Jdame

Fremantle - Singapore - Kuala Lumpur - Penang - Phuket - INDIA: Cochin - Mumbai - Goa - MALDIVES - SEYCHELLES Days 1-6 : 3rd May 2011: Leaving Fremantle we sailed out of the harbour past the Maritime Museum, people on South Mole and the lighthouse into the sunset on yet another adventure. We have travelled to many countries and to Asia several times but on this journey we were going to new places - India and South Africa - a little unsure of what lay ahead we were all very excited. Vera and I are cousins - in - law and we travel every year to somewhere with friends and or family. This year we travelled with Vera's sister and her husband and his brother and wife (from Holland) so one very happy bunch of ... read more

Day 53: Fri 14th. August: Week 8: ENGLAND, London: Temp 23C: We arrived at Heathrow at about 1735, collected our luggage and purchased a 7 day Travel Card that allowed us to travel within 6 zones. Down to the train and off we went - on the fast train - not the right thing to do so we had to pay for that train fare BUT we were in London in 20 minutes - wow. Onto the Barkerloo line to Oxford Circus then up and onto the street, read the street signs and hauling our cases we trudged to the hostel in Noel Street. Well, the entrance was small, the lift was small so getting in/out was difficult. Reception was OK but then came the stairs - some young man helped us with cases which was ... read more

Day 36: 31st. July: Week 6: VIENNA: Temp 26C: As we started on the next adventure we looked back at Venice as the train sped out across the flats into areas of green pastures and hills and into the mountains - such very different scenery. Arriving in Vienna at 11.45pm. we taxied to our hostel (Vienna Hostel Huttledorf) where the staff were waiting and greeted us warmly. We had a 4 bunk room for the 2 of us so lower bunks each and private bathroom. Good!!. Day 37: 1st. August: Vienna: Temp 29C: Early brekky of cereal, bread, water, coffee or tea, fresh fruit. Down the road to the bus and only 2 stops (so well within easy walking distance) to the station and the U4 train into town. A short walk about then onto ... read more

Day 27: 22nd. July: Week 5: TURKEY: MAMARA: ISTANBUL: Temp 29C: Today as we approached Turkey we could see the beautiful skyline of Istanbul then onto the coach we drove across the Galata Bridge and went on our booked "Walking Tour of Historical Istanbul". That amazing first view gave way to traffic chaos where nothing was moving, horns were being honked and we were caught in the middle of it near some old walls so our guide had the driver park elsewhere and we walked up extremely narrow stoney footpaths and roads to our first place of interest and cemetery, onto the Sokulla Mosque then admiring the minarets of the Blue Mosque as we walked to it. We strolled on past St. Sophia to an historic Ottoman House where we had refreshments, then back to ... read more

Day 22: 17th. July: Week 4: TUSCANY: Port of Livorno (Florence, Pisa, Livorno) - City of LUCCA: Temp 36C: Vera and I had opted for a tour of the walled city of Old Lucca, home to the ancient Etruscans, reached by driving through the Tuscan countryside with the occasional glimpse of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the distance. We had a guided walk along narrow streets, through the medieval center with a stroll from one piazza to another to the Duomo - the Romanesque cathedral with Gothic interior and holding the magnificent painting of The "Last Supper" by Tintoretto. Lucca was a lovely city, small and quiet with a lot of residents riding bikes. Back on board the ship we sampled the English afternoon tea and chatted with other passengers then watched as the ... read more