Click here to view this photo book larger
Shutterfly photo books offer a wide range of artful designs and embellishments to choose from.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Amsterdam
Spent the morning at the tulip fields and the Keukenhof gardens. We were there for almost 2 hours and only saw a fraction of the flowers. If you like tulips (and other bulbs) you have to put it on your bucket list!
Took a canal cruise and went to a diamond factory. Can't say that I love Amsterdam, but it was an interesting afternoon.
We went to Volendam to tour a working windmill. Very cool! I got to climb up to the top where all the gears are. Then we toured a cheese and clog shop. Had some dinner then a tour of the red light district. That was an experience! There's nothing like the smell of marijuana in the evening!!!
Tomorrow I fly home!
Took a canal cruise and went to a diamond factory. Can't say that I love Amsterdam, but it was an interesting afternoon.
We went to Volendam to tour a working windmill. Very cool! I got to climb up to the top where all the gears are. Then we toured a cheese and clog shop. Had some dinner then a tour of the red light district. That was an experience! There's nothing like the smell of marijuana in the evening!!!
Tomorrow I fly home!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
The Rhine
Germany is a beautiful country. I don't know why I am so surprised by that, but it isn't at all what I expected.
We started the day with a river cruise down the Rhine. I have never seen so many castles in my life! The best thing is that the sun was shining! About 5 minutes after we got on the bus it started raining - someone was watching out for us!
As we drove to Cologne, I realized this is more the Germany I imagined. It is much more modern and industrial. About 90% of the city was destroyed during the war. It is amazing that the cathedral survived. It is the largest, most awe-inspiring church I have ever seen. It is massive. We spent about 30 minutes inside and didn't even see everything! Pollution has turned the outside black, but I can imagine what it looked like when it was white and new.
We drove on into Amsterdam. Yikes! So far that is all I have to say on the subject!
We started the day with a river cruise down the Rhine. I have never seen so many castles in my life! The best thing is that the sun was shining! About 5 minutes after we got on the bus it started raining - someone was watching out for us!
As we drove to Cologne, I realized this is more the Germany I imagined. It is much more modern and industrial. About 90% of the city was destroyed during the war. It is amazing that the cathedral survived. It is the largest, most awe-inspiring church I have ever seen. It is massive. We spent about 30 minutes inside and didn't even see everything! Pollution has turned the outside black, but I can imagine what it looked like when it was white and new.
We drove on into Amsterdam. Yikes! So far that is all I have to say on the subject!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Germany
Things Europeans believe in: solar panels, bicycling, eating - a lot, drinking - a LOT, smoking, and speaking multiple languages.
Things Europeans don't believe in: toilet seats, obeying traffic rules, free Wi-Fi, and fresh vegetables.
That really has nothing to do with my day. Just some general observations.
We drove through Munich and saw the 1972 Olympic Stadium and Nymphenburg Palace. There are a bunch of hills made from all the rubble from the war. I can't imagine!
On to Rothenburg. It is part medieval town and part fairy tale. Very quaint. I am putting in a few photos but I don't think they do it justice. Notice the blue sky - it finally stopped raining!
We had sunshine for the rest of the drive through the Rhineland. It is full of solar panels, wind turbines, and vineyards. Tomorrow we go on a river cruise so I hope the sun holds. We go up through Cologne and on to Amsterdam. Hard to believe the end of the trip is almost here!
Things Europeans don't believe in: toilet seats, obeying traffic rules, free Wi-Fi, and fresh vegetables.
That really has nothing to do with my day. Just some general observations.
We drove through Munich and saw the 1972 Olympic Stadium and Nymphenburg Palace. There are a bunch of hills made from all the rubble from the war. I can't imagine!
On to Rothenburg. It is part medieval town and part fairy tale. Very quaint. I am putting in a few photos but I don't think they do it justice. Notice the blue sky - it finally stopped raining!
We had sunshine for the rest of the drive through the Rhineland. It is full of solar panels, wind turbines, and vineyards. Tomorrow we go on a river cruise so I hope the sun holds. We go up through Cologne and on to Amsterdam. Hard to believe the end of the trip is almost here!
Monday, April 16, 2012
One day...Three countries
We left Venice (actually Mestre) this morning and headed through Northern Italy. There are thousands of vineyards - sometimes as far as you can see in both directions. Then there is the random castle that pops up every now and then. Very cool!
Went through the Brenner Pass (where Hannibal walked). It was spectacular. There is fresh snow on the mountain caps and more falling in the Pass. Brrrrrr.
Stopped for lunch in Innsbruck, Austria. Beautiful town right at the bottom if the mountains. Exactly what you would picture it to be. Throw in the Swarovski Crystal shop and it was a great afternoon! (check out the bathroom - the walls were covered in crystals! And the stairs!)
Headed into Munich. It's a shame we are only here one night. It looks like a neat city. So much if it was bombed to the ground during WWII that it is a strange mic of old and new. We will tour around a bit in the morning before we leave. We get to sleep in until 6:30!
Went to the Hofbrauhaus for some lively entertainment and dinner. Very loud with lots of oompahpah music. But tasty! Had a beer I can't pronounce and some sweetbread with potato salad. Mmm...
Went through the Brenner Pass (where Hannibal walked). It was spectacular. There is fresh snow on the mountain caps and more falling in the Pass. Brrrrrr.
Stopped for lunch in Innsbruck, Austria. Beautiful town right at the bottom if the mountains. Exactly what you would picture it to be. Throw in the Swarovski Crystal shop and it was a great afternoon! (check out the bathroom - the walls were covered in crystals! And the stairs!)
Headed into Munich. It's a shame we are only here one night. It looks like a neat city. So much if it was bombed to the ground during WWII that it is a strange mic of old and new. We will tour around a bit in the morning before we leave. We get to sleep in until 6:30!
Went to the Hofbrauhaus for some lively entertainment and dinner. Very loud with lots of oompahpah music. But tasty! Had a beer I can't pronounce and some sweetbread with potato salad. Mmm...
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Venezia
Went back into Venice today. And guess what? It rained. All day! I finally got my shoes dried from Rome and now they are wet again.
Aside from the rain, Venice is an amazing city. We toured the Doge's
Palace, the old jail, and the Bridge of Sighs that connects them. Such opulence and then such darkness.
The city itself is sinking and the waters are rising so most people along the canals have water past the bottom of their doors. The first floors are unusable in many places. Plaster is falling off and there is a lot of decay. Bit somehow that adds to its charm.
I wandered the streets for a few hours and found all kinds of alleys and tiny courtyards. It was a nice break from the crowds. There were 5 cruise ships that docked overnight - each carrying several thousand people- plus all the buses and water taxis. Add umbrellas to the mix and you have a mess on your hands!
I toured St. Mark's this afternoon. I doubt there are any churches in the States that could compare. The ceiling is covered in gold mosaics. I paid a little extra to see the treasure rooms. They have chalices that date back to the 8th century and pottery from 3000BC that is in perfect condition. They also have a whole room of relics - leg bones, arms, skulls, vertebrae, etc from a variety of saints. Supposedly some people went to Constantinople and brought back the bones of St. Mark himself.
We took a gondola ride complete with an accordion and singer. It was fun! A little damp, but fun. We have dinner tonight then off to Austria on our way to Munich tomorrow morning. Not only are they calling for rain the rest of the week, but there's a chance of snow! If you have any connections, please put in a good word for us!
Photos: Venice from the grand canal, random streets and bridges, and the gondolas
Aside from the rain, Venice is an amazing city. We toured the Doge's
Palace, the old jail, and the Bridge of Sighs that connects them. Such opulence and then such darkness.
The city itself is sinking and the waters are rising so most people along the canals have water past the bottom of their doors. The first floors are unusable in many places. Plaster is falling off and there is a lot of decay. Bit somehow that adds to its charm.
I wandered the streets for a few hours and found all kinds of alleys and tiny courtyards. It was a nice break from the crowds. There were 5 cruise ships that docked overnight - each carrying several thousand people- plus all the buses and water taxis. Add umbrellas to the mix and you have a mess on your hands!
I toured St. Mark's this afternoon. I doubt there are any churches in the States that could compare. The ceiling is covered in gold mosaics. I paid a little extra to see the treasure rooms. They have chalices that date back to the 8th century and pottery from 3000BC that is in perfect condition. They also have a whole room of relics - leg bones, arms, skulls, vertebrae, etc from a variety of saints. Supposedly some people went to Constantinople and brought back the bones of St. Mark himself.
We took a gondola ride complete with an accordion and singer. It was fun! A little damp, but fun. We have dinner tonight then off to Austria on our way to Munich tomorrow morning. Not only are they calling for rain the rest of the week, but there's a chance of snow! If you have any connections, please put in a good word for us!
Photos: Venice from the grand canal, random streets and bridges, and the gondolas
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Rain, rain...GO AWAY!
A long bus ride to Venice today. But at least the bus is warm and dry - unlike outside! My feet are glad for a rest.
Stopped in Ferrara for a bit this afternoon. There is a huge medieval castle in the middle of town - complete with drawbridge. Unfortunately, the whole town shuts down on Saturday afternoons for the weekend so there wasn't much else to see.
Rain again today. My shoes still haven't dried out from yesterday! It held off for our evening arrival in Venice. We took a water taxi through the Grand Canal to St. Mark's Square. Wow. (I have said that a lot, but this is especially wow.). It is such a shame that the buildings are crumbling and sinking. The water is up to the doors on the first floor of many of the houses. There is still such charm in the city, though.
Had another huge meal today. The food has been good. Some great, but most of it is just good. The wine is good if you like wine, but I still wouldn't drink it every day.
It was raining on our way back to the hotel. Hope it doesn't rain too much more. The square is already starting to flood. The have tables set up to walk on in case the water gets much higher!
Tomorrow we spend all day in Venice. I am sure I will have much more to report then. We actually get to sleep in until 7am tomorrow!!!!!!! Whoo-hoo!!!
Photos: St. Marks, the rising water, clock tower, and the best course of the night - seafood salad!
Stopped in Ferrara for a bit this afternoon. There is a huge medieval castle in the middle of town - complete with drawbridge. Unfortunately, the whole town shuts down on Saturday afternoons for the weekend so there wasn't much else to see.
Rain again today. My shoes still haven't dried out from yesterday! It held off for our evening arrival in Venice. We took a water taxi through the Grand Canal to St. Mark's Square. Wow. (I have said that a lot, but this is especially wow.). It is such a shame that the buildings are crumbling and sinking. The water is up to the doors on the first floor of many of the houses. There is still such charm in the city, though.
Had another huge meal today. The food has been good. Some great, but most of it is just good. The wine is good if you like wine, but I still wouldn't drink it every day.
It was raining on our way back to the hotel. Hope it doesn't rain too much more. The square is already starting to flood. The have tables set up to walk on in case the water gets much higher!
Tomorrow we spend all day in Venice. I am sure I will have much more to report then. We actually get to sleep in until 7am tomorrow!!!!!!! Whoo-hoo!!!
Photos: St. Marks, the rising water, clock tower, and the best course of the night - seafood salad!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)