Page 3 of TravelQueen Travel Blog Posts


Europe » Spain » District of Madrid » Madrid May 27th 2008

Madrid City Last weekend Patxi (who worked with Mario in Japan) came to visit us from Alicante. We spent the weekend like real Spaniards, eating a big late lunch, then going for coffee, then having dinner at 10pm! Very busy, but a great weekend and nice to be shown around by the locals! One day last week, Mario worked at the Madrid Botanical Gardens, so I got a ride in and spent the day walking around admiring the beautiful architecture and appreciating the sunny day! xxxm&m... read more
Typical street in Madrid
Luis pouring the cider while we waited for a table
Saturday lunch with Patxi and his friends in Madrid

Europe » Spain » District of Madrid May 10th 2008

Another country, another new language, another experience! Alcobendas, Madrid Mario’s work with bonsai is what has brought us to Spain. We are currently living in a suburb (rather a small city) half an hour out of Madrid called Alcobendas. It is a really beautiful place and much more modern than I had expected. We have a very nice second floor apartment for the month. Exactly across the road is a big shopping centre! From our windows we can people watch for hours! We don’t have internet but there is a centre down the road where we can use it for free. People here are real night owls and eat dinner after 9pm, must have something to do with it not getting dark till 10pm! Can’t seem to adapt yet! Check out our first few photos from ... read more
Madrid Airport - very cool!
Poor things!
Our first shopping experience

Europe » Poland April 29th 2008

After a VERY long trip, including 4 different planes, 5 different airports and almost 30 sleepless hours, we made it to Poland from Australia and were happily greeted by Mario’s parents. During our 10 day stay, we spent 2 days at Aneta and Mariusz’s (Mario’s sister and brother in law) house. From there we all went to the third biggest castle in Poland, Ksiaz (pronounced Kshonch), and stayed 2 nights. At the castle was a huge flower and plant expo which occurs once a year. The setting was beautiful! There was also a bonsai exhibition and Mario gave 2 lectures to a very attentive audience. It was a great weekend! Back at Czestochowa, we spent the rest of our time relaxing, shopping, eating delicious food and trying to get me a visa! More from Spain soon... ... read more
Ksiaz Castle
One of the 4 flights - 13hours
Delicious food on our arrival in Poland

Oceania » Australia » South Australia April 26th 2008

Mario and I spent one month in Adelaide before we moved to Spain. It was his first time there! We went to Victor Harbor, camping, Glenelg and rode bicycles home after a great night out!... read more
My Birthday lunch
On Glenelg Jetty
My sexy

Oceania » Australia » South Australia April 17th 2008

Mario and I went camping for two nights on the Fleurieu Peninsula. One Sunday we went with mum, dad and Pete to the Gorge Wildlife Park and then to Uncle Con's for lunch and checked out his huge property. Check out the pics!... read more
On the rocks near Hallett Cove
Massive!
Some kangaroos by the side of the road

Asia » Japan » Shizuoka » Izu March 9th 2008

On the weekend Mario and I went to our favourite place, the Izu Peninsula, for his birthday and our last trip away before we leave Japan. In Kawazu, there is a different type of cherry blossom that flowers much earlier than the others, so we made a stop there catching our last glimpse of the beautiful flowers before we leave Japan. We stayed near Shirahama beach, at a very nice Japanese ryokan, the owner was super nice, the place too! The next day was Mario's birthday, we had cake after breakfast, went for a walk along the beach then had lunch at a Japanese lobster restaurant! It was delicious, but I preferred the lobster cooked so put the pieces in my hot miso soup! :) On our drive home, we really didn't want the trip to ... read more
Very Japanese
We went back!  but this time there was no water in the pool
Sexist but funny toilet sign haha

Asia » Japan » Yamanashi » Fuji Five Lakes December 28th 2007

Between Christmas and New Year, my family along with Mario and I went to Fujigoko (Fuji Five Lakes) region for 3 days. Mt Fuji was hiding more than I would have liked, but it was a great trip nonetheless. We went to Fuji-Q Highland Roller Coaster Park and mum went on the scariest record breaking Eejanaika coaster! So brave, even if her eyes were closed the whole way haha! We also went ice skating and Mario showed off some talent! On our second day went to Fuji Safari Park. The whole drive there, we couldn't see more than a few metres in front of us due to thick fog, but literally one minute before we arrived, we turned a corner and the fog magically disappeared!! The drive through the park was especially scary and almost had ... read more
Snow!
Fuji Q Highland
Rabu Rabu (love love in Japanese!)

Asia » Japan » Shizuoka December 24th 2007

On Christmas Eve Mario picked me up in the morning (only an hour after he left for work) and drove me to the most perfect lookout in Shizuoka city of Mt Fuji. The whole car ride there I was ordered not to even take a peek at the beautiful snow caped mountain, which has become my obsession since moving to Japan. I could look at Fujisan only when we arrived at the beautiful park. The view was amazing!!! Mario then told me to wait on a rock and not to turn around. At this point I was very excited while I eagerly waited for Mario to return. I was given a large box that contained another box, and another, and another and a few more until I reached the smallest! Inside was a beautiful ring, then ... read more
The beautiful view at Nippondaira
So happy!!
All the boxes!

Europe » Poland September 10th 2007

I know it has been a looong time since I published a blog! Mario and I just have two months left in Japan, before we travel to Australia, Poland again, and Spain. Its difficult to keep up with ourselves, let alone a travelblog...anyway I'm trying! Mario and I went on a short holiday in September to Belgium for the biggest European bonsai exhibition - Mario won 2nd prize!!!!!!!!!!! We then flew to Poland and I met and stayed with Mario's family. I also met some of his friends and had a few crazy drinking nights! It was a great holiday, just too short! ... read more
Ghent
Mt Fuji from the plane - so exciting!
First night in Belgium

Asia » Japan » Shizuoka September 1st 2007

After Mario finished work on Saturday, we began driving along the coast towards Omaezaki. Finding a perfect place to camp was not as easy as we thought. They were either too noisy (ie. next to a factory, or people playing with fireworks), too dirty, not deserted or difficult to get to. After some frustration and darting off the main road about 15 times looking for the perfect spot, we finally found one! We set up the tent and lit our small bbq. By this time it was 9:30pm and we were starving, so lucky we had a small feast prepared, not to mention red wine! Hot marshmallows were for desert, Mario's first time, but he preferred them plain or on his face! Since we took the car (not Blue Angel), we could afford a few luxuries ... read more
Mario setting up the tent
Voila!
Getting the barbie started




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