I have to pinch myself! I had almost given up hope of ever being in Paris and suddenly here I am emerging from Gare de Nord flanked by my three girls. Taxis! What an experience! After my horror time in Frankfurt there is no way I am letting any of my girls out of my sight but I can tell you now, Parisian taxi drivers do not like sharing the front seat of their cabs....at least not this one! After piling our luggage into the boot and the girls into the back seat I climbed in the front much to the absolute horror of our driver. Our ride to the Hotel Little in the Marais district reflected his displeasure and he was almost apoplectic by the time we arrived. We weren't exactly thrilled either, thinking we may well be killed on our first day by this maniac driver. I threw any number of euros at him just pleased to be safely standing on terra firma!
Hotel Little....what can I say that hasn't already been said in the name? After checking in we must have looked slightly deranged as we all stood in front of what we thought was the lift but would be lucky to fit more than 2 - 3 people. We questioned if it wasn't just for the luggage, and as our rooms were on the fourth and fifth floor, that's the purpose we used it for, loading our suitcases in then sending it up to stop at the floor four for somebody to unload. The girls had a room on the fourth floor while my room was up a staircase into the attic ...or 5th floor. While taking repose on the toilet your knees rested against the door and you had to kneel in the bath and use a nozzle to shower! Certainly not one of the most glamorous places we've ever stayed but we still laugh at the crazy experiences we had there.
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Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Regensburg
The Bavarian Alps is a beautiful part of the world and during the few days we were in Weiden we did a day trip to Regensburg. About an hours drive south, Regensburg is the most beautiful city, untouched during the war and once home, briefly, to Napolean.
It was a Sunday morning that we found ourselves in this historic township exploring the narrow cobbled streets and when we wandered into a magnificent Gothic church we were immediately halted by the exquisite sound of the church choir. The voices resounding throughout the church were breathtakingly pure......a moment in time that lives with you forever. If getting out of the major cities appeals, put Weiden and Regensburg on your list.
It was time to move on. By this stage middle daughter was also staying at the hotel with us (even though the room was only booked for two, we were bundled in together sharing beds (and the staff very kindly accommodated us all).
An early morning taxi spirited us away to the nearby train station where we caught our Paris-bound train. The rail system in Europe is amazing with changing trains a breeze. I never catch trains in Brisbane but this is a whole different story!
It was a Sunday morning that we found ourselves in this historic township exploring the narrow cobbled streets and when we wandered into a magnificent Gothic church we were immediately halted by the exquisite sound of the church choir. The voices resounding throughout the church were breathtakingly pure......a moment in time that lives with you forever. If getting out of the major cities appeals, put Weiden and Regensburg on your list.
It was time to move on. By this stage middle daughter was also staying at the hotel with us (even though the room was only booked for two, we were bundled in together sharing beds (and the staff very kindly accommodated us all).
An early morning taxi spirited us away to the nearby train station where we caught our Paris-bound train. The rail system in Europe is amazing with changing trains a breeze. I never catch trains in Brisbane but this is a whole different story!
Happy reunion in Weiden
Two hours from Frankfurt to Nurmberg by train and due to a slight 'stuff-up'.....not having a ticket, we missed the first train but managed the next one and two hours later we were finally in Weiden. A quick around this delightful town and then back to the hotel where the girls' host mother met us drove us home to Pertholhoffen, a small village with a population of about 200 in the Bavarian Alps. When the girls arrived home from school there was much laughter and excitement amongst the tears and hugs. Our host had prepared us a traditional German meal and while middle daughter supposedly has another week or two before finishing school, number one daughter is already waiting in the car to go back to the hotel with us. I'm too tired to comment either way.
We are booked into the Klassik Hotel am Tor Weiden (www.klassikhotel.de). This beautiful 16th century hotel, consisting in part of the old city bell tower is located n the historic centre of Weiden and when you emerge into the square you are close to all facilities including a number of restaurants. The Klassik is a family run hotel and the staff are extremely helpful. With their assistance we hire a car and, surprisingly, it doesn't take long to adapt to driving on the right side of the road, although I have the girls trained to yell "RIGHT HAND SIDE" when I'm turning.....just in case. There is plenty of snow around though this isn't an issue as the roads are constantly being snow ploughed.
We are booked into the Klassik Hotel am Tor Weiden (www.klassikhotel.de). This beautiful 16th century hotel, consisting in part of the old city bell tower is located n the historic centre of Weiden and when you emerge into the square you are close to all facilities including a number of restaurants. The Klassik is a family run hotel and the staff are extremely helpful. With their assistance we hire a car and, surprisingly, it doesn't take long to adapt to driving on the right side of the road, although I have the girls trained to yell "RIGHT HAND SIDE" when I'm turning.....just in case. There is plenty of snow around though this isn't an issue as the roads are constantly being snow ploughed.
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
First tentative steps on foreign soil
We finally arrive in Frankfurt and breeze through customs heading to the terminal doors that lead straight across the road to the train station or "bahnhoff". It's early morning and we are not booked on a train to Nuremburg till early afternoon. I decide I will go to the main ticket office and try for an earlier train and, rather than dragging all the luggage and daughter around, I give strict instructions to 'stay put with luggage', 'don't talk to strangers' and that I would be 'right back'! I should now mention I have zero sense of direction and when I turn back to the platform I thought I'd left her at she is nowhere to be found. Did I mention she was twelve?
In an instant I am hysterical running up and down platforms imagining the worst possible outcomes and by the time I locate two young policemen I am on the verge of hysteria trying desperately to relay my story via some weird multi-lingual charade. Suddenly in the distance I see my little blond beauty struggling toward me with the suitcases.......I have been out of Brisbane for less than 24 hours and already managed to lose my daughter! There are hugs and kisses all around and promises of never letting her out of my sight again. "Thank yous" for the police who seem mildly amused by the lunatic tourist they have just encountered.......at least we are able to board an earlier train thus our journey continues.
I should add that catching trains from Frankfurt airport is not in the least bit complicated with the station right next door and the stylish trains run with typical German efficiency.
In an instant I am hysterical running up and down platforms imagining the worst possible outcomes and by the time I locate two young policemen I am on the verge of hysteria trying desperately to relay my story via some weird multi-lingual charade. Suddenly in the distance I see my little blond beauty struggling toward me with the suitcases.......I have been out of Brisbane for less than 24 hours and already managed to lose my daughter! There are hugs and kisses all around and promises of never letting her out of my sight again. "Thank yous" for the police who seem mildly amused by the lunatic tourist they have just encountered.......at least we are able to board an earlier train thus our journey continues.
I should add that catching trains from Frankfurt airport is not in the least bit complicated with the station right next door and the stylish trains run with typical German efficiency.
The big day finally arrives!
The suitcases have been packed for at least three weeks! I had attempted to foresee every imaginable situation that we might find ourselves in and pack accordingly.....not easy when going from a Brisbane summer to a German winter for the first time. The magic day finally arrived and with our overstuffed suitcases we found ourselves at the airport. I was overwhelmed with excitement and sooo ready. We had dressed for our final destination. Jeans jumper, new RM William boots while youngest daughter was in the new thermal tracksuit I had paid a small fortune for.
Lesson 1 - Dress comfortably - wear loose clothing. These days I choose a skirt or leggings but never trousers....think of those pant legs dragging on the floor, now think of all the male passengers who have used the loo before you. I think you get the picture :). Wear a T-shirt or similar. Yes it's going to be cold when you arrive but it's warm on the aircraft. Take layers and you can always ask for an extra blanket. Wear 'slip-on' shoes a half size too big. Your feet swell during flight and it's a lot easier to remove them when going through security checks. Besides, you will wear them often in hotels to slip into to go down for breakfast.
Singapore Airport was overwhelming. It seemed to take forever to walk the corridors to finally come upon the cafes serving steaming coffee and early morning bagels and an amazing array of designer stores like open-mouthed wolves in sheep's clothing enticing the wide-eyed first time travellers into their lairs. Obligatory coffee and new t-shirts, we are ready to board for the next leg of our journey to Frankfurt. It doesn't matter how much I travel, I'm always overwhelmed with the excitement of the adventure ahead.
Lesson 1 - Dress comfortably - wear loose clothing. These days I choose a skirt or leggings but never trousers....think of those pant legs dragging on the floor, now think of all the male passengers who have used the loo before you. I think you get the picture :). Wear a T-shirt or similar. Yes it's going to be cold when you arrive but it's warm on the aircraft. Take layers and you can always ask for an extra blanket. Wear 'slip-on' shoes a half size too big. Your feet swell during flight and it's a lot easier to remove them when going through security checks. Besides, you will wear them often in hotels to slip into to go down for breakfast.
Singapore Airport was overwhelming. It seemed to take forever to walk the corridors to finally come upon the cafes serving steaming coffee and early morning bagels and an amazing array of designer stores like open-mouthed wolves in sheep's clothing enticing the wide-eyed first time travellers into their lairs. Obligatory coffee and new t-shirts, we are ready to board for the next leg of our journey to Frankfurt. It doesn't matter how much I travel, I'm always overwhelmed with the excitement of the adventure ahead.
The very start!
I actually had fun writing my recent blog so have decided to keep going....even though my tales will all be nostalgic glimpses of past trips. In earlier times I did travel to not so distant shores...Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Fiji, even as far as Hong Kong.......but the ultimate "BIG" trip to Europe seemed just a dream.
In 2003, I was completing a double degree at uni, my son was working and my three daughters were in grades 12, 10 and 8. Middle daughter submitted an essay for a German competition, and out of all on the east coast of Australia....won! Barely 15 and brimming with excitement (while I tried to hide my growing trepidation) she was soon on her way to Deutschland. Within a nano second the phone calls started as she sobbed daily pleading to come home. It was heartbreaking but we tried to placate the situation by assuring her it was a great honour and things would get better....they didn't.......so we then sent number one daughter over as her companion.
So I now found myself in the prime of my life with my two babies in Europe and me stuck in Bris-Vegas! It was too much! Hubby never wanted to go.....USA was his thing....same language, similar culture.... but I threw down the gauntlet......youngest daughter and I were going, so either take time off work and meet us over there, or stay at home on your own! One thing hubby hates more than anything....time on his own.
In 2003, I was completing a double degree at uni, my son was working and my three daughters were in grades 12, 10 and 8. Middle daughter submitted an essay for a German competition, and out of all on the east coast of Australia....won! Barely 15 and brimming with excitement (while I tried to hide my growing trepidation) she was soon on her way to Deutschland. Within a nano second the phone calls started as she sobbed daily pleading to come home. It was heartbreaking but we tried to placate the situation by assuring her it was a great honour and things would get better....they didn't.......so we then sent number one daughter over as her companion.
So I now found myself in the prime of my life with my two babies in Europe and me stuck in Bris-Vegas! It was too much! Hubby never wanted to go.....USA was his thing....same language, similar culture.... but I threw down the gauntlet......youngest daughter and I were going, so either take time off work and meet us over there, or stay at home on your own! One thing hubby hates more than anything....time on his own.