Sorry for the long break but we have been busy, busy, busy! Washington was absolutely beautiful. Like really lovely! It was open, un-crowded, easy to walk around, extremely hot and humid ( highest was 32 degrees), green and so interesting! Of course we went to all the tourist spots, White House, Capital Hill, Lincoln Memorial, etc. White House was just down the round from our hotel and when we looked at it, well it was actually smaller than it looks on TV. Still very nice though. The Smithosian museums were our favourite parts! The Air and Space museum was so so so amazing! As big as a mall, it was stuffed full of things to read, spaceships and aeroplanes to look at, science experiments and much more! In fact, it was so big and interesting we went twice as we couldn't get enough of it! The natural history museum was just as exciting!
Capital was very roman and you got a really good view of the city! It was hard walking up as it was just so humid!! We were sweating like sweating things on sweating tablets! :)
We meet up with Alison, family friend, and went for dinner both nights with her and walked round Washington at night! It was so beautiful, all the moumnets alight! Absoluletly gorgeous!
Although we only had 2 days we managed to fit alot in, including Madam Tussads and Spy Museum. Madam Tussads was great as had all 44 presidents, which ment Dad could read the plaques while we took photos with the stars! :) Spy museum was really interesting and different, showing us the inside details that nobody knows about! Everyone throughly enjoyed that as we love CSI!
Washington was a beautiful place, really open and nobody around!! Which is suprsing for america! We all said we could live there, even Mum!
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Austria, Germany, Amsterdam, Brussels Photos
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| locations of sound of Music! |
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| awesome swimming complex where we got horribly burnt! |
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| Vienna summer palace |
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| Gardens of palace |
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| Mozart Memorial |
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| Dinner Vienna |
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| Sauchsenhausen Concearntartion Camp, Berlin |
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| Bundenburg Gate |
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| Holocaust Memorial, Berlin |
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| Berlin Wall |
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| tour guide for berlin walking tour |
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| wicked hostel chain!!! :) |
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| The musicans of Breeman |
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| Anne Frank |
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| Amsterdam |
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| Brussels Chocolates!! |
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| Beligum Waffle! |
Sautens and Munich Photos
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| Munich at Night |
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| Munich Glockenspiel |
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| Sautens |
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| Sautens |
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| Sautens |
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| view from our hotel window!!! |
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| Small Pizza-Sautens |
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| Ski Jump |
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| Fishing Pond Sautens |
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| Mountains-Sautens |
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| Lake where we swam! |
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| swimming in 12 degree mountain water |
London (Day 1- 6)
After that rather disappointing start, we travelled to the apartment we would be staying in for the remainder of the week. It was really nice and close to a station. The following day was a special one: Bubba's birthday! The morning was on of great excitment, opening presents and eating a lovely homemade breakfast in our nice, new kitchen. A trip on the tube to Hamleys toystore was an essential and took up the rest of the morning and midday, ( actually we spend 3 hours in the 7 floor toy shop!) Bubba chose a birthday present and we chose stuff!!!
Oxford St was next. Busy, bustling, alive, it was shopaholics dream! We also spend some time in Sportsdirect too! Harrods was next......eek!! Harrods! It was incredible. The bright lights, the perfume scents, the designer labels....I actually thought I had died and gone to heaven, a gorgeous, nice smelling, massive heaven! That night, we went to the West End show, Wicked! It was completely and utterly AMAZING!!! The effects, the lightining, the stage work was out of this world but the singing..........OMG!!!! It is unbelieveble, ever single song giving you goosebumps! A fabulous day and night!
We visited Buckingham Palace and watched the changing of the guard, a unique experience! The weather wasn't very good so we hopped on a tour bus and experienced London from its double decker buses! The London Eye was such a great activity, the view was so outstanding and it was real cool to be in a capsule looking at parliament and Big Ben! A cruise down the muddy river Thames finished off another great day!
West Minister abbey was gorgeuos and beautiful, very elegant and historic. Us children completed a worksheet and then meet a wonderful verger who showed us the New Zealand seat and the Queens offical seat, in which we stood in! He also gave us offical programmes of the Christchurch earthquake ceremony, the Anzac ceremony and THE OFFICAL REHEARSAL PROGRAMME OF THE ROYAL WEDDING!!!!! I know! There are only a few in the world and we have one!!
The london Dungeon was extremely worth it and so frightening!! It was freaky and so informative at the same time. You went through all these different activities that happened in London's dark and dirty history, including the Black Plague, Jack the Ripper, Sweeny Todd, Fire of London and Bloody Mary. There was also a ride at the end where you were dropped, or 'hanged'. It was so bloody awesome, ( there was a fair bit of 'blood' too!) and I would throughly reccommend it! A quick visit to Shakespeare's Globe and a drink in a Taylor & Walker pub the finish our third day.
On day 4, we popped into Girl Guide UK headquarters and Samantha gave some NZ badges to the girls inside. Then off to Kent, to see where Grandad David grew up. We were meet at the station by Uncle Martyn and his daughter Donna, (Dad's cousin). It was pouring unfortunatley but that's England for you! They showed us, from the inside of the car, the beach and house where Grandad, Martyn and their sisters spend their childhood. We also saw the late Aunty Pat's house. Then it was back home for some tea and cakes. Donna's children, Ashleigh and Louis (who are our age), joined us and our two families hit it off straight away! It was great to finally put faces to names. We went very traditional that evening, having fish and chips, while the rain still thundered on. After exchanging facebook names, we caught the train back to London.
Day 5 started with a trip to Camden Market. Again the weather was wet but it was enjoyable nearthertheless. At the market, we were instantly swallowed up the the hundreds of stalls selling clothes, jewellery, shoes and more clothes. That afternoon was spend meeting the last relatives, James, Lisa, Helena, Freddy and Christina. The live in the subarbs of London, near Wimbledon, in a wonderful house. It was a lovely evening playing with the kids while the parents talked followed by a scrummy dinner and dessert! Thanks James and family! :)
Unfortunatley, our time in London was up. Caught a plane from London to Washington on the Sunda.y We all loved itin London and wanted to stay longer. It is an amazing place filled with so many things to explore. Us girls all said we are coming back! :) Bye Bye England and hello USA!!
Oxford St was next. Busy, bustling, alive, it was shopaholics dream! We also spend some time in Sportsdirect too! Harrods was next......eek!! Harrods! It was incredible. The bright lights, the perfume scents, the designer labels....I actually thought I had died and gone to heaven, a gorgeous, nice smelling, massive heaven! That night, we went to the West End show, Wicked! It was completely and utterly AMAZING!!! The effects, the lightining, the stage work was out of this world but the singing..........OMG!!!! It is unbelieveble, ever single song giving you goosebumps! A fabulous day and night!
We visited Buckingham Palace and watched the changing of the guard, a unique experience! The weather wasn't very good so we hopped on a tour bus and experienced London from its double decker buses! The London Eye was such a great activity, the view was so outstanding and it was real cool to be in a capsule looking at parliament and Big Ben! A cruise down the muddy river Thames finished off another great day!
West Minister abbey was gorgeuos and beautiful, very elegant and historic. Us children completed a worksheet and then meet a wonderful verger who showed us the New Zealand seat and the Queens offical seat, in which we stood in! He also gave us offical programmes of the Christchurch earthquake ceremony, the Anzac ceremony and THE OFFICAL REHEARSAL PROGRAMME OF THE ROYAL WEDDING!!!!! I know! There are only a few in the world and we have one!!
The london Dungeon was extremely worth it and so frightening!! It was freaky and so informative at the same time. You went through all these different activities that happened in London's dark and dirty history, including the Black Plague, Jack the Ripper, Sweeny Todd, Fire of London and Bloody Mary. There was also a ride at the end where you were dropped, or 'hanged'. It was so bloody awesome, ( there was a fair bit of 'blood' too!) and I would throughly reccommend it! A quick visit to Shakespeare's Globe and a drink in a Taylor & Walker pub the finish our third day.
On day 4, we popped into Girl Guide UK headquarters and Samantha gave some NZ badges to the girls inside. Then off to Kent, to see where Grandad David grew up. We were meet at the station by Uncle Martyn and his daughter Donna, (Dad's cousin). It was pouring unfortunatley but that's England for you! They showed us, from the inside of the car, the beach and house where Grandad, Martyn and their sisters spend their childhood. We also saw the late Aunty Pat's house. Then it was back home for some tea and cakes. Donna's children, Ashleigh and Louis (who are our age), joined us and our two families hit it off straight away! It was great to finally put faces to names. We went very traditional that evening, having fish and chips, while the rain still thundered on. After exchanging facebook names, we caught the train back to London.
Day 5 started with a trip to Camden Market. Again the weather was wet but it was enjoyable nearthertheless. At the market, we were instantly swallowed up the the hundreds of stalls selling clothes, jewellery, shoes and more clothes. That afternoon was spend meeting the last relatives, James, Lisa, Helena, Freddy and Christina. The live in the subarbs of London, near Wimbledon, in a wonderful house. It was a lovely evening playing with the kids while the parents talked followed by a scrummy dinner and dessert! Thanks James and family! :)
Unfortunatley, our time in London was up. Caught a plane from London to Washington on the Sunda.y We all loved itin London and wanted to stay longer. It is an amazing place filled with so many things to explore. Us girls all said we are coming back! :) Bye Bye England and hello USA!!
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
London ( Getting there and first night)
Our start in London didn't quite go as planned, and was differently an experience! Getting out of Pembroke took forever, as trains come only twice a day to London. So we had to wait 5 hours, in the cold rain, at the train station for a ride into London. We didn't get in to London til 11.30pm and then had no idea where or how to get to our apartment. In the end, we caught two cabs, so it was cool to tick that off our list. What wasn't cool was that when we got to our apartment, we were shouted at by the owner because appartently our booking was cancelled!! She shoved us in a 5 bedroom, disgusting smellt place, where the springs of the bed stabbed you in the back and it was so dirty. Dad had to sleep on the floor because she couldn't provide a bed for him! Thank the lord it was only for one horrible night!
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Ireland
Took the from Holyhead to Dublin. It was quite a bumpy ride but sealegs got us through. We stayed in a cool hostel, near the city centre called Issacs. That night we went out to wander the town and went into Temple Bar, a traditional Irish pub, for dinner. There was loads of chatter and loud men talking and drinking and live irish music, exactly as an Irish pub should be!
The next day we woke up to rain!!!:( The first proper rain this whole trip! So we had to flag our walking tour and headed straight for the Guiness Storehouse! :) 7 floors of Guiness history, shown using technology, displays and exhibitions. It was ever beer lovers, a daughters of beer lovers, dream. The 7th floor was the Gravity Bar, a bar offering drinks and a 360 degree view of Dublin. That afternoon, we hopped on a bus and drove round, looking at the sights. For dinner we went to a resturant that had live music and irish dancing! It was so amazing to be watching irish dancing, while eating irish food, in an irish resturant, in Ireland! Not many people could say they've done that!
We left Dublin and drove to Limmerick, going via Boyle, where our ancestors, the Flanagans, orginally came from. It started hailing ( in spring!!), so we didn't hang around too long! Our travelodge in Limmerick was so classy and nice, we decided to stay two nights, taking a day trip to the Ring of Kerry the following day. It took us all day to drive the Ring of Kerry but that was great. While coming home we stopped in the village of Adare for a drink in the local pub and in there we traded our All Blacks flag for a Munster Flag! So our All Blacks are now forver in Ireland!
Our last night was spend in Rosslare, a ferry port town. When we went to catch the ferry, it was bucketing down so that ferry to Pembrock was also a bumpy ride!
The next day we woke up to rain!!!:( The first proper rain this whole trip! So we had to flag our walking tour and headed straight for the Guiness Storehouse! :) 7 floors of Guiness history, shown using technology, displays and exhibitions. It was ever beer lovers, a daughters of beer lovers, dream. The 7th floor was the Gravity Bar, a bar offering drinks and a 360 degree view of Dublin. That afternoon, we hopped on a bus and drove round, looking at the sights. For dinner we went to a resturant that had live music and irish dancing! It was so amazing to be watching irish dancing, while eating irish food, in an irish resturant, in Ireland! Not many people could say they've done that!
We left Dublin and drove to Limmerick, going via Boyle, where our ancestors, the Flanagans, orginally came from. It started hailing ( in spring!!), so we didn't hang around too long! Our travelodge in Limmerick was so classy and nice, we decided to stay two nights, taking a day trip to the Ring of Kerry the following day. It took us all day to drive the Ring of Kerry but that was great. While coming home we stopped in the village of Adare for a drink in the local pub and in there we traded our All Blacks flag for a Munster Flag! So our All Blacks are now forver in Ireland!
Our last night was spend in Rosslare, a ferry port town. When we went to catch the ferry, it was bucketing down so that ferry to Pembrock was also a bumpy ride!
Manchester!
After Scotland, we drove to Manchester, via Lake District. At the lake district, we stopped at Ambleside for lunch. While eating, we were attacked by ducks, geese and the most gigantic swans, who came right up and asked for our lunch! It was extremely bemusing!
In Manchester we stayed with Dad's cousin, Fiona, husband Paul and their two gorgoeus daughters, Polly and Lauren. Fiona's brother Paul, his wife Katherine and son Daniel joined us for a delicios meal. Daniel, Lauren and Polly are us girls second cousins, and they are so so so adorable! It was great to meet everyone, after hearing so much about you guys and being able to put names to faces. :)
In Manchester we stayed with Dad's cousin, Fiona, husband Paul and their two gorgoeus daughters, Polly and Lauren. Fiona's brother Paul, his wife Katherine and son Daniel joined us for a delicios meal. Daniel, Lauren and Polly are us girls second cousins, and they are so so so adorable! It was great to meet everyone, after hearing so much about you guys and being able to put names to faces. :)
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Scotland!
Awrite! That's hello in Scottish.
We had a great time in Glasgow, where we stayed with Joesphine, Dad's 1st cousin, once removed. She couldn't fit all of us in her lovely home so only Samanths and I stayed with her while the others slept in the hotel down the road. It was amazing because while we were eating our gourmet fish pie one the first night, which had scallops, prawns, and other exotic fish (yummy), we were sweating due to the blazing sun! I know, sun, in Scotland! Unfortunatley, that gorgeous weather didn't quite make it to the following day. We went to Bannockburn heritage centre in the morning, where we enjoyed learning the history of the battle between the scots and english, in the 1300's.
We then drove to Loch Lomond for lunch and a walk. It was exactly as you imagine the highlands of Scotland. That night we had another lovely homemade meal and an early night!
We went to mass the next morning then over to relatives we haven't meet before. It is extremely hard to explain how everyone we are meeting are related to us as its so confusing!! Kit and his wife Edwina, their son James and wife Jen were so nice and it was great to meet them. James and Jen also had two gorgeous children, Erin and Rory, our youngest cousins!
Edinburgh was next on our list and we trained over there! As we had limited time, we joined another one of those free walking tours by sandemans tour group. Our tour guide Gatsby, was so so so good and we learnt so much. In the tour we heard about the brief history of Edniburgh, the royal mile, Edinburgh castle, witch burnings, grassmarket, hangings that happened, the 'real' hogwarts castle, the graveyard that JK Rowling got ideas for her books, the cafe she wrote her books in and much more! If anyone goes travelling, I would definitly reccommend Sandemans free walking tours, they are FANTASTIC!!!
Went up the castle and saw the view. Great view! They were starting to set up for the Edinburgh Tattoo in August.
Scotland was great despite the weather turning grey on us for thr first time, though it didn't rain!!! Thank you ever so much Joesphine for the wonderful hospiltality! :)
We had a great time in Glasgow, where we stayed with Joesphine, Dad's 1st cousin, once removed. She couldn't fit all of us in her lovely home so only Samanths and I stayed with her while the others slept in the hotel down the road. It was amazing because while we were eating our gourmet fish pie one the first night, which had scallops, prawns, and other exotic fish (yummy), we were sweating due to the blazing sun! I know, sun, in Scotland! Unfortunatley, that gorgeous weather didn't quite make it to the following day. We went to Bannockburn heritage centre in the morning, where we enjoyed learning the history of the battle between the scots and english, in the 1300's.
We then drove to Loch Lomond for lunch and a walk. It was exactly as you imagine the highlands of Scotland. That night we had another lovely homemade meal and an early night!
We went to mass the next morning then over to relatives we haven't meet before. It is extremely hard to explain how everyone we are meeting are related to us as its so confusing!! Kit and his wife Edwina, their son James and wife Jen were so nice and it was great to meet them. James and Jen also had two gorgeous children, Erin and Rory, our youngest cousins!
Edinburgh was next on our list and we trained over there! As we had limited time, we joined another one of those free walking tours by sandemans tour group. Our tour guide Gatsby, was so so so good and we learnt so much. In the tour we heard about the brief history of Edniburgh, the royal mile, Edinburgh castle, witch burnings, grassmarket, hangings that happened, the 'real' hogwarts castle, the graveyard that JK Rowling got ideas for her books, the cafe she wrote her books in and much more! If anyone goes travelling, I would definitly reccommend Sandemans free walking tours, they are FANTASTIC!!!
Went up the castle and saw the view. Great view! They were starting to set up for the Edinburgh Tattoo in August.
Scotland was great despite the weather turning grey on us for thr first time, though it didn't rain!!! Thank you ever so much Joesphine for the wonderful hospiltality! :)
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
York
After Hull, we drove to York to see Dad's cousin Julia and her family, husband Tim, children Isobelle and Oliver. We hadn't actually meet them before but that didn't matter, as the way we all chatted away, you would think we had known each other for years! Thank you so much Julia and family for such a good time and for letting us have a bed in your gorgeous house!
Us, Julia and the kids all walked down to the centre of York, inside the city walls. We actually walked round a little section of the wall, which lead us to the street where the famous minster stood! They are currently repairing the spectacular stained glass windows but the door stood open so you could look inside.
After an ice-cream, we went to the museum Jorvik. Years ago, the went to built a supermarket but while digging, found remains of Viking houses or something. The archeologists came in and dug away, finding a place they call Coppergate, a place where the Vikings set up a town, many years ago. They found bones, skeletons, clothing, houses, so much stuff that they were able to discover what the Vikings were really like back when they ruled York, or Jorvik, as they named it. The museum was the best one we have been in, and we've seen alot!
You hopped in this open capsule, that had seats and speakers etc, and were taken round 'Coppergate'. They had created a model of what Coppergate would have looked like, with moving wax figures that looked like the real people and streets and houses were built exactly how they look back then! It was so interesting and you felt like you were a Viking, looking round the town!
After the ride we wandered round the rest of the museum, stumbling upon a lady who told us so many facts about the Vikings! Very interesting.
We had a great night, eating and talking! Thank you so much Julia, Tim, Isobelle and Oliver!!! :)
Us, Julia and the kids all walked down to the centre of York, inside the city walls. We actually walked round a little section of the wall, which lead us to the street where the famous minster stood! They are currently repairing the spectacular stained glass windows but the door stood open so you could look inside.
After an ice-cream, we went to the museum Jorvik. Years ago, the went to built a supermarket but while digging, found remains of Viking houses or something. The archeologists came in and dug away, finding a place they call Coppergate, a place where the Vikings set up a town, many years ago. They found bones, skeletons, clothing, houses, so much stuff that they were able to discover what the Vikings were really like back when they ruled York, or Jorvik, as they named it. The museum was the best one we have been in, and we've seen alot!
You hopped in this open capsule, that had seats and speakers etc, and were taken round 'Coppergate'. They had created a model of what Coppergate would have looked like, with moving wax figures that looked like the real people and streets and houses were built exactly how they look back then! It was so interesting and you felt like you were a Viking, looking round the town!
After the ride we wandered round the rest of the museum, stumbling upon a lady who told us so many facts about the Vikings! Very interesting.
We had a great night, eating and talking! Thank you so much Julia, Tim, Isobelle and Oliver!!! :)
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Hull
We had a fabulous time in Hull, where we stayed with relatives, Gerry and David. It was extremely difficult getting out of london though in our rental car. The first hurdle we had too face was that the car we had, yes it was a seven seater but it had only room for one suitcae and 2 briefcases ( so it said in the brochure!). eek! We managed to fit and we only have to sit with legs in the air...o well, its good stretching!
Another hurdle was the fact that London is crazy one the roads and we didn't get given a good map, only one of central london, 2010! After driving round for an hour, we managed to get out on to M1, ( motorway 1). Us girls were extremely suprised as when we woke up from our little doze, 2 hours into the drive, we hadn't changed roads! Its crazy that we travelled the distnace from Chch to Dunedin in 3 hours! UK motorways rock!
Anyway, we got to Hull and had a marvellous dinner with Gerry and David. They have the most wonderful house and it felt like we were back at home. We have stayed in lovely hostels and hotels but they aren't the same as a home!
Gerry and David took us to Bradford to see the house where Granny grew up! It was so funny as there was a lady living in the house and I don't think she liked us taking photos of her house!!
We then went up to the Yorkshire Moors, where we had a lovely lunch, looking out over the grassy plains. Us girls then experimented with some "free-jumping", leaping from one big rock to another, while alos getting blown over due to the strong winds! It was an amzing view seeing the York Plains stretched out infront of us like that!
That night we had a great meal in the local bar, the best chip butties ever!!! It was so nice at Gerry and Davids and we wish it could have been longer! Thank you so much for the wonderful hospitality and the best toast ever!!
Another hurdle was the fact that London is crazy one the roads and we didn't get given a good map, only one of central london, 2010! After driving round for an hour, we managed to get out on to M1, ( motorway 1). Us girls were extremely suprised as when we woke up from our little doze, 2 hours into the drive, we hadn't changed roads! Its crazy that we travelled the distnace from Chch to Dunedin in 3 hours! UK motorways rock!
Anyway, we got to Hull and had a marvellous dinner with Gerry and David. They have the most wonderful house and it felt like we were back at home. We have stayed in lovely hostels and hotels but they aren't the same as a home!
Gerry and David took us to Bradford to see the house where Granny grew up! It was so funny as there was a lady living in the house and I don't think she liked us taking photos of her house!!
We then went up to the Yorkshire Moors, where we had a lovely lunch, looking out over the grassy plains. Us girls then experimented with some "free-jumping", leaping from one big rock to another, while alos getting blown over due to the strong winds! It was an amzing view seeing the York Plains stretched out infront of us like that!
That night we had a great meal in the local bar, the best chip butties ever!!! It was so nice at Gerry and Davids and we wish it could have been longer! Thank you so much for the wonderful hospitality and the best toast ever!!
Brussels
We really only went to Brussels because that was where we has to catch the eurostar to London but we still had an enjoyable time there. The main highlight was definitly the chocolate!! While we were walking down to the centre of town , we turned a corner and boom!!! The chocolate shops appeared! Every second shop was full of the most delectable chocolates in the world! Will we were happily munching on the chocs we had bought, we spotted what we would be having for breakfast. A massive waffle, with a scoop of strawberries on top, and covered in a mountain in whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Yum yum!
We continued walking down and visited a TinTin shop. Very cool and the comic we bought is just as awesome. By now, it was time to go back and get the train to London!
Goodbye Europe! Thanks for the great times and memories! We will be back so you better be prepared! ;)
We continued walking down and visited a TinTin shop. Very cool and the comic we bought is just as awesome. By now, it was time to go back and get the train to London!
Goodbye Europe! Thanks for the great times and memories! We will be back so you better be prepared! ;)
Friday, 3 June 2011
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the city of bikes, as we found out when we trained in for one night! There are 4 story high car parks absolutely jammed full of bikes, all around the city! Its a cool city, even though we were only there for 24 hours! We walked down to Anne Franks house straight away, as that was the main thing we had gone to see. We weren't disappointed. It is the most fabulous museum! It really captured the feeling of Anne and her families horrible situation but still gave lots of information and things to look at! It was very moving and heartbreaking, knowing what it was like for them and the jews back then.
The next morning we popped to the Van Gogh museum, which was just down the road. It was great because they had a childrens hunt/activity booklet that us girls did. It ment that we weren't bored and the parents could see what they wanted. There were mixed views about Van Gogh when we came out, Dad and I deciding we didn't like his work at all! We then went on a canal crusie to wrap it all up! Our captain was really great and it was a fantastic way to see Amsterdam quickly!
The next morning we popped to the Van Gogh museum, which was just down the road. It was great because they had a childrens hunt/activity booklet that us girls did. It ment that we weren't bored and the parents could see what they wanted. There were mixed views about Van Gogh when we came out, Dad and I deciding we didn't like his work at all! We then went on a canal crusie to wrap it all up! Our captain was really great and it was a fantastic way to see Amsterdam quickly!
Breman
We changed our plans and decided to go to Breman, a town in Germany, before going to Amsterdam. When we arrived it was freezing and pouring! Unfortunatley we got stuck waiting for a tram in a sudden big down pour! the first rain all trip! We decided to stay in that evening, all snuggled up in our beds, as it was slightly too chilly to do anything, and to be honest, we didn't actually know what there was too do!
The following day we woke to no rain just a slight chill. We took the trams over too the Becks brewery, but were not allowed on the tour as no kids were allowed! :( There was a market on down by the river so we wandered down there and browsed/bought, then meandered over to the square. There was a school jazz band playing in some kind of festival and they were great so we listened to them for awhile. The weather hadn't improved so all we wanted was a nice hot jacket potato, which we got at the local resturant. Then Mum spotted the statue of the Musicans of Breman, a statue with a rooster standing on a cat, standing on a dog, standing on a donkey.
Once a year, Breman has "Night at the Museums", where all the museums stay open til 1am. We visited a few museums, including the plastics museum, sculpture one, an old church that had mummified clothes of old priests and other old stuff and a globe museum, all containing workshops for all ages! It was great and a very cool town.
The following day we woke to no rain just a slight chill. We took the trams over too the Becks brewery, but were not allowed on the tour as no kids were allowed! :( There was a market on down by the river so we wandered down there and browsed/bought, then meandered over to the square. There was a school jazz band playing in some kind of festival and they were great so we listened to them for awhile. The weather hadn't improved so all we wanted was a nice hot jacket potato, which we got at the local resturant. Then Mum spotted the statue of the Musicans of Breman, a statue with a rooster standing on a cat, standing on a dog, standing on a donkey.
Once a year, Breman has "Night at the Museums", where all the museums stay open til 1am. We visited a few museums, including the plastics museum, sculpture one, an old church that had mummified clothes of old priests and other old stuff and a globe museum, all containing workshops for all ages! It was great and a very cool town.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Berlin
When we ventured out on this trip of a lifetime, we knew that we would be seeing many amazing sights and cities. Our list of favourite places has been growing and growing as we go on and we have now added Berlin too that list. We were staying in our last Wombat hostel ( superb as ever!), so our accomdation was great. We were going to go to Potsdam the day we arrived, 25th, but thenn saw an brochure for Sachsenhausen concerntration camp, just out of Berlin. So we trained out there. We noticed the difference between this little village and Berlin city straight away. It felt empty, kind of deserted. Not many people and the people we saw were grim and slightly worn. Its no wonder, they have a murder camp on their door step. We got given audio guides and were told that this camp was primarily used to house policital prisoners and people who the Nazi's deemed unfit, like homosexuals, the disabled, etc.
It was......unbelievable, and not in a good way. The camp was vast, grey, and souless. It gave you the shivers, knowing what happened in those barbed wire fences. We wandered around the enormous camp, going into the baracks and infirmarys etc. It was devasting the condition that these prisoners had to live in and what they endured. The whole experience was very sobering and quite devasting really. It showed us what human beings are actually capable of doing, and how brutal we can be.
There was still light at the end of the tunnel though as on the way back we stumbled upon a dance shop!! Us dancing girls went in and bought ballet flats and pointe shoes, not even available in NZ. How fab! :)
The following day we joined a free walking tour that showed us the main sights of Berlin, including the Bradenburg Gates, Holocaust Memorial, Hitlers bunker, Nazi book burning memorail, Checkpoint Charlie, SS Headquarters, museum island and the Berlin Wall. We had a great guide called Leo who told us many stories, including why the Berlin Wall came down. The walking tour was a great way to Berlin.
It was......unbelievable, and not in a good way. The camp was vast, grey, and souless. It gave you the shivers, knowing what happened in those barbed wire fences. We wandered around the enormous camp, going into the baracks and infirmarys etc. It was devasting the condition that these prisoners had to live in and what they endured. The whole experience was very sobering and quite devasting really. It showed us what human beings are actually capable of doing, and how brutal we can be.
There was still light at the end of the tunnel though as on the way back we stumbled upon a dance shop!! Us dancing girls went in and bought ballet flats and pointe shoes, not even available in NZ. How fab! :)
The following day we joined a free walking tour that showed us the main sights of Berlin, including the Bradenburg Gates, Holocaust Memorial, Hitlers bunker, Nazi book burning memorail, Checkpoint Charlie, SS Headquarters, museum island and the Berlin Wall. We had a great guide called Leo who told us many stories, including why the Berlin Wall came down. The walking tour was a great way to Berlin.
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