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Europe May 18
  • Karen Cotton
  • Karen Cotton

Europe May 18

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Road Trip Day 2

    21 de maio de 2018, Itália ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    We spent the night at the Hotel of 100 Cats. At least I think that is what it is called. It was very remote but there were a lot of hikers passing through Monteluco on their pilgrimage from Rome to Assissi. It is very hilly. Good luck to them.
    After breakfast we wandered to the small monastery, where monks still live today. I’ve added a photo of a room that a monk had lived in, and they were still being used up until the 1960s. I’m not sure if the photo will show the size of the rooms but they are tiny.
    As the monastery is a place of reverence you have to whisper in there. Stefano made a donation to the monastery and then picked up a leaflet and said “Oh look Debbie, we can adopt a monk. I wonder if we will get to name him”. Debbie and I lost it and rushed out of the monastery as quick as we could. We headed down the hill and then laughed for about ten minutes. Strangely enough I think he is seriously considering it. He hasn’t stopped talking about it all day and wants to know if he will get an annual photo and update.
    Hopped in the car and headed off to Assissi. The Italians are mad drivers and Graham doesn’t need any encouragement to drive like them, but I think Stefano is providing it. The scenery was, like every day, spectacular. Every couple of minutes there is a little town on the hill and they have three things in common – at least one church, a castle and a great big wall around the town to keep out invaders. Our word of the day is “wow”.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Assissi to Poggioleone

    22 de maio de 2018, Itália ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Assissi is the prettiest town we have seen so far. It is medieval but as lots of tourists go there it is very well maintained. Lots of quaint shops. Stefano wanted to buy his monk a pair of leather sandals. People go to Assissi to pay homage to St Francis, the patron saint of animals and the environment, so I think he must have been a good guy.
    The highlight of our day, by far, was when Stefano decided it would be a good idea to stand Ernie on the wall above the fountain. That was mistake number one. Mistake number two was to turn his back. There was a splash and a scream and one wet Ernie. Ernie was crying but we couldn’t help ourselves and were in stitches. We are horrible people.
    Back into the car for some more mad Italian driving and off to Poggioleone for the night, which is on the border of Umbria and Tuscany. Once again the rain set in so off to a wine bar to wait for it to stop, which it didn’t. We had a wet Ernie for the second time today.
    Graham is up to over 1,200 photos.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Road Trip Day 3 - Tuscany

    22 de maio de 2018, Itália ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    A relaxing drive in the Tuscan countryside are not the words I would use to describe today's journey. Graham is now officially an Italian driver. He was getting annoyed with a tourist who had the nerve to do the speed limit. To add to the excitement level we had a bit of rain as we were weaving our way down the highway,
    The countryside is spectacular; well I think so from what I could see when I was brave enough to look away from the road.
    Stopped in Cortona for morning tea (gelato) and a wander. Lots of middle aged men in lycra making the most of the hills.
    Then off to Siena for lunch, limoncello and a look at the town. They have an annual bare back horserace in the piazza which is madness. The cathedral here is spectacular - black and white striped marble. It took 150 years to build and I see why. We only planned to have lunch and a quick look at the town but before we knew it, it was 6.30pm and we still had a two hour drive to Calcinaia. Oh well, we are on Italian time. Once again eating at 10.30pm.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Road Trip Day 4 – Pisa

    23 de maio de 2018, Itália ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Back into the car for a short drive to Pisa. We have been following Stefano in the car for the last four days. Didn’t lose him once. He had to follow us for 600 metres – didn’t follow us when we turned off. Graham won’t let him live that one down!

    I don’t know what people go to Pisa for more – to see the Leaning Tower or the people all pretending to hold it up. How that thing hasn’t fallen down I don’t know! I refused to pretend to hold the tower up for a photo, but peer pressure and all. Picture is attached. You can see how thrilled I was. Ernie had a crack but I don’t think he’s got the hang of it yet.

    Went to a restaurant for the last supper (well lunch anyway). I couldn’t quite finish my meal and had left 1 ½ tortellini and Stefano was aghast that I was going to send it back to the kitchen. Apparently it would make Jesus cry. Stefano helped me out by finishing it and said “Ok, Jesus is happy now”. We have laughed every day at the funny comments Stefano comes out with. I love the relationship the Italians have with their food – no wonder they are such fabulous cooks.

    Said a sad and tearful goodbye to Deb, Stefano and Ernie. It has been so special spending the last week with them. Stefano put together a fabulous itinerary and we feel we have seen the real Italy, but then who better to show it than an Italian. We have had many laughs and have made many special memories with them. I hope one day we can repay them. Every gelato from now on will be in their honour. Then we said a not so sad goodbye to our hire car, but not before we got lost in La Spezzia and drive through a market, oops.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Vernazza - Cinque Terre

    24 de maio de 2018, Itália ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    We arrived in Vernazza late afternoon and thank goodness iron man Johnny was there to meet us and carry both cases (at once) up all the stairs to our accommodation. The stairs are so steep here I think we’ll just push out suitcases down from the top on the way out. It’s such a quaint little town and so quiet at night when all the cruise ship day trippers head out. Got a great relaxing vibe. I have never seen so making hiking boots and hiking poles in one place in my life.
    Had way too much limoncello last night so spent the day thinking I was going to die and either sleeping or reading. Graham headed out to hike to the next town on his own. It’s four minutes on the train or 1 ½ hours up and down hills to hike. He looked shattered when he got back. I was still feeling like death so he hiked the other way to the next town, which took 2 ½ hours and he said was even harder than the previous hike. He caught the train back but once again it turned into an express so had a bit of a tour of the train stations trying to get back to Vernazza. All in all the day ended up quite good for me.
    We sat for ages last night eating gelato and watching people walk past a cat that was asleep on the path. Every person that went past would stop to pat the cat (which kept on sleeping) and take its photo. I was going to put a hat next to it and a sign asking for donations for cat food and I think that cat and I would clean up.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Cinque Terre Towns

    25 de maio de 2018, Itália ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Caught the trains to see the other four villages that make up Cinque Terre. Tonight we are going to hike to Corniglia, the next village, for tea and train it back. Graham said it should only take us two hours to get there. I don't think this will end well.
    Stood for ages watching people cliff jump into the ocean. One poor guy kept getting to the edge then backing down. The crowd was getting bigger all the time. He had the crowd slow clapping him and counting for him – he’d cross himself and you thought this is it, and then he’d back off again. Eventually one of the local guys climbed up and held his hand and jumped with him to a huge roar from the crowd.
    Had a walk through one of the local cemeteries. They must have a very healthy lifestyle as a lot of people were aged in their 90s when they died, and there were very few young people. It must be all that fish, olive oil and hill climbing; and possibly the local wines.
    Off to Venice tomorrow. Four different trains with 15 minutes between each train. Should be fun. Might get to use some of the new Italian swear words I learnt at soccer the other night.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton
    1

    Four Trains and a Ferry

    26 de maio de 2018, Itália ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Had a fabulous time in Vernazza but off to Venice. Graham carried the two cases down the steepest stairs I have ever seen. Well done to him. Got on the first train with time to spare. Had a 30 minute lay over before the second train from La Spezia to Pisa so all relaxed. As we were in first class we wandered to the end of the platform. The very, very long train arrives with no first class in sight. Where is it? Down the other end. Sprinted from one end of the platform to the other and Graham threw the cases up the stairs. Just made it, but because we were late had to store the bags in the doorway so I spent the next hour of what should have been a relaxing, first class train journey pacing up and down to check on my suitcase.
    Got to Pisa and had 10 minutes to get down through the underpass and up the other side onto the next train, so threw the cases down the stairs and then Graham had to carry both up. Made train number 3. Fifteen minutes at Florence to get train number 4 but by now I was a tad stressed so when we were queuing patiently to get on a lady pushed in front my inner bitch came out and I just about flattened her with my suitcase. Wrong day to push my buttons lady! Once again Graham was throwing cases up into trains and off again.
    Finally arrived in Venice, and now for the fun of the ferry with suitcases. After waiting for three ferries to get on one a young man tried to push past me so I ran over his foot with my suitcase. When will they learn.
    So we made it to our hotel in one piece after a very physical journey and we are still talking. Lucky we have lost weight and Graham has been working out – that’s all I can say!    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Magical Venice

    27 de maio de 2018, Itália ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We are looooving Venice. There’s a surprise around every corner. You also get lost around every corner. Our hotel is on the canal. We paid extra for a canal room, as you do, and we are rewarded with the world’s smallest balcony. I’ve attached a photo of Graham on said balcony. I had to take it from the room as we both can’t half stand on it at once. But we do get to hear the gondolas go past with the gondoliers chatting and singing away. They are a happy lot. Apparently they are incredibly well paid and smoke a lot of weed.

    Graham is bringing out a book in Spring 2018 – 1001 Gondolas of Venice I Have Photographed. There will be a follow up book Summer 2019 – And Here Are the Canals.

    We visited the bell tower of St Mark’s Basilica before the crowds to get a bird’s eye view over Venice. Then off to Doge’s Palace, which was a bit of a mix of Parliament House and Supreme Court. Saw the cell Casanova escaped from. Managed to squeeze in a Crime and Punishment Exhibition and then wandered around getting lost.

    Had a lovely dinner (aren’t they all) and asked for the bill. Certainly sir, but here are some biscuits first. Well it would be rude not to eat them. Asked for the bill again. Certainly, but now here is the limoncello. Still rude to refuse. About an hour later we rolled out and were rolling home through St Mark’s Square to find it full of people, as the restaurants on the square had orchestras playing. Everyone was clapping along and some were dancing. It was wonderful!    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Venice

    28 de maio de 2018, Itália ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Had a lovely start to the day, as always, eating breakfast watching the shirtless gondoliers getting ready for the day. Thanks boys. Entertainment over, we headed to Murano to check out their fabulous glass. Here's a tip - don't point out anything you think is mildly pleasant to look at or next minute you will be getting the hard sell to buy pleasant looking vase for $800. Ahhhh, thanks but no thanks.
    Walking back through Venice we could hear music so followed it to a church and popped in to hear a recital by the University Choir. They were spinetingling good, and in such a beautiful setting. It was truly magical. This is what we loved about Venice - all the unexpected surprises.
    Went on a gondola ride with drunk Graham. Yay. I'll do a separate post on that. Ride over we headed for dinner and more drinks, then back to St Marks Square to listen to the bands playing again (Graham is now drinking take aways). Met a lovely mother/daughter from the States who were trying to shazam a song so I had to step in to help out (sadly I knew the Barry Manilow song) so we spent the evening with them going from band to band playing guess that tune, with me having to remind Graham every two minutes to use his inside voice so people could hear the band. You do meet fabulous people on your travels.
    As the tide was coming in the square was starting to fill with water and everyone is tiptoeing around the water, except drunk Graham who wades on through in his RM Williams boots as if he were in gumboots.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Gondola Ride

    28 de maio de 2018, Itália ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    AKA Underwhelming.
    Got to our gondola ride early so headed to the nearest bar. Probably not the smartest idea. Headed back to our gondola ride to find out we are paired with a young couple and she has obviously spent the afternoon preparing for her photo shoot....I mean gondola ride. I'm not sure if she saw any of the scenery as she spent the whole ride posing and then critiquing each shot. And I spent the whole time trying to get Graham to behave and stop taking the piss. Luckily I think it went over their heads. Graham did try to get me to do a super pose like her. I've attached the evidence.
    It was very nice, and you have to do it when you are in Venice, but it certainly wasn't the highlight of the trip. Bucket list - ticked.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Arrivederci Italy!

    29 de maio de 2018, Itália ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    Travelled by train from Venice to Tirano, a small town near the Swiss border. The train ride was very pretty as it skirted Lake Como. Tirano is a lovely little town with an abundance of clothing stores, particularly those that sell bathers. Now I walked every street and didn't see a swimming pool, nor is it by the ocean, so by the sheer volume of bathers on sale every home here must have a hot tub.
    Graham spend the morning looking for boot polish as for some reason his boots are looking dull. Maybe it was when they went wading in Venice.
    We have had the most amazing time in Italy and had lots of laughs, made some fabulous memories, survived the Great Positano Flood of 2018 and more importantly managed to drive in Italy without killing anyone or getting killed (only hit one pedestrian). A miracle. If I had to give anyone Italy travel advice I would say a) get away (far, far away) from all the "tourist spots" and b) stop taking posing selfies of yourself girls!
    Next stop (drumroll please)..............SWITZERLAND.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Bernina Express

    30 de maio de 2018, Suíça ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Today we caught the Bernina Express train across the Swiss Alps. We travelled across 196 bridges, through 55 tunnels and across the Bernina Pass at 2,253 metres above sea level. Thank you Wikipedia. I'm sure the photos don't do it justice.
    Graham was on fire this afternoon. We got off the train and there were six older people asking if they had heard correct that we were staying at Hotel Post, as they were, and did we know how to get there. "Oh follow me" says Graham "I know how to get there". So all eight of us trudged up the road with our suitcases for a few minutes before Christopher Columbus decides it's in the other direction. We crossed the crosswalk and dragged our luggage (some of us were limping) for another block, and now it's raining. Oh maybe it's in the COMPLETE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. I was so embarrassed I could have killed him.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Murren Day 1

    31 de maio de 2018, Suíça ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Thanks to the incredibly efficient Swiss rail system we caught four trains, a cable car and cogwheel train and arrived in Murren. We walked out of the train station and both dropped our bags and were laughing hysterically as the views were so spectacular. We were bent over double laughing - people must have thought we were on drugs.
    Wandered up to our hotel to find we had a room on the edge of the mountain with a balcony. We sit out there (drink in hand) and look at the mountains and snow and clouds and wonder if life gets any better than this.Murren is such a lovely mountain village with no cars but plenty of cows.
    Decided to go for a hike (no one walks here - we only hike now) to Gimmelwald. Well I obviously read the hiking board wrong as I thought it was a 20 minute hike. It was not. It also was not a straight hike. It was down the mountain. Half way down there was a board giving some info on the area and the average gradient is 80%. Of course we were zigzagging to get down but it was bloody steep. Got all the way there and the only place to get a drink, the local bar, was shut for a wedding. All the houses have eskies out the front with their cheese for sale. Everyone has a couple of cows and they all have bells so it's all we could hear. That and the sound of me puffing.
    And what goes down must come up, but it will be incredibly unhappy on the way up. Made it alive and sat on our balcony having a drink and local cheese, watching the paragliders going past.
    We may never leave.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Paragliding

    1 de junho de 2018, Suíça ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Yep, you read it right. We went paragliding. Graham is an asshole as he took the hot Swiss pilot.
    We jumped off the side of the mountain and then climbed to over 1,000 metres above the valley floor below. I was hanging on as if my life depended on it; actually it did.
    It was exhilirating and terrifying and spectacular and is definately the most amazing thing I have done in my life; except for raising two girls which is also exhilirating, terrifying and spectacular.
    We were in the air for around 20 minutes. My pilot kept pointing out interesting things on the valley floor below but I was not looking down thank you very much. There is a photo of me with my arms out and that is about half way down, just to give an indication of how incredibly high we were. And just to top it off as we came in to land he did a 360 degree turn where you are hanging sideways.
    I still can't believe we did it!    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Murren Day 2

    1 de junho de 2018, Suíça ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Today we went hiking again, because we are hikers now. We caught the cogwheel train and cable car hire down to Lauterbrunnen Valley, where there are 72 waterfalls, and then hiked (walked for those in Australia) to Trummelbach Falls. The hike (walk) was so lovely as it is very rural here. Heaven.
    Trummelbach Falls are in the interior of the mountain and move up to 20,000 litres per second, so it is incredibly noisy in there and pretty impressive. We then hiked (walked) further up the valley to catch a different cable car up and shared it with some of the pilots from earlier in the day who were heading up the mountain again to go base jumping. These guys are crazy stupid.
    Graham is really struggling with the local place names. Youngwhat is actually Jungfraujoch; Stockguard is really Schilthorn; Interlarkenfarken in Interlarken and my favourite - Googlebutton for Lautterbrunnen. Sadly, he is dead serious and when he starts talking to the locals I have to cut him off so he doesn't look like a complete fool. I have a new game where I ask where we are going just to hear what he comes up with but I think he's on to me now.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe

    2 de junho de 2018, Suíça ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    This morning we woke up at a sparrow's fart to travel to Jungfraujoch - The Top of Europe. It's at an altitude of 3,400 metres, and today was a lovely warm 0.8 c. Getting there early was fabulous as the sky was clear of cloud cover and we pretty much had the place to ourselves, apart from the obligatory Chinese tour groups. It's a pretty incredible view from up there and there were quite a few viewpoints, an ice gallery and best of all, the world's highest chocolate shop!
    RM Williams boots are very versatile - you can wear them to the office then out for a drink and off to a restaurant. The one place they can't take you is the snow. So Graham slid his way up and slid his was down the viewpoint. When he went ass up I did what any good wife would do and cracked up laughing. The second time he went ass up I took the camera from him as I don't want a broken camera.
    From there we trained it back to Wengen and then hiked down the mountain to Lauterbrunnen.
    When people say Switzerland is expensive they should say it is very, VERY expensive. But hiking is free (remember, we are hikers now), and there is free water and toilets everywhere. What more could you ask for? Our first night we had sausage, onion gravy and potato rosti and it was $32 each. We now go to the co-op and buy local cheese and meats, salad and Swiss chocolate and eat like kings on our balcony. There is no fridge in our room so Graham fills the bathroom sink with cold water and next thing, cold wine. Top it off with the best restaurant view in the world.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Schilthorn

    3 de junho de 2018, Suíça ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Were up at our usual ridiculous hour and on the first cable car up to the Schilthorn, which was made famous from the filming of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Graham was suitably attired in his shiny new hiking boots he bought after yesterday’s debacle in the snow in his RM Williams. I think the view from Schiltorn was even better than Jungfraujoch as there were mountains on all sides as far as the eye could see. We could even see Mont Blanc, which is 750 kilometres away.
    From there we went into the 007 Museum which was incredibly well done. Such interesting stories about the filming and people working on the movie. They were filming for six months and all stayed in Murren (where we are staying) so it must have been humming. Even the toilets were in the 007 theme. Above the men’s urinals was a sign – Shake, not stir.
    And the best thing was – it was all free on our Swiss Travel Pass. A cheap day in Switzerland – never!
    Stopped in Berg on the way back down for Graham to do the thrill walk suspended off the side of the mountain. I had the thrill of eating a doughnut.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Cotton Adventure Tours

    3 de junho de 2018, Suíça ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We decided we would do a gentle hike from Murren to the cable car and from there ride down to Lauterbrunnen Valley. So off we headed beside the railway track, all very civilised. We stopped for lunch on the way and sat with retired sisters from Florida who have done more travelling than we’ve had hot dinners. Age has slowed them down but they were a hoot. We left them to continue on our hike while they went off to find a pub. All of the hiking and mountain bike trails are very well marked and it would be impossible to get lost.
    We walked on for a while and realised we had lost the train track and in fact, isn’t that the cable car above us? There was nothing to do but to continue on down, dodging the occasional mountain biker who would come hurtling past. The Swiss must all be extreme sport junkies. They are either throwing themselves off a mountain or whizzing down it on skis or on a mountain bike at break neck speeds.
    So we walked, and walked, and walked. After a few hours we finally came across a sign showing Lauterbrunnen 30 minutes on the nice road or 20 minutes down this little track. We didn’t even debate – we are taking the shorter route. Someone must have decided that the hikers would probably be bored by now so let’s make the last 20 minutes really exhilarating for them. The track looked like nobody walked it and after picking our way down I know why. Four and a half hours after heading off we got to the bottom and Graham found a waterfall to dunk his head under and I found a bar.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Bern

    4 de junho de 2018, Suíça ⋅ 🌧 21 °C

    Woke this morning in the clouds, literally, so headed off to the city of Bern for the day. Spent some time wandering Old Town, visited the bear park in the middle of the city and visited the house Albert Einstein lived in. We were going to visit some of the museums, to find they are all closed on a Monday. On a positive note, the Swiss Rifle Museum was closed.
    Bern was pretty but I couldn’t wait to get back up the mountain to Murren.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    The Hills are Alive....

    5 de junho de 2018, Suíça ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    ....with the sound of Graham snoring. Haven't killed him yet.
    Went up to Grindelwald First today. Best cablecar ride yet. It was a bit like the ghost train. They put you in a little cabin and then you go around sharp corners, slow down, whizz off. Great views to top it off (but when aren’t there amazing views here). The hike to the lake was still closed due to snow so we did the ziplines and the glider. With the glider you start at the bottom laying face down and they pull you up the mountain backwards, and then when they get to the top it inches to a stop and you are left hanging for what feels like an eternity before they let you go. There may have been a bit of screaming. I can’t lie – Graham bloody filmed it!
    We were going to do the trotti bikes down the mountain until I read the reviews of people breaking bones and being airlifted out. I am not that desperate for a helicopter ride. The only people we saw on the bikes were a couple of 16 year old boys who said it was hell fast so I was overjoyed we didn’t do it. Graham would have loved it.
    Had a Sound of Music moment for Debbie, as requested. The Chinese were watching me twirl around on the edge of the mountain in awe. They are always up for a new pose to add to their repertoire so I imagine after we left there would have been 100 Chinese twirling around on the mountainside.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Murren to Lake Thun

    6 de junho de 2018, Suíça ⋅ 🌧 16 °C

    Sadly we left Murren this morning to head to Lake Thun. I think I left a little bit of my heart in Murren. I may have to go back to try to find it.
    Our hotel is right on the lake. More fantastic views. We dumped our bags and hopped on a cruise up the lake, checking out the mansions on the riverbank. Lifestyles of the rich and the famous. Stopped in at Spiez for a walkaround and look at their castle, one of five on Lake Thun. Jumped back on the boat and there was a Swiss band playing and all these people dressed in national costume dancing. It was fantastic. We didn’t know where to look – out the window at the lake views or the people on the dance floor.
    Was saying hello to a cat when a copper from Perth came up to say hello - must have heard the accent. Can't take Graham anywhere.
    I have patted, talked to or commented on every cat and dog we have seen so far, and we have seen a lot. Graham just ignores me now.
    Switzerland travel tip: You really do need a travel pass when you are in Switzerland. It will save you a bundle and often time, not having to buy a ticket.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Bike Fun in Thun

    7 de junho de 2018, Suíça ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    As part of our stay in Thun we get a free bus pass or the hotel provides free bikes. As it looked like it was going to rain we chose the bikes for a leisurely ride around the lake. And if it rained we could stop in a village for a while. No thank you, we don't need a helmet as we are off for a leisurely ride.
    So we headed off, tootling around the lake. It was lovely for the first 500 metres. Then bikes are no longer allowed on the path around the lake and we follow the arrow to find we are now on the main road that circumnavigates Lake Thun, surrounded by cars and trucks and buses, and of course without a helmet. But wait, it gets better. After an hour it starts to rain, and of course there are no villages in sight. Oh, and here's a mountain for you to ride up. And what happens when there is a road on a mountain? It is very windy, with no overtaking, there are tunnels and two idiots on bikes, without helmets. I did not sign up for this.
    After a couple of hours we arrived at our destination, St Beatus Caves. There is a lovely little train that takes you up to the cave, but not today there isn't so you have to climb up. I am not happy. At all.
    We did the cave tour (more climbing) and then Graham bought me some pizza because if I was eating I wouldn't be complaining. And then we rode back to Thun and thanked the lady at the hotel desk very much for the use of the bikes.    Leia mais

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  • Karen CottonEurope May 18Karen Cotton

    Krakow Poland

    8 de junho de 2018, Polônia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Said a sad auf wiedersehen to Switzerland and took a short flight to Poland. As Switzerland is expensive, Poland is cheap. Thank goodness. As I would be a shit busker.
    Krakow may not be as pretty as some of the other cities we have visited but it is vibrant and lively and has soul. Wandered around Old Town before taking a stroll down Horse Piss Alley (if you have been there you will know what I mean) into the main city square, which was full of bars, restaurants, markets, buskers and horse drawn carriages (see reference above).
    We sampled their many and varied vodkas - super smooth, and ate some fantastic local street food.
    We decided it would be a good idea to leave early as a) lots of English stag parties come to Krakow b) they weren't drunk yet c) neither was Graham, and d) if both were this would not end well.
    Oh and I must mention our apartment. It's on the third floor with no lift, so Graham had to lug the luggage up numerous flights of stairs. I helped. The stairs all bow in the middle when you walk on them and the tiles on the landings are all loose, but it is in a great location and has everything we need. Including a bar over the road playing loud music. All adds to the atmosphere.    Leia mais

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