http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Leon---Melinda/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Leon Melinda en-us Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:15:18 +0000 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:15:18 +0000 Paris 20052009 Again we got up bright and early as we have a lot to do today. We buy tickets for the hopon hopof bus to explore Paris some more. Unfortunately we canrsquot go into all the places we would like to see there is just too much to do and to little time. The streets are filled with coffee shops and small cafes all the outside tables face the street and in Paris it seems the ma http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/France/Ile-de-France/Paris/blog-434621.html London to Paris 19052009 Waking up at 4h00 was a breeze since we were SUPER excited to be on our way to the City of Love. The taxi picked us up at 5h00 dropped us at the train station we traveled by train and tube to arrive at St Pancras station its HUGE Almost as big as an airport. Since we were a little early Leon had a cup of tea and Melinda spoils herself with hot chocolate with whip http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/France/Ile-de-France/Paris/blog-434610.html Sightseeing in London 18052009 We were so glad that we decided to have this extra day in London before continuing our travels. The last few days we slept very little to make sure we use our time to sightsee and as the saying goes ldquosleep when yoursquore deadrdquo. We didnrsquot mind in the least when Jaco asked us to stay at his place till 10h00 to open for the electrician to re http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/London-City/blog-434601.html Bath Lacock Stonehenge 17052009 Breakfast at the Holiday Inn was a variety of breads cheeses hot drinks and juices. We took some of the cheese as snacks for later. The weather is dreadful Itrsquos cold and windy we hope it clears up by the time we get to Stonehenge as there is no cover and we will not be able to see the henge if the rain keeps pouring down like this.We arrive at the http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Wiltshire/blog-434594.html Oxford Cotswold Slaughter Burford Bourton on the Water Bristol 16052009 httpwww.internationalfriends.co.ukoxfordcotswoldsbathlacockandstonehenge.html use the link to see the tour description We woke up bright and early and got ready for our only planned tourist trap tour. Jaco took us for a healthy McDonaldrsquos breakfast and even Leon enjoyed McDonaldrsquos which he usua http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Oxfordshire/blog-420660.html Wicklow Mountain Adventure 15052009 We decided we wanted to get out of the hustle and bustle of gorgeous Dublin and take a tour through the countryside. To make sure that we get space for the tour we got up really early and very glad we didnrsquot go to the club last night. We took the scenic route through St Stephens Green which is the nearest park to where we stayed and were amazed at how http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Wicklow/Wicklow/blog-420656.html Dublin 14052009 We wokeup bright and early itrsquos impossible to sleep late when you know your going to explore a new country as soon as you walk out the door We had a wonderful Irish breakfast and went to the Tourist Centre. We bought tickets for the Hopon Hopoff bus which took us to all the places we wanted to see without us getting wet as itrsquos a rainy day in Dublin who woul http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/Dublin/blog-414757.html Scotland Ireland 13052009 Itrsquos Melindarsquos birthday We woke up to the beep beep of Melindarsquos cell phone with best wishes from her Mom Dad and shortly after a call from Jaco. Thanks to everyone that emailed and smsrsquoed I was a bit worried that it would be a lonely birthday for the party girl but it ended up filled with lots of beautiful messagesAfter saying goodbye t http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/Scotland/blog-414746.html Scotland 12052009 O what a beautiful morning O what a beautiful day You know the rest of the song We woke up at 7h00 this morning and the sun was already shining. We still have no idea what time it getrsquos dark since we fell asleep at 23h00 and it was still dawnish outside We both saw Nessie today but not at the same time and was too stunned to take any pictures but we will try a http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/Scotland/Inverness/blog-414714.html London Scotland 11052009 We woke up bright and early for our flight to Edinburgh Our flight is at 8h00 so wersquoll have more than enough time for the first day of our Scotland road trip. After a 2 hour flight we collected the rental car from Hertz at 10h00. The weather is once again warm and sunny with no wind.We started our trip up to Loch Ness and are surprised with how beautiful the http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/Scotland/Loch-Ness/blog-414709.html London10052009We woke up at about an hour and a half before landing and after the eventful flight we had we actually felt great Leon is fresh as a daisy and looks as great as always Melinda on the other hand decided that the ldquoafter 10 hours of flightrdquo is not her best look and after trying to tame her hair and washing her face she looked presentable enough not to be mistaken for http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/London-City/blog-414572.html The day before we go 08052009 Itrsquos time to do all the final preparations and make sure that we havenrsquot forgotten anything One of the ldquosoon to be touristsrdquo are a little blownup in the mouth region as the other decided to play a bit of his online game before booking the seats online some valuable time was lost even if it was only 5 minutes and the only available wind http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/Pretoria/blog-414564.html