Barry & Liz Travels Europe 08 tag:travellerspoint.com,2008-07-20:/blog/?domain=bazzaliz 2008-08-18T09:26:26Z BarryLiz img/travel-blog-feed.png Back to Bangkok tag:travellerspoint.com,2008-08-18:/blog/?domain=bazzaliz&thisblog_entryid=9&entryid=124644 2008-08-18T09:26:26Z 2008-08-18T09:26:26Z Arrived back in Bangkok without too much drama, just a long flight! We'd forgotten how hot Bangkok is but still the people were as friendly as ever and the Novotel on Siam Square is very comfortable. Went for a day trip to the River Kwai on Sunday and to be truthful it was mainly a long bus ride (around 2 hours both ways) which included a stop at a war museum and cemetery in Kanchanaburi before a 1.5 hour ride ... Arrived back in Bangkok without too much drama, just a long flight! We'd forgotten how hot Bangkok is but still the people were as friendly as ever and the Novotel on Siam Square is very comfortable. Went for a day trip to the River Kwai on Sunday and to be truthful it was mainly a long bus ride (around 2 hours both ways) which included a stop at a war museum and cemetery in Kanchanaburi before a 1.5 hour ride on a train along the death railway crossing the River Kwai. The trip included a pretty good lunch though unfortunately we were a little wary of getting food poisoning so ate like sparrows! Mind you I reckon I am the first sparrow to do a good job of impersonating a buddha!

Went for a walk to the local shopping centre this morning (across from the hotel) but didn't make it. We made the mistake of looking lost so a very friendly thai man approached us and offered us a ride to a local market in a tuk tuk. He said the shopping centre wasn't opening until 1pm because it was a buddha holiday. Same thing happened last time we attempted to go the the shopping centre. The guy was probably telling the truth but we felt we were being conned and didn't want another uncomfortable ride so we went back to the hotel and had a swim instead. We was very refeshing.

We are now at the airport waiting to board our Qantas flight home. It's been a great holiday but we think we are ready to come home (and plan for the next trip!!). Bet you'd like to see some photos......I'd was hoping to load a couple during this entry but my luck with computers has continued. For what ever reason the Qantas Club at the airport doesn't have a photo program so be prepared for one of those slide nights!!

We look forward to seeing everyone soon...

Back to Bangkok remains copyright of the author BarryLiz, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

]]> Berlin tag:travellerspoint.com,2008-08-15:/blog/?domain=bazzaliz&thisblog_entryid=8&entryid=124319 2008-08-15T18:06:31Z 2008-08-15T18:06:31Z The flight from Prague to Berlin was uneventful except I thought I was going back to Parkes when we were transported by bus to our twin prop plane! Accommodation in East Berlin was comfortable and clean but a level or two down from where we stayed in Prague. It was certainly popular though breakfast both mornings seemed like half of Berlin was invited! We took a city circle bus tour on the first day to get our bearings, getting off ... The flight from Prague to Berlin was uneventful except I thought I was going back to Parkes when we were transported by bus to our twin prop plane! Accommodation in East Berlin was comfortable and clean but a level or two down from where we stayed in Prague. It was certainly popular though breakfast both mornings seemed like half of Berlin was invited!

We took a city circle bus tour on the first day to get our bearings, getting off and on a couple of times to see certain points of interest, such as Check Point Charlie Museum, Brandenberg Gate and sections of the wall. There is a lot of construction going on at the moment so we imagine Berlin will look quite different in a few years. Unfortunately 2 days (less actually) was not enough to really get a feel for the city but the people were friendly and very helpful, most being able to converse in english. In fact the number of people that could speak english throughout our trip made us feel a bit ignorant. The tour director on our trip told us that when he went to school in Belgium all students had to learn 3 or 4 languages and if you went for a job and said you could speak 3 or 4 languages you would more than likely be met with the reply "so what"!

We are in the British Airways Lounge at Heathrow at the moment waiting (for 4 hours) for our connecting flight to Bangkok. Sorry there are no photos again but there seems to be no harddrive I can get to to down load any. Hopefully I will be able to in Bangkok. Down loading photos to the blog has been a real pain in the butt due to lack of available computers or not having internet access.

Berlin remains copyright of the author BarryLiz, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

]]> Terezin tag:travellerspoint.com,2008-08-13:/blog/?domain=bazzaliz&thisblog_entryid=7&entryid=123990 2008-08-13T09:59:18Z 2008-08-13T09:59:18Z Travelled to Terezin, which is north east of Prague (about 50 minutes by coach). There were 10 others from the tour with us. Terzin became infamous as a result of WW II when it was a holding point for political activists etc and Jews. Although there were no gas cahmbers many people persished from malnutrition and diseases as well as torture and execution. From Terezin people were transported to various concentration camps where most perished. Of 12,000 children held at ... Travelled to Terezin, which is north east of Prague (about 50 minutes by coach). There were 10 others from the tour with us. Terzin became infamous as a result of WW II when it was a holding point for political activists etc and Jews. Although there were no gas cahmbers many people persished from malnutrition and diseases as well as torture and execution. From Terezin people were transported to various concentration camps where most perished. Of 12,000 children held at Terezin only about 1200 survived the war. There were also many music composers and writers held at Terezin who also died before the war ended.

A trip to Terezin could not be considered a 'highlight' from the perspective of seeing something beautiful however it is important to remember these events and put yourself in the period during WWII in places like Terezin to appreciate the sacrifice so many people made for freedom.

After we came back from Terezin we walked back to the main square in Prague and went to the top of the astronomical clock tower. It gave a panoramic view around the city of Prague and was well worth the 140 Korunas for both of us (around $A20). The climb up was made a lot easier by using the elevator!P1030120.jpg

Terezin remains copyright of the author BarryLiz, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

]]> Prague tag:travellerspoint.com,2008-08-11:/blog/?domain=bazzaliz&thisblog_entryid=6&entryid=123650 2008-08-11T13:48:55Z 2008-08-11T13:48:55Z Just returned from a great city tour of Prague. The guide was a young Uni student ( studying human resources) who also plays the flute & saxaphone and is also a ski instructor. She was very knowledgable and very lively so we now love prague. The buildings are beautiful because it wasn't bombed in the war so it is in its original state. We saw the spot where Tom Cruise dived off the Charles Bridge in Mission Impossible and where ... Just returned from a great city tour of Prague. The guide was a young Uni student ( studying human resources) who also plays the flute & saxaphone and is also a ski instructor. She was very knowledgable and very lively so we now love prague. The buildings are beautiful because it wasn't bombed in the war so it is in its original state. We saw the spot where Tom Cruise dived off the Charles Bridge in Mission Impossible and where part of Amadeus was filmed. We are off to another concert tonight as we are being cultured here, (even the buskers in Europe are good).

Prague remains copyright of the author BarryLiz, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

]]> Prague tag:travellerspoint.com,2008-08-10:/blog/?domain=bazzaliz&thisblog_entryid=5&entryid=123610 2008-08-11T05:58:12Z 2008-08-11T05:55:21Z 10th August Travelled from Brataslava to Prague by coach today (approximately 7 hours) and after checking into our hotel The President Prague) and a pleasant meal we went for a walk through the city with our tour director Bartel. Saw the astronomical clock do its thing at 9pm before going for a walk through the streets to Charles Bridge. The buildings painted a fairy tale picture under lights so will be taking plenty of photos here. From what we have seen ... 10th August
Travelled from Brataslava to Prague by coach today (approximately 7 hours) and after checking into our hotel The President Prague) and a pleasant meal we went for a walk through the city with our tour director Bartel. Saw the astronomical clock do its thing at 9pm before going for a walk through the streets to Charles Bridge. The buildings painted a fairy tale picture under lights so will be taking plenty of photos here. From what we have seen so far Prague is a must see. Will know more after taking a tour with a local guide today. Plan to take photos tonight and hopefully capture some of the magic!

Prague remains copyright of the author BarryLiz, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

]]> Vienna tag:travellerspoint.com,2008-08-08:/blog/?domain=bazzaliz&thisblog_entryid=4&entryid=123213 2008-08-08T09:25:14Z 2008-08-08T09:21:50Z Thursday 7th August (and overnight) Started with a bus ride from the ship to the city and did circuit of the Ringstrasse to get an appreciation of Vienna's architecture. Commenced a walking tour with our guide along the Graben and Kohlmarkt pedestrian areas. Vienna is an impressive city with plenty of history and buildings to match, despite being bombed during the last days of the war, the target being the Gestapo head quarters. Liz bought a lovely pendant and ... Thursday 7th August (and overnight)
Started with a bus ride from the ship to the city and did circuit of the Ringstrasse to get an appreciation of Vienna's architecture. Commenced a walking tour with our guide along the Graben and Kohlmarkt pedestrian areas. Vienna is an impressive city with plenty of history and buildings to match, despite being bombed during the last days of the war, the target being the Gestapo head quarters.

Liz bought a lovely pendant and chain in the Frey Willie shop near St Stephens Cathedral and after a relaxing lunch we continued our own exploration of the city including the jewish museum which gave an appreciation of the talent and determination of the jewish community in Vienna. Took the subway back to the ship in the afternoon. The subway is very clean and user friendly so would not have any concerns using it again if we come back.

After dinner went to a concert performed by the Wiener Hofburg orchestra featuring the music of Mozart and Strauss. Also included male and female operatic singers with some funny excerpts thrown in from one of the percussionists. What a great night! Liz and I really got a healthy dose of culture and may even start going to some more when we get home.

Off the Bratislavia today by ship....

Vienna remains copyright of the author BarryLiz, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

]]> Cologne tag:travellerspoint.com,2008-08-04:/blog/?domain=bazzaliz&thisblog_entryid=2&entryid=122716 2008-08-04T12:34:10Z 2008-08-04T12:30:20Z 29th July Arrived late into Cologne (1030hrs) instead of 0830hrs dueto loss of one of the engines on the ship. Took walking tour with local guide "Oute" who was animated and very good. Came back to the ship for lunch (what's another kilo ot two?) and then headed back out on our own to visit St Apostela (Romanesque church), a protestant church and the Cologne Cathedral. The size of the cathedral is indescribable, it is enormous! Before entering the Cathedral we stopped ... 29th July
Arrived late into Cologne (1030hrs) instead of 0830hrs dueto loss of one of the engines on the ship.

Took walking tour with local guide "Oute" who was animated and very good. Came back to the ship for lunch (what's another kilo ot two?) and then headed back out on our own to visit St Apostela (Romanesque church), a protestant church and the Cologne Cathedral. The size of the cathedral is indescribable, it is enormous!

Before entering the Cathedral we stopped for coffee and listened to a small group of street buskers (a violinist and two piano accordianists). They were very good, it suprised us that a lot of people just walked by!

Cologne remains copyright of the author BarryLiz, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

]]> Bangkok to Amsterdam tag:travellerspoint.com,2008-07-26:/blog/?domain=bazzaliz&thisblog_entryid=1&entryid=121375 2008-07-26T21:00:28Z 2008-07-26T21:00:28Z The flight from Sydney to Bangkok was long enough but made a little worse because British Airways aren't exactly generous with leg room and the entertainment system had a mind of its own....but.....the food was pretty good which of course has set the trend for eating. We might have to come back as check in baggage! Bangkok was as I remembered it ...it has a very distinctive smell and lots of people and cars, but most if not all Thais have ... The flight from Sydney to Bangkok was long enough but made a little worse because British Airways aren't exactly generous with leg room and the entertainment system had a mind of its own....but.....the food was pretty good which of course has set the trend for eating. We might have to come back as check in baggage!

Bangkok was as I remembered it ...it has a very distinctive smell and lots of people and cars, but most if not all Thais have a friendly disposition so its hard not to like the place. In fact Liz enjoyed the couple of days we had there so we are looking forward to our return in 3 weeks time so we can do a couple of more tours. I'll post a few photos soon (as soon as I work out how to do it). The computer I am on now is in the Savoy Grand in Amsterdam and the travellerspoint blog is in dutch so I can understand the help its trying to give me! We have just spent a great day in Amsterdam doing a 4 hour tour to Edam and an open air museum of windmills. In the afternoon we went to the Rijksmuseum and although most of it is closed for renovations the Rembrandt exhibition was brilliant. We fell so cultered now particularly after having dinner in the Savoy restaurant, it certainly wasn't the place to try any party tricks with the cutlery.

Weather has been hot (even in Amsterdam)

More to come soon (and photos)

Bangkok to Amsterdam remains copyright of the author BarryLiz, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

Comment on this entry | Tweet this | Your own free travel blog | More Travellerspoint blogs

]]>