Day 2 10th April – Keukenhof Gardens & the windmills of Kinderdijk

September 24, 2014July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Up and at ‘em early so we could enjoy the extensive breakfast, this was going to be just the kick start we need each day before heading onshore for various tours.

Todays adventure and the main reason for our whole trip was a visit to see all the tulips and flowers of Keukenhof Gardens and the windmills of Kinderdijk.

Our half day visit to the Keukenhof Gardens was spectacular and certainly a must do for anyone visiting this part of the world in Spring. You just can’t describe the the brilliance and the perfume of

this famous Dutch Flower Exhibition.

We decided to stay longer in the Keukenhof Gardens rather than return to ship for lunch. At 2pm the bus returned for us and we set out for Kinderdijk for our sightseeing at the windmills.

The local guides will walked us from the ship to the windmill site of Kinderdijk where we have a guided visit of a windmill and a pumping station.

After yet another can’t believe they just get better dinners we crawled off to bed. Success we saw the garden in all its glory and the weather really allowed us to see the most beautiful garden I have ever visited.

During the night we sailed through Noord. Nieuw e Maas, Oude Maas, Dordste Kil, Hollansch Diep, Volkerak, Krammer, Krabbenkreek, Mastgat, Oosterschelde, Veerse Meer, Walcheren Canal.

Seven days of blissful cruising – tulips, tulips everywhere

September 23, 2014July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Need to get the final posts up from our trip earlier this year as just about to embark on another trip next week and determined to to post as we go this time.

We arrived back in Amsterdam and checked into the Mövenpick Hotel which we choose as it was the pickup point for out seven day Tulips and Windmills Tulip cruise tomorrow. We had a fantastic room overlooking the lake after hot showers and room service we enjoyed watching the sun disappear below the Amsterdam horizon. The hotel was a little on the expensive side if booked through tour company but I was able to secure a good deal on hotels.com (A$196.39 much cheaper than quoted by cruise company $442 for the pre-cruise night). It was worth it to be settled in place and well rested before we had to checkin for cruise at 1pm

Up early the next morning headed in to centre Amsterdam to replace the bag that had parted company with one of it’s wheels conveniently while we were walking from the station to the hotel in the rain and towards the end the fine hail. We must have looked like exhausted drowned rats when we checked in. After a yummy breakfast is a small French cafe we bagged a bag at the de Bijenkorf department store and headed back to the hotel to check in on our cruise.

Day one of cruise – 9th April 2014

At check in we were offered an optional pre-cruise 1/2 day cheese and windmill tour which we signed up for and really enjoyed the afternoon and it really set the scene for the next seven days. This tour was like a little slice of Holland”
Working windmills, clog making, cheese making and tourist shopping all in one historic park. Zaanse Schans is the first ever industrial park in the world that had over 1100 industrial windmills in its prime. You get to go inside different working windmills (paint making, oil making and wood cutting)

We boarded at 5pm and settled into our beautiful cabin aboard the MS Impression which is part of the Avalon Waterways fleet.

We attended the welcome reception and speeches in Panorama Lounge before dressing for dinner, and what a dinner it was.

The whole dining experience was far and above our expectations. The food and wine was sensational and service was top notch. After some beautiful cheeses with our coffee we headed back to the cabin.

We turned in and watching the riverbank slide by was a pleasant way to drift off to sleep. Our first night on board was an insight to what the next seven days are going to hold for us.

Overnight we sailed to Schoonhoven it was really relaxing with the gentle movement of the ship during the night.

During the late evening and night we sailed through a number of locks.
I was able to watch this through the webcam on board which we could view from our TV.

Our last stop off before the Tulip River Cruise

August 29, 2014July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

After six glorious days in Switzerland we are headed back to Germany and laid our heads down in Frankfurt for a couple of nights. The main purpose of this stop is to visit the historic Rothernburg.

Every year millions of people are attracted to the medieval city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. No wonder: the 12th century castle is still standing and in excellent condition. The ancient city walls still fully enclose the centre of the city, and visitors can walk on the ramparts. We walked, walked and walked then climbed down the narrow steps at the end. It was unreal to be in such ancient location on a wall that others walked many generations ago.

For centuries Rothenburg’s hospitality has been the reason for many famous people visiting the medieval city centre. Throughout its history emperors and kings were frequent vistors Today politicians and celebrities from all over the world come to Rothenburg. It is a very special city, which invites you to wander through the streets, or take a break in one of the many cafes and simply enjoy the romantic atmosphere.

The name “Rothenburg ob der Tauber” means, in German, “Red fortress above the Tauber”. This is so because the town is located on a plateau overlooking the Tauber River. While buildings within the walled city reflect the city’s medieval history, this part of the city is in many ways a normal, modern German town with some concession to the tourist trade. Many stores and hotels catering to tourists are clustered around the Town Hall Square and along several major streets (such as Herrngasse, Schmiedgasse).

Six days in Switzerland and 75 years young – Part 2

August 17, 2014July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

The birthday dawned with another sensational day of blue skies and snowcapped mountains so today we decided on Lucerne for our day trip.

Back to to the now familiar Interlaken Ost station to board the train for 2 hour ride to Lucerne, due to track work we scored a bonus of a bus ride between Meiringen and re boarded our train a couple of stops out of Lucerne which gave a better opportunity to see some of the little villages and the countryside.

Lucerne proved to be an interesting place to wander around with it little covered bridges and an old building galore contributing to Lucerne’s cityscape alongside the world-famous Chapel Bridge and Water Tower are the Musegg Wall, the Jesuit Church, the Mill Bridge, the Lion Monument (which we missed unfortunately).

The Chapel Bridge is a covered wooden footbridge spanning diagonally across the Reuss River in the city of Lucerne in central Switzerland.

Named after the nearby St. Peter’s Chapel, the bridge is unique since it contains a number of interior paintings dating back to the 17th century, although many of them were destroyed along with most of the centuries old bridge in a 1993 fire. Subsequently restored, the Chapel Bridge is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe as well as the world’s oldest surviving truss bridge.

It is a symbol of the city and is one of Switzerland’s main tourist attractions. We walked across the bridge and steadily made our way back to Lake Lucerne near station before boarding the train for Bern.

Again being able to choose a different way home on the train was so good as we hardly ever travelled over the same ground, although we had a bit of a wait for our connection in Bern but were glad to settle into our seats for the final hour home.

We decided on birthday dinner at Des Alpes Interlaken not sure if it was because we both really tired or the meal was only just so so. I enjoyed my steak but it was definitely not the best I’ve eaten by a longshot. After coffee and dessert we were grateful to see our beds which thankfully were just across the road.

After good nights sleep and hearty breakfast (forgot to mention how good the breakfast were more on that later) we set off to catch the Golden Pass train to Montrex.

We boarded at Interlaken Ost station all included in our very worthwhile EuroRail 15 day pass and spent a very enjoyable day meandering through the most picturesque views I have ever been lucky enough too see.

After changing trains at Zweisimmen we continued down to Montreux which lies on the north east shore of Lake Geneva. We left the train for a wander around along the waterfront and lunch at very nice little cafe in the very French Montreux.

Our walk around Montreux

The highlight of the day was being able to travel on the The GoldenPass Classic train that runs on the Montreux–Zweisimmen line offers a journey with a romantic, retro style ambiance.

Its coaches are inspired by the Golden Mountain Pullman Express from the 1930s, a luxury train in the style of Orient Express that was short lived due to the economic crisis of the period.

Platter available on GoldenPass Classic

It disappeared from circulation rather quickly. The current train is a reproduction of the Belle Époque style of its predecessors, in which you will travel like a king. You can even find a coach that houses a wine cellar in which you can taste wines from the area in a warm, convivial atmosphere. This was a real highlight for me and I can’t wait to bring Sharpy here to experience this wonderful journey.

The Route through Swiss Alps

‘a must do’

Day 5 in Interlaken was a supposedly a rest day but it wasn’t long before we decided to head to the ferry wharf and board the ferry to Thun. A short bus ride from the hotel to Interlaken west where we waited to board the ferry (again included in our Eurorail Pass) it was two hour journey with lots of stopping points along the way. It was fun to see all these beautiful places from the lake, a different perspective altogether with each one prettier than the last.

We left the ferry and found a department store to get some of gifts for home purchased wandered through the street markets for awhile but as we were both getting foot sore we headed back to catch the train home to Interlaken, surprise surprise we disembarked at Interlaken West for a change and caught the bus to the door of the hotel. This was a rest day but I am glad we did this trip on our day off as it would have been a pity to miss cruising on the lake. So all modes of local Swiss transport covered train, ferry, cogwheel rail and walking, boy have we walked. Our fitness levels have improved now and all the walking is coming easier each day. There is just so much to do and see, we hated the thought of wasting our time resting. Time for that on the river cruise or so we thought.

Every trip I plan I factor in rest days rest days along the way but this rarely happens, there always one more site or experience we can fit in.

Day 14 found us once again dragging the dreaded bags back to Interlaken Ost to for our train to Frankfurt, Germany. We farewelled Hotel deNord which was our home for 5 nights and 6 days. The hotel was very central being located midway between to two Interlaken train stations with a free city bus just outside the hotel that ran between the two stations.

This hotel is in a great location overlooking a park where the para-gliders land all through the day and right near all the restaurants and shopping area!

Our spacious room had a balcony which was lovely to sit out on or take in the snow capped mountains that surround Interlaken – recommended!

Love the table ornaments

My breakfast fare – each day

A feature of our stay here was the beautiful continental breakfast at our disposal each morning, eggs, cheeses, meats, hot rolls and much much more.

We ate our fill here each day and this set us up for the rest of the day, another feature of this hotel was the fantastic staff who looked after us exceptionally well providing good sound advice for each day’s sightseeing

Getting around Swiss style

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A few random pics from previous few days

Six days in Switzerland and 75 years young – Part 1

August 10, 2014July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

After few hours on the train from Zurich with just the one change at Bern we disembarked from our
train at Interlaken Ost (East) not to be confused with Interlaken West.

The stations are at each end of town with a shuttle bus running between them so doesn’t matter which you choose but on the advice of our very friendly guard we choose the east as it was well within walking distance of our hotel, Hotel Du Nord, Interlaken.

The view from deck outside our room

After a smooth check in and a bit of a rest we decided to set out and explore the very picturesque Interlaken, with hang gliders landing in the park opposite the hotel and snow capped mountains sounding us, it was exactly as I imagined only more spectacular .

The blue sky and warm weather only added to our very first Swiss experience. after wandering, a sumptuous hot chocolate (I am forever spoiled when it comes to hot chocolate) and taking in the sights close to the hotel we headed for a little Chinese place we had seen earlier in the day for dinner. A dish and a rice and we were done and ready to turn in.

Interlarken surrounded by snowcapped mountains and with Hang gliders dropping in with regularity in the park across from our hotel provided us with picture postcard backdrop for the next few days. Below are few photos around Interlaken before the story continues with our day on the mountain.

Our Day on the Mountain

We organised to head for the Jungfraujoch the next day as the forecast was good an on the advice of the hotel staff should do it while the going is good otherwise the weather could close in later in the

weak and it wont be worth doing. Jungfraujoch lies at a height of 3,466 meters (11,371 ft) above sea level in the Bernese Alps, on the boundary between the cantons of Bern and Valais, halfway between Interlaken and Fiesch.

A complex tunnel connects the railway station to the Top of Europe building and an elevator to the summit of the Sphinx, A scientific observatory, the Sphinx Observatory, is also located here. a peak

Not they highest I have been in the world, that was Independence Pass (Colorado) It is at elevation 12,095 ft (3,687 m) but that is about as high as I want to go.

As promised the next morning dawned with another clear blue skied day and we keen to set off on our first or a number day trips in Switzerland. Interlaken proved to be a great base for each of our day trips it was nice to be in one place for a a string of nights. Our first train was to the little village of Grindelwald where we wandered for awhile taking in the sights before boarding train two at Lauterbrunnen station, our final train for the trip to the top was a cog wheel train.

The railway runs almost entirely within the Jungfrau Tunnel, built into the Eiger and Mönch mountains and containing two stations in

the middle of the tunnel, where passengers can disembark to observe the neighbouring mountains through windows built into the mountainside.

It was great to be able to stop on the way up to check out the views.

Some two hours after leaving Interlaken we found ourselves at the Top of Europe, we decided to have lunch (not too bad food and price-wise for a bistro with a captive crowd) before heading up to the lookout and face the cold (or not as cold as we expected as it turned out).

At the Sphinx are enclosed and open viewing platforms, with views over the Aletsch Glacier and the surrounding peaks. Also accessed via the tunnels is the Ice Palace, a series of ice caverns beneath the glacier, and the Alpine Sensation, which presents a display on the touristic development of the Alps and the history of the Jungfraujoch Railway.

The view from the platform was mind blowing and I would recommend anyone that has the chance to take the time to go up especially on a clear day as it feels like you are looking over all of Europe. Our stay at the top was interesting including a visit to the ice caves and standing out on the actual mountain.

How or why would anyone contemplate building a rail line up this majestic mountain is beyond me, it must have been such difficult job but they did it never the less. After few hours wandering around and checking out all that as on offer we boarded the trusty little cogwheel train for the decent back down the mountain.

Once we got off the cog wheel train back at Lauterbrunnen station which is a railway station in the village and municipality of Lauterbrunnen in the Swiss canton of Bern. The station is on the Berner Oberland Bahn (BOB), whose trains operate services to Interlaken Ost.

The ice-cave carved in the mountain

We ventured outside to get the feel of bein on the mountain

It is also the valley terminus of the Wengernalpbahn where we changed trains to travel back to Interlaken Ost via Wengen, we decided to take Wengen side back to Interlaken so we could see the other side of the mountain and really get a chance to see some of the amazing waterfalls along this side of the mountain. Lots of end season skiers and snowboarder heading back down which only added to the experience and provided a small insight into what this place would be like in high season. One thing that amazed me was the number of hikers that we dotted all over the mountain taking in the various pre-marked walks. We arrived home and decided on soup for dinner so called into same Chinese place from previous night for quick bite before calling it a day.

and this end our second full day in Switzerland.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Cuckoo Clocks and Munich’s Rathaus-Glockenspiel

July 24, 2014July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

After a our time in Berlin it was time to head off on the next leg of our journey, Munich. As per usual I had us waiting on the platform with long before we really needed to be there. It was cold but it made us appreciate our very comfortable carriage on board.

The best part of travelling by train is the ability to relax and enjoy the scenery or get up and move around when needed, of course the buffet car which are well suppled with delicious eats. We got in the habit of buying a roll on the platform before boarding and only ordered coffee when needed. The food at train stations in Europe is amazing always a fantastic selection and so hard to choose, but I usually came away with baguette with various filling, just love those rolls.
It was a pleasant day spent watch Germany countryside slide by, always something interesting to see and the staff on board really look after first class passengers.

We arrived in Munich right on time, another feature of European trains they are one time almost all the time. Our hotel the Le Meridian was right outside the station and so we were all checked in by 5.30pm and decided on dinner in the hotel restaurant Le Potager as we still feeling tired even though we hadn’t done much except sit. Our room was very comfortable and we looking forward to spending the next four nights in one place.

Day one in Munich we found a Coffee Fellows near the hotel for breakfast which consisted of a sensational bagel with cream cheese for me and and a bacon and egg on bagel for mum, fresh juice and coffee got us set for the day.

It was red bus time
we decided to get our bearings by doing the circuit and look at the sites from onboard. This is always a good choice todays route included Palace of Nymphenburg, the former summer residence of the Bavarian elector princes and kings with its beautiful and spacious gardens.

Ludwig I

To get an impression of modern Munich, you will visit the Olympic grounds where you will find other attractions like Sea Life, the BMW museum and the new BMW Car World. You will have a fantastic panoramic view from the top of the 290 meter high Olympic Tower.

We passed through the former artist quarter of Schwabing where we strolled along Leopold street.
The frequent stopping points make this tour an unforgettable Munich( or anywhere) experience.

We left the bus at starting point near the station before walking back to the old town and visiting Marienplatz and the famous Viktualien Food Market, City Hall, Cathedral, Church of St Peter.

After a pretty long day we headed back to hotel, picking up a bit takeaway( another baguette for me) from the train station for dinner and turned in pretty early. Up early tomorrow for our Castles Tour day trip so early night is appreciated by us both.

On the agenda for day two Linderhof and Oberammergau 2-hour visit to King Ludwig’s Linderhof hunting lodge Sightseeing and shopping in Oberammergau, famous site of the Passion Play and the highlight and main purpose of our trip was a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle.

More than 1.3 million people visit annually, with as many as 6,000 per day in the summer. The palace has appeared prominently in several movies and was the inspiration for Disneyland‘s Sleeping Beauty Castle.

We took the short time allowed for shopping in Oberammergau to purchase two cuckoo clocks (called the store from Switzerland and ordered a third clock) that were being packaged up for shipping home before we were back on the bus. I think we made a quick sweep of the main shopping area and were back on the bus( first I might add) within 30 minutes. Oberammergau is a fascinating place, especially with all the painted houses and I will always remember our stop at Oberammergau due to the cuckoo clock that goes off on the half hour in our sitting room. I always try to make one significant purchase to remember my trips and this was it for this trip.

Our day trip was long but it was all that we imagined and made seeing these places so easy and so well organised, not sure if the two people that missed the bus from Neuschwanstein Castle which as we thought was the highlight of the day, not sure how we climbed such a steep hill and so many steps inside the castle but we did it. It was downhill all the way for the 2km walk back to the village and our bus where after an ice-cream we thankfully collapsed in our seats for the 2 hour journey home. Bus was quiet on the way home, wonder why? It was about this point in our trip I think our fitness levels had improved but boy all the walking if it didn’t kill us it made us feel stronger.

Day three in Munich was Sunday so all was quiet except for soccer fans pouring in from all over for a soccer game, we had a lie in before finding a restaurant in hotel nearby for a decent breakfast of bacon, eggs and all the trimmings then heading to town square to watch the Rathaus-Glockenspiel play at 11am. It plays every day at 11 a.m. (as well as 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. in summer) it chimes and re-enacts two stories from the 16th century to the amusement of mass crowds of tourists and locals. It consists of 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures. This was fun and if you have five minutes to spare watch the video I have posted on the right of this blog. After watching display we wandered the streets then joined the congregation of the parish church of Saint Peter, whose 91 metres high tower is commonly known as “Alter Peter” – Old Peter – and which is emblematic of Munich, is the oldest recorded parish church in Munich and presumably the originating point for the whole city.

No we didn’t climb the 299 steps for the 360 degree view from Old Peter but if we had this is what we have seen.

No shops open on sunday but most restaurants and beer halls were open for business and it was surprising the number of people just wandering around in the city, I guess the football could have been one reason but people just seemed to be out enjoying the day.

My favourite view from the bridge above the Neuschwanstein Castle

Next morning we had a little time to explore shops before boarding our train to Zurich, which was just a stopover on our way to Interlaken Switzerland our base for the next 6 days. The train ride and the night in Zurich was uneventful and was really just that a break in our journey, next time I would go right through to Interlaken from Munich in the one day.

Who’d thought I would ever find myself in Berlin, Germany

March 26, 2014July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

After a very comfortable night where we both slept reasonably well and woke feeling quite refreshed. With the packing done we checked out of our hotel after deciding we would get something to eat at the station once I had validated our Global Pass train passes.

A short walk to the station, dodging bikes and the pedestrian traffic which all seemed to be going the opposite direction to us. We quickly had our passes validated, travelling first class allowed us to make use of the lounge facilities where we could relax and eat from the complimentary breakfast bar while waiting for our train ( as usual I had us there with oodles of time to spare but I really hate rushing when trying to find our way).

We boarded our direct train to Berlin from platform 10b at 11:01am for our 6 hour trip in very comfortable carriage, no-one else in our section which was great. spend the day napping and watching the great scenery pass us by, can I say it again, this is the way to travel in Europe.

As the day was drawing to a close we arrived in Berlin, we left the train one station too early, a problem easily rectified by catching the next city train from the other side of the same platform, and finally getting off at Berlin’s Station Hauptbahnhof (Central Station).

Within minutes of stepping on german soil we were in cab being whisked to our hotel in Potsdamer Platz district. Our hotel was the very fancy Wyndham Grand Hotel which has built inside an old sandstone factory and was so well done. We checked in and freshened up before heading down to The Post restaurant for our first real meal since leaving home, I had the Rinderfilet (Filet of beef) and mum settled for Zitrus- Maispoulardenbrust (Lemon corn poulard (chicken) breast). This was a memorable meal and the service great but we both hit the wall quickly and it wasnt long before we fell into bed exhausted.

With one full day to make the most of our day in Berlin we up early and walked down to Potsdamer Platz square for a roll and coffee for breakfast all while trying to work out where the main stop was for the red Hop on Hop off bus was.

After wandering around for awhile we eventually located the stop not too far away but not in it’s usual stop due to road works.

We purchased our 24 hour ticket and as it was fairly cool we decided we would do the full circuit first then decide where we would get off for a closer look. With 20 stops around the city such as Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenberg Gate, Jewish Museum and not to mention a section of the Berlin Wall which was a surreal experience.

After our lap around the city we decided to get off at Checkpoint Charlie and have some lunch before continuing on our way. Lunch was the best tomato soup and a pizza at a little Italian place (Sotto Sopra) within sight of Checkpoint Charlie, amazing to think this was such an important place in history and here we were having our lunch.

After lunch Brandenberg Gate was our chosen stop to explore further this amazing city. Unfortunately
by time the bus got back to this stop there was some sort of demonstration taking place so the bus was forced to re-route in very heavy traffic. Upside was we got to go down some interesting streets that aren’t on the usual route.

We decided to hop off at the famous KaDeWa department store.

About KaDeWa (taken from website)

What apparently started as an adventurous idea by the Berlin merchant Adolf Jandorf in 1905 surpassed all expectations when KaDeWe was opened in March 1907.

As the leading department store in the country, it presented customers with an array of desirable goods from around the world – from the latest Paris fashion show looks to exotic south sea fruits.

Always a firm step ahead of the competition, KaDeWe today, as well as offering a vast variety of products, is also setting new standards in service.

KaDeWe caters for a wide range of needs with luxurious beauty rooms and lounges, a wedding and gift service, a hotel and home service, tailor, hairdressers, buggy rental and a bureau de change. In its world-famous gourmet department on the sixth floor, Berlin’s premium department store even plays host to exclusive parties high above the roofs of the city.

The same ritual takes place every day at KaDeWe and sometimes on Sundays too when, shortly before 10 am, the original iron gate dating from 1907 is lowered so that customers can embark on an exciting shopping adventure. Each day up to 180,000 customers from around the world are welcomed in cordially by the KaDeWe before being attended to on more than 60,000 sq m of sales space by some 2,000 employees, for each of which customer needs and first class service take pride of priority.

We would have loved more time to explore this wonderful interesting store, definitely recommended as a must do for anyone visiting Berlin.

A short taxi ride found back in our fantastic hotel and we changed and headed down for a burger and soup from the hotel restaurant. Again early night and pack up for the next stage, Munich here we come.

Hotel: Wyndam Grand Potsdam Platz

Getting Around Taxis: Reasonably priced and easy to hail, carry hotel business cards to show driver for address

Highlight(s):

Seeing the actual Berlin Wall
Visiting KaDeWa Department store
Soup and Pizza at (Sotto Sopra) near Checkpoint Charlie

What a deal on a super hotel…

Seven days between OS trips (that’s record for me)

March 25, 2014October 23, 2018 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

A mere seven days after returning from the MacWool China Tour is time to pack up and take to the air for the long planned Tulip Cruise. This trip was planned as 75th birthday gift to mum who always wanted to see the tulips in Holland in full bloom and what better way than on a river cruise.

Who does an eight night cruise on the other side of the world without incorporating a few other destinations on the itinerary not us so Holland Germany Switzerland and Belgium here we come.

Our trip began at 10:50pm with boarding of our Eithad flight to Amsterdam with 2 hour layover in Abu Dhabi the first leg was fantastic and I caught up on some sleep and mum was able to watch a couple of movies. The plane was great and the crew looked after us very well. We arrived in Abu Dhabi just after sunrise and it was very pretty flying in with day breaking. Our short layover disappeared quickly and we were soon boarding for our final leg in to Schipole Airport just outside Amsterdam for first night of foreign soil.

It was decided that we would only spend one night is the very beautiful Amsterdam as we would be back for a few days around the cruise. Our first task was to procure a taxi (€45 and 30 minutes in average traffic) to take us the Tulip Inn (€65 per night approx) where we would stay for the night. This hotel has reasonable rates and is well within walking (and bag dragging) from the Central Railway station where we would begin our 6 hour train journey to Berlin.

On trains we decided this would be the easiest and least restrictive mode of transport for our journey, I purchased Eurail Global Pass 15 Days for $877 which allowed us to used as much as we like in the 15 day window, some days we were several trains all first class and very comfortable. Only required reservations when travelling at busy times otherwise we just boarded and selected seats that had not been reserved. It only cost a few euros to pre-book seat, so this was worth it if travelling in peak times or heading on long journey where needed to arrive by a certain time etc, mostly we just boarded and took our chances. Only once were stuck with sitting in buffet car as train fully booked( only hour trip which allowed us to have a beautiful full breakfast)

With our bags tucked away in our modest but comfortable room (Thankfully the lift worked when taking bags up and down) as the spiral staircase proved to be a challenge without a bag the couple times we used it, very narrow and steep, we headed our to check out the station and see where I need to validate our train pass the next day. It only took a 10 minutes to navigate through the masses of walkers and the millions of bikes that seemed to come from all directions and get inside the very beautiful station building. The information booth pointed us in the right direction for the ticket validation window.

Now that the lay of the land had been established we headed out for short walk around and back to hotel. We purchased our first chips with sauce and mayo all the rage in Amsterdam on Damrak St .

Yes Sam Forbes your recommendation was right they were crunchy with soft middle and possibly the best chips I have had in awhile, a little too much tomato sauce for my taste but the mayo was yummy, all served in a cardboard cone. After a walk through the red light district, everyone has to do it, we secured a very nice coffee before heading back to our room for a much need sleep. Although we both slept on plane we were grateful for a full nights sleep before our adventure got underway for real. Goodnight Amsterdam.

Where to this year…

January 15, 2014July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Travel plans for 2014 include a trip to China and Europe.

The China trip is part of MacWool Wool Growers Tour. About 30 keen woolgrowers will set off on March 2, escorted by Don, Kerrie, Sharpy and myself. We will visit Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chongqing, Yangshuo, Guilin and a highlight is sure to be the three day cruise on the Yantze river

Travel China Guide

A week after returning form the China trip Mum and I set off to Amsterdam to do an 8 Day Tulip River cruise as well as visiting Belgium, Switzerland and Germany.

Niagara Falls and beyond

August 28, 2012October 23, 2018 Ange Bowman2 Comments

Niagara Falls

On Saturday 18th August we set off to collect our second car from W34 St(near Penn Station) and drive to Buffalo NY. Apart from needing to take a larger car (Kia Sorrento) due to no smaller cars being available getting out of Manhattan was relatively easy.

Within an hour the madness of NYC was well behind us and we were headed upstate New York. Sarah and Dan were spending their last few hours in NYC visiting ground zero before flying home. Charlie and Megs also left today for San Francisco before heading down to LA for their last week.

The day driving was pleasant it was nice to be out on the road again, we found a hotel in Rochester which would allow us to visit Niagara for the day and head towards Vermont. Hotels in the Niagara/Buffalo area are very expensive in the summer so we headed to Watertown for our next night.

Maple at Sugar Bush Farm

Niagara was just as beautiful and amazing as the last time I visited. Mum really enjoyed our day there with the Maid on the Mist ride under the falls being a highlight. After walking around the parklands and viewing both the American and the Horseshoe Falls we hit the road again. The weather was perfect for the visit not too hot and walking around the parks was pleasant.

Ben and Jerry’s Ice-cream

After Watertown we headed further north to Plattsburgh NY were we overnighted before taking the ferry across to Burlington Vermont (VT) unfortunately we were too early for the fall colour but it was still very pretty and one can only imagine what the fall season would be like. After wandering around Burlington for a few hours we headed to Watertown to take the Ben and Jerry’s (Ice-cream Factory) tour which was okay and a good story. After the tour we checked in to our White River Junction hotel which near Sugar Bush Maple and Cheese Farm, we tried many cheeses and made purchases to bring home.

It was a very pretty area and the farm was very authentic, and did not have the usual touristy shine to it. The drive is was worth the time in itself. One could imagine this place in winter with snow everywhere and the horses pulling the slay from tree to tree to collect the maple syrup.

After our tour we were Maine bound to experience all it had to offer. We drove up to Berlin Maine (ME) which is about 2 hours above Portland ME. After checking in we drove around to Penobscot Bay and took in the sights, dinner was at the best lobster place ever.

$17 for a great lobster dinner

We both had a whole lobster which set us back a whopping $17 each. Although probably not as good as our lobsters they were pretty close and the price is definitely right. After a restful night in our hotel overlooking the harbour we set off for Portland via the prettiest place in Maine, Camden. We booked a harbour tour of the Porland light Houses and a trolly tour of the district which included a visit to one the oldest still functioning light house. After yet another full lobster for dinner ($14 each this time) at XXXX we then set of in the evening for our hotel near the Kittery Outlet Mall where we planned to do our final shopping.

Camden Maine

Foggy Camden Maine

Our shopping done we headed to Boston where we planned to spend two days seeing the sights. We checked into the Bulfinch Hotel near TD Gardens in Boston. This was a great hotel and well within walking distance of everything that we needed including stop 4 of the ‘Old Town Trolley’ the hop on hop off tour which included a cruise around the Harbour.

We enjoyed both tours and got off at Stop 7 (near the Cheers Bar) and walked the freedom trail back to Quincy markets. Along the way we saw Mrs Mallard and her ducklings (the bronzes not the real ones), the swan boats and the frog pond (no frogs I am pleased to report).

The Floating Restaurent that saved
Portland Docks

The Boston common is a great place to spend time and there were many people spending time in the gardens playing sports, walking dogs and chasing children. All walked out we boarded our boat for a cruise around the harbour, this was made interesting by great guide who added good humour to his narration.

Oldest still operating Light House
Portland Maine

After the cruise it was time to head home neither of use were hungry so we picked up some bagels and coffee from Dunkin Donuts for a light dinner before turning exhausted from all the walking.

Bulfinch Hotel – Flatiron building
Our Hotel Boston

With only two nights before flying home and given that it was going to be a long flight(s) (including getting from NY to LA) then straight on (after 4 hour layover LA) to our long haul home we decided to spend the last two nights near JFK.

This gave me time to return the rental car and for us to reorganise all the bags to ensure they come in under the 23kg limit. This really turned out to be our only real rest day in the last month so it was certainly good to spend the day resting.

As I write this is our last night all the bags are packed and we are watch the hurricane (Isaac) in the Gulf on the weather channel. We will be in the clear by the time it sends heavy rain up the coast.

Tomorrow we wing our way home after a great trip that couldn’t have gone more smoothly for everyone. All other travellers are home and back at work and we look forward to joining them at home and catch our breath. This will be probably our last trip the USA for a while there is so much of the world left to see.

Mrs Mallard and her ducklings

Facts:
Car One Kia Forte 1280 Miles
Car Two Kia Sorrento 1800 miles
Fuel- Between 3.33g(South) to 4.09g(North)
Stayed in many hotels including La Quinta, Best Western, Comfort Inn and Holiday Inn Express – all less $100 per night booked on hotwire.com (most time great breakfast included)
No one in the United States drives at the speed limit

The are only 10 states left in the USA that I have not visited, they may have to wait awhile but I am determined to visit them in next few years.

Frog Pond Boston Common

Thanks for following our journey and all the positive feedback you have sent me.

Only frogs at the frog pond

Apologies for any grammatical and spelling errors. No time on the road to proof posts, I may go back one day and correct any errors.

Our Adventures – Near and Far

Category: Europe