Motor bike Gald you cancelled that Jason, sounds like a no brainer, what wih the heat --you'd fry on the open road, not to say the absolutely crazy traffic hazard.
Good to cut your travel time on such a long flight. You'll be in just ahead off Jeffrey with a few hours to rest up -- good timing.
The air is getting cooler and more refreshing now as the summer wears down -- so pleased the humidity is reduced.
Bye for now, see you soon, Nan
This is the life! Sounds like you're unwinding a bit now better enjoy the last week being kind to yourself. For heaven sake be careful on that motor bike. I hope the trip around the island will be on quiet roads -- it IS a big island all right.
Missed you --it will be nice to have you home again.
My parking permit (disabled) fell off the dash and, as luck would have it, I got a $400 ticket. Now I have to trust I can wade through the red tape to protect myself! In other words, I want to get away without paying $400.
Bye for now, drive safely, Nan
Very interesting This is very intriguing Jason AND a history lesson thrown in. You seem to have recovered from your 'cold' (you didnt have far to look for a doctor --just a few steps to the mirror, lol) You're pretty durable slogging through that heat for 7 hours, phew, I'd be dead. i notice you're going for a little bit of luxury now -- great idea --you owe yourself the reward of a few days real holiday relaxation.
Pleased to hear all the commentary on your trip.
Bye for now, Nan
Cold symptoms? Some say the heat causes the cold! It could be the exhaustion that usually accompanies it that's the culprit. Anyway, hope you're feeling better real soon. Resting up is a good idea. Hope your sight-seeing isn't compromised --that would be too bad.
Surprised by the daylight hours --getting dark by 6.30! Must be light very early in the morning?
Very overcast here today and 17C. I just mowed the front lawn --had to take out my hearing aid--mower sounded like a canon going off. (lol)
i trust you'll be back in S.J's in time for Jeff's visit.
Bye for now, take care, Nan
Pleased to see you back So you turned down the chance of a swim in the brown water Jason? (lol) Makes the St. John's Harbour seem pristine!
Glad to hear you're getting the local atmosphere absorbed. Not very interesting to see too much North Americanism. You didn't travel all that distance to feel at home.
You've still got two weeks left? Seems as if you've been away for a LONG time.
I've got my hearing aid repaired and back in my ear --such a strange experience --I hear little noises that I didn't realize existed. e.g., the clicking sound of the turning signals in the car, the tinny sound of my computer keyboard --they were silent before. As I was telling dad, the world is a noisier place (lol)
Ryon & Kim have bought a new car --you'll never guess --an Audie. Bill Matthews is doing well off the Mackeys, eh? Kim intends to drive it around the bay at the W/E. Kids are going out to stay with Stagg grandparents for a week as Ryon is working day shift.
That's enough 'local' for now. All the best, and keep us informed of your travels, Nan
Melacca Following your adventures. Blog is a minefield of advertising (lol) but appreciated anyway.
Cooler here today --19C and overcast. Quite a relief from the hot, humid weather.
Keep us informed, all the best, Nan
Hello again! Great to have you back --felt deprived without the daily entry!
Things are humming along. Kinda amusing to think of Disneyland in H.K. Had to laugh at the numerous rides you took -- wouldn't do for me to try that.
Interesting observations of the terrain. Next best thing to being there.
Bye for now, Nan
Waiting for next entry Hello Jason:
How's things going? Hope the heat hasn't melted you away. where are you now? Internet access may be a problem. Hope to hear..
Nan
Never mind the spelling Nice to get your note Jason. You're gonna have to slow to a snail's pace in that horrible heat. The long days preclude any hope of sightseeing in the cool of the evening.It's likely the peak time of year for hot days (don't know the weather cycle in H.K. All I know is, it would knock me right out. I'm wilting today here at 27C. The humidity is high --I can tell because the hardwood floors are really sticky (lol)
I had to buy a new dehumidifier, by the way as leaking continued. It's still in the jeep -- too heavy for me to lift out--job for dad tomorrow.
Apparently the whales are putting on quite a show around the bay --locals say they never saw anthing like it. Prancing and breaching for 40 mins yesterday (see what you're missing)!
Don't work too hard at answering my notes --you're on VACATION.
Bye for now, be careful of food and water consumption.
Hello Hang Kong
Enjoying your initial impressions of famous Hong Kong--the most densely populated city in the world, so they say.
The humidity is a real problem all right, how much better to get a whiff of the St. John's fog, so invigorating (lol)
Got to hand it to you --you make your way around very efficiently. Enjoy every minute of your new experience.
Bye, keep safe, Nan
Rolling along Some fantastic castles. I would like the porcelain museum. You'll rival Karl Wells with your food pics Jason. You got some nice treats. Church bell still lying on the ground -- a touch of the dramatic!
I'm enjoying following along with your travels -- good thing you thought to take lots of warm clothing.
Bye, N
Awesome Jason!! Loved your first blog entry for this trip! As usual you don't disappoint! Looking forward to reading more as your travels take you along! Hope you have a great trip Jason! Stay safe!
Connected Hi Jason:
we're off to the races now! Ejoying the reading. You seem to have gotten off to a somewhat rocky start --a bit of discomfort now and again (lol) I'm sure you'll get into the swing of things in a few days. No doubt travelling in the winter is not quite as pleasant as in summer but you're hardy. A car for transport always at the ready kinda spoils you, eh? I don't think I'd last a day now without wheels.
You posted some good photographs -- the Dutch sure love their bikes, winter and summer --it's a beautiful city.
Will be following you along. Many thanks for blog. Nan
Hi Jason: You're in the former Nazi stronghold -- the R.A.F. nearly bombed it to obliteration but the city will have recovered 60 odd years later. Another interestig place historically. The hostel life is not for me (lol) I'm wondering how you ended up with a Korean family --will find out when you get back.
You're winding down now, wise to get up to Frankfurt early, you don't want to risk missing flight home. Poppy and I knew a guy from Franfurt (Kinsella), lived on Bonavista St. We enjoyed chats with him at the supermarket.
Hopefully, see you on Sunday. How are you going to settle down now after all the excitement? Bye, Nan
Easter Hi Jason: Happy Easter! Following you along --Cologne is a beautiful and interesting city, steeped in history. Wonder what it's like to live there and make a living? Do we all look at our native homes and think how tame they are? (lol) When I left the U.K. I was dismayed to find I couldn't travel to another town or city in an hour or so --Mt. Pearl just didn't hack it! Oh, well, you win a few, lose a few.
The concentration camp sites fascinate me as a record of a dark time in history which I lived through --I'll never forget the pictures of the emaciated survivors we saw in the newspapers of the day. Visiting the actual site was impressive, brought it all back. Seeing them is like revisiting history. I'm gald you're getting the opportunity to experience it. Looking forward to seeing you home soon. Nan
Music appreciation I loved your commentary on the church in Baden Baden and the organ music. How absolutely perfect timing that the organist began his recital just as you got there -- and to an audience of ONE. I can't imagine anything more moving ---happens a few times in a lifetime--those particular experiences that totally engage the senses. You are really enjoying this city. It sounds like a very picturesque area. My impression of Munich was of cleanliness.
You mentioned snowy NL. How right you are! Imagine some schools closed today because of SNOW. Good Lord, it's April 21st. We could sure do with some of that lovely European weather. It's so nice to look at flowers in full bloom after the dismal sight of blackened snow mounds.
With limited knowledge of the language you get along real well Jason, I must say -- you find a way out of all difficult situations. I would have been a bit nervous of leavig my laundrywith the Russion lady in case I wouldn't get it back.(lol)
I haven't seen your pictures yet or listened to video --will switch back to FB now. Enjoy your last week.
Bye, Nan
Miser! Boy, could I take a few lessons from you on economy while travelling -- thought I was doing well taking bus instead of taxi, guess I was too late off the starting gate. You have to have your wits about you and not mind the little inconveniences --too much for the old folks. I wouldn't be surprised if you came home and said it PAID you to travel Europe (haha)
You're rolling along, Jason, testing out your bit of French (fun, isn't it?) Shopping skills take time, you have a ways to go to equal your mom in that dept.(lol)
Looks like you'll be spending Easter in Germany --thought you'd be home by then. We miss you.
The snow will have disappeared by the tme you get here anyway.
Take care, Nan
Swiss flies Knew there had to be flies SOMEWHERE else, bad job to have a monopoly on them, (lol) Comparing OUR gardens with European ones needs a level playing field --give us the soil and the climate and we'll show 'em. See your trip is going well, biggest problem deciding where to go next you lucky fellow. Spain is reputed to be hot. We're all feeling a bit envious at this point. Nice to have SOME of the family back to base. Dave has decided to take the extra week after all and bring back the wheels.
bye Jason, keep safe, Nan
Whew! Hi Jason:
You sure write up a great blog -- feel like I'm there too -- was getting worried but guessed that it was an internet access problem but relieved t hear from you just the same. If you went MIA in Europe we wouldn't know where to start looking for you --RNC wouldn 't hack it (lol) Tou're having a wonderful time of it -- agree with you about the heat, if you're into sight-seeng its an exhausting drag. You're a pretty smart traveller, know where to get all the deals (Hilton sounds about my speed), Focus is on the election campaign here, whatever bit of excitement that stirs up (ugh). Keep in touch. Bye, Nan
Rough going Hi Jason:
Enjoying your detailed blog and the pics you have on FB.
There's more than ONE way to skin a cat, eh?
Such a shame that you got into digestive trouble. Certain people are super sensitve about food consumption (I'm one of them). Learned years ago to avoid about 90% of offerings and stick to the familiar. Poppy turned green in Scotland one year (first time I saw it) after drinking some kind of mixture of whiskey and beer (lol) Not a pleasant experience.
Enjoy your trip and take care, Nan
those fishes in the restreraunts comn from aagean and black sea.no worries bout them.and the things u describe is maybe a lit bit awkward for the foreigners who has been for the first time.but istanbul n turkey is one of the places in the world both westerns n easterns live in peace n safeşy.have fun.
Glad to have you bak! I thought you had given up on the blog and left us all stranded but this is VERY interesting. Hilarious that the 'Simpsons' were on in Turkish. With MY hearing, of course, I mightn't know the difference (ha ha).
Lots of interesting stuff in your description of life in Istanbul -- you paint a vivid picture. Not a place Westerns would want to settle in though.
Take care, see you soon
Eliabeth
non-member comment
Motor bike
Gald you cancelled that Jason, sounds like a no brainer, what wih the heat --you'd fry on the open road, not to say the absolutely crazy traffic hazard. Good to cut your travel time on such a long flight. You'll be in just ahead off Jeffrey with a few hours to rest up -- good timing. The air is getting cooler and more refreshing now as the summer wears down -- so pleased the humidity is reduced. Bye for now, see you soon, Nan