Tag Archives: Australia

Day 15 – Budapest; Time to say Goodbye to the wonderful Viking Team

11 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by in Amsterdam to Budapest, Budapest, River Cruising, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Uncategorized, Viking River Cruise

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Time to Say Goodbye

Time to Say Goodbye

The time had come to say our sad goodbyes……

Fifteen or so enchanting days spent river cruising had seemed to pass us by so quickly since that very first and oh so wonderful “Diamond Day”.

Michelle in the Viking Tor Lounge Area

Michelle in the Viking Tor Lounge Area

We still clearly remembered the magic of that first morning, when we’d excitedly boarded this extremely new and ultra modern, yet comfortable home-away-from-home, “Viking Tor”.

Viking Tor

Viking Tor

Amazingly the past 15 days had flurried by in their own whirly-wind of delicious buffet breakfasts, interesting info-walks, convivial dining room and/or alfresco lunches, rather testing trivia quizzes, classical music concerts, informative cooking demonstrations, extravagant multi-course dinners (made only from the freshest of local produce of course) and an ever-changing kaleidoscope of European adventures and cultural events.

Flower on Viking Tor

Flower on Viking Tor

We’d been able to explore medieval castles, stunning palaces, ornate cathedrals, timeless, ethereal abbeys, historical cobble-stoned streets. We’d seen some very pretty spring landscapes, engineering marvels (such as the Danube’s modern locks) and, of course, so many different and wonderful countries along with their beautiful picturesque cities and towns.

But sadly yes….now the time had come…. it truly was our TIME TO SAY GOODBYE.

Once again we were filled with a strange churning…. a really mixed-bag-of-emotional feeling.

On the one hand, we were very excited to still have a few days up our sleeve; some time to explore this blossoming city called Budapest in Eastern Europe.

We knew our neighbours back home in Australia had actually come from this area (Budapest and surrounding districts) so many years ago. I was really looking forward to seeing more of their homeland.

We were also looking forward to travelling home ourselves ….well perhaps D.B. was looking forward to this just a tad more than me!

I was really just looking forward to further exploring.

I now realised that Budapest was going to be far more enchanting than I’d initially thought.

We would soon be staying in the Jewish corner of the city, in an area I believed to be  a reasonably short distance from transport to and from the central areas of Budapest. We were booked into a charming hotel called the Palazzo Zichy. The Palazzo had actually been rating rather highly in many of the recent tourist reviews. I loved the fact that it already had a wonderful history of its own, having once been called “home” by a very famous nobleman , Count Nándor Zichy, back  in the 19th century.

Inside the Palazzo Zichy, Budapest, Hungary

Inside the Palazzo Zichy, Budapest, Hungary

I was, of course, also looking forward to taking many, many more photos of Budapest by night and also to exploring the Jewish area and synagogue by day.

You know, I am actually most thankful to all of the wonderful age-old religions in this extremely complex world of ours; for I believe they have all added some gems of wisdom to the mix as well as some most amazing architecture to the rich and eclectic fabric of this brilliant, sapphire-blue planet we happen to live on.

The Jewish Synagogue, Budapest, Hungary

The Jewish Synagogue, Budapest, Hungary

For good or bad, I know that many of our life’s experiences are strengthened, for some even perhaps fortified, by the  raging and fierce debates. Despite all of these amazing religious dichotomies, I myself believe they continue to speak the same ONE but at times, slightly different language. That is to love and respect one another and care for our world.

Viking Tor Longship Bell

Viking Tor Longship Bell

So it was very heavy hearts, that we eventually decided to disembark on this rather sad morning. I believe we were among the last to go.

After a most delicious buffet breakfast and some further exchanging of Email addresses and phone contacts, it truly was our ……. “Time to say Goodbye”.

I think the song below says it so well. And you know, I don’t actually really even know what they are saying, yet I can certainly sense the powerful emotion!  It was indeed  a sad goodbye.

Spring 2013, Globe Trotting and River Cruising.

Spring 2013, Globe Trotting and River Cruising.

Another Viking River Cruise Boat in Budapest, Hungary.

Another Viking River Cruise Boat in Budapest, Hungary.

If you love this song as much as I do you may also like to listen to the earlier version which is just below.

Lastly, we would both like to say a very big thank-you to the Viking Team for all of their dedicated care and mindful attention to detail. We absolutely loved this Grand European Tour. We can’t wait to travel with them again.

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Amsterdam – Venice in Northern Europe

04 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by in Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Budapest, Uncategorized

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Hop on Hop off Canal Boat Amsterdam

Hop on Hop off Canal Boat Amsterdam

“Life’s like a Labyrinth…..always a beginning, always an end. In-between, there lies
before each of us, a truly intriguing maze of interconnected experiences and
influential relationships; But really it is all up to us.  We CAN choose.

We need to carefully navigate our own boat through all of life’s ups and downs.

Sometimes we may veer off course and steer down dry gullies, row up dead end
creeks. At other times we’ll sail around in lovely tranquil bays.  Occasionally,
we’ll have storms to battle; sometimes we’ll venture into bright, and maybe even
diamond days. Just be thankful for the journey and a chance to steer your boat.
Always navigate well, consider all your options carefully and try not to mope
or dwell!

Musings of KidazzleInk, 2013

Remember to steer your boat well

Always steer your boat well

We were now in the Netherlands. In Amsterdam to be precise, which is also often known as the “Venice of Northern Europe“.

We were trying to consider our newly presented options carefully…..trying to make the most of opportunities before us. But I must admit we were also both somewhat tired and travel weary.

After all we had just spent the past few days going from place to place. We’d been rushing here, rushing there, driving on the wrong side of the road, running late, getting lost, battling a new Sat Nav,  negotiating the electronic airline ticket dispense stations, carrying too much luggage and moving between our travel destinations. All so hectic…well yes!!

We’d now moved on from that exhilarating first leg of our European journey, through the enchanting Bavarian region and the oh so beautiful Austria.

For now were hoping to spend the next few days acquainting ourselves with the Netherlands before we started our amazing Amsterdam to Budapest river cruise. We both really wanted to explore this historical, yet modern canal-city called Amsterdam that we’d recently been reading about it back home in Australia.

However, I’m afraid we were also travel weary; you probably know the feeling…… it’s like you need just one rejuvenating day….. “a diamond day” ….to rest, to reflect, to rejuvenate and consider all the new options. Oh for such a perfect day!

With only three and a half days to explore this interesting “Venice of the North”, we wondered how best to make good use of our days. We wanted to be able to relax and yet to be able to see plenty of the city at the same time!!

Amsterdam Canals

Amsterdam Canals

The lovely receptionists back at our hotel (Holiday Inn Express) had thankfully told us about the cost advantages of buying a ‘Holland Pass’. It seemed like a really good option and I have to say we weren’t disappointed. In fact we even ended up buying a second one before we left. Everything was cheaper with this pass. It was also great to have the little book that we could flick through to help us with all of Amsterdam’s sightseeing options.

Well first choice for us today was going to be relaxing one way or another, so we opted for lazing in the labyrinth of Amsterdam’s historical canals. What a great way to see Amsterdam……from its interesting web of convoluted waterways. And the bonus was…… well ….there was really  little effort required on our part.

Hop On, Hop Off Canal Boats

Hop On, Hop Off Canal Boats

Lot’s of R & R (Yes! rest and relaxation).

Lovely Spring Leaf

Lovely Spring Leaf

We could actually spend hours meandering our way through the geography, landmarks, history and culture of this modern canal city. And all from the comfort of our little Hop on, Hop Off canal boats. “Just perfect we thought. We’ll only have to get off about once every hour or so and change boats. After all, that shouldn’t require too much effort should it!!”

Just imagine our surprise when we found that we didn’t even have to get off at all. At the end of each of the routes (Red route, Green route, Blue route and Orange route through the maze of Amsterdam’s canals, the captain of the boat would just change his little coloured sign.……then the Red route would actually became the Green route, which would then become the Blue route, which would then become the Orange route and so on). Now how gentile was this for the travel weary.

All we had to do was simply supply ourselves with some lunch at one of the stops which might I add, my dearly beloved did admirably in-between route change-overs at around 1.00pm.

Historic Building in Amsterdam

Historic Building in Amsterdam

We saw so much of Amsterdam City that day from it’s labyrinth of relaxing canals.

We could have chosen to hop off and then hop back on wherever we wished, but just for now, we were oh so happy to simply soak up the atmosphere of this Dutch capital from it’s maze of waterways. We learnt much about the history, the culture and the landmarks of the city without even leaving the canals that day. It was truly a “Diamond day“ for us.  A time when everything came together so well and even with so  little forethought or prior planning!

An Enormous pair of Dutch Clogs

An Enormous pair of Dutch Clogs

Resident tending his houseboat.

Resident tending his houseboat.

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Keukenhof Garden – A Kaleidoscope of Spring colour

30 Friday Aug 2013

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

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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)

Zell Am See – Lost in an intoxicatingly beautiful landscape

21 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by in Austria, Bad Gastein, Uncategorized, Zell Am See

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“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

Packing, transformation, and departure.

26 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by in Holidays, Packing, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Travelling in Europe, Uncategorized

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Yes, there are always things to organize, even when you’re going holidays!

I’ve found the greatest experiences  seem to come from careful  planning. Thinking ahead can bring it’s just rewards.

Firstly, there’s often new luggage to buy!

Thankfully, for this holiday, we were still suit-cased up from our last little sojourn in Asia…..all telescopic handles, zips, locks and wheels were still miraculously in working order, having survived their previous plane rides.

Nevertheless, there were still a large number of things to be sorted before we could take to the skies and it was certainly decision-making time for us once again….What to pack?…How much to take?…Will there be enough space left over to bring home the souvenirs and gifts for family and friends? These are the usual dilemmas and joys of the excited traveler and so they were for us!

We were going to be heading into the Northern Hemisphere at the very start of the Spring and not long after, what had been, one of the coldest and longest winters in Europe for many years.

Not only that but we had chosen to stay in Europe for close on five glorious, adventure-filled weeks. Should we take more summer gear or more winter gear? What if the weather changed and summer moved in more quickly? What if winter decided to hang on and the temperatures fell to freezing? After all, we knew Budapest in May was likely to be warm (if not sweltering) whereas, the Austrian Alps were more likely to be sub-zero temperatures in the middle of April! Added to all of this we were flying out of sunny Queensland with its balmy, humid, Autumn days.

“Layers“, we kept hearing! “Just make sure you take plenty of basic layers”. So in went the smalls, followed by the T’s; then the polos and the jeans and the cardies and, last but not least, a very warm and snuggly overcoat.. just in case!!

“There’ll be lots of walking and exploring so be sure to take sensible shoes”, was another plea we heard from many friends and neighbours. So in went the joggers and the deck shoes and the flats…. with just one very nice, glittery pair of heels for dining out and going to the Captain’s Dinner on the river cruise. Last but not least, in went the gloves and a very, very warm and furry pair of ankle boots… again just in case the winter had decided to hang around a little longer than it should.

Butterfly on a Queensland Orchid

Butterfly on a Queensland Orchid

Finally we were getting prepared for our big transformation from everyday working couple to globe-trotting DINKS and cultural aficionados. We were getting ready to leave “God’s own country“, Queensland, Australia and travel thousands of miles to the other end of the world. The excitement was building and strangely so were some of our little idiosyncratic stress triggers!! We were going to be as free as a butterfly, and while a few little niggles still played out in the background, they were largely diminished by our growing enthusiasm and new-found “joy de verve”.