Jackiewawa

Our arrival in Amsterdam was pretty much uneventful although when we got off the train a lady about 55yo who shared a lift with us and her bike to the platform advised us to take care as there were many pickpockets about. So this was our intro to Amsterdam. We once again had good directions to our accomodation and found it to be 2 metro stops from the Regional train station. Only a 5min walk from there to the Hotel Ibis. The hotel was on a major road but welcoming. The room has to be the smallest yet with 3 single beds squished into one room and nowhere to put your bags. We found the mandatory supermarket and bought nibbles and drinks as it was only 5pm and too early for tea. Richard & Lisa were ... read more

We arrived at the train station to find our hotel directly accross the road about 100mt up. We read te reviews whcih advised us that it was in red light district! It was too! Fancy that.................. It wasnt intimidating but there were lots of unsavoury characters trolling the streets amongst the numerous reputable cafe's. We dropped our bags and took a walk looking for a good place to eat and settled with Kakadu the Aussie eatery........... Richard ordered a Crown Lager but they didnt have any or any VB so was convinced to try the German beer. We sat outside and really enjoyed the atmosphere. Next day we started out late to look for breakfast and ended shopping with Imeldo buying yet again another pair of shoes!! We will have to buy another suitcase just for ... read more

As we got off the train in what we thought was Budapest, we checked to find in fact we had one more stop ......so back on the train, difficult when you have to lug your bags on and off! As we had changed carriges Lisa left her book and 2 new bookmarks on the seat and was disappointed to have lost them. I got chatting to a young Somalian student who offered to assist with finding our way.......... he conned a train pass off us! We got rid of him quick smart and found out own way. Well we arrived in Buda - Pest and was staying in the Pest side which is the "Old town" very old but very interesting. Once again we walked narrow cobbled stoned streets which are predominantly one way. We found ... read more

Well I was pleasantly surprised to find Innsbruck quite a large place and our accomodation 500m straight out of the train station. Right next to the famous arch and on the edges of the "Old town" Loved it..... Room was fair and breakfast was included. It was about 7pm and we asked reception about internet but the girl told us to go down to a Uni club that had a faster connection which was free. We were a bit out of our league............ lots of alternative younger & middle age people, emo's, dreadlocked hair, hippy people............ ha ha The young waitress was most helpful with the menu so we settled in with a few beers and pizza. Good value at 28 Euro woo hoo bargain with free internet too! She even told us where to go ... read more

We left Geneva bound for Lucerne via Montreaux. We were advised by one of Richards work colleague, Phillip, to take the Golden Pass train through the countryside as it was spectacular and we were not disappointed. We arrived in Montreaux and disembarked for a wander. It was picture perfect, with its colourful yellow or red umbrella awnings along the hotels facing the lake. We caugh a bus to Chateau de Chillon which was a very well preserved castle on the lake, it is steeped in history as is all of Europe. We were able to walk through the dungeon where Byron had spent some time. We wandered the huge dining and bed rooms, walked along the high wooden walkways where the gaurds would take their post. About 2 hours later we caught a bus back to ... read more