Page 11 of smatlanek Travel Blog Posts


Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul May 27th 2012

The first day was V ERY busy so events in piont form. Hotel Evsen reached by public transport from airport - metro first then a change to tram - helpful men at turnstiles - get tokens 2turkish lira each- machines gives change- insert red token and you are on your way. Each stop announced in turkish and english and scrolling info rolls inside the the tram wagon. If you have a map and familiarize yourself with the name of the end station of your route you are well on your way. No time for digs at Toronto Transit! Breakfast always eaten on the roof of the hotel and selection each day can be counted on being a repition of the day before .... eggs, sausage, carrot sauce, black and yellow olives, sliced cukes and tomatoes, bread, ... read more
Ferry Under Galata Bridge
Hayarpasa
Spice Bazzar

Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul May 25th 2012

OK ...first comment ... they didn't film the movie here and the dagger is nowhere to be seen. So much for dashed expectations... Audrey Hepburn wasn't here either! To reach Topkapi Palace I walked from my hotel towards the railroad tracks and veered right. On the way I saw exquisite hand work crocheted with myriad beads and metal pendants ... prices high, and so they should be for the original ideas and the labour ... could not take a shot because the guy was standing right there. I had given myself a day to explore the treasures of Topkapithinking it would be vast and much to absorb. I came upon the back entrance of the Gulhane Garden. Masses of flower flats with marigolds, impatience and tiny begonias were all set out on the ground waiting to ... read more
Disney Tapioka
On the Grounds of the Palace
Carnation Motive

Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul May 23rd 2012

I am sure mass workshops in friendliness and extending feelings of welcome have been used to instruct all and any citizen of Istanbul in making 'the tourist' feel comfortable. Most intensive programmes seem to have been extended to the carpet sellers. These guys have it down to a fine art. Unsuspecting easily swayed 'tourists' enter at your own risk! It always begins can I give you my card and you have to go into the shop to get the card. Then comes the glass of tea and they are on a roll. Prices go down; 600-545-475-375 shipping is included; of course we take VISA! I listened to two intensive spiels... engaged in three short conversations without going into a shop and point blank refused many others. I have my silk carpet from Kashmir, apparently not as ... read more
Curtains Go Up for Dinner
 Kernels for Sale
Inside Sultanahmet Mosque

Europe » Netherlands » Limburg » Baarlo May 18th 2012

The last day at the Flower Expo was at hand. Hans and Tiny from camping Heiderust were driving by car and I begged aride. We drove to Venlo and from there tookthe Floriade Express for 3.50euro. The tickets were bought at the Station Kiosk, the bus was packed and we were there in no time. It was a sunny day and the place was teaming with visitors. This wa the day for the gondola ride. The system has been rented from Austria whence it will return to serve as a ski-lift. A pavilion from Japan offered ideas about how different tastes are attained,what food assembly machines can do and how tools for fast food restaurants are used. This in combination with sustainable food distribution around the world and who produces GM foods and by how much: ... read more
The Dragon
Setting the Table Round the World
A Sea Shell Wall!

Europe » Netherlands » Limburg » Baarlo May 14th 2012

Sights seen .... facts read ... trivia learned ... All the pictures are from day three at Floriade, spent at Villa Flora where the competition flowers are housed and where other international countries displayed their seeds, desalination methods, happiness quotients, the availability of herbal spas and festivals celebrated with flowers The animals observed up to now include, at the camping, in a small enclosure include a mule, some brown chickens with feathers right down to their feet, and two goats. It was at the entrance of the campground on the first day that I saw the sheep being herded into a transport container by two border collies. Have since learned that the sons of the owner of the camping and their wives all have outside jobs. On the way to the Floriade can be seen the ... read more
Plaster mold and exhuberant traveller
Are these black roses from Japan real?
Bhutan equals Happiness

Europe » Netherlands May 11th 2012

Limburg Province shares a more than 200km long border with Germany. Baarlo is a small town south of Venlo. Venlo is very close to the border and many shoppers in the city have come across from Germany to go shopping. Floriade lies north of Venlo on the east side of the river Maas. It is ride of a little more than ten kilometers one way. Mushrooms, asparagus, fruits and vegetables are produced in this area. On the way to the Exposition can be seen the distributors. Euro Fresh has a big warehouse here. Just around the corner from the camping are two huge fields covered in extremely thin white polyester mesh. Beneath the mesh, which protects against night time cool temperatures, thru small rips can be seen the beginnings of a hefty celery harvest. New cauliflower ... read more
Indonesia
Italia with Boulder
Agua Pavilion

Europe » Netherlands » Limburg » Baarlo May 6th 2012

Camping Heiderust was an excellent find. Have only been here half a day and am already loving it. Will be here for two weeks. There are people with trailers and tents, cars and satellites, bikes and mopeds, kids and pets. The place is fully booked. Am happy that the reservation was made last December. Heiderust is Number 19. The owners live at Number 20. As mentioned before I met the owner on my first approach. He helped me find the supervisors. On the way to the grocery store the rest of the afore mentioned sheep were moved out of the field. The seven, four week old lambs accompanied the VERY wooly sheep. It is still too chilly to shear them. The sheep are making way for horses. The farm property seems quite large. My little cabin ... read more
Herded Sheep
One View of Inside the Cabin
Mule Goat Chicken

Europe » Netherlands » Limburg » Baarlo May 6th 2012

And so it begins. Four hour delay in flight and then flying on a plane that required four hours of repair. One of the attendants said it was a small computer wire ... ???? .... . Finally on the plane in a seat with limited leg room, beside a big man with large elbows. With great anticipation i took out my wooden knitting needles and Noro wool in shades of morning mist BUT he back of seat in front of me was too close to be able to knit comfortably. For seven hours endured the closeness of a strange man (do not sleep so attached to my partner), watched one movie with sound and viewed the other two in silence between neck torturing sleep. Blankets and blowup neck rings were on sale for $7. A warm ... read more
Limburg County
The Tiger Suite
Floriade Bus at Station

North America » Canada » Ontario » Vaughan May 5th 2012

Is the airport in Vaughn or Missessauga....don't know....but do know I have been at this airport too long. Acording to the captain who at the moment is holding up the wall in the ...Oh wait.... big announcement..... getting the defectie part from another plane will be ready to leave in another hour.... having having trouble believing that. I am going to use my width and length and lie down on the bench once finished with this blog. They have already given us a $15 food voucher which was 8o cents short for an orange juice and a sandwich. Now they want to leave at 8:30 and its already 8:00. I have emailed my first night's hotel. The train leaves Amsterdam regularly .... not like Sudbury ... once every two days and not on weekends.The captain is ... read more
All this X $15
The view from Here

North America » Canada » Ontario » Toronto May 3rd 2012

May 2ndat 11:00 has slowly come to an end. After a second furtive search for my mobile I took the bus north to the library at Scraborough Town Centre. Looking for the location I spoke with a nice man at the security desk of the Scarborough City Hall. The library was inside the STC. Asking at at the Customer Service desk the lady said no library was in the Mall. But there it was on the list albeit without a phone number. The Lady was too good.The listing was actually a book mobile which only arrived every second Thursday. She suggested the next best idea … Starbucks or Davids Tea for WiFi access … or the Youth Drop-in Centre. I tried the drop in centre but could not connect. By now I was in need of ... read more
Flower to Buy
Dandilion Splendour




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