Thursday May 29, 2013

After leaving Prague we took the train to Plauen.  It was a little close to get from one train to another when our train was late  Lots of running and heavy bags dragged through the Bahnhof.  Every time I do this I say  will pack lighter but never do.  In Plauen we stayed in a wonderful bed and breakfast as the guests of Kathy's family  There was a wonderful view of the mountains in the background and the cows grazing in the fields below  We tied one on Wednesday night finishing too many bottles to count of wine and of course some schnapps.  Today Bob and I drove to Freisen which is just a few kilometers from the airport,  We stopped on a small town for lunch of schnitzel.  While in town we saw a stork in a nest on top of one of the towers there.  I sit here writing as the church bells ring and and already feel that I will miss this sound.  Bob and I took a walk in the alte stadt  Of course there are churches and a dome in the city.  Tomorrow we leave for England.

Tuesday May 27, 2013

Tuesday May 27, 2013

Today was. An awesome day, especially considering how it started.  We woke up this morning., feeling a little disappointed in our accommodations we are staying in a hostel in the center of Prague   The location is great but we are all sharing a room with none of the amenities like toilets ensuite.  It was also raining this morning and even till we were on our way to the tour people were carrying open umbrellas. We met our tour guide Filip in the square near the astronomical clock.  There he explained the workings of this six hundred year old device. It seemed that every corner we turned there was an amazing bit of architecture from gothic to baroque to arte newveau.  Unfortunately many of the building are in need of cleaning because there is so much soot on them. We also visited many of the city’s churches and squares and learned a bit of history about the city and czek republic.  The famous Charles bridge was amazing with the medieval gates on either side and religious statues all along the bridge on both sides The art and music are alive in this town. Marionettes abound and Mozart’s don Giovanni is performed here in the national theatre.  We finished the day with a visit to hard rock café.  Strangely enough we met a Lansing couple in the booth next to us and one of the managers was from Philadelphia. 

Sunday May 26, 2013

Today we are traveling to Prage and I have a 4 hour bus trip tp write my blog.  It has been several days so  I hope I don’t forget anything.  Three days were spent going to and coming from Vienna.  Thursday we rode our bikes from Tullin which is known as the flower city into Vienna, stopping in Klosterneuberg on the way.  Leaving Tullin we rode on the bike path with flower gardens on either side of the bike path. 

There were several statues of medieval founders of the town.  The previous town had interactive metal characters introducing the town.  Once we got a short way out of Tullin we went through  Ybbs with the bicycle museum.  Just inside the town there was a modern sculpture made with bicycles piled high.  

The highlight of our ride was the stop in Klosterneuberg where there was an abbey from the 17^th century.  The original foundation was sometime earlier.  This was very ornate just as in Melk.  The gold abound.  We also took a tour of the abbey which included thoe church and several views of the gardens and sacristy.  We bought some wine which I hope to drink tonight as we have lots to bring with us , probably too much to bring Stephansdom.  Thee we saw a tightrope walker walking on a cable

between the two towers og the church.  There was a big fundraiser going on in town for Aids\ awareness and this could be why they had other entertainment.

Friday we went into the city and walked for 6 hours ith a few stops for cappuccino.  One of the highlights of the day was climbing up to the ceiling of Karl’s Kirche  and we saw the paintings on the ceiling as well as a panoramic view of the interior of the church.  The church ad very reminiscent of Italian churches I had seen.  The architecture of the entire city is fascinating and drew our attention constantly so as you didn’t know when to stop taking pictures.  In the evening we went to a concert in a palace.  The concert included pieces from Mozart and Strauss.  There were  two opera singers  and some ballet also.  It made for a wonderful evening. 

Saturday we started riding from Durnstein where we stopped to do some shopping, have some cappuccino and taste the schnapps.  This was less than a kilometer down the road.  The wine was so good we had to buy some.  Too bad we cant bring it all home.  We just have to come back for some another time.  All the wines were excellent at the Schneeweiss family winery.  Today we rode through wine country,  the hills were loaded with grape vines.  We then had to eat because I was getting very dizzy from the tastings.  Our tour guide recommended a small restaurant  and we stopped to have deer liver and a strudel. We sat outside but since it was cool e took sheep skins to put on the seats in order to stay warm.  Since we had akk this sopping we were late getting to the boat and had to push our own bikes up the ramp to the Boat.  All was well and we settled in for dinner and packing, since we were leaving the next morning. 

We were unable to get a rental car since the car rentals in Passau are closed on Sunday.  We decided to go by train and bus which was our original plan anyway.  So here I sit writing this and it is pouring rain out.

Arrived at the hostel and it is quite unique.  we are amidst quite a few young people in the center of the old city.  The bathrooms are down the hall as are the showers.

Wednesday May 22, 2013

Today we left Grein early because we wanted ti make it to Melk in time to see the abbey there.  The ride was 50 kilometers mostly through wooded areas with an occasional fortress or church on the opposite side of the river.  The trip as easy.  The pain seemed to have gone from most of our seats.   We had a nice lunch alongside the river at a picnic table in a little town called Pochlarn.  It is a medieval town with a beautiful old city.  when we arrived at Melk we went up to the abbey which was positioned on the highest point of the city.  One comment was that the city was smaller than the abbey.  The library and other rooms were quite ornate with paintings decorating the wall and ceiling of the room.  The church was decorated ceiling and walls also with lots of gold sculpture.  We are having a crew show tonight instead of the last night because there is amajor soccer game scheduled for that night.  The entertainment in the lounge is quite good.  Tomorrow we will be riding into Vienna. 

Tuesday May 21 2013

Today was a short ride but very nice.  Most of the way was on trail along the river without traffic,  There were no ferries.  We did get lost at ne point because the trail led into a town on the road and we had to g on the road for a short while.  There were opportunities to go to a concentration camp and a castle but we decided not to do those.  We did go into a palace in Grein and it was wonderful.  Very different from any I had seen before.  We are now sitting in the lounge drinking wine and playing dice. 

Monday May 20, 2013

 

 

Today was our first day riding.,  How cool was it,,,,  Let me tell you.  We started out going up stream in Passau, crossed the river and went to over the river and through Passau.  All the churches were clanging their bells as we went through.  Once out of the city we were in the country with lots of trees and the river next to us.  The birds were abundant and sang their glorious songs as we rolled by.  We took several ferries along the way including oe which sold schnapps on board.  We also saw locks which  were quite high.  We chose t take a ferry down the road instead of crossing over the lock.   We saw at least  one chapel which seems to be traditional for Austrians to have on the walk and bike paths.  The bikes ae so different from our own.  Definitely not as easy to use and certainly not as fast,  They are quite heavy compared to our own bikes.  We did 54 kilometers today and we all made it We are a little sore on our seats but e are looking forward to our ride tomorrow and te sail down the river and arrival in Linz.  The ship is very comfortable and the food is good.     Arrived in inz about 7 PM  ‘we are getting ready to go into the old city to go to the Cathedral.

Friday and Saturday May 17 and 18

We spent the last three days visiting with family and friends,  I feel like I am eating my way through Europe as well as drinking.  We were invited to to our cousins for lunch dinner and coffee and cake.  It was like a progressive meal only it lasted all day.  After leaving our cousin Ossi's house we went to
Salzburg to see the wonderful view from the top of the mountains.  We never made it to see Mirabelle gardens but we had a wonderful lunch with beer wine and a dessert which got it's name from Salzburg.  We had a very nice visit with cousins Inge Hide and Fred.  They all seem to be doing well  we had a nice long walk in the town both last night and this morning. This morning we had a wonderful cappuccino in the backerei and shared a few pastries.  Fredi treated.   Our journey continued on this afternoon as we made our way to Passau. Upon arriving we went to drop off our luggage and the car. A nice young taxi driver led us to the car rental and then drove is back to the boat with a stop at the gas station to fill up the car.  I am behind on uploading photos and hope to do that tomorrow evening. Barb had a bloody nose this evening and we almost called an ambulance but it finally stopped with ice and some fresh air. 

May 16, 2013 Innsbruck to Traunreut

Today was a wonderful day in Innsbruck.  It was like being home again.  We took the cable car up to the top of the mountain and got the most awesome view of the Alps and Innsbruck below.  We all decided  that we need to return to Innsbruck and new the bicycle trail that follows the Inn river all the way to Passau.  We had a great reunion with our friend Anneliese and her husband and son.  Anneliese was in the refugee camp with me as a child.  We also went into the Alpen Zoo in Innsbruck.  It is a small zoo but has a number of animals.  The setting is very nice and the enclosures appeared to be very pleasant for the animals. 

May 16 Innsbruck

Today was an awesome day.  We stayed in a hostel last night so that meant we had to get out early this morning.  We were allowed to keep our baggage in the closet at the hostel.  The first thing we did was get breakfast and cappuccino in the outdoor café.  We then went on the cable car to the top of the mountains and got the most awesome view of the Alps.  Then we went to the Alpen Zoo which was in a very lovely setting on the side of the mountain..  It was late when we went so we could not see everything in the zoo.  We then rented a car at the airport and began our trip to Traunreut.  Along the way we stopped in Kufstein which was one of the places our parents were as refugees.  There is a large fortress there which is quite the landmark.  We sat by the river drinking cappuccino and eating pizza,,  We arrived late at Ossi and Elfi's home and had a wonderful meal with spatzel  The evening before we met with my friend in Innsbruck.  We both were in the same refugee camp near Innsbruck. 

Tuesday May 14 and Wednesday May 15

Tuesday May 14, 2013

Today was a bit hectic. We got up in the morning to have breakfast at the hotel just to find that our vouchers for meals didn’t cover the price of meals at the hotel. We decided to go very early to the airport so as to get our boarding passes.  We arrived at 11for a pass for the 6pm flight. We then had to check luggage at 2 at the soonest.  Then it was on to the gate where we waited from 2 till 6.  Kathy insisted that we wait in line to be the first onboard  Good thing because when we got to the front of the line to board, there was no record of us checking in … go figure.  But now we are on the plane and hopefully we will make it to Zurich.  I am tired of airports. Looking forward to seeing our family and friends. So far the flight has been good.  Watching a movie now called unbreakable with Bruce Willis. 

Arrived in Zurich but lost kathys luggage on the way.  Couldn't get a car because they were all booked.  We are on the train now enjoying our ride through the alps. 

 

Waiting in the airport hoping to get on the plane to zurich

We should be able to get on the plane but we just ran into another one of our fellow travelers. Who also missed his flight yesterday. He was confirmed to get on a plane to heathrow this morning after missing his flight last night but the flight was overbooked and he has been in the airport since 6am. He also was double booked into a room at the hotel last night which was quite a surprise for him and the other guests. He is also without his pain medications which they could or would not give out of his luggage. So if I think I have had a bad day I just look over at him. We are sitting here having cappuccino right now. There is an iPad at every table here in the airport so that is where I am writing from. I really do like this iPad metro airport has nothing to compare to this. I guess if I had to be stuck this isn't bad but I don't want to be stuck.  We will be driving from zurich to Switzerland tomorrow  looking forward to the drive along the Inn  Barbs rocks have told us where to go.

Monday the 13th isn’t any better than Friday the 13th

Monday the 13^th isn’t any better than Friday the 13th

 

 

A lot of airport and no flying.  We began our day with rushing to the airport to just wait for a plane to go to Toronto.  We could have walked faster.  At first the plane was delayed two hours then three and then four.  Finally a plane came to take us back to Toronto.  No one told us it was going to be the smallest plane in the fleet.  The good thing is everyone had an aisle seat and a window seat.  No overhead storage for luggage.  Once we arrived in Canada the plane we were supposed to fly to Munich had already gone.  Two hours later we were booked on a flight to Zurich for the following evening as apparently Air Canada only goes to Europe once a day.  You heard me.  I wasn’t too thrilled.  As you can imagine my companions and I drowned our sorrows in alcohol.  We were provided with a few meal tickets and sent off to a hotel which by the way only does its internet on a daily basis and therefore I am not currently online and will have to publish later.  So this will be old news.  Hopefully things will not get more exciting.  I didn’t pay all this money to see Canada.  I could have gone to the river to see that.  Strange thing was when we went to get our luggage it was supposed to be on carousel 13 but of course it wasn’t so we went looking and eventually they had it on the carousel. 

More practice with my new surface.

I have been working on uploading and downloading pics to Facebook and the sky drive and copying to an external drive or sky drive. Here is one I found from our grand canyon trip.

Today I got my new surface tablet and I am practicing to blog on it so that I can keep you all up to date on my adventures.  I am liking it very much especially the super light and thin keyboard which I have chosen to use rather than the onscreen one.  Hoping this will make it possible for me to upload photos as I go.  It has a usb port and sd card reader,  I have not had the opportunity to use all the capability.  I am busy uploading German and English dictionary's as well as other books and travel guides.  I recently discovered the one note program and am trying to organize all my plans with that.  I will be able to access what I have done with my lap top on the sky drive.  Now I am in the process of doing laundry and packing but tis is just way more fun.