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 |   Theses are my thoughts and ramblings as I forge my way through this thing they call life. |
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These are my thoughts and ramblings as I forge my way through this thing they call Life. I blog with these groups:     "Blogging Circle of Friends "  [E] 
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30 Day Blogging Challenge  Day 23 - Paris, France WooHoo! Paris, at last! Can you tell I am excited? I am so glad I got to bed at a reasonable time last night because I am dancing as we get ready to head to Paris! I quite literally buzzed the whole three and a half hour train ride to Paris. Home to the expatriates - Hemingway, Fitzgerald, even our Morley Callaghan (That Summer In Paris), Gertrude Stein, Sylvia Beach, James Joyce.... and so many others. It is going to be such a Moveable Feast! Lyn's a Witchy Woman   has us staying at Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, She'd been told this hotel is superb and she twisted some arms to get us in here. Can you say 'opulence' drips from this place. We are in the 8th arrondissement of the city with a stunning view of Arc de Triumphe. http://www.fourseasons.com/paris/landing_3/?source=taparisblhotel We have 4 days in Paris.... oh, will it be enough? I hope so. I am itching to go to the Shakespeare and Company bookshop.... but I will hold off as Lyn has us going to the Louvre Museum. This place is amazing! We take a small group walking tour of the Louvre Museum in Paris. We also get to skip the line so that we can explore the collection of paintings, sculpture, and architecture with an expert local guide. It was only our group in our tour. This tour was specifically designed to highlight the most famous works of the Louvre Museum. Entering the Louvre through the original Medieval structure from the 12th century, join your guide on a journey from one breathtaking gallery to the next as you travel through time visiting works from 450 BCE through to the 1800s. The Louvre hosts over 35,000 pieces of artwork spanning over 60,000 square meters of exhibition space. On this walking Tour we got to see: âąSully Wing âąRoman Sculpture Hall âąVenus de Milo âąFrieze of the Parthenon âąEtruscan Artifacts âąWinged Victory of Samothrace âąThe Apollo Gallery (crowns of Louis XV and Napoleon) âąItalian Renaissance Wing (DaVinciâs Madonna on the Rocks and Mona Lisa) âąFrench Wing (Davidâs Coronation of Napoleon; Delacroixâs Victory Leading the People) âąMichelangeloâs Slaves âąCanovaâs Psyche and Cupid Once our official tour is over I stay and just soak it all in. If there is only one art gallery to get to in Europe... this would be it. Eventually my stomach claimed mutiny if I did not satisfy it soon, so I found one of the many cafĂ©s within the building to go to. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail?product=3731LOUVRE&d=188... http://www.louvre.fr/en This evening we are in for a huge treat. Off to the 7th arrondissement because we've got VIP tickets for the Moulin Rouge experience with exclusive seating on a private balcony. We were able to skip-the-line into the Moulin Rouge. We got to sip on Champagne before our 4-course French dinner which is also accompanied by wine. We got to watch the show from a private balcony with only 24 VIP seats. We enjoyed unobstructed views of the fabulous Moulin Rouge costumes, dancing and sets. We even received a Macaron bag and a chocolate box. We got to enjoy such specialties as duck fois gras, sea bass fillet with a mushroom sauce and a typically delectable French dessert. I am glad I walked around a lot today! At 9pm, the spectacular Moulin Rouge show began. This legendary French cabaret was made famous by the cancan and the paintings of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and since it opened in 1889 at the beginning of the Belle Epoque, the Moulin Rouge has captivated audiences with its extravagant, often risquĂ© performances. Moulin Rouge's current revue â âFĂ©erieâ â features a troupe of 100 artists, including 60 legendary âDoriss Girls,â dressed in spectacular costumes of feathers, rhinestones and sequins. The sumptuous sets and vibrant lights of âFĂ©erieâ provide a colorful backdrop for brilliantly choreographed performances on moving staircases, in a gigantic aquarium, on swings and in garden settings. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail?product=5022MOULINVIP&d=... It was after eleven when we ventured back out to the street. I made sure to get another photo of the place - now blazing in its night glory. I convinced a few of the gang to head over to the Le Chat Noir 1881 - a cafĂ© with a guy playing acoustic guitar and singing lovely French songs. The hours are from 7 am to 6 am! Who needs sleep! Well, we don't stay too late, but it is nice to soak up the atmosphere and people watch as we enjoy a nip of more wine and yummy snacks. https://www.facebook.com/leChatNoir1881#_=_ https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d5503450-Reviews-Le_Chat_no... |
30 Day Blogging Challenge August 22nd Amsterdam Last night was indeed a late night. I was happy Lyn's a Witchy Woman was kind enough to book us onto a later train (9 am) to Amsterdam. She also said the day was ours to explore as we saw fit, so I have a feeling I am going to take things slow and easy today. The train ride is 2 hours and instead of gluing myself to the window to absorb all the views, I sleep. A lot of us are dozing and moving pretty slowly this morning. I swear I drank my first coffee with my eyes closed. We're booked at the Hotel Sebastian's. A Boutique hotel in the Canal District. It is like a townhouse - a very chic one. It is well situated... the concierge tells us it is a 9-minute walk from a tram stop, 1 km from the Red Light District and 3.5 km from the Van Gogh Museum. The place is homey and warm - colorful and dramatic decor, the plush rooms range from cozy to airy, and offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea and coffee making facilities. There are upgraded rooms with soaking tubs, patios and/or courtyard, canal or garden views. I am perfectly happy with my room. The bed looks so inviting, but I resist. Since I had not eaten much in Hamburg before we left, I was happy to see the buffet-style breakfast, complimentary I might add, still available. I snagged another coffee and some pastries. So good. I felt more alive after that. Having an (ex) mother-in-law who is from Holland, I know this is a place of bikes so I am not surprised there are bike rentals available at the hotel. http://www.hotelsebastians.nl/nl/ This is also a city of canals.... though it has a cooler feel than Venice. Maybe it reflects my (ex) mother-in-law, because I see an aloof kind of beauty here, not the warm, welcoming kind of Venice. Still it is lovely in its own way.... and I am glad to be out of Germany. A few of our group are Dutch and they have made me see that maybe the coolness is just my (ex) mother-in-law and not the sweetness of these ladies. I appreciate the chance to get to know them and learn from them. The next thing to do was decide what to do. Lyn's a Witchy Woman left the day up to us. She made some suggestions, but told us to go off and explore... bring back tales of adventure she said. Well, I am sure I can do that.... Since I really don't know where to start I follow many of the group to the Van Gogh Museum. I am curious and some of our group are really quite knowledgeable. https://www.viator.com/tours/Amsterdam/Skip-the-Line-Van-Gogh-Museum-and-Amsterd... I went from there to the Anne Frank House. I made sure I took a lot of Kleenex. The exhibit was as moving as I anticipated. http://www.annefrank.org/en/ Afterward, I needed to get myself together and write about what I had seen and experienced. I headed to a coffee shop for some sustenance. I went to Werkplaats. The atmosphere picked me up and lifted me back into the here and now. I tucked Anne Frank back into my heart and smiled my sad thank you for the girl's courage and her sharing of what she went through - all in the hopes it would never happen again. http://www.volkshotel.nl/en/werkplaats/ Wanting to explore further, I found myself at Rijksmuseum. I found the opulence impressive and that library!!! Oh, my. http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/what-to-do/museums-and-galleries/top-10-ri... Setting in for the evening canal tour was good. It was nice to see everyone again and touch base with our day. The canal truly is beautiful at night. http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/about-amsterdam/unesco-sites/canal-ring Since it was just the boat tour and not yet dinner, I convinced a few lovely souls to go check out some brown cafes with me. "The name 'brown cafĂ©' comes from the dark but cosy wooden interiors and the nicotine-stained walls and ceilings. Even though most cafĂ©s nowadays shouldnât really be getting any browner, some of the newer hangouts are carefully decorated to achieve this lived-in look and for many people, their local brown cafĂ© is an extension of their living room." The cafe we chose was laid-back and the food was pretty simple, but very good. "In addition to local and regional beers, you can also sip jenever â a Dutch spirit similar to gin. Light meals and snacks (hapjes) are also usually on offer. A typical Dutch pub snack is bitterballen (breaded and deep-fried balls with a ragout filling), served with mustard." We all had a try from many of the selections. Last night was beginning to catch up with me. It was already after 11 pm. I had hoped to take in some nightlife.... instead I wandered the dark streets then returned to my bed.... snuggling in after a long, warm shower. http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/what-to-do |
30 Day Blogging Challenge Aug 21st Hamburg, Germany Today we took an easy today, It is Sunday afterall. I decided I would join some of the ladies and stretch my legs on a bike tour. Even with Spacecat  's fall out of bed this morning she was up for this. I was so glad she hadn't seriously hurt herself. She did well. We chose to do the Sunday Special which had more parks and less city sights. We took a very relaxed Alster tour. Our guide was Sebastion.... he was quite good looking and Jellyfish  enjoyed flirting with him. He took us around the Alster through the city rush Rotherbaum, Pöseldorf, Winterhude, Uhlenhorst and St. Georg. We passed consulates, magnificent villas and residences of enchanted water land and hidden ponds. We got to walk in the footsteps of Jil Sander and Wolfgang Joop,while discovering a village in the town. We saw the impressive Blue Mosque and got a wonderful view of the skyline of Hamburg's old and new towns. I think I prefer the old... it has much more character. We went by green parks and over old bridges until we reached the most colorful district of St. Georg. We were gone for a lovely three hours and I felt rejuvenated by the exercise - 12 km - and the wonderful coffee break we had along the way. I think we all had a marvelous time. I was happy to spend time with Prosperous Snow celebrating  , Jellyfish , Spacecat and Sally . https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g187331-d8511870-Reviews-Hamburg_Au... http://www.hamburg-auskenner.de/hamburg-alster-radtour-die-erholungsoase-mitten-... It was only two o'clock when we ditched our bikes and headed for a wee bit of lunch. We found ourselves at Pauline Cafe Restaurant Catering. I enjoyed a large mixed salad with teriyaki turkey. It was scrumptious. The coffee was very good as well. It was nice to sit down in their comfortable cushions. http://www.pauline-hamburg.de/ After a delightful meal, we continued to wander looking for shops to browse. I found my postcard and jotted out a wee note for myself before mailing it home. I have done well to find and send one from each of our destinations. Dinner was at 7:00pm this evening at Restaurant Hala. This was the same restaurant as last night.... but whatever, the food was delicious and the service top notch. Everyone gathered to share what their day had been like and what they had experienced. I love this times to touch base with everyone and make plans for the night. Lebanese, Mediterranean, Vegetarian, Middle Eastern, Gluten Free https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187331-d3929905-Reviews-Restauran... For the more adventurous of our group, Lyn's a Witchy Woman arranged for an evening in Hamburg's famous red light district. There are rumours it equals Amsterdam's. The street is lined with restaurants, night clubs, discotheques and bars. There are also strip clubs, sex shops, brothels, a sex museum and similar businesses. https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/de-wallen-amsterdam-patpong-thailand-pas... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reeperbahn I decided to go have another chance to return to the game club - Hidden In Hamburg. I really wanted to do the "SCANDAL AROUND ROSIE" and it could be found in the Rothenbaumchaussee". Afterward, around 9:30 pm, I caught up with the Pub Crawl group and checked out 5 bars.... with a drink at each.... oh, my.... I will be feeling this tomorrow! I got to visit clubs that hosted the Beatles, great pubs, bars, luxury lounges and the red light district. There was an on-the-house welcome drink at each venue and special discounts at each place. I got to stroll through the exciting red light district and the infamous Reeperbahn, and visit 5 exclusive venues. My professional party guide, tjhe master of fun, was there to entertain us and to show us a mix of German bars, select clubs and luxurious cocktail lounges. It was a 5-hour pub crawl. I danced until my feet hurt. Such fun. https://www.expedia.ca/things-to-do/pub-crawl.a223398.activity-details?srp=true&... It was after 3 am when I crawled into bed. Oh, what a day it was. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge August 20th Hamburg A 2 hour train ride finds us in Hamburg, Germany. And like the town of New Hamburg down from where I live, I am tempted to call it Hamburger. Fivesixer  is talking McDonald's but this is a virtual trip - I want an upscale hamburger and some fries - and not from a chain. Lyn's a Witchy Woman has us back in a lovely hostel. I get a room with bunk beds built into the wall. I am happy to take a lower buck and give my roomies the top ones. Being on the bottom allows me to slip in and out without disturbing anyone... and I have a feeling my roomies are going to want a later morning than me. I love the name of this hostel - Pyjama Park!http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Pyjama-Park-Schanzenviertel/Hamburg... We did a quick dump off of our backpacks, then headed out for another Hop on, Hop off bus - I love these as I can explore at my own pace and still get a good overall feel of the place. Lyn's a Witchy Woman was kind enough to get us the 'skip the lines' option and that makes it even better. I made sure to upgrade my pass to allow for a lovely river cruise - getting a different view from water level. Impressive. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail?product=3880HAM01&d=1962... I spent much of my day just looking about. I got off and on a few times and made sure to get my one hour cruise along the river. I even got to enjoy a traditional cup of tea at the teashop in the heritage-listed Krameramt district, an area of former merchants' homes built in the 17th century (hop-on hop-off stop is St Michael Church). I took in the serene beauty of the church and wandered about. I made sure to meet up with everyone at 6pm for a sailing experience on Lake Alster before dining at Restaurant Hala. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187331-d8052433-Reviews-Barca_BOA... We got to enjoy a 1-hour small-group sunset cruise on a traditional sailing boat in the middle of Hamburg. The view was amazing! Our skipper guided our tour on the Alster lake and we got to enjoy a cool drink - I chose beer - because hey, it was included in ticket. It was so nice to relax and escape from the hazzle of the city and all the touristy things I did today. At the Restaurant Hala I totally feasted. I loved the little dishes of appetizers - I think there were eight various things - Pickles in one, cottage cheese in another. I had some steak kabobs and roasted potatoes - very yummy. I was much too full to go to the Mcdonald's - Fivesixer and kittiara were talking about going. Our evenings entertainment was a games night. Hamburg seems to thrive on these... the problem was picking the one I wanted to go to.... all of them have rave reviews. After checking out the websites I decided on... Hidden in Hamburg: HIDDEN in HAMBURG is the only Live Escape Game of the Hanseatic city that offers you typical hamburger theme rooms. Save yourselves as Department of RICKMER RICKMERS against pirates on land or clear the murder of the noble prostitute Rosie on. Take a chance, the charm of Hamburg not only to discover but to experience ... The puzzles rooms differ in their presentation and the history in which you dive during the season. Despite completely different puzzle difficulty of the rooms is comparable. The origins of this type of puzzle game in the world of online and mobile games. There attract thousands Room Escape Games, players featuring puzzle and virtual game. The Live Escape Games put this concept into reality. Its appeal is to puzzle completely offline and in "real" with friends or colleagues. This is such a cool premise!!! Our rooms Mutiny on HIGH SEAS and SCANDAL AROUND ROSIE can be found in the Rothenbaumchaussee 3. CAPTAIN ON BOARD and MURDER ON BOARD are located directly on the RICKMER RICKMERS. Yes, you read correctly. Our rooms CAPTAIN ON BOARD and MURDER ON BOARD, both directly on the RICKMER RICKMERS in Hamburg harbor. Due to a cooperation with the RICKMER RICKMERS you can play directly on board the famous sailing ship. In CAPTAIN ON BOARD you will be included in the original captain's cabin. In MURDER ON BOARD you are caught in the original galley. The hard part was deciding which one to do!!!! I decided to.... go to the one my friends were up for... Kit  was part of my posse. I decided to go check out the ones onboard the ship... maybe tomorrow I can venture to the ones in the Rothenbaumchaussee. http://www.hidden-in-hamburg.de/#_=_ Here are all three if you want to check them out: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187331-d8045977-Reviews-One_Way_O... https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187331-d9605450-Reviews-TwistedRo... https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187331-d7591283-Reviews-Hidden_in... |
30 Day Blogging Challenge August 19th Berlin - Day trip to Dresden and dinner at a Palace We were booked for a 10 hour day trip out of Berlin to Dresden. Lyn had us gathering for 8 am so I grabbed a little something to keep me going before finding my compatriots. We all look a little travel worn this morning and I am no exception. I am looking forward to getting out of Berlin and exploring beyond this place... This day trip allowed me to absorb the wealth of culture and elegant architecture found in Dresden. It is the longstanding hub of German arts. We began with a guided tour of the city center on foot, learning about its history as we explored the Zwinger palace, Semperoper (Semper Opera) and Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady). The afternoon was ours to meander through the cityâs lush parks, baroque architecture and lovely riverbanks along the Elbe, offering skyline views. I got a tranquil sense in this place.... I was able to breath again; recharge my batteries, so to speak. I particularly enjoyed strolling along the river Elbe; enjoying the beautiful views of the city https://www.viator.com/tours/Berlin/Dresden-Day-Trip-from-Berlin/d488-5560DRESDE... Dinner was at 7:30pm and it was divine. We got to spend a night out at one of the most famous sites in Berlin with âAn Evening at Charlottenburg Palace,â - a dinner and concert experience with the Berlin Residence Orchestra, plus a tour of the palace. We enjoyed a 3-course candlelight dinner in the Palace Orangery. Then took in the classical sounds of the Berlin Residence Orchestra, performing selections from Bach, Handel, and Mozart. At intermission, we being VIP seat holders, received a lovely glass of champagne. I was glad Lyn's a Witchy Woman booked us as VIPs. We also had a fabulous view of the concert itself. https://www.viator.com/tours/Berlin/An-Evening-at-Charlottenburg-Palace-Palace-T... Before bed I managed to slip down for another swim in the pool before climbing into bed for a good night sleep. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge August 18 - Berlin, Germany We're staying at the Marriott. Potsdamer Platz location in Berlin, Germany's city centre. There is a 24-hour fitness center and an indoor pool. The hotel is close to Brandenburg Gate and the Holocaust Memorial. I decided to enjoy a swim in the indoor pool. Then before lunch, I went off to the Holocaust Memorial.... The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in the center of Berlin is the central Holocaust memorial Germany, a place of remembrance and commemoration of the up to six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Located between the Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz Monument consists of the designed by Peter Eisenman Stelenfeld and the underground located the Information Centre. The exhibition at the Information documented the persecution and extermination of the European Jews and the historical sites of crimes. She is visited by nearly half a million guests. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bermc-berlin-marriott-hotel/ http://www.stiftung-denkmal.de/startseite.html After lunch at the hotel, we head off for another Segway tour.... I decided to join the group on this tour to experience Berlin.... - I am curious and daunted by this city. It is nothing like my city - Kitchener, Ontario, Canada - which was named Berlin - until 1916 -- http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6743079-june-28-1916-exactly-346-people-vote... This tour was 3-hours and we muddled our way in small-groups across Germanyâs capital and cultural centerpiece. We bubbled along, with a few mishaps.... somebody ran into the gate! No damage of course. We got to see all its main sites â like the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island, Reichstag, and Gendarmenmarkt. We stopped frequently to hear fascinating stories, take pictures and discuss Berlinâs history. Thankfully we got helmets for our adventure. Being with the group helped me deal with the darkness I feel in this city... I know all city's have histories, but this one just hits the heart.... so many lives extinguished... before they had a chance to really shine. Read more about Berlin Segway Tour - Berlin | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Berlin/Berlin-Segway-Tour/d488-3933BERSEGWAY?pub=vc... I continued with the group to take in the experience of a view and a meal at the Berlin TV Tower. It was a sky-high meal in the clouds during this VIP dinner 679 feet (207 meters) above the city in the revolving restaurant. We got to skip-the-line as we got access to the tallest building in Berlin, sitting down for a VIP dinner at Sphere, the revolving eatery located at the towerâs apex. The views were amazing.... as were the desserts. We could see Charlottenburg Palace and Checkpoint Charlie. Read more about Skip the Line: Dinner Atop the Berlin TV Tower - Berlin | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Berlin/Skip-the-Line-Dinner-atop-the-Berlin-TV-Towe... Did you check in with your fellow backpackers lately? How are they doing with all this traveling? We all seem to be really enjoying ourselves.... there may be a few bumps and bruises from the segway tour, but otherwise, we're all good. Listening to my fellow backpacker's experiences helped me through today... the city is beautiful. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge August 17th - Prague Lyn's a Witchy Woman is giving us choices today, She gave several options, but although they sounded intriguing, I was more inclined to stay within the city. Over the day, I took a private walking tour of hidden Prague. It was a chance to explore the city without the usual crowded, touristy things. I got to know Prague like a local on this 2.5-hour walking tour around the cityâs hidden streets and sights. Led by a local private guide, we delved behind the top Prague attractions and entered another world of secret alleyways and charming neighborhoods beloved by locals and usually overlooked by visitors. We navigated and followed tangled cobbled lanes from the Old Town Square to Wenceslas Square and Republic Square. On our walk, we discovered tiny courtyards, pretty gardens and tucked-away gems, and hear all about Pragueâs medieval history and architecture. It was just the right amount of information on an already packed month.... https://www.viator.com/tours/Prague/Private-Walking-Tour-Hidden-Prague/d462-2336... Afterward I found a cozy English bookshop with a cafe and bar to while away the rest of my afternoon. It was the Globe Bookshop and bar. "IN LIBRIS, VERITAS; IN KAVA, VITA! / IN BOOKS, TRUTH; IN COFFEE, LIFE!" http://globebookstore.cz/ For the evening I signed on to the Prague Beer and Czech Tapas Evening Walking Tour. The chance to "take your taste buds on a journey around some of Pragueâs best drinking haunts on this 5-hour evening Prague beer tour." With a local guide, we visited five iconic bars and pubs, including a microbrewery, as you learn about Pragueâs long-held passion for beer. Head into the trendy ĆœiĆŸkov district and Prague Old Town and team your tastings with classic Czech âtapasâ such as hearty pork chili and pickled sausage. Get insider tips on the top brews to try, and hear fascinating stories about Czech culture from your knowledgeable guide. It was great to explore the city's thriving bar scene and I love this city at night. We learned more of the culture and history from your guide. Read more about Prague Beer and Czech Tapas Evening Walking Tour - Prague | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Prague/Prague-Beer-and-Czech-Tapas-Evening-Walking-... Lyn's a Witchy Woman had us booked on a sleeping passenger train out of Prague at one am.... so I took as much time as I needed to enjoy what I could before crashing in my passenger abode. We have a five hour trip to Berlin, Germany. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge Day 16 - Prague After such a night of fun, I am stumbling onto the train this morning.... and I am not the only one. We had a 4 hour train ride to Prague... so it's breakfast on the train. It's not bad, certainly better than airplane faire.... and the coffee is good. Amen to that. Even with the caffeine I still doze off on the trip... but I do manage to see some of the lovely sights as we make our way from Vienna to Prague. Lyn's a Witchy Woman has us booked into a hostel in the downtown area and she is giving us the choice to explore on our own or do the 3.5 hour tour. Decisions. Decisions.http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Hostel-DownTown/Prague/21097 I decided to get the most from one day in Prague so I opted to take the 3.5-hour coach and walking tour of the Czech capital. Our experienced guide explained the sights while we rode in a comfortable coach - past landmarks such as Wenceslas Square, and the State Opera to name a few. We stopped at Prague Castle and strolled around other highlights like St Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane. We walked to the Old Town to admire the Old Town Square with its Town Hall and Astronomical Clock. I wanted to catch the highlights and see as much as I could of the city. Read more about Prague in One Day Sightseeing Tour - Prague | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Prague/Prague-in-One-Day-Sightseeing-Tour/d462-2190... in the evening we dined in style and got to admire the floodlit beauty of Prague on a 3-hour luxury cruise along the Vltava River. We got onto a beautiful, small boat and glided by the wonder of Pragueâs landmarks as we savored a gourmet 3-course dinner accompanied by a complementary aperitif and a half-bottle of wine. There was also live piano music. Tres romantic! We admired the floodlit Prague Castle, cruised under the Charles Bridge, and just absorbed the magical views of Pragueâs illuminated skyline. Lyn even upgraded us to that we got the panoramic views of the city as we feasted. Read more about Prague Luxury Dinner Cruise on Vltava River - Prague | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Prague/Prague-Luxury-Dinner-Cruise-on-Vltava-River/... Our hostel is right in the heart of the magic that is the nightlife of Prague, so I could not resists joining some of the guests as we meandered out to see the sights and part-take in some of the after hours festivities. Nothing so wild tonight though. I have to say Prague is an interesting city. It is not one I would have put on my itinerary of places to go, but the views were intriguing and the history held me spellbound. I was glad to be here.  Welcome to My Reality - August Prompts 1. Write about a scent you remember from your childhood. What aroma brings back pleasant memories when you smell it? Wood stoves and freshly baked bread and biscuits are the scents that draw me back into my childhood. Both are associated with my Gramzie - who I loved dearly. She could work wonders on that old wood stove.... the clang and rattle of metal on metal as she worked away. The scents that permiated the place, the scent of wood from the wood pile. All bring back time, place and special memories of a person and a time that was innocence itself. 3. Be yourself. Everyone else is spoken for. What is your take on this? We are all unique. I never used to understand the concept of everyone being good at something.... but the thing is.... we are all a mixture of talents and traits that no one else possesses. We are each unique, like snowflakes - similar at a distance, but the closer you look, the more diverse we are. Similar, yet different... and that is a good thing. There is nothing wrong with different, it is just different. Too often we try to be like someone else.... because we see them as the 'ideal', but that is just our warped society twisting our minds... what is in style now, will lose favour and something else will come along. The important thing is to be true to ourselves and not get caught up in the craziness that is societal expectation and conformity. Be confident and true to all the gifts and talents that make up all of you.... God don't make junk! 6. Write about what kind of relationship you have with your siblings/ if you are an only child share how you really felt about that. I am an only child. I don't see myself as spoiled... probably because I grew up under the cloud of martial separation and a parent with depression. I was a late addition to the family. My parents were married seven years before they had me, and then life changed for my mother... but for my dad, I think he continued on as he had before I came along - pretty much. He went out bowling, curling and golfing with his friends. My mother stayed home with me. It's no wonder I felt like the cause of my parent's marital separation - not that I thought so at the time.... but I did years later.... I enjoy my privacy and time to myself. I often find I need time to myself and will often go off by myself at a party.... even if this is extended time in the bathroom or slipping off to a deserted area of the house when guests are mingling elsewhere. I admire people that can be go, go go with everyone around them.. that is how I see large families... no place or time for yourself. Maybe that is selfish of me... carving out time for me, but it is who I am. If I ever had children I would want at least two... so that they would have each other when they grow older. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge August 15th - Vienna, Austria, Day 2 Today was a very unusual day.... We started out on a Historical Costume Walking Tour of Vienna.... "Salzburg in the year 1765: The historical costume walking tour leads you through the Salzburg of Mozart with its varied aspects of music, dance, culinary art and entertainment at the Archbishop's court." We met at the entrance to the Mirabell Gardens and with our costumed guides, Tresel (the servant of the Mozart family) and the dancing master Spöckner. We learn firsthand where Mozart preferred dancing which food Wolfdietrich preferred where there was the best almond milk in Salzburg, which pleasures pursued the archbishops and so much more. It was really very interesting and the walk was blissful. After last night's wonderful concert and experience, I was only too happy to get to know this great composer just a little more intimately. I have to admit I am a fan. His music is very uplifting and I can't help smiling. www.saltomusicale.at A taste of Mozart's music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb0UmrCXxVA Wikipedia says: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - German: 27 January 1756 â 5 December 1791, baptised as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. Born in Salzburg, Mozart showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood. Already competent on keyboard and violin, he composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty. At 17, Mozart was engaged as a musician at the Salzburg court, but grew restless and traveled in search of a better position. While visiting Vienna in 1781, he was dismissed from his Salzburg position. He chose to stay in the capital, where he achieved fame but little financial security. During his final years in Vienna, he composed many of his best-known symphonies, concertos, and operas, and portions of the Requiem, which was largely unfinished at the time of his death. The circumstances of his early death have been much mythologized. He was survived by his wife Constanze and two sons. He composed more than 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, operatic, and choral music. He is among the most enduringly popular of classical composers, and his influence is profound on subsequent Western art music. Ludwig van Beethoven composed his own early works in the shadow of Mozart, and Joseph Haydn wrote that "posterity will not see such a talent again in 100 years". Eisenstadt Woman-Power in Eisenstadt Pursue the paths of the well-known women of Eisenstadt. In the Jewish district, youâll hear the exciting story of Franziska Wolf and Ottilie Laschober. In the Haydn house, youâll enjoy listening to anecdotes about Mrs. Haydn and her social circle. You'll also get an insight into the power of the noble ladies at EsterhĂĄzy Palace. This was also intriguing... I am all in support of strong women... fiesty jewels of our past. www.eisenstadt-tourismus.at A taste of Haydn's music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmZF3kBZQ6E Wikipedia says: (Franz) Joseph Haydn - 31 March, 1732 â 31 May 1809 was a prolific Austrian composer of the Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber music such as the piano trio and his contributions to musical form have earned him the epithets "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet". Haydn spent much of his career as a court musician for the wealthy EsterhĂĄzy family at their remote estate. Until the later part of his life, this isolated him from other composers and trends in music so that he was, as he put it, "forced to become original". Yet his music circulated widely and for much of his career he was the most celebrated composer in Europe. Joseph Haydn, a friend and mentor of Mozart, and teacher of Beethoven, was the older brother of composer Michael Haydn. Dinner was at 6pm at Mini. I had some seriously good meat and potatoes. After trying a lot of new things this was nice to have a more comfort level food... although it was done to perfection. It was nice to relax with my group. I did miss them yesterday when I went out on my own and it was great to hear their stories of what they experienced... I almost wished I had gone, but then they seemed intrigued with my adventures as well. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g190454-d3485308-Reviews-Mini-Vien... Salzburg after Dark Get to know the secrets of Salzburg after Dark. On this guided walk you will hear chilling stories that took place hundreds of years ago and find out why we only get scared in the dark. I am so glad we did this as a group. I am not a huge fan of the scary, but in a good crowd like ours, I can step up and be part of it all. The focus was on the witch trials of the 17th century. We learned about the sorcerer âJakl,â who was up to no good in the town of Salzburg; and witchesâ Sabbaths, where the sorceresses joined up with Satan. These black masses were held for example on the Gaisberg Mountain. There were also blood-curdling stories to be told about St. Peterâs cemetery and, of course, the Hohensalzburg Fortress. The âWhite Womanâ is supposed to have haunted the fortress especially at full moon until finally the whole place was illuminated at night and she disappeared. I have heard of the 'White Woman' before in the Outlander series (by Diana Gabaldon). The town hall, the Waagplatz, and the New Residence were also further stops on our journey. These places had dark histories as prisons, torture chambers, and places of execution. The stories had me shuddering as I heard about torture practices and why alleged sorcerers and witches had their hair shorn and were washed with holy water. We gained additional information about the dark Middle Ages from the so-called âHexenbulle,â a script from 1485 which tells exactly how to protect oneself from witches. Let yourself be bewitched and come along on an eerie walk through Salzburg in the dark⊠www.tourguide-salzburg.com http://www.tourguide-salzburg.com/en/tour-offer/salzburg-after-dark/ After the tour I needed time to decompress... I missed our communal bedrooms and was not looking forward to returning to my room alone. I convinced a few of the others to stay our with me and indulge in a little of Vienna's nightlife. It was time for some dancing and some interesting bar shots.... definitely for the younger crowd, but I loved the music and the dancing. Fivesixer took a few of the shots.... and we all had a roaring good time.... we didn't get back to our hotel until the few, tiny hours of the morning. Remember, what happens at the Travel Shack, says at the Travel Shack. Wink. Wink. Nudge, Nudge. http://travelshackvienna.com/ |
30 Day Blogging Challenge August 14th - Vienna, Austria Looks like we are staying at another lovely place... thank goodness for that virtually magic,credit card. I love my bathtub under the window. http://www.altstadt.at/en/ One of Austria's famous Design Hotels. Vienna is the capital of Austria. It lies in the countryâs east on the Danube River. It has an artistic and intellectual legacy that was shaped by the likes of Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. I am a fan of classical music and I majored in Psychology in university... not that I am a fan of Freud, but hey.... The city is also known for its Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, and the Habsburgsâ summer residence. In the MuseumsQuartier district, historic and contemporary buildings display works by Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and other artists. http://www.austria.info/uk/where-to-go/cities/vienna I took today as a day to do what I wanted to do... and I wanted to take in the Kaffeehaus Culture. The setting was "spacious yet intimate, there is plush seating around marble tables, the scrape of traditional Thonet wooden chairs on parquet floors and mirrors reflecting mildly steamy light. Some are furnished with genuine showpieces - time-worn and darkened, they exude an indefinable atmosphere." The only entrance fee was a cup of coffee. Then I took my seat in an era far removed from daily modern bustle. Once I ordered - be it a kleiner schwarzer, kapuziner, einspĂ€nner or melange (and these are just some of the specialities) - I sat back, relaxed and did a little writing and sketching of the world around me. There was a selection of complimentary newspapers, and free free wi-fi. "In certain KaffeehĂ€user you can enjoy a game at card and billiard tables dating from monarchic times." "The Viennese Kaffeehaus is like an extended living room. It is ideal for people who need company to be alone. It is both a stage and a private space. People sense that they are following in a great tradition of leisure and creativity, and love it because it is always reinventing itself. Around 1900 a group of authors went down in history as coffee house literati.They not only socialised in the Kaffeehaus, but used it as their workplace. One of them, Peter Altenberg, wrote the address of his local Kaffeehaus on his visiting card and in return the CafĂ© Central has a monument to him. Before writers claimed the Kaffeehaus as their own, composers discovered its charms for themselves. Johann StrauĂ and his father before him introduced new works here. Even Mozart and Beethoven performed in a Kaffeehaus." How could I not soak up this kind of atmosphere! I decided to see Vienna by using the hop-on hop-off tour. That way I could get a feel for the city and see many of the high points. I was able to see all of the Austrian capitalâs top sites at my own leisurely pace. I got to hear fascinating information about Vienna and its rich history as I soared past all the major landmarks: the Vienna State Opera, Hofburg Palace, Parliament Building, Belvedere Palace, St Stephen's Cathedral and the stunning grounds of the Schonbrunn Palace. Experience Austriaâs rich musical heritage with a performance from the Vienna Mozart Orchestra at the Vienna State Opera. Take your seat in the historic venue and travel back to the 18th century, as the orchestra performs Mozartâs famous works while dressed in period costumes. Upgrade to a VIP ticket to include a gourmet dinner, a Fiaker carriage ride to the concert, the chance to meet the performers backstage and more. Read more about Vienna City Hop-on Hop-off Tour - Vienna | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Vienna/Vienna-City-Hop-on-Hop-off-Tour/d454-3585AT0... I decided get off and go to the Sigmund Freud Museum. I was curious about the man and his life here. It has been 160 years since his birth. It was intriguing. I decided to defect from dinner, sorry guys and dolls, but this is Vienna and I wanted to experience Austriaâs rich musical heritage with a performance from the Vienna Mozart Orchestra at the Vienna State Opera. I took my seat in the historic venue and traveled back to the 18th century, as the orchestra performs Mozartâs famous works while dressed in period costumes. I even upgraded to a VIP ticket so that I could enjoy a gourmet dinner, a Fiaker carriage ride to the concert, the chance to meet the performers backstage and more. Four hours of bliss... back in time. Read more about Vienna State Opera House Mozart Concert in Historical Costumes - Vienna | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Vienna/Vienna-State-Opera-House-Mozart-Concert-in-H... I am not sure what is on for tomorrow, but I was not ready to call it a night. I managed to find a lovely coffee house to relax out for another hour or so. |
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