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Stories from the travels of a couple of retirees, one who loves sightseeing and one who loves shopping. Lots of negotiations take place before a destination is agreed to. Read more Australian Capital Territory, Australia
  • TravelerN and J’s European holiday.
    Day 3

    Visiting the Queen of Australia

    September 16, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    One thing we haven’t done previously is go to Buckingham Palace. So feeling we had recovered enough from our flight, we turned into tourists, well I’m trying to turn MDW into one. Caught the underground to Westminster then walked towards The Palace. Walking down Birdcage Walk we saw the Royal Guards practising their “Changing the Guards” routine. At first there were a handful of spectators but this became 100’s, all with their phones to video or take photos of the practice run.
    On we walked, and walked, fighting our the crowds until we were at the ticket office. Apparently the crowds weren’t there to welcome us but watch the real Changing of the Guards, a daily event subject to weather conditions. As we had seen the practice run we felt we didn’t need to see the real event so we purchased our tickets at concession rates (do we look that old) no proof required. Must say the 15 state rooms were incredible, but the Queen must feel guilty having all that wealth and still charge people money to see what she owns. Shame on you Elizabeth.
    After exiting the Palace gardens we found our way to Victoria Station, not our intended underground station. After changing to the Piccadilly Line we exited at Knightsbridge so we could walk around Harrods. It’s just a huge department store with lots of expensive stuff for sale. I think overpriced but it’s an experience.
    MDW wanted to visit the ladies and I wanted a cup of tea. Logic says where food is offered a toilet will be nearby. We found a couple of food halls but no rest rooms. Eventually MDW noticed a sign pointing to the Bathroom so off to the loo she went.
    I asked a security guard where the tea rooms were and off we went following his directions downstairs. We were shown a table for two and given the menu. I think we were in the wrong place because it was High Tea not Cup of Tea. We just got up and back up to the security guard who then pointed in a different direction which was to the coffee bar. No seats available so we snuck past the security guard to the exit and ended up at The Bunch of Grapes. No tea but an icy cold beer and a couple of soft drinks for MDW. To get a table we had to say we were having food so we took the advice of having their famous fish and chips. Not as nice as last nights but fortunately the mushy peas came in their own bowl, not contaminating the fish.
    We were worn out by today’s effort and got back to the hotel around 5. I dozed off and MDW woke me around 7 to see what we were doing for dinner. A few cups of tea and a punnet of raspberries was the decision. Might go to the markets tomorrow.    Read more

  • TravelerN and J’s European holiday.
    Day 2

    Taipei to Gatwick and our Motel room

    September 15, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We disembarked around 6am local time in Taipei and started the walk from one end of the airport to the other looking for a coffee shop. The airport is clean and full of duty free stores selling the usual alcohol and tobacco plus chocolates at prices higher than the local supermarkets. MDW is looking for a chewy mint for the flight to London but nothing like a minty is available anywhere. I buy a coffee and hot chocolate ( extra hot) from a coffee shop. Prices similar to Australia but the quality was poor, and both like warm, could even say undrinkable, although I managed to consume half of each. Not going to waste my money!
    We board China Airlines flight 61 to Gatwick and it is full. Not many westerners but we settle into our rear corner of Premium Economy. One other excellent thing about China Airlines are the seatbelts. They are the most comfortable ones ever, you don’t mind having them on for the entire flight. It’s a 13 hour flight and I think I might get the window seat next time because MDW went to the toilet many more times than me. MDW kept asking if I was getting excited yet but for some reason it hasn’t hit me yet.
    I’m still wondering if St George has beaten South Sydney.
    I did have a mushroom burger which was very nice but the nuts were not nuts but some sort of tofu flavoured crunchy stuff. And root beer was not ginger beer but maybe sarsaparilla. Not too sure but not too good.
    Managed to get a few hours sleep in but still felt a bit exhausted when we arrived at 4:30pm London time.
    As we walk into the airport I immediately connect to free wifi to discover St George have lost by a point....
    That’s a bit disappointing but we join the snaking queue through customs. Actually it’s Border Force now as it is in Australia. My mother always said don’t trust things when there is a name change or the packaging is different as it won’t be the same, (I know she was talking about food) I wonder if that’s true about Customs/ Border Force.
    We efficiently collect our bags and get on the Gatwick Express to Victoria station. At Victoria Station we head to the Underground and I carry our two bags down the steep steps as the lift wasn’t functioning. I’ve go to get rid of the toiletry bags, they add an extra kilo. Standing on the platform I ask a nearby commuter if this goes to Gloucester Road Station. “No the other side” he replies. Back up the steps, wave the Oyster card to get to the other side, complain to a London Transport person who tells us we didn’t need to exit but he lets us back in for nothing. Three stops and we are at Gloucester Road and walking the few hundred meters to our hotel.
    Checkin is easy, the room ok but no fridge!!! Looks like the milk for our tea will sit in the sink or window ledge at night. The wifi is painfully slow but we are eager to have a meal that doesn’t include duck so walk down the road to a local pub. The hotel receptionist recommended the pub down the road for good fish and chips. The pub is called Steak & Co but cod and chips is on the menu. Very popular, have to wait 20 minutes for a table so have a drink whilst we wait. In Australia most clubs and pubs have several if not the choice of 10 beers on tap, not here, only 1, Stella. So a pint of Stella it is and a coke for MDW. The food is great and after completion we walk back to our room. It’s almost 9:30pm and we are both tired but have a cup of tea before dozing off. I slept through the night but MDW was awake from 1am till 5am. Whilst doing our blog we have a few cups of tea out of those tiny motel room cups but the tea made from tea bags is nice. A bit cool this morning and being Sunday not much is happening before 10am. Our holiday begins.    Read more

  • TravelerN and J’s European holiday.
    Day 2

    Sydney

    September 15, 2018 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 30 °C

    We arrive at Sydney Domestic Airport and put our bags in the airports baggage storage. Next we buy a couple of Opal cards so we can catch the train into the city. $35 on each card should be enough we are told. On the train we wonder if we were entitled to a seniors discount but too late now. We get off at Wynyard Station and walk around the shops on George Street and the World Square. For the past year or two we have been negotiating disrupted traffic in Canberra due to the installation of the light rail system, well Sydney is going through something similar with George St closed off as rail tracks are laid.
    We sat down for a coffee on Pitt Street and notice several massage shops and a hotel with hourly rates. Lovely area.
    We had earlier walked past a KFC and with KFC it’s a bit like reliving your childhood. Many people remember eating KFC in the 70’s thinking it was delicious. Well every couple of years we give it a try only to be disappointed by the undercooked oily fast food that usually ends up in the bin. One exception was KFC at Broken Hill, not too bad. Anyway we purchased 3 pieces, 2 for me and 1 for MDW. At least it was not oily, it was as dry as old leather and tasted the same. Maybe if I want to relive my childhood I should buy a Scaleletric Set.
    Late afternoon we caught the train back to the airport, swiped our Opal cards for the final time and were left with 39 cents credit on each card. I question how the balance could odd!
    We only had to sit at the airport for a couple of hours before checkin time then went through customs, MDW decided to stop being difficult and removed her bangles. MDW said she took them off because she was sick of being woman handled by customs staff.
    We settle down in bay 31 and I start watching the footy on the iPad. With 5 minutes to go in the match, Cronulla having a one point lead we had to board.
    Come on Penrith!    Read more

  • TravelerN and J’s European holiday.
    Day 2

    China Airlines

    September 15, 2018, Philippine Sea ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

    The reason we chose China Airlines was its Premium Economy was half the price of any other airline and the reviews we excellent so we were surprised only half of the 31 premium economy seats were occupied. The plane, a A350-900 looked near new. The cabin staff were excellent, there were even toilets for Premium Economy passengers only.
    The menu was a bit of an issue, especially for MDW,
    but to be fair the airline is catering for a more Asian clientele. In saying that, duck is a popular meat for their meals.
    We managed to get a few hours sleep in before breakfast at 3am. Breakfast was noodles and duck or chicken sausage. Seriously “duck” for breakfast, let alone chicken sausage. Fresh fruit was our choice.
    During the flight we received complementary slippers and toiletries bag. MDW has a collection of the completely pointless bags, still in their original plastic wrapping. Now as we get 2 per flight it means we end up with 8 on a return trip. Considering we are trying to keep our luggage weight down I see a looming issue, let alone lack of space in our wardrobe at home where we have a dedicated shelf for these items. Should I tell MDW I disposed of her airline toiletry bag collection a month ago?
    I tried the one size fits all slippers but failed badly.    Read more

  • TravelerN and J’s European holiday.
    Day 1

    Leaving Canberra

    September 14, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    At the airport (thanks Dianne) bags checked through to Sydney. Bag weights: 13 & 14 kilos.
    MDW (My Darling Wife) has the passports, for some reason they are no longer my responsibility.
    Get through the scanners and MDW gets a personal scan because she won’t take her bangles off, I get selected for an explosives detection, nothing to worry about except I’m carrying our sons old Barminco Mine backpack where he worked as a Charge-up (explosives operator). Nothing to worry about, we both get the all clear.
    First stuff up.... we get to Sydney about 2pm and our flight to Europe isn’t until 10pm.
    What was I thinking?
    Looks like a trip into the City to fill in a few hours. Hope I have all the other flight times better coordinated!
    Second stuff up, St George are playing South Sydney and we will be mid flight between Taiwan and the UK!    Read more

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