Monthly Archives: June 2009

Well we have now left Bavaria and trained to Padua.

Read the last line in my last post and saw I was tempting fate. Since arriving in Salzburg until leaving Augsberg(Bavaria) it hardly stopped raining. Salzburg was okay as the place we stayed, Hotel Wolf, at was great. Probably needs a post of its own. Even managed to do the Sound of Music Tour. Was soaked at the first few stops but then not too bad as we went back into the lakes district. Castles and narrow streets are not too bad in the rain.

From Salzburg we went to Augsberg via Munich (were we picked up a car at much expense) to explore the Romantic Road in Bavaria. Lots of old castles and towns of classic style. The girls loved walking the city walls all the way around Nordalingen and having afternoon tea under the castle of Harburg.

We then went south to see Prince Ludwigs romanticised medieval castles. Built in the 1850s in what he thought middle ages castles were like. His most imfamous is said to be the basis for Disneylands Fanatasia Castle (Neustein something). Lots of long queue and waiting around for the 30 minute tour. And tis was not peak season!

Recommend going to see this place but save money and time by not going on the tours.

We have now travelled over the Alps to Padua and the sun is shining and the shorts are out again. More news to come as Venice is just a short train trip away.

When now we are in Salzburg having travelled half way across Austria.
Saw the Stephandom on Tuesday, which was everything it promised. Grand, gathic and glittery. Steeled myself for the view from the Eastern Tower, but if I had know your step out onto an iron grid of a walkway probably would’t have gone. Still managed some good shots before my nerves failed me.

Wednesday saw us in Halstatt of archeaological fame as a salt mine for three thousand years. Beautiful high glacial lake sourrounded by massive mountains from 2 to 3 kilometres high. Amazing.
We did a tour of the salt mines which was impressive and the kids loved the wooden slides used for fun now but a short cut for miners between levels.
Pottered around on the lake in electric boats and rambled up narrow streets squeezed between houses that seemed to be glued flat to the cliff sides.

I have a zillion photos but never time to upload.

We are now in Salzburg enjoying a little quite time in a pleasant 4 star hotel just below the castle. Quite pleasant. Maybe I’ll get some time to upload photos (and edit) these posts.

Then again?
(BTW first day of real rain so far)

.Just a short post since internet cafes are light on the ground and time is pressing.
Wednesday we leave for Halstatt, as small town in the Austrian lakes district. Sounds verry picturesque. From there we go on to Salzberg and Baveria.

Been doing the last round of palaces and churches.

Walked for kilometers yesterday through one of the royal game parks, meant to be one of the biggest parks inside a city. About 30ha.

Today visited the Shlöb Shonbrunn, once the hunting lodge then one of the grand palaces of the Austrian Kaiser. Very impressive rocco architecture and lots of greek and roman statues. Hugely impressive and tiring

Set to see the Stephendom tomorrow one of the grand gothic churches so many more photos due.

Better go. More to come.

Well we made it to Vienna, though some of our luggage took longer than the rest of us.
The apartment we are renting is small but well set out. Good to start the day and return to to collapse at the end of the day. It is close to the local Ubahn or underground train and the Summer Palace which is a massive place of gardens, fountains and grand buildings.

Spent the first two days here settling in and trying to find our missing bag, but today we had our first outing, going to the zoo and the maze in the grounds of the summer palace, the Shömbrünn. One of the oldest zoos in the world (1760?) and while not as well appointed as Melbourne still quite impressive. Said to have some Giant Pandas but as elusive as the tigers at Melbourne.
Siobhan and Kiara flagged as we wandered around the zoo, but perked up for the maze (also in the grounds of the palace) which was quite fun. Then crawled home on the Ubahn, 3 whole stops.

Evenings have been spent with Cath’s friend and her twin girls. This seems to be a highlight all on its own for our girls, and we have indulged in freshly made strudel to put back on the weight we lost walking all day.

Hope to visit the galleries and museums in central Vienna tomorrow, so better get some rest.

Well here we are hardly arrived and now about to go. Had a busy 3 days and now ready to pack and fly.

Thursday we went of a tour out of town to Bang Pa-in, the out of town resident of the royal family when Bangkpok gets too unpleasant. A curious mix of architectual style, some French, some Chinese some Thai. Next on to Ayutthaya one of the old capitals. On the UNESCO world heritage list and full of fascinating old ruins of Wats and palaces.
Then a leisurely trip down river on a cruiser with lunch. All parts accompanied by a very informative if a bit verbose guide.

Friday we did the tourist thing around Bangkok, seeing the Royal Palace and Wat Pho.Bueatiful architecture with lots of gold and sparkles and mirrors. Seems the place is in constant repair though. Given its size there probable get through one round of refurbishment and then need to start again at the other end.

Unfortunately on way home hit one of Bangkok’s traffic jams. Two hours to travel about 20km. But at least we got to try fried bannana from a vendor wandering up and down the traffic lanes.

Saturday we hit the local shopping complex to do some souvenir hunting before resting and swimming through the afternoon.

Tonights flight could be a killer. Leave at midnight for a 10 hour flight that lands in Vienna about 5:30am. The time zones are a killer. Not sure when I will get on again. Maybe sometime in Vienna, so bye for now.

Well we have made it OS.
Flight seemed to go on for ever. First you get to the airport two hours early, then sit. Get on the plane then take off. Dinner then a movie and still 6 hours to go. Try to sleep, another movie, drinks, another meal then still two hours go. But at last here.
Bangkok is a fascinating contrast. Modern concrete and slapped together tin. Heat and steam. We travelled from the airport on new concrete tollways past modern high rise and glaring advertisement bringing images of modern Los Angeles. Once we are off these and down to ground level it is narrow crowded streets, at midnight, with street side stalls and motor bikes scooting every where. Bit like “Blade Runner”.

Crashed into bed very quickly. Our body clocks saying it is 3:00am.

Quiet day today just getting orientated and dipping in the pools. Mikala is so grown up and Aaron is cruising the furniture. Girls happy to play with their cousins. Morning hot and steamy, afternoon down poor and massive storm. Very impressive from the 11th floor.

Hope to get on top of things after a day of rest and planning.