BM's in Europe

turn back time - photos of Dublin!!

2007-06-24T22:51:00.000+10:00

LIFFEY RIVER

Lois' work - Irish church Missions... we had a bit of trouble finding it as the taxi driver dropped us off on "Bachelor's walk" but actually it was a block away and a different street name!! oops!

espresso? in Dublin!

Bus ride - City tour of Dublin!!
Guy and Lois on the bus :)

BUTLERS CHOCOLATE CAFE!!!
Actually the soy hot chocolate was pretty good.. .couldn't taste the soy!

Rainy day in Dublin! But look how green the grass is and take a look at Sir Guy in the chain mail at Dublinia!!

Lois's place???

actually - this is a castle, just in the next suburb! Wow! We had coffee there after dinner on Thursday night! oooh...very swish! :)

THIS IS LOIS'S PLACE!!!

AND HER STREET

Bright and early = 4am (Dublin time) as we waited for the taxi to take us to the airport
(Lois it cost about E15)

Home!!

2007-06-24T09:51:00.000+10:00

We're all home safe and sound!!!!

Its nice to be Home especially after more than 48 hrs of planes and transit lounges.

We'll write a more detailed de-brief at a later stage :)

See ya'll

a day in Dublin

2007-06-22T04:54:00.000+10:00

We went into dublin City today with Lois and went on a bus tour... http://www.dublinbus.ie/sightseeing/index.aspx

Rainy and cold....

Nice sights...

Loved Butlers Hot chocolates!!
Back at Lois's today...

Tomorrow we get a cab at 4am - go to airport, fly to Nice at 6.20
wait there for a while, catch our plane home at 3.30ish...and then it starts...

Nice - Rome

Rome -Dubai (7 hours in the airport... shopping?? perhaps - it will be 1am there)

Dubai - Bangkok - probably a repeat of the trip here - get off in Bangkok - walk through teh airport, security checka nd back on the plane

Bancock - Sydney!!!!!! Yay!!! We'll be home at 7.45 am Sunday morning!!!! :)

(so we're out of action for the next 2 days.. will post a few dublin photos from home!!)

See you soon!!!

hallo Dublin

2007-06-21T08:40:00.000+10:00

We arrived here finally!

Long delays waiting for the plane to arrive ...but we got here! YAY!!! nice to see Lois!

Tomorrow we go on a bus tour of Dublin... should be good!

See ya!!

Farewell Paris

2007-06-20T18:52:00.000+10:00

We almost had a coffee here

2007-06-20T18:47:00.000+10:00

Chateau de Versailles

2007-06-20T18:27:00.001+10:00

We went to Versailles yesterday (19/6/07) with Guy's dad!

IT took us a while to get there, between cram packed Metros and the train stopping for an unknown reason for a while...it was a very hot/ humid day!! :)

We got there eventually - along with about a 1000 others!! :)

(Guy and his dad in the long line!!)

We then went into the Chateau - and walked through.. so much elaborate gilt and painting and fretwork and wow!!! But not sure anyone would really want to live in such a fussy place

although the Queens bedroom was pretty cool!!

every ceiling had all these gilt and paintings on them!!!

(the chapel)

Guy and his Dad outside the castle

us in the garden before heading off for lunch.... it was nice to spend some time with Guy's dad!

Sammi trap

2007-06-19T07:48:00.001+10:00

19/6/2007 :: At Montmartre

Well... we took the metro to Blanche just next to the Moulin rouge and took a few photos

before heading UP THE HILL

to Montmartre.... Pretty cool place! :) We spent quite a bit of time and money there (got some good gifts).

When texting Nicky that it was a tourist traps she replied with "Are you sure it's not a 'Sammi trap' to which Guy replied - "yes it is"

The town square/ place is pretty cool with all the artists sitting/ standing there painting and sketching portraits, drawing people in to have their face captured on paper.... Sam had her portrait sketched in ochre.

And we also had our faces cut out as a silhouette! we did not ask them to do this and so we were able to keep them for much less than what they were trying to charge people!!

We especially liked the paintings of one man in particular and saw that he may have sold the best one to an American couple for 1500E (we think he did)

later that day/evening.....

We met Nat at her College (Institut Serviam) and went walking.... looking for a place to eat dinner etc.. we saw her school...Voila! not so pretty!!!

This one is for Dad!! :

un Jour Parisien :: 17/6/2007

2007-06-18T06:52:00.000+10:00

We woke up to the mobile alarm – not wanting to wake up after the late-ish and very big dinner we’d eaten last night but eventually we got out of bed and ready for the day ahead… We went down stairs for our petit-dejeneur ...

Q: "Cafe? The?"

A: “deux café sil vous plait”

We enjoyed our fresh bread, orange juice and coffee and then went back upstairs for last minute preparations before heading out.

We filled up the new backpack with essentials for the day and back downstairs,

“Bonjour! Merci”

as we left our door card key with the friendly man at reception!! (Sorry Deb – we do not know his name yet! Actually we have only seen the website guy here once – usually it' s another guy – the owner we think!)

It was a grey and blustery morning as we ambled our way up Rue Ponclet past the men and women setting up their daily market stalls, yells from the men selling their fruit as they try to grab passer bys attention and draw them in to buy some fruits.

The Gyspies are sitting at the side of the street, munching on some food, before beginning their days work.

The butcher grabs something from his stall and rushes down the street to his shop…

“Pardon”, “Excuse-Moi”,

“Fleurs.. Madame pour vous/ un petit bouquet, Mademoiselle”

And “voila” - we are out onto Ave de Ternes, we make our way across the Rd and continue up the hill to our Metro stop (Charles de Gaulle Etoile). This morning we are going on line 6 to get off at Trocedero and walk down towards the Eiffel Tower. We planed to do to Hotel des Invalides, meet up with Romain and his son and perhaps go to another museum??

A man is playing the glockenspiel on the side of the platform as our train arrives, we get into the carriage and sit down – opposite us is an oldish man carrying a parcel…suspiciously this parcel looks like a piano accordion wrapped up neatly in a green plastic garbage bag… as the train moves on he unwraps the accordion and then meticulously rolls up the bag slowly and carefully making it as small and neat as possible (reminding me of how my Gramps used to wrap up little parcels). He finishes as I wonder where he has his rubber band to hold it together, his hand goes into his pocket and he pulls out a rubber band wrapping it twice around the bag and Voila..into the other pocket goes the little parcel. And then to my disappointment he simply sits there… We stop at a station and then the train starts again and the little man stands up… says to us,

“some music for you”

He walks into to the next open space and begins playing some lovely music on his accordion!! (I remember sometimes at Christmas time, after much pleading Nan would play us something on her accordion)

So, moving along – we departed the metro at Trocadero, out came the camera and more click clicks as the Eiffel Tower is snapped a few more hundred times...

...past a carousel - J'aime!!!

...past the river (and a pretty houseboat)

we walked right up and under the Eiffel Tower – stopping right in the middle (but I did not lie down as it was busy and dirty – and it was day time anyways so Anna’s request would not have been fulfilled anyway)

As we walked away from the tower towards the direction of hotel des Invalides we turned around many times for “just one more photo”.

We eventually arrived at Hotel des Invalides

Guy texted Romain as to where we would meet for lunch and then went inside. Guy thought it was really Cool – we saw lots of armour and weapons (particularly the medieval stuff).

They had lots of canons and stuff outside and here is Guy next to one of the larger ones!!

We went back outside and Guy phoned Romain who was at des Invalides with his son, Gaetan (on their bikes)… we eventually worked out we were at different gates and they rode around to where we were!

We set off in search of somewhere to eat lunch – we were walking and Gaetan was riding backwards and forwards zipping around various obstacles! We decided to eat at a Parisienne Brasserie and found a decent looking one… We had a great lunch!! (Merci, Romain)

It was great to catch up ☺ - 16 years since Guy had seen his “cousin”.

After lunch we set off towards Musee du Quai Branly – as we have been told by Marie-France and Jean-Louis that we should see it…. It is a big modern building with lots of bright colours, we did not actually go in and look at the exhibits (we had seen a book with many of the exhibits in it at Benoit’s place in Marseilles). We headed back towards our hotel…. At the edge of Musee du Quai Branly was a living wall!!! Pretty interesting!

And then – around the other side of the Eiffel Tower… ooh la la… pretty with flowers in front of it! Can one take too many photos of the one subject???

We saw the Australian embassy, which unfortunately was closed – but we had fun taking some different photos…

Guy = half in France and half on "Australian soil?"

With an Aussie flag and the Eiffel tower

in front of the main entrance and the coat of arms.

We continued on towards the metro station and stopped in a souvenir shop for some gifts and some postcards!

Meanwhile the sky was looking very threatening… we made it to the metro and boarded a train…across the Double Decker bridge…. Au-Revoir Eiffel tower!

We arrived at Etoile and realised it was raining as people were not leaving the station… we waited for a few seconds and decided to brave the elements… it was not too bad –we decided to stop for a Café and snack on the way down the hill (and a break from the rain)… then we continued on down the hill- ducking into the one open shop as it looked like they had some cool bags… we found one present and continued into the rain (after passing up on the 7E umbrella)

“Oh no, it’s raining again!!”

We kept on (stopping under some doorways etc) We have noticed that there are barely any awnings around Paris!!!

We stopped in another shop just down from where we are staying.. .and this time we bought a 3.90E umbrella ☺ We browsed for a bit and then left – ahh…the rain had almost finished!!!

A rest/ nap and then off to dinner – we went back to café des Ternes – much better service this time and yummy food!!!

(dressed in new clothes from cheap touristy shop in Latin Quarter)

The helpful man at reception asked us about getting to the airport and he has booked us a shuttle! ☺

And here we are – back at the hotel.. Guy is watching Predator and I am writing this essay/ novel?? If you have read this far I applaud you!!

Bon Nuit!!!

zzzzzzzzzzzz

A New Day!!!

2007-06-17T08:28:00.000+10:00

Sat 16/06/07

Today was much better, after the trauma of yesterday, we had a bit of a sleep in and had breakfast at about 9:00am.

We then decided to go and get a new suitcase and backpack so we can carry more loot back to Aust!!

Marie-France had told us of this good and cheap luggage shop called Rayon d'Or, so we went there and got a some good but reasonably priced Kit.

Then it was back to the hotel for a fantastic baguette lunch that Sam made.

After that we went back to "les Grand magasin" to see if they still had the Lego Eiffel Tower set, but alas they must have sold them, oh well.

Then we went to a Games shop to look to see if they had any English board games. We found one called "the aweful green things from outer space" a cute two player game. Board games are sooooo much cheaper here. I was talking to the guys in the stores and they couldn't believe what we pay for games in Aust.

After that we had a crepe and headed back to our hotel.

Where I watched an awful yet typical performance by the Wallabies, as they Squandered a 9 point lead to let the boks win ... Stupid field goals - they are worth too much so are stinking penalties. bah, all I say is that Adam Frier should not have come on. I'm not going to watch the rugby again until Australia learns how to play it properly !!

then we went and had HUGE dinner at the Hippopotamus Grill

And we finally waddled back to the hotel.

I don't want to know how much we spent today!!

Night all

The most Stressful Day Yet!!!!

2007-06-17T07:33:00.000+10:00

Friday 15/06/07

It was a very Murphy day yesterday, In brief summary;
- I didn't have the right money for the train
- Got separated from Sam
- Had issues with the so called "Quick check-in" at the airport
- The plane was delayed
- Got taken for a ride "almost" literally when catching a so called "cab"
- Went shopping and the rain started pounding down

So to elaborate a bit, it all started when I thought I had the right money to get the train ticket to the airport, but I was 1 euro short! so I had to dash back to Michelle's to ask for some more coinage as the stupid German ticket machines don't accept bills of higher value than 10 euros!!

So we had to get another train which got us to the main station so we could change to the Airport line. Which was leaving at 8:00am and we got there at 8:03 and I saw the train waiting and thought "beauty we have made it" so I made a dash for it, but then as I turned, the doors closed and poor Sam was left on the platform ....

"bugger"

So I got off the next stop and caught another train back to Marienplatz and found my way back ... so we caught the next train to the airport and still made it in plenty of time...

But the next hurdle was looming, we had to Check in our bags ourselves at the machines!! there were staff there to help you but still Sam's boarding pass didn't print so we had to line up anyways.

SO after that things went smoothly till we arrived in Paris at the airport and we exited and this very well dressed black dude came up to us and said "taxi?", we said yes ... SUCKER!!! yes I got Conned!!!

I should have said NO!!! and if ever you are in the same situation I strongly advise you to say NO as well.

So he took us to this black van (chrysler voyager) with tinted windows and another black guy in the drivers seat who was "in training". In the underground car park of the Airport .... Freaky!!!!

I had been distracted by the phone ..so wasn't thinking, I asked him how much it would be (he had just put our luggage in the boot). He said 80 Euros, I said it was too much, it only cost us 45 euros to get to the airport from the hotel a week ago. This time alarm bells started ringing in my head, saying " Abort, abort abort" but it was too late. I managed to bargain him down to 75.

Well both Sam and I had similar thoughts running through our heads like:
- Are they legit?
- Are they going to take us to the right place?
- Are they going to rob us or worse
- Did I have the chicken or the beef?

Anyways they were legit sorta, it was kinda like a limo service, but they prey on the foolish tourists of which I was one. We arrived safely just a bit poorer, about $60 poorer.

SO the moral of the story boys and girls is if you catch a taxi make sure it has a taxi sign on it!!

It was a rather stressful day today was better but much more Expensive ... see next Post

Last full day in Munich ...

2007-06-15T06:55:00.000+10:00

Well our time is coming to a close here in Munich, today it was too hot to do much, but we helped Michelle pack things.

I was sent to the post office to get some bubble wrap..i just can't get away from the stuff!!!

we then had a afternoon nap , and when it got cooler we walked to the supermarket to get the essentials; coffee, chocolate, jelly bellies, chocolate and some Pringles for an apperatiff.

Then Patrica one of Michelle's friends came with us to dinner at a great little italian restaurant around the corner, much food was enjoyed.

And so we are now trying to finish the packing so its ready for the removalist to come tomorrow morning.

Unfortunately we won't be here to help as our plane leaves at 10:45am and we have to catch the train to the airport, to fly back to Paris.

But in the supermarket I found some more interesting food ...

hehe I like German supermarkets ....

A day of rest!!!

2007-06-14T03:24:00.000+10:00

We had intended to go to Salzburg today and do the "sound of music tour" but the thought of an other early day and another 5 hour train ride and with the weather not playing fair ... we decided to not go this time... Salzburg will be here for next time.

So we did nothing much today except catching up on some much needed rest.

The highlights were :

I went to the supermarket.

We did some washing.

We had a snooze.

Sam is reading, I'm on the computer.

Otherwise nothing else to see here ...move along.

LEGOLAND!!!!!

2007-06-13T05:21:00.001+10:00

Today started with some moving of furniture in Michelle's place so the land lady can look at the walls, and great news they don't need to be painted!!!

We the had to brave the German train network alone in order to get to Gunzburg. After a few false starts we were on the train to Gunzburg which takes about 1:30hrs.

When we arrived at Gunzburg we had to take the shuttle from the train station to the park and since we had about 10mins wait we had a coffee.

Then the bus arrived and took us to ....
Woo hoo!!!, we finally made it, unfortunately so did the rain, but it was a mixed blessing as it kept the crowds away...

The park was full of people and characters made of Lego, we have lots of photos here are a select few..

They have a great locker system, one euro for the whole day .... so we could put Sam's bag away so we could go on the rides...

We then went onto a lego racer roller coaster which I rode twice, once with Sam and the other by myself we have a video I might put it up later... I went on an other coaster later in the day which was a bit tamer than the first, and after the ride you could get a photo of you on the ride. I only got the second one as it was a better photo but it cost 4.90 Euros. The second roller coaster was in the knights kindom and you had to go thru the castle to get to it, before you got on the track it took a tour of the castle and they had some waaaay cool structures of dragins, wizards etc....

Unfortunately you have to be this tall to get onto rides

Well after the rides we went and had a look at the lego cities.... They blew me away with the detail, the had boats and gondolas floating in the streets of venice, and people kissing on a bridge!!!!!

A football game at the arena FC Bayer-Munchen of course,

A whole model of Munich airport with planes that taxied onto the runways, and the had a model of Airbus's A380 going in and out of the hanger, and one that was cut in half to show the interior!!

They also had Berlin, Lucerne in Switzerland, Netherlands with windmills and Neuschwanstein castle!!! which was cool as we had seen the real thing a couple of days ago!!!

Now the piccies I took do not do this place justice, I recommend that you come over and see for yourself!! I hope they build one in Australia.

One curious oddity, was I guess for the World cup they had some busts of famous football players all lined up ... here are a few of the very well known ones but one shouldn't be there can you tell which one?????

Finally we did do some shopping there, but I didn't get much lego as it was 7.00 euros for 100g thats 70 euros a kilo!!!!! rip off and most things I can get online or in australia, but it was still a great day out, hmmmm I wonder what is in the Loot bag!!!!!

Bye all

The bells are ringing Mum!!!

2007-06-12T06:00:00.001+10:00

another one for EVE

2007-06-12T05:57:00.001+10:00

How about trains, err, sorry, Zug um Zug - Europa???? in German of course!!

Games are SOO much cheaper here.... We bought Bohnanza in a cute little tin
(we might need to look at the rules in English at some stage??)

Douglas

2007-06-12T05:54:00.000+10:00

A perfume and Cosmetics shop in the middle of Munich!!

Into a fairytale:: Sleeping Beauty castle

2007-06-12T05:22:00.001+10:00

10/6/2007

We went today to Neuschwanstein Castle which was the inspiration for Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle! (picture taken from Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.org/)

We had to catch a train into the city and change lines on the way in… then we had to get a “Bayern” ticket. Lots of rushing!!! We were standing at the ticket machine about to pay for our tickets when a German guy (or some european nationality) rushed up to us telling us to “wait!” He had a ticket which he had not written on and it had not been stamped either – he said we could have it for 15E (as opposed to the 27E it costs from the machine). So we gave him the money and took the ticket hoping it was ok!! Michelle wrote our names on it and we set off!

On the train…BREAKFAST TIME!!!

Thanks to Michelle who had made coffee and heated up bread before we left). Mmmm coffee and gluten free/ lactose free croissants (the first ones I was “technically” able to eat) – they were not too bad!! And ciabatta for Guy!!

We changed trains in Buchloe …… and then continued on to Fussen where we got on a bus to Hohenschwangau. .50E for the privilege of using the facilities (it’s funny how you have to pay to use most bathrooms – even in a restaurant!!)

We bought tickets and lined up for the “horse and cart ride” up to the castle .. there were a few PUSHY people but we managed to get on the 2nd one that came and went on up the hill past all the people walking up!

ooh...purty!!

We waited for a bit to get inside and then as the number before ours was through we went up the the turnstile and were the first through when group 447 was up…we were hustled through the castle/ rooms quite quickly.

Lots of elaborate walls – with pictures of scenes of stories that Wagner wrote operas on. It was King Ludwig’s fairytale castle.. his escape from reality… and was not finished being built before he was deemed “mad” and a day later found drowned in a lake… suspicious???

After the tour we found a spot for our lunch

(Shell went off to the string bridge and took some great photos of the castle) – and then it was back down the hill!!

Ahh… here you see Fritz, Fritz, Fritz und Fritz!!!

they formed up whilst Guy and I were heading down to start lunch and then as we were setting off down the hill they were marching down the road.

....Bus, train, train and home… tired and grumpy!

"tschuess"

P.S.. Guy has decided top take up farming in Bavaria!!

First Full Day in Munich

2007-06-11T05:22:00.000+10:00

Sat 09/06/07

Well our first full day in Munich started out fairly lazily with a short train trip to the Center of Munich to have a look at some of the shops...and to have a real life bavarian Meal ...see below

So we left Michelle's flat and caught the U-bahn to Marienplatz Station, when we got off we went to the tourist office to get a map!

Its a lovely square with fountains and big churches, but I really think you don't need a watch here as every tower has at least on clock on it!
We then went to the markets to check things out and to get some Gluten free stuff for the girls,
They had some neat stuff at these markets and some nice looking fruit!!!

SO this whet our appetite and so we went to on of Munich's many beer gardens and had a real Bavarian meal ... but no, no beer just Apfelschorle which comes in a handy 500ml glass. I had this schnitzel that was all wrapped up with mushrooms and cheese, Sam had a pork roast. It was very yummy!!! but very filling especially after drinking Apfelschorle.

It must have been happy hour as theres was a Umpa Band playing for beer ....
After this lunch, we did some more walking and looking into shops, we also et up with one of Michelle's friends in a very nice out door cafe in a big park with some cool flowers and fountains.
Then we went to place called the english gardens, very nice, Quiet and peaceful. Unless its sunny then its like the beach as there is a river that flows quite quickly out of storm water drain, and it makes a standing wave so you can actually surf in the river in the middle of Munich!!! - Crazy Germans!!!

THen after some more shopping we finally got home and crashed after dinner ....

Tune in tomorrow to see us go to the Disney Castle!!!, well sorta.

Ciao

The joys of shopping...

2007-06-09T07:35:00.000+10:00

Ahh the joys of shopping in a supermarket here in Munich.

Where else would you find:

A: Beer in a little Keg ..... Yes there are no liquer laws as such here in Europe so anyone can sell grog, even the corner store.. but mini kegs.. I wonder if they would sell well in Oz???

B: Chocolate cats?? not sure what these were but the box is very cute, are they chocolate shaped kitty cats or is it a brand???
C: Fackelmann .... enough said.

D: Hotdogs in a Jar... apparently the brans ja! is the german "no frills/homebrand" equivalent, but still in a JAR!!!!!

E: Jelly Belly's by the Kilo ... any orders??

Bed time !

Munchen

2007-06-09T03:20:00.000+10:00

We arrived safely in Munich!!!

Michelle met us at the airport (on her way back from a conference) and we caught the train, getting off around the corner from her house.

We have been shopping - to the grocers... fruit and vegies and meat too..
We took that load home and went off to the supermarket where we bought other things.

We are now sitting on the couches after having worked out how to connect to the wireless here and have had some Apperetifs!!

Aufweidershen (NO IDEA how to spell that yet sorry!!!)

Leaving Paris

2007-06-09T03:19:00.000+10:00

08/07/06

We woke up early and got the last things packed and then went to have breakfast. After breakfast we read for a while till 9:15ish when we went downstairs to see Dad and to wait for the Cab.

After our goodbyes we got into the taxi and came to the airport and waited in line to check-in. And we are now in the Lounge waiting to board to go to Munich!!!!

Bye

Last day in Paris, for the moment anyways

2007-06-09T03:08:00.001+10:00

07/06/07

We decided to go to Parc de la Villette (which is kinda like the powerhouse museum in Sydney and Questacon in Canberra) with Nat.

On the way, we stopped off at Place Pigalle to take some photos.

Then after a coffee we continued on to Parc de la Villette. This place is HUGE!! It has everything including a big thumping cinema screen inside a huge mirror ball… it’s way cool cause the screen wraps around you and puts IMAX to shame, we saw a very interesting doco/adventure film called The Blue Nile, where this guy and his team wanted to go from the source of the Nile right through to the mouth - a journey which took 4 months as they went by rafts…. The cinematography was awesome and sometimes a bit too close for comfort.

After the movie we had lunch and wandered around the park a bit more, then it was off to the crypt of Notre Dame to see some very old foundations and a display of how Paris has evolved from Roman times to now.

Next we went back to hotel for a rest and to start the packing process, then we had dinner at the “Hippopotamus” steak house, grill. Very nice.

Then we met up with Nat at her place. Sam went up to see Nat’s room and to look at the view from the roof but unfortunately Guy was not aloud inside this Catholic girls college and therefore had to sit in the waiting room until Sam and Nat returned) We went out with Nat and one of her friends for “un pettit tour” to the Sainte Germain quarter, and then to have Crepes for desert!!!

On our way home we stopped at the Arc de triomphe as we thought we would go up and see the Paris lights, but alas we were a bit too late…but we were in time to see the Eiffel tower all lit up with sparkling fairy lights!!! It was then time for bed…

Another day in Paris!!!

2007-06-07T03:40:00.001+10:00

Today we had a more quiet day! We woke up later – it was good to sleep in a bit longer – although it was not such a great night as it was quite hot and stuffy in the hotel room.

We went downstairs for breakfast: The usual from the hotel: tea or coffee? A glass of Orange juice and a croissant and a baguette stick each.

Then we went back upstairs and then up the Rd to a department store, Monoprix (kinda like Target) (where we bought some presents). Sam (I) tried on a few skirts but did not purchase any!

We looked in Darty (just like Harvey Norman) and then went back to the hotel room where I attempted to get some more sleep and Guy read! ?

We then got ready to go to lunch at Guy’s Dad and Marie France’s apartment and bought some flowers in the market for Marie-France on the way… Their apartment is a few blocks away from where we are staying and there is a market on in the street we are on!!

(Incidentally – Mum - it was at these markets that I purchased a baby pink beret the day we arrived here in Paris!!! ☺ )

We had drinks/ aperitifs… then Jacques (Guy’s uncle turned up)

We had a delicious long lunch.

1. Fish “cocktails?” for starters. (see picture)
2. The main meal – ostrich and vegetables (gratin?)
3. Cheese – one runny one, a sheeps, a goats and a blue! With bread/ crackers
4. Dessert (a yummy nut and almond cake – very light)
5. Coffee (espresso) and chocolates (I must admit I passed up on the chocolates).

The talk then got onto coins/ coin collecting and we lost Marie-France and Jacques to coins and ebay.

We left after a few hours and walked back towards the hotel with Jacques (who lives around the corner from the hotel) until he remembered he’d left a book behind and headed back off to get it.

We stayed at the hotel for a little bit and then decided to head off to Trocadero (a couple of stops on the metro) for a closer look at the Eiffel Tower
(by the way Mel – the Pocket map guide has been very helpful – Thanks!!

It was great! We took a few more photos… hopefully some of the black and white ones on the SLR film camera will turn out!! Have turned one of our digitals B&W for a preview!! ☺

Then back to the hotel.. I am sitting here writing this blog whilst Guy has taken our washing to a Laundromat – well a shop with machines you can pay to use in it!!

Tonight we will be having dinner in our room as we bought a few things at the supermarket so that we can make sandwiches!! We have been spending quite a bit on lunches and dinner here – Paris is quite expensive, particularly for food… but it is nice ☺

One more day here in Paris before we catch the plane to Mich in Munich!!! ☺

Quick update for Eve!

2007-06-06T07:26:00.000+10:00

Hey Eve, want us to get this for you :) !!!!

Tired Feet

2007-06-06T06:32:00.000+10:00

The day started earlish as we were meeting Nat at The Rodin Museum at 9:30am, we used our Museum Passes to skip the line to get in... when we got there we got to thinking...

How many people have used this pose infront of this statue!!!!!

After this we went for a wander around the garden, it was way cool and would be a great place to get married in ....

There were lots of other bronzes in the garden and I've heard of "Buns of Steel" but i thought we could start a "buns of Bronze" blog ....

Then the ladies took a break ......

Then we went inside the House and saw lots of different sculptures, after this Nat had to leave and Sam and I went to have lunch at the cafe in the garden and I hand fed the cute but pesky sparrows!!!

Then we strolled to the nearby Musee d'Orsay!!!!

It has some way cool famous paintings ...and was an old Railway station, the queues were huge!!!, but again we walked straight in with our Passes :)

Here are some photos of the painting we saw

We have many, many more ....

After a long time at the musee we returned to the hotel for couple of hours well earned rest as our feet were very,very, very, very sore ... Sam tried to have a foot bath in the shower ...
At about 5:00pm or 17hr we went to the "Grands Magasine" that is Galleries Lafayette and Printemps, Which are like DJs and Myer.

We then had dinner at a great little franco/italian restaurant near the hotel, the food was great but the service was terrible.....

Welp after this day Sam is sound asleep with earplugs to drown out the noise of Paris at night and I have just finished watching two episodes of NCIS dubbed in french ...Hilarious.

Night all.....

Catching up with Nat

2007-06-05T05:57:00.001+10:00

As we'd arranged to meet up with Nat at Notre Dame we went to Saint Chappelle first - but the line was too long so we headed on over to Notre Dame and went to look inside (after first taking some photos of the outside!)

We did not go up to the Tower - maybe another time!

When Nat arrived we went walking towards Luxembourg gardens - through the Latin quarter etc. We bought a crepe on the side of the road and walked into the gardens - finding a seat in the shade to sit on!!

After a bit of food and a rest - we headed over to Musee du Moyen-Age (of the middle ages).
It had some interesting things there!! We arranged with Nat to meet her tomorrow at Musee Rodin and we headed back to the Metro to come back to the Hotel..

We stopped for some dinner on the way back and then decided to brave the trip up to the top of the Arc de Triomph!!! OOPS!!! it was up 238 stairs (a spiral staircase!!)

It was a great view when we got to the top though! Here's just a simple one of Guy with the Eiffel tower behind!!!

And then we were exhausted and grumpy and ready for bed! That's now! - Goodnight!!!

Monday 4th June

2007-06-05T05:32:00.001+10:00

An early start - breakfast and then we set off to look for new shoes for Sam (good ones to walk in as the ones we bought in Sydney were not that great for walking/ support after all!)

We could not find a shoe shop that was open and thus we headed off to the Musee L'Orangerie in the rain!! ewww! we got there and it was not open for indivduals until 9.30 am (Sam had misread the pamphlet)! we then went off walking to try to find Printemps (a large department store) and some shoes!! We almost bought an umbrella from a guy trying to flog them t tourists but did not...

We went walking and arranged via SMS to meet up with Nat at 3pm at Notre Dame.. Guy phoned his Dad and found out from Marie-France where the large department stores were.. on our way there we found a sports store and bought some boots! (although after a large amount of walking today my feet are still sore and blistered).

We then kept on and were thinking about lunch when we saw the Opera House where the Phantom of the Opera was set!!!!

...C'est Ici!!

We had a walk around and took some photos and ...

We ate our lunch in a bistro overlooking the opera house!! Sam had Fois gras (on a sandwich) and Guy had a toasted sandwish with an egg on top!!! We will do a special post later of all the meals we have eaten (or taken photos of - which is almost all)!!

We then went back to Musee L'Orangerie, which Monet designed for his pictures... and yes it was worth going to!! Here are a few photos... the paintings are huge and take up about a quarter of a large round room!! There were 2 rooms for the waterlilly paintings!! It was pretty busy and there was a class of primary students there - they had to sketch the lillies - difficult task!! We then went downstairs to where some other Impressionest Paintings were!!

(the Lillies up close!!)

Here I am with one of my favourite paintings - by Renoir!!!

Have you ever seen these manequins in Australia???

2007-06-05T05:30:00.001+10:00

First day in Paris

2007-06-04T06:53:00.000+10:00

We went to the Louvre today!! We visited young Mona and her eyes did follow us around the room at the same time as they followed hundreds of other tourists!!!

We also looked at other paintings and some statues too!

We did much walking (sore feet now).

We bought a 4 day museum pass so that we can get into all the museums without queuing up for tickets etc!! We will use this tomorrow to go and see Monet's waterlilly paintings at Musee L'Orangerie!! and then maybe the Eiffel tower which so far we have only seen from a distance!!!

Bonjour Paris!!

2007-06-04T06:51:00.001+10:00

These were my first views of the Eiffel tower and Arc de Triomph (out the taxi wndow!!)

A Bientot Aix-en-Provence

2007-06-04T06:48:00.000+10:00

Last full day in Aix :(

2007-06-03T05:30:00.000+10:00

Friday 1st May 2007 AD

Vasarely, Beach, Exhibition

more to come.. pertet!!

A break in the weather :: 31st May 2007 AD

2007-06-03T04:55:00.000+10:00

Our time in Aix is coming to a close, We only have one more full day left ...much unhappiness, before we move onto Paris on the TGV.

Today was a full on day (yet again), We started with an early morning stroll to the bakery to get some fresh bread, then after breakfast one of Francoise and Gerard's friend called Michele took us for our own private tour of Aix!!!!!

She told us the history of Aix. An being a local she got us into places we would never have got into, like the cloister of the Cathedral which were locked in so that no one else could get in!!! ... stupid me forgot the battery to the digital camera and so we have only the photos on Sam's SLR.

She also told us about “les Hotel Particulier” which translates roughly to Big, Big Mansions. They all shared the same characteristic a U-shaped house with a courtyard for the carriages and a garden out the back. The also had very impressing front doors that lead to the courtyard as well as “waste of space staircases”. Since it was the rich who owned these mansion they all tried to out each other by having bigger and more audacious trappings.

One thing that was really cool was a style of painting called “Trompe l’oeil” on the walls of the staircases to give the illusion that the house was bigger than it was …. Not much has changed since the 18th century ☹

After some more sight seeing and photos … we went and had coffee (le café) at the most exclusive coffee house in Aix, This is where the rich and famous come to drink when they are in Aix and get their face painted on the walls, The most recognizable was Pablo Picasso!! Pretty cool to have had coffee where Picasso drank coffee…and of course Cezanne was there as well!

After that we hurried home to meet up with Francoise and Gerard, and their neighbour Christine. We all then went off to have lunch at the restaurant at the foot of the Ste. Victoire. The mountain looked way cool with the mist and rain, and we had a great lunch, I had a nice rare steak and Sam had “une Andouilette”.

When we got home we went to do some present shopping and also to get 5 rolls of film developed we went to Gerard’s favourite photo store to get them done, and they did them in about 1hr but it was very, very, very expensive about 135 Euros. But they were very good photos on good paper, But I think we will wait till we get home to get them done at Big W.

We also got a little photo album for Gerard and Francoise to say thank you for all that they did for us. Sam used all her creative Memories™ know how and her natural innate skills to make a wonderful book!!!!

We also did some shopping for the Great Aussie Feast as our last real dinner in Aix,

The Menu was:
1. Aperitifs

2. BBQ Steak with veggies and Les pettit poids

3. Pavlova and baked custard
4. Turkish coffee

During the aperitifs we were treated to slide show of Dunes and Rocks of the Sahara desert which Gerard took about 12 years ago, they were awesome…

And finally after all that it was time to go to sleep ….

Lavendar is not out until August!!

2007-05-31T07:04:00.000+10:00

Sorry Mel - this is best we could do so far!!!! lol

some wedding snaps

2007-05-31T06:59:00.001+10:00

Here are some pictures from Anne-Flore's wedding reception/ dinner

Coffee anyone

2007-05-31T06:48:00.001+10:00

Look what we found in a servo on an autoroute in France (just outside Aix)!!

You can get coffee almost anywhere here!!!!!

We're not that nerdy

2007-05-31T06:47:00.001+10:00

.... For those who forgot to bring their own game!!!

Carcassonne

2007-05-31T06:37:00.000+10:00

We went to Carcassonne on the 29th - yesterday.. Guy drove the French Ford festiva on the wrong side of the rd- yup the right side of the road!! oooh... scary alright!!!

It was a wonderful place!!! We loved the city wall/ castle etc and took a few hundred photos!!

We enjoyed walking around in the evening and here are a few photos for you to see!!!

this (below) is us playing Carcassonne in Carcassonne!!!! :)

The holiday so far!

2007-05-27T17:58:00.000+10:00

We had an OK flight - it was LONG though and we were glad to arrive in Nice.

Yesterday we woke up in Aix! ooh lala!! It is such a LOVELY place. I can understand why people rave about it and write books about it :)

We went for a walk into town and looked at the markets and had an espresso (well Guy had cappucino and Pamela had long black).

There are so many wonderful buildings and we are going back there to take a million or so photos - so stay tuned - We'll post them later..

Today we might go to see a Musee here in Montpellier and then Lunch and then back to Aix,

for now... Goodbye!!

We are in Montpellier

2007-05-27T17:52:00.000+10:00

Hallo.

We are in Montpellier - very tired but enjoying the country so far... We had a very long flight but arrived here safely... :)

I (Sam) am currently posting this from an internet kiosk thing at the hotel Ibis where we are staying.. we slept here last night after the wedding.

The wedding was VERY long :) It was good to see lots of family though - so many Betbeders here :) WE are having a lunch today as well.. Guy and Pamela have leapt back into speaking French with considerable ease!! Yes - you might be wondering "does Guy ever speak French/ can he??" well the answer is! Of course and very well :)

As for me - when I concentrate hard I can understand but I can only respond with very simple one word answers at this point in time! (I can think of the answer in English and sometimes even Japanese -- but not French).

I am going to post this and sart a new post in case my prepaid card runs out!!

Our Itinerary - Detailed

2007-05-23T01:00:00.000+10:00

tr>

	Flying High with Emirates:
Day	Time	Details
Thu 24th May	6.45pm	Leave Sydney - Emirates
Fri 25th May	5.35am	Arrive Dubai Airport
Fri 25th May	7.35am	Leave Dubai Airport
Fri 25th May	1.50pm	Arrive Nice Airport
	In The Deep South:
Day	Time	Details
Fri 25th May	6.45pm	Aix-en-Provence
Sat 26th May		Wedding and staying in Montpellier
Sun 27th May		Lunch in Montpellier –back to Aix
Mon 28th May		Aix-en-Provence
Tue 29th May		Staying in Carcassonne
Wed 30th May		Carcassonne then back to Aix
Thu 31st May		Aix ?
Fri 1st June		Aix ?
	We’ll always have Paris:
Day	Time	Details
Sat 2nd June		Sleeping in Paris at the Hotel
Sun 3rd June		Paris
Mon 4th June		Paris
Tue 5th June		Paris
Wed 6th June		Paris
Thu 7th June		Paris
Fri 8th June	1.00pm	Leave Paris
	Chocolate Bavarian Anyone?
Day	Time	Details
Fri 8th June	2.35pm	Arrive Munich
Sat 9th June		Munich
Sun 10th June		Munich
Mon 11th June		Munich
Tue 12th June		Munich
Wed 13th June		Munich
Thu 14th June		Munich
Fri 15th June	10.45am	Depart Munich
	Last Tango in Paris
Day	Time	Details
Fri 15th June	12.20pm	Arrive Paris
Sat 16th June		Paris
Sun 17th June		Paris
Mon 18th June		Paris
Tue 19th June		Paris
Wed 20th June	3.45pm	Depart Paris
	Oh ! Danny Boy …
Day	Time	Details
Wed 20th June	4.30pm	Arrive Dublin
Thur 21st June		Dublin
Friday 22nd June	6.20am	Depart Dublin
Fri 22nd June	9.50am	Arrive Nice
	Home is where the heart is!
Day	Time	Details
Fri 22nd June	3.20pm	Depart Nice
Sat 23rd June	1.15am	Arrive Dubai
Sat 23rd June	8.50am	Depart Dubai
Sun 24th June	7.45am	Arrive Sydney Finally!!!!

What do you want us to bring you back??

2007-05-22T21:36:00.000+10:00

only THREE sleeps left

2007-05-21T22:14:00.000+10:00

People keep asking:

"Are you excited?"
"Have you packed yet?" etc etc.

so.... in answer:

We are excited :) (even Sam is getting a bit excited now)

and - we started packing tonight - well..... there is a pile of clothing on our dining room table.

yup..only 9 sleeps now

2007-05-15T18:00:00.000+10:00

Today I bought some Euros and organised International Driver's licenses for Guy and Myself :)

11 sleeps

2007-05-12T23:04:00.000+10:00

it's getting closer... getting a bit more excited!!

on Thursday we bought some walking shoes and a skirt & shirt for me and shirt and tie for Guy for Anne-Flore's wedding in Montpellier!!!

PARIS???? we're booked into the Hotel des deux avenue

26 days till take off

2007-04-28T19:36:00.000+10:00

"BMs in Europe" is a new blog which, God willing, we will be able to post photos and updates on our upcoming holiday - our trip to Europe!!

Currently --> We're counting down the days until take off - and thinking about what we need to do before we leave!!

Here's our travel itinerary so far:

24 May :: 6.45pm - Depart Sydney
25 May :: 1.50pm - Arrive in Nice
26 May :: Anne Flore's wedding in Montpellier
(staying in Aix-en-Provence - includes time in the South of France - and hopefully a game of Carcassone in Carcassonne! Pamela will stay with relatives in Aix)

Guy and Samantha
2-8 June :: PARIS
(seeing Guy's Dad and his wife, Marie-France -and NAT!!!)
8-15 June :: MUNCHEN (Munich)
staying with Michelle (Sam's big sister)
15-20 June :: Back in Paris
20-22 June :: Dublin to see Lois
22 June - back to Nice and then back home to Sydney