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  • Marina Issy Wigmore Caldwell
  • Marina Issy Wigmore Caldwell

Issy & Marina

UK & Europe 2024 Read more
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  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    Our train ready to go at Gare du Nord
    Amsredam Red light district

    Paris to Amsterdam on EuroStar

    May 10, 2024 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    What a great way to travel on a fast train. 506km in 3 hours. We are sitting at Brussels right now, waiting to continue.
    Northern France from Paris is very green and very flat with a huge number of power generation windmills.
    I'm rather glad to be out of Paris. The architecture is so beautiful but 11.5 million people in such a small area? Nah.
    Arrived in Amsterdam, got to the hotel, and our room was up 4 flights of the scariest stairs I've ever seen. You need bloody crampons to get up them. Went and had dinner and saw the whole girls in the windows flaunting their wares a bit unsettling. I guess as long as they are happy, that's all that matters. . The district is a serious party area and crowded and incredibly noisy. We got a credit and rebooked out of town a little.
    Lots of English yob having hen and stag nights. once again, Nah
    Tomorrow, we have a chill day. We will go into Amsterdam on the tram and have a look around. It looks pretty cool.    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    A pleasant place to drink coffee and ⌚️
    500cc joke cars. Sounds like a 2 strokes.Bikes and bikes and bikes.....and more bikescentral amsterdamoutside amsterdam centraal train stationoutside the food marketDinner yum Teriyaki chickenfood was made in these huge pans over hot coals

    A hot sunny day in Amsterdam

    May 11, 2024 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Was not expecting 22 degrees here, but I will take it. We went out, and Marina and I bought a few bits and pieces locally. Then sat in a cafe outside and people watched.
    Also laughed at the 2 stroke cars that get parked as if they are bikes. they sound terrible 500cc of misery.
    The guy at our reception recommended we visit a market a few stops from us. We got down there and discovered this huge area with hot food and beer stalls.
    We headed into the central city to figure out our route for the Keukehof gardens for tomorrow and stopped on the way back for dinner. Man, it was so busy I took a photo of the bikes parked outside but could not take any photos inside as it was too crowded.
    There was an outstanding live band playing called Le Josha. I caught a bit on video..
    Marina and I had teriyaki chicken for dinner cooked in huge paella pans. see photo.
    Have arrived back at the hotel stinking of smoky food with a full belly 😋
    Will look out for Aurora Borealis tonjght. Scott and Centaine, thanks for the photos . So cool, one from the Northern the other from the Southern hemisphere.
    The world gets smaller.
    BTW, really like Amsterdam 👍
    Off to see the Tulips tomorrow. 🌷    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    1

    Canal cruise and Keukenhof gardens

    May 12, 2024 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Was up half the night hoping to see Aurora, but no dice. Weare at 52 degrees north, so I thought we would have a shot. Centaine, who lives in Hamburg at the same latitude, sent some amazing photos.
    We got up earlish and took the tour to the canals.
    Wow, just Wow. It is an amazing lot of diverse windmills 250 years old and lots of nan made islands isolated from the mainland by canals.
    One of them had 60 km odf dykes hand dug in the 19 century. 400 residents and a ferry to bring them to the mainland.
    Due to the heat, the Tuoips were past best, but the gardens were beautiful .
    It is 2.30. we are heading back to Amsterdam now.Back at the hotel now for 4 30.
    We both enjoyed our day out
    We will have a quiet night in. Maybe get burger and chips later.
    Hop on hop off trip tomorrow and another 🚢 🚣‍♀️ canal trip. This one in Amsterdam Centraal.    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    Major road leading i to the city abt 10 AM
    Trams and buses have the middle of the roadTrams outside Centraal stayionThere were 1000s of bikes hereOur neighborhood where we stayed in West Amsterdam 4km from city

    Amsterdams great public transport.

    May 13, 2024 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    What an easy place to get around. We were on the 21 bus route and 7 tram. the longest we had to wait would have been under 10 minutes. There are cars on the road but not many. The only traffic snarl up we saw was because dumb drivers did not give a bus enough room to move. A member of the public got out there and got everyone to reverse . Problem solved.
    So they have a ring road for the cars and I dont think cars are allowed in the city unless they are commercial or taxis.
    See the pictures of the bikes they are so numerous it is amazing.
    The roads have 2 full lane s for bus and tram to share in the middle of the road, one full lane fot cars, and the wide footpaths that are divided in 1/2 for pedestrians and bikes.
    It is pretty unnerving the speed the cyclists at but pedestrians get the footpath and the bikes there own lane wide enough for 2 wide . it just all works.
    The buses and trams are all electric so there isn't pollution. Except for some of the smelly old canal boats.
    There are no turnstiles or tickets as you hop on or off the bus. tram or train. You swipe a debit card. or contactless means, and these are on all doors. People are on and off instantly.
    I so admire a ciry that has got off its arse and made things work.
    It is way trickier getting people onto bikes in Auckland, but there are some great ideas here that make this city so appealing.
    All the photos attached on on a Monday morning, not a weekend. See how the roads have so few cars .

    We also did astint at the laundromat this AM. Oh, the fun. 😁
    Then, we did a lovely 2 hour cruise through the camals. Amsterdam is called the Venice of the North and has as many canals as Venice, just fewer bridges. Only 250. huh.
    Back to London tomorrow on Eurostar.    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    Sunrise 🌅 in Amsterdam
    lower marsh st london our neighborhood

    The trip is slowly winding down.

    May 14, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We were up at 4.45 this AM to catch the Eurostar to London. We have a night there and will be flying home tomorrow Wednesday to arrive in Auckland middayish Friday.
    We arrived in London and went to our abode right beside Wesrminster Bridge. Each room is alloted ear plugs as it has an overhead train line right above us. Man, it is noisy. Also right beside a hospital, so plenty of ambos going weeu
    We got talking to a couple of 40-something Australian women who were interesting, and Tracy was a real character. Thei other woman Rachel was her bestie and they are traveling in Europe for 5 weeks.
    Tracy and Rachel go figure what are the chances?
    We got pizza, a really cool little italian place in our street it was perfect and then got together as a team for a pub quiz here at the Walrus. Came 2nd of eight, not bad. Great fun was had.
    Traveling is often about the people you met, and these 2 were great. We will catch up for breakfast tomorrow.
    We are staying on this cute little street with lots of restaurants and cafes photo attached. Will catch up for our last day n London tomorrow folks.    Read more

  • Marina Issy Wigmore CaldwellIssy & MarinaTraveler
    our lasr hostel in the U.K
    Railway line right beside the WalrusElizabeth limeElizabeth line inside the shiny nrmew trainButterfly garden at Changi airport 29 degrees and rainThe rail line beside our hostel It is loud!!!

    Heathrow and home.

    May 15, 2024 in England ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Had breakfast with Rachele and Tracie.Booth are really lovely ladies. We got to Heathrow to drop off our bags and head to Windsor, but it was a pain to get too and I was completely exhausted. Sio, we hung out at a cafe, and now we will be boarding in an hour.
    Got here on the Elizabeth line what an improvement over the rest of the undergriund rattke trains. Everything in the underground is looking old and crappy.
    Have arrived in Singapore 29 deg and raining. It was a great flight. Best so far . All the way to London was 100% full. we had 3 seats, so we were able to spread out and sleep. Had a look at the butterfly room, but it was getting dark, and they were tucked away for the night. for sleep.
    It is a beautiful garden, but it is open to the elements, so Marina and I got pretty wet, .and I don't do 29 with 100% humidity 😜See you all at home.    Read more

    Trip end
    May 17, 2024
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