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European Holiday and River Cruising Memoirs

Monthly Archives: August 2013

Keukenhof Garden – A Kaleidoscope of Spring colour

30 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Amsterdam to Budapest, Keukenhof, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Travelling in Europe, Uncategorized

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Tags

Amsterdam, Australia, Ditty, Double Peach Blossum, Floriade, Hainaut, Jazz, Keukenhof, Lisse, Netherland, Nick Lucas

Double Peach Blossom Tulip

Double Peach Blossom Tulip

Tulips blossom

birds sing;

Keukenhof’s pretty magical every spring

With petals delicate,

And colours bright

There’s always so much to delight

For all who visit

These flowers incite

A “joy de verve”… AND spirit light.

Playing with rhyme – A Ditty: KidazzleInk, 2013 (Inspired by a recent visit to Keukenhof in Spring).

More Colourful Peach Blossums

More Colourful Peach Blossums

Every year from around late March to mid May the Internationally acclaimed Keukenhof Gardens burst into their kaleidoscope of spring colour, with millions of tulip flowers, themed pavilions, fun family activities, musical events and a grand manifesto of different exhibitions. International visitors flock to these gardens from all around the world to visit the colourful floral displays and spectacular array of other activities on offer, which at different times have included Cultural Tributes, Folkloric Groups, Bird Exhibits, Easter Fun and lots more.

Red Tulips

Red Tulips

I’m told Keukenhof has now been opening to the public every year for just over sixty years. It was first established way back in 1949 and is believed to be the biggest garden in the world.

Being located in Southern Holland near the small town of Lisse, it is only a short journey of just under an hour from Amsterdam. The garden was created on what was once a 15th Century hunting ground. Back then it also provided a source of herbs for the gracious Countess Jacqueline who lived at nearby Hainaut’s Castle. Today this same Castle is known as the Keukenhof Castle and it too is open to public at different times.

Keukenhof on a Wet Day

Keukenhof on a Wet Day

My dearly beloved and I travelled out to see the garden on a very bright and  colourful, flower themed “tulip bus” that conveniently left right from the centre of Amsterdam.

Despite the chilly, wet weather that day, I totally enjoyed the whole experience. Mind you, my dearly beloved was probably not quite as enthusiastic as I was! But even he showed some amazement at the enormous variety of tulips on display. I absolutely loved the Double Peach blossoms. Everyone back here in Australia is amazed that they actually belong to the tulip family as they look more like a delicate rose!

Red and White Tulips

Red and White Tulips

Oh and I must say dearly beloved, seemed  quite taken by the dark velvety richness of  the Black Tulip.

As you can see, I took sooo many photos. And I could truly have taken a whole lot more had it been a nice sunny day. I would have liked to have been able to photograph more of the outdoor garden as well, but never mind.

Pink Tulips

Pink Tulips

It was fabulous and  I know I’ll go back again one day. I’ve already started planning on a visit for Floriade (another Netherland’s spectacular) in 2022! Yes I know it’s some way off  but I’m learning it pays to plan ahead! Takes my mind of the more mundane things in life!!

Daffodils and Hyacinths

Daffodils and Hyacinths

Gorgeous Red and Gold

Gorgeous Red and Gold

White and Yellow

White and Yellow

So soft and delicate

So soft and delicate

HERE ARE SOME Other Recent Tulip BLOGS I FOUND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHECK THEM OUT ALSO:

Keukenhof, Amsterdam (retired2travel.wordpress.com)

Nick Lucas (American jazz musician, 1897-1982) – Tiptoe through the Tulips, 1929 (fincheswings.wordpress.com)

The secret to growing tulips (metalroofingcolorshq.com)

What to do in Amsterdam (pressedwordsat.wordpress.com)

From Austria to The Netherlands – From Mozart’s country to the land of the tulips

28 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Austria to the Netherlands, Uncategorized

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Austria to Amsterdam, Dr Seuss, Keukenhof, The Netherlands, The Places You Will Go

“You’re moving on to new places! You’re off and away…

Your journey is calling, today is the day!

You’re sad to be leaving, Yet glad to be going,

Your flight is awaiting. Keep moving…keep going…

“Be off now, just go” ….Get on your way.

Set up that Sat Nav and keep going I say”

― Adapted from that wonderfully philosophical little Dr. Seuss book, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”

Amsterdam Harbour

Amsterdam Harbour

Isn’t it funny how our lives can be such a mixed bag of feelings and emotions, even on the most exciting of days.

Afterall, today was to be a big transition day for us… shouldn’t we have actually been more excited (far less introspective) about the prospect of moving on?

Bad Gastein

Bad Gastein

We were going to be travelling from lovely little Bad Gastein, in the Austrian Alps, to the extremely busy Franz Joseph Strauss Airport in Munich (by car …er oh no!!!), then on by plane through Oslo Airport and into Schiphol in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It was a very big day!

The Eye Film Institute Building in Amsterdam

The Eye Film Institute Building in Amsterdam

YES, we were a bit keyed up about leaving; YES we were looking forward to exploring new countries. YES we were interested in becoming acquainted with both the contemporary and the historical aspects of Western European culture …… and….. YES we actually did want to continue exploring, and “to be on our way”!

Tulips at Keukenhof

Tulips at Keukenhof

More Beautiful Tulips

More Beautiful Tulips

I was particularly looking forward to discovering Amsterdam’s Spring landscapes which I’d only ever seen in photographs and movies before. My camera was ready and waiting. I was also looking forward to seeing the canals, the historic windmills, lots and lots of lovely golden daffodils, the colourful flower fields and the amazing splendour of the tulips at the Keukenhof Gardens.

Colourful flower farm.

Colourful flower farm.

But you know deep inside….. both of us were also “kinda sad”…. (maybe even a BIG BIT SAD).

After all, we were now going to be leaving this new, magical, mist-shrouded country where Mozart was born and we’d really only just started exploring it. We were going to be leaving this Austrian landscape that had already created such beautiful memories and rekindled our work-weary spirits (well – except of course when driving in the car as you know– and you’ve already heard way too much about my tormented “wrong side of the road scariness” and all that stuff)! Anyway, we knew we would even miss the village church bells ringing through the wilderness AND….., sadly it was going to be a very, VERY LONG TIME before we could return.

Over our past four night stay at the comfortable alpine resort called the “Bellevue Mondi” we had started to feel like we’d found a new home away from home. We had great views, peaceful surroundings, plenty of cooking facilities, and some wonderful hosts downstairs who were able to provide us with anything from a light cuppa to a full buffet, depending on our fancy at any particular time.

Staff at BelleMondi

Staff at the BelleMondi

For the past few days we’d been able to pull back, to relax, to unwind and to spend time just expanding our significant connections….both with each other and with our inner selves. We were able to take on a whole new aura… a completely new and invigorating focus… able to kick back and explore who we were away from the usual ho-hum of the daily routines back at home.

Everything around us had slowed to a much more relaxing pace. For the first time (in quite a long time) we had been presented with moments where we could just sit and ponder…..to really look at the clouds…..to discuss and marvel at snow on the mountains in the distance, and to restore personal inner peace….we were quickly developing a less work intrusive sense of personal perspective…reacquainting ourselves with who we really are.

However, I have to say, my dearly beloved probably wasn’t able to fully relax just yet. After all, he was still working, working, working,…. not all the time….but certainly at various times throughout the quieter periods of the day and even sometimes even in the wee small hours of the morning.

Bakery down below the Bellevue Mondi.

Bakery down below the Bellevue Mondi.

But today was the day….we were going to be on our way. We arose early…… (no make that extremely early…. Around 4.00am Austrian time in fact)!!

We were soon brushing the sleet from the windscreen of the glossy little black beamer and loading her up..… this beautiful but temporary little BMW would soon be ours no more. We would have to say our goodbye to it later in the morning.

As we drove off into the darkness our thoughts became more taken up by practicalities. Where were we going, how were we going to get there and how long would it take? We were soon wishing we’d spent just a little more time really getting to know how the Sat Nav worked!! Maybe, with a little bit more forward planning our unfolding driving adventures back to Franz Josef Strauss Airport in Munich may have been a little less stressful and eventful! At the very least, let me say that when one is in Germany, it is highly advisable to take a little time to plan out your trip and to really sort your Strauss’s from your StraBes….especially if you are hoping to arrive at your desired destination in a somewhat calm and timely fashion!

Munich Airport

Munich Airport

Oh well just look on the bright side….we actually got to do a little bit of extra, unplanned sightseeing!!

Hohenwerfen – On the wings of an eagle

23 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Uncategorized

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10th Kingdom, Austria, Castle, Falconry, Photography heaven, Salzach, Salzburg, Werfen, Where Eagles Dare, Zell Am See

Hohenwerfen Castle in  Werfen Austria

Travelling back from our morning of sightseeing in the village of Zell Am See, we decided to spend an hour or two just kicking back and exploring our “first castle”. We stopped in the little township of Werfen, which is in the Salzach Valley, Salzburg District, Austria, and some 40klm from the city of Salzburg itself.

From way up high in the mighty bell tower at the summit of the castle, you could almost feel as though you’d escaped your mortal roots and ascended onto a heavenly plain…. Floating on high with the angels and the eagles. Needless to say, the views from the top were, quite simply spectacular – stretching way out as far as the eyes could see and taking in all of the surrounding countryside for miles and miles around.

It was truly a “photographer’s paradise”….so many wonderful photographic opportunities.

Where Eagles Dare

Hohenwerfen was originally built in about the 10th Century A.D. The castle is reported to have taken on many and varied roles throughout the ages past. At differing times it has been used as a fortress, a prison, a military base, a hunting retreat and, much more recently, as a training ground for Austrian Gendarmerie (which was a rural military force bestowed with general police duties that existed in the last century).

The castle’s history throughout the ages has been quite eventful. It has survived two previous fires and been made famous by movies….

Where Eagles Dare, Just Married and The 10th Kingdom have all featured scenery of this majestic residence.

The Chapel

Today it mainly serves as an “Adventure Castle” for tourists and sightseers who, like ourselves, will travel from all around the world to become acquainted with its mediaeval past and historically rich treasures. Even within the short, couple of hours we spent there, we were able to explore the fortress chapel, the armoury and arsenal, many of the different implements of early torture, the pitch kitchen, the canons, and so much more.

Implements of Torture

Implements of Torture 2

The exciting highlight of our afternoon at Hohenwerfen was a rather impressive falconry display which provided us with an opportunity to acquaint ourselves with the high art of falconry from a very close range. This last video link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoelMLY3SdI.will take you to a You Tube video showing this impressive falconry display if you decide to visit.

Falconry 5

These beautiful birds were spectacular in flight. There were vultures, red kites, owls and several others.

Falconry 1

What an amazingly interesting afternoon…. All in all another great day!

Falconry 3

Falconry 2

Zell Am See – Lost in an intoxicatingly beautiful landscape

21 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Austria, Bad Gastein, Uncategorized, Zell Am See

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Australia, Austria, Austrian Alps, Bad Gastein, BMW, Central Eastern Alps, Gold Coast, John Lennon, Zell Am See

“Just as a glass of fine wine can renew the soul at the end of a long stress-filled day, so too can an intoxicatingly, beautiful landscape rejuvenate the depleted spirit and bring renewed joy to the recesses of our immortalised journeys.”  KidazzleInk

The intoxicatingly beautiful lake at Zell Am See

The intoxicatingly beautiful lake at Zell Am See

Totally excited by the prospect of spending yet another exhilarating day, venturing out into Austria’s chartreuse green landscape, snow-capped mountains and tiffany blue waters, we decided to arise early.

The glorious morning vista of the Austrian Alps was beckoning just outside our window. Once again, it was so totally mesmerizing. The mountains were shrouded in their usual, whimsical mists.

For a brief time, we actually enjoyed just sitting back, relaxing, and watching yet another beautiful sunrise.

After a light breakfast, we eagerly gathered a few basic belongings together; our Austrian map, my beloved camera, my beloved’s mobile phone, our new BMW keys and warm overcoats…..

Then we were on our way.

Driving off into the Austrian Alps

Driving off into the Austrian Alps

Driving out of Bad Gastein (our carefully chosen base on this Austrian leg of our holiday) we meandered off towards the charming little lakeside village of Zell Am See. We’d previously been advised by our very reputable and, indeed, internationally-knowledgeable neighbours back at home (back in God’s own Country) on the Gold Coast in Australia, that this lovely Austrian “Lakes District” would be well positioned within one of Austria’s most picturesque regions.

We were already motoring and we were very enthusiastic about the opportunity to spend some more time exploring these new scenic surroundings.

As we drove, the valleys appeared to glow like green, peridot sapphires. Floating clouds and mists continually wafted across the melting, snow-capped peaks. Water from the run-off flooded into the little creeks and then on into rivers and lakes, making them appear an amazing, snowy-shade of tiffany blue.

You know…..the Austrian landscape is always so breathtakingly beautiful! Our Australian neighbours had been right yet again.

More scenic beauty.

More scenic beauty.

Yet, despite these amazing surroundings, my personal monsters were once again returning. My internalised fears about the right-handed driving experience were again, inexplicably intruding. Sadly, I can’t lay any claim to exhibiting very much in the way of helpful, or even remotely well-mannered, co-pilot behavior during this journey. I would have to admit to again being quite terrified by the prospect of driving on (what, I firmly believed to be) the WRONG SIDE OF THE CAR and the WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD! I have previously written about these personal, overly-dramatic driving dilemmas in another recent post entitled, John Lennon: Fear and Love. Today, sad to say, was definitely no different….especially for my poor dearly-beloved as he suffered yet more of my vocal distress.

Thankfully, the beauty of the region just kept drawing us in and moving us forward.

On arrival in the pretty little township of Zell Am Zee, we found ourselves rather ill prepared for the day’s sightseeing, which we had hoped, would take us all the way into the old-town area or “Altstadt”, and quite naturally past the lake of Zell Am See itself. We had an old map, but it offered little detail in relation to the roads within the township….… we had access to the BMWs Sat Nav but we were still complete novices when it came to using it….. we had no Google connections on our mobile phones and amazingly……we had absolutely no of idea where we were going!

The plan had been to visit the Zell Am See Information Centre soon after arrival. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t find it – the centre certainly wasn’t where we had imagined it would be.

Resourcefully, we quickly decided to ask some of the friendly locals (who miraculously spoke a little bit of broken English). With thanks to these lovely “oh so kindly and oh so helpful Austrians” we were soon heading off again, now following them in the direction they knew we needed to go.

However, even despite their best endeavours, they never actually succeeded in getting us to our final destination. Don’t ask why …..we just simply managed to turn off prematurely yet again!!!

Finding ourselves with somewhat depleted spirits, we decided to take some time to console ourselves and order an early lunch. Our grumbling stomachs were already telling us that breakfast had been a rather long time ago.

Outside Sasha's in Zell Am See.

Outside Sascha’s in Zell Am See.

Sasha's - one of our wonderfully convivial hosts - possibly Sasha himself but I'm not sure.

Sascha’s – one of our wonderfully convivial hosts – possibly Sascha himself but I’m not sure.

Would you believe, we were now conveniently parked outside a very captivatingly trendy little café called “Sascha’s”, on what I think may well have been the Eastern side of the little township!

I can only say that both of our Guardian Angels must now have started overseeing the day’s events!!

Sasha's - oh so yummy food

Sascha’s – oh so yummy food

Sasha's- the snow-white fur covered alfresco dining area

Sascha’s- the snow-white fur covered alfresco dining area

Sasha’s little café was just glorious with its comforting, snow-white, fur-covered alfresco dining areas; its warm, inviting interiors and its gracious and oh-so- accommodating owners. It was most convivial, modern, relaxed and somewhat up-market with fresh cream leather lounges, purple-neon lighting, and a menu of deliciously varied offerings. What more could one ask for on this somewhat chilly and disorienting spring morning? And yes…..  our glamorously dressed hosts proved to be exceedingly charming too and soooo obliging. We left this lovely little eatery with a renewed vigour…. a recharged spirit that would soon spur us on to find both the scenic lakes-district and the historical old-town or “Altstadt”!

We found it at last! The Altstadt in Zell Am See.

We found it at last! The Altstadt in Zell Am See.

Walking beside the lake in Zell Am See

Walking beside the lake in Zell Am See

More of the Alstadt in Zell Am See

More of the Alstadt in Zell Am See

Shopping in the Altstadt at Zell Am See

Shopping in the Altstadt at Zell Am See

St Hippolyte's Church Zell Am See

St Hippolyte’s Church Zell Am See

Magnificent entry to st Hippolyte's Church

Magnificent entry to st Hippolyte’s Church

A Day in Salzburg – “Salt Castle”

16 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Austria, Salzburg, Uncategorized

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Austria, Mozart, Mozartkugel, Salzach, Salzburg, Sound of Music, UNESCO, World Heritage Site

Mozart Chocolate Shop in Salzburg

Mozart Chocolate Shop in Salzburg

Salzburg (which can be translated as “Salt Castle”) is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage city to visit in Austria. We found it was brim full of things to see and do; so many in fact, that we couldn’t possibly have done them all in just the one day we had set aside for our visit. There were beautiful gardens in spring bloom, castles, palaces, cathedrals and bus tours.

Spring colour

Spring colour

Being Mozart’s birthplace, Salzburg continues to hold a very special notoriety in operatic history. Perched majestically on the Salzach River it was evidently originally named after the salt barges that used to carry salt along the river and its tributaries back in the 8th century.

Home beside the Salzach River

Home beside the Salzach River

It is also well known as the city where the Sound of Music was filmed back in the 1960’s. There are even sightseeing tours that pay tribute to the film makers and explore the beautiful landscapes where the movie was originally filmed.

On the lake

On the lake

While there, my better half and I took advantage of the opportunity to visit the Old Town Area along with Mozart’s childhood home. We also enjoyed a city bus tour and visited some of the gardens.

Interesting Bloom - not sure of its name

Interesting Bloom – not sure of its name

I must say we were very, very tempted by the incredible looking Mozart chocolate shop but (on this particular day at least) we managed to exercise some significant willpower and refrain from giving in to the chocolate temptation!

Mozart's birth place

Mozart’s birth place

City: Salzburg

Population: 146 thousand

Area: 66 square kilometres

Our top 8 things to see and do in Salzburg:

Mozart’s Birthplace

Salzburg Old Town Area

Hellbrunn Castle

Red Bull Hangar

Mirrabell Palace and Gardens

Salzburg Cathedral

Hohensalzburg

Sound of Music and city Bus Tours

Bad Gastein – R & R in the Hohe Tauern National Park

14 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Bad Gastein, Holidays, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Uncategorized

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

Austria, Bad Gastein, Central Eastern Alps, Gastein Ladies, Grimm Brothers, Madame Curie, Queens, Walt Disney

Bad Gastein on a Magical Foggy Morning

Bad Gastein on a Magical Foggy Morning

Austria is simply amazing.

Bad Gastein, which falls within the Salzburg Provence in Austria, is one of those remarkable little gems that you only ever uncover very occasionally – usually just once in every so often, and mostly when you’re not really looking for anything in particular. This was just such a special place – a small town …a village, where my dearly beloved and I could rest, relax and restore our inner vitality after some early travel sickness had taken a heavy toll.

Beautiful Belle Epoque Architecture

Beautiful Belle Epoque Architecture

Bad Gastein prides itself on its beautiful Belle Époque Buildings, morning mists (that clear to blue skies by early afternoon), snow-covered mountains and church bells that ring at different times during the day. It is truly magical. There are both summer and winter activities available within the majestic national park that surrounds – Hohe Tauern National Park.

Church bells ring

Church bells ring

It wasn’t long after our arrival that I realized I would love to be able to visit this charming little township far more regularly. For now, I knew I just wanted to envelope myself in its history and warmth…..somehow I felt a strange connection with it all.

It was “a captivating village….a land of R & R, a place where fairy tales may not have been written but where they could have easily come to life.” During our short, five day stay, I actually thought that Walt Disney or, maybe even one of the Grimm Brothers themselves, might materialize through the early morning mists, and linger awhile, in order to chat and perhaps even pen another charming little folktale.”

I’ve been told that Bad Gastein first became fashionable as a holiday resort in the Austrian Alps during the 19th Century.

The Township on the lower hills

The Township on the lower hills

Back then, absolutely everybody (well everybody who was somebody at that time) would visit for their annual holidays. Kings, Queens, Lords and Nobles all graced this pretty little picturesque landscape. Royals came, not only to relax and enjoy the incredible beauty of the province but also, to renew themselves; reconnect with close family, restore inner life, and promote/foster their own physical health and well-being.

Enormous Waterfall Bad Gastein

Enormous Waterfall Bad Gastein

The township and surrounding area is well known for its enormous waterfall and thermal springs. Madame Curie and Heindrich Mache are said to have discovered that the natural thermal waters around Bad Gastein were very rich in radon. Gas from these springs is evidently trapped in the Heilstollen (literally ‘healing tunnel’) within the rocks under the Tauern Mountains. People still travel long distances to undergo health treatments at he Gasteiner Heilostollen.

Throughout recent history, many have enjoyed relaxing and rejuvenating (R & R) holidays in the township, at the spas and in the beautiful surrounding mountains and valleys.

I truly hope that we’ll be lucky enough to visit again one day.

Sadly, however, Australia is such a long way from Austria. I know they say there are definitely ‘no Kangaroos’ in Austria!! But “WOW” there is beauty to be admired everywhere – just like at home – both places would have to be very much a part of “Gods own Country!”

God's own Country

God’s own Country

In spite of the distances, I do really hope to go back one day. (Not sure if my better half is listening at the moment!) “Can you hear me?” I said, “I’d like to go back!!!”

At the very least, I’ll always remember the peaceful beauty of charming little Bad Gastein.

Bad Gastein Township

Bad Gastein Township

Village: Bad Gastein

Population: About 5 thousand

Area: 170.6 square kilometers

Our Top 10 things to do and see in Bad Gastein:

Historical Walking Tour,   Spa,   Gasteiner Museum,   Waterfall,  Gasteiner Heilstollen,   Casino,   Hiking,  Skiing,   Cycling,   Canyoning and Rafting.

Bad Gastein Casino

Bad Gastein Casino

Great Day Trips from Bad Gastein in a hire car:

Salzburg

Hohenwerfen Castle and Falconry Display

Werfen Ice Caves

Zell Am See

Greatest Regrets:

That we didn’t stay longer and that we didn’t get to the ice caves at Werfen

 

John Lennon – Fear and Love

09 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Austria, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Uncategorized

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Tags

Alps, Austria, Bavaria, Beatle, BMW, Fear, John Lennon, Love, Munich

The breathtaking beauty of the snow-capped Alps, with their wide green valleys below, was totally captivating, drawing us in like bees to a honey pot.

The Magical Alps near Werfen

The Magical Alps near Werfen

We were on our way from Bavaria to Austria. With such magnificent scenery surrounding us it was hard to believe, that on this particular day, the hills were alive ……… not with music but with my own fear and pandemonium!

The Gastein Valley

John Lennon was totally right when he said, “There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid we pull back from life. When we are in love we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement and acceptance.

On this particular day, surrounded by all of this beauty, I was undergoing my own inner- battles.

The Austrian Alps

The Austrian Alps

I was so totally passionate and “in love’ with the absolutely mesmerizing landscapes that were unveiling before my eyes and yet, at the same time, so absolutely terrorized by my better half’s driving, as he was learning to travel on the right hand side of the road.

Should we open up to all that life had to offer on that day or should we indeed pull back and remove ourselves from this terrifying experience altogether? My thoughts spiralled around inside my head. “Should we stop? Isn’t this all too much? Maybe we should give it a miss! Maybe we could just return to Munich and catch up on some of the wonderful sightseeing back there that we’ve missed due to our previous few days of illness.”

But somehow the beauty of these remarkable Alps just kept drawing us in. My love for this amazingly stunning scenery was actually the main thing that kept me going despite my massive fears. At the back of my mind I just kept trying to tell myself.…”It’s only just like riding a bike. You know, you’ll get used to travelling on the wrong side of the road. Give it a chance. Just don’t think about it. For goodness sakes, close your eyes!”

Despite my rampaging inner dialogue, and despite my beloved’s growing chagrin, I was still extremely prone to breaking down and exhibiting full-blown tantrum-like behaviours with utterances such as:   “Ahhhhhh! For goodness sake move over towards the middle of the road will you! We nearly hit that signpost just back there! What are you trying to do anyway –kill us or something?”

I’m sure that all of these uncontrolled outbursts must have taken a toll. Certainly, it took away, from what could, and should have been, a totally enjoyable new experience test driving our sleek new black “Beamer” (BMW) which we had just rented for the 5 day journey through Austria.

Beautiful Black Beamer (BMW)

Beautiful Black Beamer (BMW)

At the very least I know my own fears and undignified behaviour were taking their toll on my husband. He started to echo his own little mantra:

“Concentrate,

Concentrate…

Keep to the Right. Look to the Left.

Keep to the right. Look to the Left.

Concentrate!”

Driving into the Austrian Alps

Driving into the Austrian Alps

Mercifully we did survive after all. Despite my high anxiety levels associated with driving on the “WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD” Austria and the Alps are still among my absolute favourite places in the world. In spite of the irrational fears, it was the amazingly beautiful scenery that had encouraged me to “open up to all that life had to offer with passion, excitement and acceptance.”

Spring in Munchen, Barvaria

07 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Holidays, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Bauma, Bavaria, BMW Museum, Germany, Marienplatz, Munich, Nymphenburg Palace, Queensland

As the wheels touched down, we knew we had actually survived the long haul journey from Australia.

Spring is in the Air- Munich Shopping 2013

Our beloved Gold Coast (aka, God’s own country/ our homeland) now seemed such a long, long way away. It was already some twenty-eight or so travel hours behind us. While memories of Queensland, will always be memories of true paradise, due to the region’s absolute natural beauty……. for now, they were fading quickly.

This large new cosmopolitan city with its age-old cultural highlights and urban, Germanic lifestyle,  was presently clamouring for our undivided attention.

Despite our travel weariness, we had to acknowledge that deep inside we knew our real adventures were only just beginning.

Finally, we had landed in Munich, Germany (locally known as Munchen to the Bavarian Regional Natives).

Golden Statue at Franz Joseph Airport Munich

Yes… here we were at the Franz Joseph Airport….We’d travelled half way round the globe and we had now actually landed in the northern hemisphere.

We’d arrived. It was Spring.

The air was still quite chilly after the long northern winter that had hung on for so long this year. The early morning was about to unveil our new agendas.

Despite the jet lag, we were off to visit the once-in-every-three-year, big machinery and construction expo called  Bauma, in down town Munich (known well and eagerly attended by all of those in the building and construction industries). My better half was more excited than I felt he should have been by such a work related prospect. Meanwhile, his better half was rather tired and weary, and yet, still somewhat curious about how the day might unfold.

But first, there were the usual mundane quandaries to attend to such as customs, luggage collection and geographical orientation —“Where was our hotel anyway and where were we in relation to its location?” These were the serious questions of the moment. Despite beginning to negotiate our way through the added difficulties of language translation and cultural orientation, we were already feeling that this was indeed a great and magical place to be. Somehow an element of ethereal happiness was wrapping us in its cocoon.

Grand Architecture at Kempinski Hotel Munich

Wide Open Expanses -Kempinski Hotel Munich Airport

Our accommodation booking was for the architecturally grand Kempinski Hotel, in Terminal 2, at Franz Joseph Airport. The Kempinski Hotel at the airport is just one of those buildings that has to stand out in a crowd, with its dazzling glass and steel structure and its wide open expanses. The grandness certainly wasn’t lost on us. “Just amazing”, we thought as we looked on it for the very first time.

Rainbow Tunnel that connects the Kempinski Hotel to Franz Joseph Airport Munich

Rainbow Tunnel that connects the Kempinski Hotel to Franz Joseph Airport Munich

We were truly exhausted, yet amazingly, still oh so very alive with the freshness of the early morning experience. It wasn’t yet 6.00am. and we were excited by the prospect that our first day in the Bavarian Capital was only just about to dawn.

City:     Munich

Population: 1.4 million

Area: 310 square kilometres

Our top 10 things to see and do in Munich:

Bauma; Old Pinakothek; Marienplatz; Nymphenburg Palace, BMW Museum, Barvarian National Museum, Olympia Park; Allianz Arena; Munich Zoo; Munich Botanic Garden

Allianz Arena Munich

Allianz Arena Munich

Great Day Trips from Munich:

Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castles

Berchtesgaden and Eagle’s Nest

Romantic Road, Rothenburg and Harburg

 Salzburg and Lake District

Greatest Regrets:

Sadly we didn’t actually get to see even half of the above due to both of us getting sick shortly after arrival in Munich but we will go back again one day as there is just so much to do and see.

Spring in Munich

Spring in Munich

Classical Architecture - Munich City

Classical Architecture – Munich City

One lonely little travel pillow and a pink toweling massage cushion

02 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Packing, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Transit Hotel, travel, Travel Pillow, Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Asia, Brisbane, Changi International Airport, Germany, Massage, Munich, Singapore, Singapore Changi Airport

The phone rang shrilly echoing in the silent blackness. Startled, we sprang quickly into sitting positions. “What was that?” …..”Where were we?”

The immediate surroundings were strangely dark and unfamiliar.

A lonely little travel pillow and a pink toweling massage cushion

A lonely little travel pillow and a pink toweling massage cushion

Turning on the light, we quickly looked all over. We could see our many belongings spilling across the room. There were small suit cases, toiletry bags, changes of clothes, jeans, a laptop, mobile phones, my beloved camera and even a couple of heavy overcoats (heavy overcoats in Singapore we must be nuts after all!!) There was a little pink toweling massager just in case one of us happened to suffer a cricked neck on the plane. You know the story…”I had to pack it just in case!”

And lastly there was still one…yes only just one, top-of-the-range, lonely little travel pillow laying on the desk in the room. You see my dearly beloved had already lost his this morning, even before we flew out of Brisbane. It had never been used, not once and it was gone already!!

Needless to say I had a few thoughts of my own about this!! Ah but, better to keep my health and keep them to myself, at least for now, I thought…and until the time is right!

We were still at Changi International Airport, in our amazingly comfortable little transit hotel, where we’d been staying for several hours while on route to our Grand European Sojourn in Europe. In the comfort of this little transit hotel’s peaceful surrounds we had finally been able to take a bit of a nap and had, in fact, dozed rather soundly for more than a couple of hours.

Orchid filled Changi International Airport

Orchid filled Changi International Airport

But, as always, time marches on. We would be leaving Singapore at around midnight for the last fourteen hour, long-haul part of our journey north-west through to Munich, Germany.

Time now to have a cuppa and then be on our way.

Within fifteen minutes we were off and running, juggling once again, our way too many belongings, plus tickets and passports. It wasn’t long before we were vowing adamantly to travel lighter… we just had so much hand luggage…never ever again!

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