance that we can have a spare seat between us then," I ask.
She is very obliging - she gives us seats 40D and 40G which are the two aisle seats in the centre block, and blocks out the two seats between us - effectively giving us 4 seats!! For free.
Way to go - a $4,470 saving!
Feeling very pleased with ourselves, we head through security through a maze of walkways and corridors and get to passport control to find only 1.5 gates open. 1.5 because the second one is dealing with people in wheelchairs (any older Indian), families with babies or children, rabbis who refuse to queue like everyone else and the odd person who tries to jump the queue. This was the most painful part of the process and it takes more than 40 minutes to snake our way through. Michael stops to get nougat that we couldn't get in Schwäbisch Gmünd and, having coffee, we realise that we still have some unspent Euros. It is better to spend than to lose on the exchange, so we pool it and Michael goes to see what he wants to buy. Came back with a new watch for ME, and nothing for himself. Ahh, love! 💖
Needless to say, we had a comfortable flight and Michael even managed a few good zzzz's. The service is fabulous and the trip uneventful. Food was really tasty - complete with real cutlery. I had Chicken in Gravy with Potato and vegetables while Michael chose Pork and Beans with rice and an egg. We both had a small proscuitto salad, pretzel rolls, cheese and crackers and cake.
When we get to Bangkok, we need to transit to our next departure - along with at east half of our flight and many from other flights. One of the very good things about Bangkok Airport is that the signage is really clear in directing you where to go - AND it includes distances so you know how far to your destination! And unlike our arrival where we had to walk so far, this time it is only 350 m to the transit security check point and then only 400 m to the next gate. Then down to the gate that is not yet open. 
And the world is still crying. We came in to Bangkok through some pretty impressive storms that included lightening!
And if the first flight was so good, this one was almost the opposite. I will be writing to Thai Airways and pointing out the very significant differences. The plane is full - in fact I only see two empty seats.Michael is beginning to look annoyed. Now that we are on the way home, he just wants to GET home!
We are served breakfast, the same one that we had so recently had on the Munich - Bangkok sector - not a problem, not everyone has come from that flight. No pre-meal drink of water - yes, problem. Cheese omelette, potato cake, chicken sausage and tomato relish. Orange juice, diced fruit (the pineapple and pawpaw (which I don't normally like, were delish), croissant with impossible-to-open butter and jam.Ten very long hours later - no water offered between meals - in fact no service at all, no working entertainment system, which meant that the lights were dimmed out as soon as breakfast was served - like by 10 am and the heating turned up. Talk about the sweats. Being crammed,it is hard to sleep. Thankfully, I still had Felix's book and soon finished that.
Later in the flight we got to know three young Italians sitting next to and in front of us. They are coming to Australia for their working holiday year and we chat about their home and ours. They know about couchsurfing, so we expect them to visit us during the year!
Ten VERY LONG HOURS later, we touch down in Sydney.
Donna is meeting us - wonderful. I sms her to let her know that we need to go through quarantine where, as expected, the painted eggs present a problem - they need to be dipped in some anti-bacterial solution and if we want to keep the egg carton that has protected them thus far, it will cost us $100 to have it treated. It goes!
The officer is very obliging (although I witness two of her colleagues not as nice). She helps dry and wrap them and even gets us some bubble wrap to help protect them.
Finally, out to Donna and to be greeted with bear hugs. I think that we are all remembering our joint time in Europe all those years ago.
We get out to the car and are whizzed around to the Mecure only a couple of kms from the Airport. Although the waiter at their restaurant is closing, when the manager sees that there are a number of people wanting something to eat or drink, she makes him stay open.
We have a panini and a coffee and then head to the room. Its now about 9:30 pm and neither of us have had any quality sleep for about 2 days. we chat with Donna for a little longer and then head to bed.
Tomorrow, the last leg home and then we need to race home from Hervey Bay airport as Bella arrives at 1:30 pm.
Love to all - see you soon.
Another adventure done. 😢
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Are we really leaving winter?
Having hardly slept at all last night - camera, Kate, computer kept running through my brain, with the occasional makeup, jewellery added in for good measure, I finally fell in to a deep sleep about 5 am. And then woke with a start at 7:45am!! NOT a good start, really.
But having repeated the items all night long, it didn't take me long to chase them all up and pack them in to the second backpack we are now taking.
Packing last night was a very interesting exercise. Our original plan was to take a medium and a small suitcase. Yeah, right, as if THAT was going to happen.
The two items that Rolf Sieber had done for us won't go anywhere near fitting in the medium suitcase, and in fact just fit in the base of the large older suitcase.
And then there are the presents. So at 11 pm we ended up with the two larger suitcases, two backpacks, my handbag and a bag with a hat! Yep, packing light next time I said. Passport and credit card I said. Ha ha.
This morning was all the last minute stuff. Like making sure that the guy grinding our stumps new that I wanted some of the succulents kept. Like Michael replacing the smoke detectors. You know, last minute stuff. And it is ridiculously warm at 26 degrees as we leave.
Anyway, no fear, Gen made sure that we made the airport with plenty of time. She stayed for a drink and then made her way off to introduce herself to Miss Bella.
It was about now that we realised that we had a whole touring rugby school on the flight with us. Not just a team, the whole bleeding school. Still, they were quiet enough. However, all flight long they kept getting up to go to the bathroom. You could have sworn that they were 6 years old and on their first flight.
The landing in to Sydney hit wind shear about 30 feet from the ground and we bounced along the tarmac three or four times. Not the best landing.
Still, nice and warm for a Sydney winter at 22 degrees.
Donna met us at the airport and drove us over to the Adina Apartment Hotel. Nice enough facilities, but crap internet. Repacked the bags to get some of the shoes out of the backpack.
We went for dinner with her and Garry to the Tennyson Hotel. Great food.
Now fully buggered and about to hit the sack. Early start. Donna is picking us up at 6 and we will check in and then have breakfast at the Airport.
Talk soon.
But having repeated the items all night long, it didn't take me long to chase them all up and pack them in to the second backpack we are now taking.
Packing last night was a very interesting exercise. Our original plan was to take a medium and a small suitcase. Yeah, right, as if THAT was going to happen.
The two items that Rolf Sieber had done for us won't go anywhere near fitting in the medium suitcase, and in fact just fit in the base of the large older suitcase.
And then there are the presents. So at 11 pm we ended up with the two larger suitcases, two backpacks, my handbag and a bag with a hat! Yep, packing light next time I said. Passport and credit card I said. Ha ha.
This morning was all the last minute stuff. Like making sure that the guy grinding our stumps new that I wanted some of the succulents kept. Like Michael replacing the smoke detectors. You know, last minute stuff. And it is ridiculously warm at 26 degrees as we leave.
Anyway, no fear, Gen made sure that we made the airport with plenty of time. She stayed for a drink and then made her way off to introduce herself to Miss Bella.
It was about now that we realised that we had a whole touring rugby school on the flight with us. Not just a team, the whole bleeding school. Still, they were quiet enough. However, all flight long they kept getting up to go to the bathroom. You could have sworn that they were 6 years old and on their first flight.
The landing in to Sydney hit wind shear about 30 feet from the ground and we bounced along the tarmac three or four times. Not the best landing.
Still, nice and warm for a Sydney winter at 22 degrees.
Donna met us at the airport and drove us over to the Adina Apartment Hotel. Nice enough facilities, but crap internet. Repacked the bags to get some of the shoes out of the backpack.
We went for dinner with her and Garry to the Tennyson Hotel. Great food.
Now fully buggered and about to hit the sack. Early start. Donna is picking us up at 6 and we will check in and then have breakfast at the Airport.
Talk soon.
Sunday, July 23, 2017
We're off on the Road to . .
Well, hello there. Long time since we last met here, isn't it.
Well, we are off again.
we have decided to take a quick trip back to Europe - leaving Saturday 29 July and arriving home on 9 September 2017.
We all know that I love to travel in a very organic, unplanned sort of way, responding to local stimuli as we meet them BUT with only six weeks, this time we are needing to plan, plan, plan to make the most of our time.
Itinerary to date is as follows:
Well, we are off again.
we have decided to take a quick trip back to Europe - leaving Saturday 29 July and arriving home on 9 September 2017.
We all know that I love to travel in a very organic, unplanned sort of way, responding to local stimuli as we meet them BUT with only six weeks, this time we are needing to plan, plan, plan to make the most of our time.
Itinerary to date is as follows:
- 29 July - Hervey Bay to Sydney Meet Donna for dinner
- 30 July - Sydney to Bangkok 8hrs layover - transit tour with a private guide arranged
- 31 July - Bangkok to Munich Pick up hire car and drive to Steffi and Felix in Schwaebisch Gmeund!!!! A week with the family and our little 'grandies' - WHAT A JOY (Yiayia and Papou are bringing pressies!!)
- 6 August - drive back to Munich, return the hire car and then fly to Cluj-Napoca in Romania where we pick up another hire car. And this is where it gets very interesting - we have a mere 14 days to cram as much of this fascinating country, its people, its food and wines, its scenery - as we can.
Check out www.romaniatourism.com/sample-itineraries.html to get some idea of how big a challenge cramming this gorgeous country in to two weeks will be!
High on the list of priorities are:
Bram Castle (Dracula's Castle - though there was no such person and the story has nothing to do with this castle) and the more stunning Corvan Castle
Postavarl Peak cable car
Sibiu and Sighisoara
Catching up with Lorena (Romania's top wine maker) and Diana - who we met in France in 2009
The Painted Monasteries - Bucovina, Voronet, Moldovita and Humor
Brasov
Transylvania
The Art ZNouveau architecture of Oradea
The traditional villages of the Maramures
The Carpathian Mountains
The amazing road into and along the valley -> world's best road trip according to Top Gear. The Transfagarasan mountain road is one of the most spectacular roads in the world. 90 km long, it runs through the Fagaras mountains - part of the Transylvanian Alps.
Transfagarasan Road - 19 August - fly Cluj back to Munich, pick up another hire car and return to Schwaebisch Gmeund
- 25 August - drive to Nettatal for Anne and Steve's wedding weekend
- 27 August - over to Hamburg to visit Inga and Markus, Finn and the very new Lena
- 29 August - drive back to Schwaebisch Gmeund and the family Lippold
- 6 September - return flight to Australia via Bangkok (2hr stopover this time)
We'll see you here during the trip!
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