http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/laj/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from laj en-us Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:19:51 BST Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:19:51 BST Sling meWe arrived in Singapore last night after 7pm and boy did we notice the difference in the temperature. The humidity hit us straight away.We had to drive around a bit with our driver to find another couple taking the same transfer.The drive to the city was interesting. Such different views to what we had been experiencing.The city looked so clean and neat and so lit upWe arrived at the St http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Singapore/Raffles-Marina/blog-263900.html Sunday 14 October. Farewell EuropeWe packed up and filled in the morning visiting the Trocodero. Good view of the tower and walking around the Champs de Mars again.The Paris 20k Marathon was on so we had to detour a lot. Amazing how many people there were. We had a banana and nutella crepe at the Trocodero and watched the sellers.We ended up buying a flying bird for Britt. I talked him down to e http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/France/-le-de-France/Paris/blog-263861.html Saturday 14 October French FootyWe went to find the Metro station to go to Montmartre. It was very scary. Luckily the lady helped us. We made our station change and felt a lot more confident about using the Metro.We walked up the steps of the Sacre Coeur. It was lovely. We lucked out. They were having a special fete this weekend. It was stressful at first as we couldnrsquot find a toilet. After http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/France/-le-de-France/Paris/blog-263860.html Friday 13 October Where's the busNO WAKE UPWell what a day.We slept in and went to breakfast latehellip on our own. I felt very very lonely. It felt horrible after last nights high. There was noone to compare notes with and noone to chat too. I felt bad we hadnrsquot been up to say goodbye.I decided to go off for a walk on my own. I went through some lovely parks up to the sport stadium. I http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/France/-le-de-France/Paris/blog-263859.html Day 19 Thursday 11 October Croissants and CancanMeet 815Breakfast was delicious this morning. The French know how to do it right There were crme caramels and rice puddings. MmmmmmmThis morning we met Beatrice for our city sightseeing. We drove through the traffic and revisited some sights. We lined up for the group entrance at the Eiffel. She is very beautiful to be near.Unfortunately the day w http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/France/-le-de-France/Paris/blog-263856.html Day 18 Wednesday 10 October Gay PareeWake up 545amBags and Breaky 630amLeave 715amOff to Paree Itrsquos quite flat again leaving Switzerland. We passed through a section of the Black forest. Little light comes through when you are walking through it. We crossed the border at Basel and entered FrancePlain scenery for most of it and cloudy skies.We stopped for a quick coffee and were on the http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/France/-le-de-France/Paris/blog-263853.html Day 17 Tuesday 9 OctoberCloud SoupWake up 730amBreaky 745pmLeave 830Breaky was okay. Nice lot of bacon and eggs. We left for our country excursion at 830am. There was a lot of cloud cover so we couldnrsquot see the mountains. We had 2 Swiss Carriages more like wagons waiting for us near the local school. The ride was quaint and peaceful. There was ZERO noise in this sleep town. It was lov http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Switzerland/North-West/Lucerne/blog-263852.html Day 17 Monday 8 October 2007The Lake and the Lion of LucernWake up 6am Bags 630am Leave 730amBreakfast was pretty average again and my shower was cold. Not a good start when you donrsquot feel very well. We left for Lucern. There was a nice drive through the Apennines and then a stop at an Autogrill. Rob ordered a hot chocolate and virtually got pudding in a cup. Hilarious. It came out with t http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Switzerland/North-West/Lucerne/blog-263836.html Day 16 Sunday 7 OctoberDay of the YMCAWake up 7Leave 830Today was our day in Tuscany. We drove through the gorgeous Tuscan countryside. Gary took us through back roads that he use to hike through. It was beautiful scenery. We stopped next to a vineyard for a lovely view of San Gimignano from below. The views continued to be beautiful as we made our way up the mountain.San G was delightful Right http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/Tuscany/Florence/blog-263833.html Day 16 Saturday 6 OctoberBring on the ShoppingWake Up 6amBreakfast 630Leave 730amIt took us about 4 hours to get to Florence. We only had an Autogrill stop and pushed on. We stopped on the hill overlooking Florence for a group photo euro10. This view was spectacular. They had a copy of the David there.We arrived in the historical centre. We went to the Gold centre for a jewellery demo.They had http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/Tuscany/Florence/blog-263830.html Day 15 Friday 5 October 2007Roman HolidayWake up 544am Breaky 630am Meet 7amWe had a very early start to get to the Vatican. Rome is a mad city. Cars everywhere. Vespas even worse. The group line up was quite long when we go there. The public were already queued even though they wouldnrsquot be let in until after 930am.We met our guide Franka and went in around 815am. The Museum was amazing. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Rome/blog-263827.html Day 14 Thursday 4 October 2007Romersquon aroundWake up 6am bags last night Leave 730We caught an early boat across the pond. Venice was covered in mist. We were glad to see the coach again. Today was a very long travel day again and most of us slept as we were not well.The Italian countryside was beautiful but I was sick and couldnrsquot keep my eyes open. We stopped at a self service place http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Rome/blog-263824.html Day 13 Wednesday October 3Gondolas and glassWake up 715amBreaky 78Meet 845This time we took a larger boat over to Venice. The number of people there was astonishing. It was very different to last night. It was extremely crowded and you were not allowed to sit down even if eating unless in a shop.We met Anna for our guided walk. It wasnrsquot that interesting to me. I was beginning to get s http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/Veneto/Venice/blog-263821.html Day 12 Tuesday 2 October 2007Bellini BabyWake up 6am Breakfast 645amLeave 730amWe knew we were in for a long travel day today and on a time limit to make our boat. We left Vienna and drove through Austria. We stopped at about 930am at a charming village called Kindberg. We had a walnut sort of tart and hot chocolate.At the last minute we found a quaint shop called ldquoteam 7rdquo and broug http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/Veneto/Venice/blog-263817.html Day 11 Monday October 1From Palace to peephole.Wake up 615amBreaky 7amLeave for tour 740am Breakfast was ordinary and cold. We left for Schonbrunn Palace with our local guide Ilse and arrived at 830am.The Palace was spectacular. Every room was unique. The Hapsburgs used this Palace as their summer residence. Walking the floors of the ballroom was incredible imagining all the people that grace http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Vienna-State/Vienna/blog-263815.html Day 10 Sunday 30 September 2007Straus me upWake up 7amBreaky 7amBags and depart 840amWe arrived at Parliament house at 9am with Dora. It was all very serious. I took a photo of everyone coming in the entrance and was immediately approached by a suit and told to ldquoClear itrdquo the men in suits followed us everywhere. The ground staircase was impressive. We climbed up and entered the dome http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Vienna-State/Vienna/blog-263813.html Day 9 Saturday 29 September 2007What No EnglishWake up 630am Breakfast 7am Depart for tour 830amThis morning Dora took us to Herorsquos Square first. I loved it. It had the tomb of the unknown soldier. Along the top of the columns the statues mean work war peace and wealth.The main statue in the centre was of Arc Angel Gabriel. The legend was that the Pope wasnrsquot sure who to gi http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Hungary/Budapest/blog-263807.html Day 8 Friday 28 September 2007Beautiful Budapest and the Blue DanubeWake up 6am bags and Breaky 630am Leave 730amWe headed off for Budapest this morning It began pouring rain. Perfect timing. At one point we had to make a detour for roadworks. There was only one sign then nothing. We ended up on a country road through some quaint towns. This was great as we didnrsquot have to look at highwa http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Hungary/Budapest/blog-263804.html Day 7Thursday 27 September 2007Let the Czech Beer flowWake up7am Breaky 730am Prague Sightseeing 830amIt was lovely not to have to pack and rush today. I still went to breaky early at 630am. It was delicious. I thought it might be after dinner last night.At 830am we met Gary and Lucia at the coach and went back to the Historical Area. It was impressive to see a presidential car parade g http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Czech-Republic/North/Prague/blog-263799.html Day 6 Wednesday 26 September 2007Gingerbread and BrandyWake up Call 630am Bags and Breaky 715am leave 8amBreakfast was basic. When they ran out of food they took forever to replace it. I had egg and lovely ham then a roll with a ldquoBrunchrdquo spread Cheese and OnionWe drove a short distance to the Old Bridge and went for a 20 minute stroll. The view was picturesque. The water was r http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Czech-Republic/North/Prague/blog-263798.html