tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24417453396958817042024-03-05T02:17:13.288-05:00Julie's Travel BlogJournal of my impressions of my travel experiencesJulie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-77563235678358750752014-01-20T18:16:00.000-05:002014-01-21T19:31:37.687-05:00Paris - day 1 & 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>January 16 2014<br>
Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean.<br>
<br>
So I'm off to Paris again. My friend Christina announced five years ago that she wanted to celebrate her 40th birthday in Paris so we had 5 years to get ready. So here we are. We are 11 making our way to Paris from Montreal, Vancouver and London. The eight of us from Montreal were lucky to have access to the maple leaf lounge (thanks Steven!) so we started off the trip in class.<br>
<br>
We are currently 2 hours into the flight. We seem to attract a lot of attention everywhere we go. I guess we'd better get used to it. Laughter from a group of people is bound to attract attention.<br>
<br>
When I travel from CDG to the city I like to use a car service. It's easier than trying to catch a shuttle and surprisingly cheaper than a cab. Plus who wouldn't want to have a driver waiting for you after a long flight? The eight of us will travel to and from the airport in a private shuttle for 45$ CDN including tip. Sounds like a bargain to me!<br>
<br>
They've just turned off the lights, time to try to have a snooze. <br>
<br>
<br>
January 19th<br>
We'd planned our day with almost military precision. That's how it has to happen if you want to hit everything everyone wants to do. <br>
We started off at Sainte Chapelle - built in the 13th century to house Jesus' Crown of Thorns. The stained glass was pretty impressive but for some reason it jut didn't WOW me. The interesting thing is that this church and its stained glass were the best part of the day for most of the group. I did however have a good chuckle because the was a Korean group with semi professional film equipment trying to film a movie in the chapel interior. There was a girl walking solemnly up the aisle looking at the alter. It was strange and they were having trouble filming with group of 10 trying to inspect the stained glass. It was a funny distraction..<div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4rp8m_cBq0m_5IDss4i0HraIwva37jRn9Sn6P5cXMWJwnPJ08u_xQ9P7AZUodJRnlwoZDzjQ8TqeVtjdSKJi7VbkJwUcsMkJ220rlPHduy23KVhcgByfMka_nS3fXyz9sl5O17zhBJzU/s640/blogger-image--1087669342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4rp8m_cBq0m_5IDss4i0HraIwva37jRn9Sn6P5cXMWJwnPJ08u_xQ9P7AZUodJRnlwoZDzjQ8TqeVtjdSKJi7VbkJwUcsMkJ220rlPHduy23KVhcgByfMka_nS3fXyz9sl5O17zhBJzU/s640/blogger-image--1087669342.jpg"></a><br>
<div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Next on the agenda was Notre-Dame cathedral which is a personal favourite of mine. We went for gregorian mass. It was awesome and a first because I have never listened to a latin mass before. It did not disappoint, I was moved. For some reason, I always feel a strong connection to my maternal grand-mother Mamie when I'm here. I felt her close again and always felt happy that she's there with me in spirit even though she never got to go. Another surprise was that Christ's crown of thorns was on display at Notre-Dame. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5W2IO4XOcBFnzyVLuGNDdPYuOpRY6cP3ypIacQL2QvL8tEZnet33kGBY-cmpNpB048V3BsOBsIgSQriEl_seM04Y3LDamEvPlfsBw46a4DXYRaFLZgOsSXJKMej1Q6gyXvjbehxz2x5S4/s640/blogger-image--1243738552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5W2IO4XOcBFnzyVLuGNDdPYuOpRY6cP3ypIacQL2QvL8tEZnet33kGBY-cmpNpB048V3BsOBsIgSQriEl_seM04Y3LDamEvPlfsBw46a4DXYRaFLZgOsSXJKMej1Q6gyXvjbehxz2x5S4/s640/blogger-image--1243738552.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>After mass, some of the group chose to climb the Notre-Dame towers. I unfortunately am having foot issues, so I chose to skip and have a great lunch with Jen instead. The Gargoyle tour was apparently amazing a fairly we'll organized. The line was long but they let in 20 people every 10 minutes so the line moves in spurts. Our group gotta trough in about an hour. </div><div><br></div><div>We then made our way across town to the catacombs. The catacombs always have a fairly long line and there's no real way to get around it. Be there before 2:30 if you want to be admitted before closing at 4pm. Now I have to admit, I don't think I would have visited the catacombs if it weren't for the fact that most of the group wanted to go. So what's in the catacombs? The bones of 6 million Parisians that were relocated from the cemeteries to an ossuary in the catacombs. It was a little creepy and a little interesting. I would have preferred that it be a little shorter but I'm glad I went. I got a little claustrophobic at the end for the climb up a tight narrow staircase with almost 100 stairs. My quads are going to be rock hard by the time I get back home. Parisians love their stairs!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0iffhaH4p9Nrp_Q8Ui_9SYVuarlWZOcpsg6DVBcZXr3Xk-5pEHoBxxpVA2F3_AKZevxhI45YV-vROkLf7jViR9i04SFCxSKR189QimZ1eNPJ43pAcOxR-SWzhC1ZCVdXJQMW1yaWzi2b/s640/blogger-image-597002468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0iffhaH4p9Nrp_Q8Ui_9SYVuarlWZOcpsg6DVBcZXr3Xk-5pEHoBxxpVA2F3_AKZevxhI45YV-vROkLf7jViR9i04SFCxSKR189QimZ1eNPJ43pAcOxR-SWzhC1ZCVdXJQMW1yaWzi2b/s640/blogger-image-597002468.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Following the catacombs we headed over to the Parthenon. I was hoping to see the Foucault pendulum and others wanted to see Marie Curie's tomb. Unfortunately, the dome is being renovated so the pendulum is not on display. Remember that if you planned to visit the Partenom for that so,e purpose anytime before 2017. It should be back by the end of that year or so the guard memtioned. I did however see Marie Curies' tomb. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkQDMxCJekqMWMQYVRI5AYnDM0zgsPzgCdVEVe8YBdPkhxMwC_G4TjbaOQO6rtGXHURKXEDClKW7Xb0WI2pfhhr96tuyqvtxEcqJ8ifyZuHFDTIgbJbV7YsnX2PYnIBOPRO37fQt4kH7o/s640/blogger-image--1247544099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkQDMxCJekqMWMQYVRI5AYnDM0zgsPzgCdVEVe8YBdPkhxMwC_G4TjbaOQO6rtGXHURKXEDClKW7Xb0WI2pfhhr96tuyqvtxEcqJ8ifyZuHFDTIgbJbV7YsnX2PYnIBOPRO37fQt4kH7o/s640/blogger-image--1247544099.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We went for drinks for Happy Hour by Notre-dame at a little bar called oubliette. We had an awesome time before making our way over to Julien's in the 4th. We all had fantastic meals. I had a kir, followed by a artichoke and goat cheese Mille Feuilles and chateaubriand as a main course. Our waiter Xavier was a great sport. We had great service and he made our evening even better.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">r.</span></div>
<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU43oZ0_NTeqt6DH3buGw1Qbu7EppQUsHZEslZgELuluFroJx-doVUh35fZpO34oWmmCLRQpWo7OKmxqozboc_CEmiTgew8tqz47q1WgdYJlX0YSX-UVR_rinJXsPjaKtnTcHyNO0Khm2q/s640/blogger-image--498376281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU43oZ0_NTeqt6DH3buGw1Qbu7EppQUsHZEslZgELuluFroJx-doVUh35fZpO34oWmmCLRQpWo7OKmxqozboc_CEmiTgew8tqz47q1WgdYJlX0YSX-UVR_rinJXsPjaKtnTcHyNO0Khm2q/s640/blogger-image--498376281.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWza8odBdtYcGN0P5n27e4wy8468WZTqjCPgUGnUuRXiEdDkKOf7cTF0mj4pQRZZobSbKcpZgovE7_zYnm22pfsek3PNsbMS9IX0NpZg0jwIB3DFN291zJ0uyVkV4G5o2Zh7nLqxAvv5PN/s640/blogger-image--2140419324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWza8odBdtYcGN0P5n27e4wy8468WZTqjCPgUGnUuRXiEdDkKOf7cTF0mj4pQRZZobSbKcpZgovE7_zYnm22pfsek3PNsbMS9IX0NpZg0jwIB3DFN291zJ0uyVkV4G5o2Zh7nLqxAvv5PN/s640/blogger-image--2140419324.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br><div><div>
<br>
<br></div>
</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
<img src="webkit-fake-url://B38C8B26-304F-4B4A-B236-73150C97E1FB/imagepng"></div>
</div>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0Arts et Métiers Paris48.867663 2.356901tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-11182466978643413862012-07-23T03:21:00.000-04:002012-08-07T18:04:06.413-04:00Toledo, Spain: a not so hidden gemHoly Toledo is right! What a beautiful city.<br />
We first got a glimpse of the city from the taxi on the way out of the train station. It's perched up on the top of a hill and offers an Alcazar and many cathedrals and church spires for a skyline. <br />
<br />
For those arriving to Toledo with luggage, if you want to do some heavy cardio by lugging your bags up a hill and through narrow and cobblestone roads, be my guest, but I much preferred paying a taxi to drive us up the hill for 5E and then walk the streets unencumbered. Especially given that the digital readout on an outside thermometer showed us that it was 43 degrees Celsius upon our arrival.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLlpDdFYCuT6UB65P-6mo0LGqf8EcJiGOBMCTaEPepcAHkrOhlRz3XqKubR2F-SSbEM3vZCZqfzW71856mBLa0gEJ86ELNmD5_1AmzzJgkFKSghkrn9fRPStD8R1LrKAQ4qI61v2B7Xzy/s1600/IMG_1686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLlpDdFYCuT6UB65P-6mo0LGqf8EcJiGOBMCTaEPepcAHkrOhlRz3XqKubR2F-SSbEM3vZCZqfzW71856mBLa0gEJ86ELNmD5_1AmzzJgkFKSghkrn9fRPStD8R1LrKAQ4qI61v2B7Xzy/s320/IMG_1686.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Hotel, Las Conchas, our room was right beside the H</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Starved as usual, we tried a little restaurant right around the corner from our hotel. Meson de la Posta felt like a Spanish restaurant so we ordered a Toledonian dish <em>Carcarmusas</em>, which is like a stew, with <em>dos cervesas</em>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3DPGXVuYVdeLXar39NUviO_LB0Fuuul25Sv4urF1dbtcbYCH8wBRvvWV-D00E-s-poZxs1xC2mWU_oEQMLJYnBKtYSDvnnMJ2wiT_191sHn9icxCjAy-E6MnzJZMfn9HT8FlryA3vVVS/s1600/IMG_1687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3DPGXVuYVdeLXar39NUviO_LB0Fuuul25Sv4urF1dbtcbYCH8wBRvvWV-D00E-s-poZxs1xC2mWU_oEQMLJYnBKtYSDvnnMJ2wiT_191sHn9icxCjAy-E6MnzJZMfn9HT8FlryA3vVVS/s320/IMG_1687.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Meson de la Posta, check out the bull on the wall!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We walked the labyrinth of streets and quickly found our way to plaza Zocodover and then decided to make out way to the walls of the city and we ended up walking along below the wall. Such a beautiful view!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV_7v2_cVB-deEizmWEIOt2pp8uhPSNBIX0am-ST9pBe5b0s1wyAa4hWzGn7j0R_oIS50WWZoJPta4B82FuWz59z4Bk-IhGOmHyf1se5Lr04hW2UByg54tzGsOZL6fpbtGXX9UFU9ILOa/s1600/IMG_1701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV_7v2_cVB-deEizmWEIOt2pp8uhPSNBIX0am-ST9pBe5b0s1wyAa4hWzGn7j0R_oIS50WWZoJPta4B82FuWz59z4Bk-IhGOmHyf1se5Lr04hW2UByg54tzGsOZL6fpbtGXX9UFU9ILOa/s320/IMG_1701.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I walked back up the hill and along the maze of streets until I found the beautiful St-Mary's Cathedral. What a beautiful cathedral inside and out! It was impressive to see so much investment and money that went into such a big beautiful church from a relatively small city. You can understand why Toledo remained the capital of Spain for a long time. It was definitely the religious epicentre.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQBo8A16g-46P6STvP4bLGOGVpr968wn1cV4C3vi3DHBcwjy6IpCsZtRlx7dqRIG6uIDauYuEq2GM_PnDkHmb2aWSSNRDaUBI6Xm3FuCKUJcv6BHqQi8AglpXkL3LmYyvJK15mEvWZyMz/s1600/IMG_1705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQBo8A16g-46P6STvP4bLGOGVpr968wn1cV4C3vi3DHBcwjy6IpCsZtRlx7dqRIG6uIDauYuEq2GM_PnDkHmb2aWSSNRDaUBI6Xm3FuCKUJcv6BHqQi8AglpXkL3LmYyvJK15mEvWZyMz/s320/IMG_1705.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toledo's Alcazar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5h3nHcsEQay5Vm_qf3aEE3eEUsB5sMHLpUht5Of3t-nP_k11-9jgibtTLXigWsRuH9PHzQqtZ_UeODYgfXS5VipD3t9MzBitlbR9Vds4aENMe5lLHtBHHAZV0yhV5VfuDwU4rsGXmw-D/s1600/IMG_1713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5h3nHcsEQay5Vm_qf3aEE3eEUsB5sMHLpUht5Of3t-nP_k11-9jgibtTLXigWsRuH9PHzQqtZ_UeODYgfXS5VipD3t9MzBitlbR9Vds4aENMe5lLHtBHHAZV0yhV5VfuDwU4rsGXmw-D/s320/IMG_1713.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toledo's St-Mary's cathedral<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rgIhyQMuG74lP-DWg6hRgAzw37-y5FK3OsjE8yY7po945cx7JupMZboSyr3qclKjcNBOmeZ_ZqITsKqxfBcemzw2laUaL_bgSzhNQWlQf9twtOQvErqj9CBx9NGw15pI2wo9a9ytRcuK/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rgIhyQMuG74lP-DWg6hRgAzw37-y5FK3OsjE8yY7po945cx7JupMZboSyr3qclKjcNBOmeZ_ZqITsKqxfBcemzw2laUaL_bgSzhNQWlQf9twtOQvErqj9CBx9NGw15pI2wo9a9ytRcuK/s320/IMG_1717.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toledo's crest, as seen on the sides of buildings and buses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div align="left">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUbFneQQp14mo9fg8agKrJGW9UZdlNip_0B7XA_OpwfDZeVQdKk4jzlxG2xiAzQBBcQJc_jhu991M50J4lWajA0cvOSTIMoQFZcIrEg-iUZV33vXjYzlh2qkWsD4DTNlbh9wuV7pNKK4D/s1600/IMG_6888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUbFneQQp14mo9fg8agKrJGW9UZdlNip_0B7XA_OpwfDZeVQdKk4jzlxG2xiAzQBBcQJc_jhu991M50J4lWajA0cvOSTIMoQFZcIrEg-iUZV33vXjYzlh2qkWsD4DTNlbh9wuV7pNKK4D/s320/IMG_6888.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Toledo's Cathedral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-77482368177569818932012-07-19T09:39:00.001-04:002012-07-19T09:39:50.854-04:00Segovia, Spain<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Segovia, prenounced Say-Goh-via with the emphasis on the GO, is also just out of Madrid to the north west.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had heard a lot of good things about Segovia before even going to Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A colleague had talked about the Roman aqueduct; the Alcazar but mostly the ‘cocchinillo asado’ (roast suckling pig).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unfortunately for me, yesterday’s tour of Avilà and our strolling late in Madrid lead to some pretty awful blisters on the balls of both of my feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So basically every step I took in Segovia was painful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That being said, I really enjoyed our visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Roman aqueduct really is impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe it’s the only one of it’s kind remaining and from what I overheard from an English speaking guide it seems there are some left underground but this is the only one left at this height.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFIOXtUQJxZa5xm4MD23LipyPqaHg5vsF2eA3yykPWjEG8NZI5f5tg6w4byTuEd75CgapJKllVX2mcu_TQmNfQHLNvo47C6tZaeR9pY25BVONS4FheBwhqUzNK4i4JMFMkoSKK8j5SWNx/s1600/IMG_6833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFIOXtUQJxZa5xm4MD23LipyPqaHg5vsF2eA3yykPWjEG8NZI5f5tg6w4byTuEd75CgapJKllVX2mcu_TQmNfQHLNvo47C6tZaeR9pY25BVONS4FheBwhqUzNK4i4JMFMkoSKK8j5SWNx/s320/IMG_6833.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As for Alcazar, the castle really is Disney-esque.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a little less amazed since it’s been rebuilt and renovated quite a few times over the last few centuries so though you get a sense of what it was it wasn’t as impressive as it could have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHKfIaBy8pp_oKLAOMhAorSbTADRwZ-TUMCZEHhrNefwJQGQPeifPLJoPpv_wYId5lS-Vr8IYT7e5vTZHGjVPYaD7vCwN4wZ6MyRZHG_d57VsLfZ3_7jFhgXyMuAMIae158qxDPO-LXht/s1600/IMG_6853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHKfIaBy8pp_oKLAOMhAorSbTADRwZ-TUMCZEHhrNefwJQGQPeifPLJoPpv_wYId5lS-Vr8IYT7e5vTZHGjVPYaD7vCwN4wZ6MyRZHG_d57VsLfZ3_7jFhgXyMuAMIae158qxDPO-LXht/s320/IMG_6853.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Segovia's Alcazar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now for the cocchinillo, the <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"</span>I would be a vegetarian if I had to hunt<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"</span> in me was a little terrified of the thought of a full roasted piglet on a platter on my table but in the end, we ordered a quarter pig, so I only had to deal with a pig foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Josée was nice enough to serve me so that I didn’t have to look at the pig and I have to admit that it was absolutely delicious, moist, tender and flavourful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hate at a small restaurant called Meson Juan Jimeno on the main street leaving the Alcazar. I definitely recommend it.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArkr2mj1ieO7IJUD1WGsmkrbrpfJKFZ_cUpejlcugrMY9017r9rZFZM1Eqk3OZ-lXP_Aeh1YB7uct2_TgZH7H-ZadOUk4JVRQZlq8bTwJAP59V5TjexDqlYrHzMvInILxxLSexZsTVAq5/s1600/IMG_1658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArkr2mj1ieO7IJUD1WGsmkrbrpfJKFZ_cUpejlcugrMY9017r9rZFZM1Eqk3OZ-lXP_Aeh1YB7uct2_TgZH7H-ZadOUk4JVRQZlq8bTwJAP59V5TjexDqlYrHzMvInILxxLSexZsTVAq5/s320/IMG_1658.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We spent the rest of the afternoon sipping Sangria at a terrace in Plaza Mayor as we waited for our 8pm bus. Now what happened next, was another first. Our bus broke down about 15 minutes out of Segovia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t really understand what was happening, the bus came to a stop, then the Police showed up and the bus was pushed out of the roundabout and down a little hill to the side of the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The police told us we could get off the bus and the thirty of us sat on the side of the road looking on as the driver looked at the engine and the transmission and scratched his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Spanish is passable, I understand when people speak slowly and when I understand the context, I had no idea what was being said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I heard was another bus in twenty to thirty minutes and sure enough a new bus came by to pick us up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All’s well that ends well and I can honestly say I was never scared nor frustrated, we had nowhere else to be but Madrid since we’re on vacation so we laughed and read and played games on our phones. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus one of the police was quite cute so he was fun to look at!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qpykqjWg40_v38hm08byZ3H2rLMEgTwsvOg0SMM7Nk9yd9pXiPU0rv6ZNbNGvsTbMAhhZmgPw3-3U73L_xJ_P2HvcsxzY2pG7FRazGTKM1s0USLGI-uKINgfWhAs2gFTM95uIXoKINFK/s1600/IMG_6881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qpykqjWg40_v38hm08byZ3H2rLMEgTwsvOg0SMM7Nk9yd9pXiPU0rv6ZNbNGvsTbMAhhZmgPw3-3U73L_xJ_P2HvcsxzY2pG7FRazGTKM1s0USLGI-uKINgfWhAs2gFTM95uIXoKINFK/s320/IMG_6881.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Segovia's cathedral as seen from Alcazar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhd0kauT6VGj0vqpdMZKsBlKF4zo5AKJ4RdOQDmfrcp38yGYFCIY5ZNfrfcRhFvEGI1Kv8_ga5e1IXH1j9Qpy2_PWR3xUbxH4h1-SogUUVfTUn8267gS-cZzJdB2INmbMQoOxhOXAnumC2/s1600/IMG_1679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhd0kauT6VGj0vqpdMZKsBlKF4zo5AKJ4RdOQDmfrcp38yGYFCIY5ZNfrfcRhFvEGI1Kv8_ga5e1IXH1j9Qpy2_PWR3xUbxH4h1-SogUUVfTUn8267gS-cZzJdB2INmbMQoOxhOXAnumC2/s320/IMG_1679.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our broken bus and police escort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-31360150031213310772012-07-19T05:56:00.001-04:002012-07-19T05:56:58.160-04:00Avilà, Spain: walled city<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Avilà is a one hour train ride side trip from Madrid. Its claims to fame are its medieval walls; it’s the birthplace of Saint Theresa and Yema desert treats made by the nuns. <br />
<br />
Like with the country in general in mid-July, Avilà is incredibly hot at midday as the only shade to be found comes from the buildings depending on the angle of the sun! Avilà’s walls reminded me of the little town of Castellino in Italy. Though it seems that built in 1100, Avilà’s walls are Spain’s oldest, most well preserved and most complete.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgty49RX60_7NWiSW25rVdsIT2amj0CCMsHRKXy6I7iK3WXQbtBoS7EMPMRRiB_dR8nPGFUydN4mVb5_X_xvEHWqRTKGY5JEwR4ZAz6vc_WmjDMwB1EQFfb42HDC4Bt3Edvty3Pkh2FsTlH/s1600/IMG_6770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgty49RX60_7NWiSW25rVdsIT2amj0CCMsHRKXy6I7iK3WXQbtBoS7EMPMRRiB_dR8nPGFUydN4mVb5_X_xvEHWqRTKGY5JEwR4ZAz6vc_WmjDMwB1EQFfb42HDC4Bt3Edvty3Pkh2FsTlH/s320/IMG_6770.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first view of the walls after the 10 minute walk from the train station<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3a88U1NQH6CPUI5bmNTf8xnp3zr59o_xvYqH5wtv2_PiieWdHmswCorfo1osYoT-wNB4X7q-yIKWqojtNVyHT8lw6UYRWFdiS_rEeuPOZHq2DUTfBTOzItPfV87Na1qSBXksoLnFM13w/s1600/IMG_6772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3a88U1NQH6CPUI5bmNTf8xnp3zr59o_xvYqH5wtv2_PiieWdHmswCorfo1osYoT-wNB4X7q-yIKWqojtNVyHT8lw6UYRWFdiS_rEeuPOZHq2DUTfBTOzItPfV87Na1qSBXksoLnFM13w/s320/IMG_6772.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Main gate <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0mCHrOqDEO2K8Ti6RqJat0eC7pGKlVjIBPfmUx2aTJ9koP-MVe_-Pq2aozS0F_st8kTYdyoHY87wdarzSPNCtys71qwMps4pTa5shwyo-nlo_v7JL8_17Ur85CXhdFYyfX3w6OlDNkj_/s1600/IMG_6776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0mCHrOqDEO2K8Ti6RqJat0eC7pGKlVjIBPfmUx2aTJ9koP-MVe_-Pq2aozS0F_st8kTYdyoHY87wdarzSPNCtys71qwMps4pTa5shwyo-nlo_v7JL8_17Ur85CXhdFYyfX3w6OlDNkj_/s320/IMG_6776.JPG" title="" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHciXGSjbEG7p7j0J1EwxnpebHVZ2ZJfYbs3W4toHKPto6sG1RlGR30rSrWRdMgj8FkqSo4ZhRF-G_hVwCJoFptNnWQsqocjMtHdaRtz_3dEBmjXvSdmFai2i95rUKM6GYW64cfa2GJ-8d/s1600/IMG_6786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHciXGSjbEG7p7j0J1EwxnpebHVZ2ZJfYbs3W4toHKPto6sG1RlGR30rSrWRdMgj8FkqSo4ZhRF-G_hVwCJoFptNnWQsqocjMtHdaRtz_3dEBmjXvSdmFai2i95rUKM6GYW64cfa2GJ-8d/s320/IMG_6786.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I would recommend a few hours stopover in Avila if you're in the area. By the way, as for Yemas, the famous desert, we bought some at the nun's bakery and had some on the way home. I'm not sure if we bought the wrong thing but they are litterally a fried egg yolk covered in sugar. It's not bad, but it has a weird texture and wasn't what I was expecting at all!Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-45496377538919973862012-07-19T04:00:00.000-04:002012-07-19T04:00:29.565-04:00Madrid, another city that never sleeps<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Madrid is the city where I quickly discovered that you have to learn to pace yourself. It’s incredibly hot, 37 or 38<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>C before the humidex and at midnight it’s still over 30!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, Spaniards seem to come to life around 5 in the evening, have dinner around 10 or 11 and at midnight are still walking the streets with young children. The heat is exhausting and even with breaks during the day, you really either need to get a very late start or you need to siesta in the middle of the afternoon as it’s quite easy to get into the rhythm of eating late and staying up late. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTtAKXr5_NkyXlQcf72QOwk-6P29JovHdANTvNtD6u1mNNRr8PmvXe4ehy5M3XZaHs2-igN0v4jB1N97Rya4SID7-Vlg4cKGSFV-Rc0qWnyNERAB8RbBT56JCKT_jcsCbZBwfUy50gqJ0/s1600/IMG_1577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTtAKXr5_NkyXlQcf72QOwk-6P29JovHdANTvNtD6u1mNNRr8PmvXe4ehy5M3XZaHs2-igN0v4jB1N97Rya4SID7-Vlg4cKGSFV-Rc0qWnyNERAB8RbBT56JCKT_jcsCbZBwfUy50gqJ0/s320/IMG_1577.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Royal Palace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t say Madrid is impressive because of its monuments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Royal Palace is nice but it’s not Versailles. After the Royal Palace we did the hop on, hop off bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though, there are quite a few gates, I can’t say that it rivals Barcelona’s architecture and its sheer number of monuments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did, however, take the time to visit Real Madrid’s Stadium Bernabeu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our tour included access to the stadium seating at various levels, the pitch, a trophy room, the player’s bench and the locker room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was quite interesting to be able to see all the trophies and to discover that Real Madrid was named the best team of the 20<sup>th</sup> century by FIFA. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaR30fisKvX5wyfTTOAiuXJFcWDPEjE4Mgfudbtzph8hHyTbJNp1lzYJJM-nNOGVDC2BcbGSyPPJy5lvapuU9NNB7WBOqkfov2aP4sCHw0Q3Pj8hYKxsp7CPlpdb84uRepr1pBsfWvi26/s1600/IMG_6758+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaR30fisKvX5wyfTTOAiuXJFcWDPEjE4Mgfudbtzph8hHyTbJNp1lzYJJM-nNOGVDC2BcbGSyPPJy5lvapuU9NNB7WBOqkfov2aP4sCHw0Q3Pj8hYKxsp7CPlpdb84uRepr1pBsfWvi26/s320/IMG_6758+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the pitch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had a great late night at a place called Bulev’art where Heineken is 6 for 5E! Even at 3am there are still many people walking the streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been great but exhausting.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWODYsdSgHfTN1iFyzME4bXhwZ910_UVyrQUMw5S2OwZCgGJuDXK_JtlisMal7JHHK6wGiHahWwH4Inaq094zZcXNDKfkMJmk9tgr9IyyY8VPv3KxrVEkt7IzFuu6f51TUsO0i1FYTosv/s1600/IMG_1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWODYsdSgHfTN1iFyzME4bXhwZ910_UVyrQUMw5S2OwZCgGJuDXK_JtlisMal7JHHK6wGiHahWwH4Inaq094zZcXNDKfkMJmk9tgr9IyyY8VPv3KxrVEkt7IzFuu6f51TUsO0i1FYTosv/s320/IMG_1626.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Mile 0, the center of Spain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We tried a great restaurant yesterday that was recommended in the guidebook called El Caldero where we had a great chicken and vegetable Spanish rice dish which we had with the fantastic house Sangria. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They served us a digestif called Karlova which is a caramel vodka drink!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fabulous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If ever you’re in Madrid near Puerta del Sol and Plaza Santa Ana look for this restaurant you won’t regret it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Speaking of Puerta del Sol, I stood at mile ‘0’ which, according to the, plaque in the square, marks the spot for the center of Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So if ever in Madrid, enjoy the strolls through the streets, enjoy the cooler evenings and nights, grab a spot on a terasse to people watch. Or, like me, you can enjoy listening to a guy following you along down the street, telling you how beautiful you are and how much he would like to come to Canada ;) </span></div>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-3963935909299668252012-07-15T15:43:00.003-04:002012-07-15T15:43:48.065-04:00Barcelona, a city not unlike Montreal<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We had 2 days in Barcelona, well 1 full and two half days including the arrival and departure days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know much about the city besides the fact that it is in a region called Catalunya which considers itself a distinct society within Spain much like Quebec.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are two official languages; Catalan and Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Catalan is like a Spanish version of French, for example please is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">si vos plaus</i>, closer <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to s’il vous plait</i> then <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">por favore</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">At my last blog, I posted that we were going out on the tourist bus; we caught the red line and enjoyed the city from the top of the open double decker bus.it was really starting to sink in that A-I’m on vacation and B- how wonderful it is to be in Barcelona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our first jump off was at Place d’Espanya. It was the setting for the 1929 world fair as well as the about our whirlwind first afternoon and evening. 1992 Olympics. Next stop for us was the Teleferic de Montjuic which brought us up Montjuic (about the same size as Mont Royal it would seem to me, where we got to visit the castle where we enjoyed some wonderful views of Barcelona. Since we got on the last bus tour, we hopped off at the stop at the bottom of the Ramblas to that we could stroll it and find a place to eat dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to a restaurant called La Fonda recommended by Rick Steves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a great meal including wine and desert for 16.5E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After dinner, exhausted, we made our way up the Rablas as were amazed but the sheet number of people out even close to midnight! So much for our early nigh!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Saturday we were up and out for about 11:00 and headed back to the touristic bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got on at Placa de Catalunya and made our way North.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plan was to head to Barcelona’s most iconic landmark, Gaudi’s Segrega Familia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got there, we headed for the ticket line and were dismayed to see that the line to buy tickets wrapped around three sides of the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I have to mention that my trusty Rick Steves’ guidebook had recommended that we skip the line by buying our tickets online, I don’t know want possessed me not the take the advice especially given my experience skipping the 4 hour line at the Coliseum thanks to the same guidebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyhow, we decided to continue on the route and loop back to the hotel, buy the tickets and go back late afternoon.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPI9mVMHNVP5ryWWAXQdv1jybnh7kncMNaDNnRzufGt8YDzHS1w5k916QIzw8eUalaefG_GZ-CEyopxGDRydRovAy1pEUsNFnwZry4uf_C4hwZg7F5-X7GCYdjG0L9xocbJU7fu3gtAgJ/s1600/Segrega+(768x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPI9mVMHNVP5ryWWAXQdv1jybnh7kncMNaDNnRzufGt8YDzHS1w5k916QIzw8eUalaefG_GZ-CEyopxGDRydRovAy1pEUsNFnwZry4uf_C4hwZg7F5-X7GCYdjG0L9xocbJU7fu3gtAgJ/s320/Segrega+(768x1024).jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in front of the Passion Facade of Segrega Familia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our next stop was at Parc G<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ü</span>ell, another of Gaudi’s creations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was meant to be a 30 acres, park-like gated community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The project never took off and the 15 acres that contain Gaudi’s work were donated back to the city by the G<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ü</span>ell family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t think I would be a Gaudi fan, but I can now appreciate his use of engineering and his desire to replicate what is seen in nature. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nTFcAwFpX_qV9Fh6J7IozLDw5QIZ5I00TVUiN63JK3qtG82BKObws-j10_Ak4i7h7247ReD0qZxfbZjy_4zMCsg0wpzxENlGLgZm8lGr6Vmc9-Nkf7YJfJZCkHFx584kvHXGur-nJNQ_/s1600/PArc+Guell+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nTFcAwFpX_qV9Fh6J7IozLDw5QIZ5I00TVUiN63JK3qtG82BKObws-j10_Ak4i7h7247ReD0qZxfbZjy_4zMCsg0wpzxENlGLgZm8lGr6Vmc9-Nkf7YJfJZCkHFx584kvHXGur-nJNQ_/s320/PArc+Guell+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main Entrance at Park Gruell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmwQECa_ttqwM4gSkQLKsdoq_Gs0X79vGbt2BaPi5y4vpfJ8y1Di_h03IuyZhlC7G32mgNufNH4ntMhhBRsoQF0PUiPhDlQGvAgvdYlEAtGpBHaAA7k1HE3S_HcJMSasmcmsaqmM9DjiP/s1600/PArc+Guell+(2)+(1024x847).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmwQECa_ttqwM4gSkQLKsdoq_Gs0X79vGbt2BaPi5y4vpfJ8y1Di_h03IuyZhlC7G32mgNufNH4ntMhhBRsoQF0PUiPhDlQGvAgvdYlEAtGpBHaAA7k1HE3S_HcJMSasmcmsaqmM9DjiP/s320/PArc+Guell+(2)+(1024x847).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We had a nice lunch sitting on a terrace just outside the park and had sangria, Spanish ham sandwiches and a salad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a wonderful way to take a breather!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our next hop was at the Barcelona futball stadium, the largest in Europe, with a capacity of 100,000 and home to Club Barca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Europeen Soccer is currently on hiatus due to the Euro Cup and the Olympics in two weeks. So the only way we were going to see the inside of the stadium was to buy a 23E tour that lasted 1.5 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we skipped given that it was already late afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuAoVjkPhpxOGpyv8a3FeXL1LckwW3K90rb1M2nHZ2INy_ehDWGHJmsEnUJdfQ1GcyI4NKPVKPu-Jand6_5C3Eav8J00oJN2ip5lceCzMOu76JjNKrGHbVtjYtB69jksQeEK2nVk_t6ML/s1600/Josse-FCBarca+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuAoVjkPhpxOGpyv8a3FeXL1LckwW3K90rb1M2nHZ2INy_ehDWGHJmsEnUJdfQ1GcyI4NKPVKPu-Jand6_5C3Eav8J00oJN2ip5lceCzMOu76JjNKrGHbVtjYtB69jksQeEK2nVk_t6ML/s320/Josse-FCBarca+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Back at the hotel Reding for 6pm, I jumped on the computer to buy our Segrega tickets and saw that the last pre-purchased entrance is at 7pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since it didn’t leave us enough time we adapted our plans We headed to the beach!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love any excuse to go to the beach, so we spent the last 2 hours of the sun sitting on the beach, I went for a quick dip and read while Josee rode the waves for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We did manage to go home to change and then headed back out at midnight to enjoy the Barcelona nightlife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stood in line for half an hour at the Opium Mar, apparently THE place to go in July 2012 but were turned away at the door because we were wearing flats though the excuse was that it was a VIP only night. What can I say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got the once over and when he got to our feet, said do you have a VIP invitation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, sorry, tonight is VIP only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some got rejected as soon as they were seen, no scan so at least we past part of the audition! So ladies, if you’re ever in Barcelona and want to get into Opium Mar, wear a dress and heels!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">But seriously, we ended up at Catwalk bar where 20E buys you admittance and a drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice place, good music and lots of people!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Managed to stay out and awake until 3h30!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This morning was difficult, I was exhausted but we dragged our lazy tired bones out to our 11am ticket reservation at Segrega Familila which is Gaudi’s greatest work and the most iconic landmark in Barcelona. What I didn’t know is that Segrega is unfinished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was started in 1909 by Gaudi and has been under construction at various times since his death in 1926 to be completed according to his plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should be complete in 2030.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BTW, something else I learned, Gaudi died in his early seventies when he was hit by a tram.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 8.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our 3hr high speed train ride from Barcelona to Madrid allowed us to catch some sleep and recoup a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found our hotel relatively quickly, 2 lines and about 5 stops from the train station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s in a cute neighbourhood that looks to be bustling with activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re looking forward to going out to explore it whilst we scavenge for food! </span></div>
<br />
Hasta Magnana!Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-55560882679915887152012-07-13T09:51:00.002-04:002012-07-13T09:51:22.997-04:00Day 1 Barcelona, SpainSo far, so good. An easy flight with only minor turbulence that got us Barcelona an hour early, only to be put into a holding pattern for 30 minutes! We found the shuttle busses really easily and we deposited 4 minutes from the hotel. Since our room wasn't ready, we dropped our bags and headed out to Rambla, the main tourist street that reminds me a lot of Champs Elisees but narrower. We were looking for a nice terasse to enjoy a drink and some tapas and ended up eating at this interesting restaurant just off the Ramblas. A prosciutto sandwich and a sangria for 5.6 Euro seems reasonable to me!<br />
<br />
We decided that we wanted to tr the hop on, hop off. So we went back to check into our rooms and get ready to go out. Josee needed a power nap, so I decided to start writing. So for those who were wondering, we're here safe and sound. <br />
<br />
More later when I'm not posting from a public computer! Hasta Luego!<br />Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-43810230759086021382012-07-08T17:39:00.002-04:002012-07-08T17:39:35.600-04:00Getting Ready for Spain<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Back in February, I started itching to plan my next adventure. I hadn't traveled since my Mediterranean Cruise and though I knew I would be going to Daytona Beach for Easter and Fort Lauderdale for business in June, I really wanted to explore somewhere new.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
At Bobbie's surprise 30th birthday party Josée suggested that she was also looking for a travel partner. Europe this summer was as far as we got that night. Over the next few months, we planned this ambitious trip. Over 17 nights and 18 days. we will be making our way from Barcelona to Malaga and stopping in at least 14 towns, sleeping in 9 different hotels, taking 3 high speed trains, negotiating a rental car through the hill towns and Southern Spain and visiting Morocco.<br />
<br />
T - 5 days. Planning phase is done, now to packing. Trying to pack light, yet be prepared for everything might prove to be more difficult than I originally thought! </div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'll try to post short impressions and the best of the pictures frequently! Hope you'll follow along with us!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ow4pZxiDfCCr1nr8SZTsrKpSaUZQYT3xZjDt7e9mAfhrOCddlCPzZSfFeVEgE8tDQ6EOHPM-SQelFp2jVhjBLK7gZqWNxOZuuJnP1KkAnSPDwC6qwyF7L24R8RjIgfJjSkkSWhbP8ZDG/s1600/map+of+spain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ow4pZxiDfCCr1nr8SZTsrKpSaUZQYT3xZjDt7e9mAfhrOCddlCPzZSfFeVEgE8tDQ6EOHPM-SQelFp2jVhjBLK7gZqWNxOZuuJnP1KkAnSPDwC6qwyF7L24R8RjIgfJjSkkSWhbP8ZDG/s400/map+of+spain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7lSKuHxy3a1Jhx7roc83LHckArvh1gcScW5Lyaf9BVGYbt2niJdw-7RX0B3T-9bHKuyPn1w0tCW_YnySQlxLH1VhKUguT8ubAFsueCp2tEHDrT8dpFMTTJfrnyR68WP07q0jCtaBhMX6/s1600/Detailed-Map-of-Spain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 268px;"><colgroup><col span="2" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 4977; mso-width-source: userset; width: 105pt;" width="140"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="22" style="height: 16.8pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl65" height="22" style="height: 16.8pt; width: 48pt;" width="64"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 204px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 4977; mso-width-source: userset; width: 105pt;" width="140"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="22" style="height: 16.8pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl68" height="22" style="height: 16.8pt; text-align: center; width: 48pt;" width="64"></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; text-align: center; width: 105pt;" width="140"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="24" style="height: 18.0pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl68" height="24" style="border-top: medium none; height: 18pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="40" style="height: 30.0pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl68" height="40" style="border-top: medium none; height: 30pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="32" style="border-top: medium none; height: 24pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="46" style="height: 34.8pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl68" height="46" style="border-top: medium none; height: 34.8pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; width: 105pt;" width="140"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="24" style="height: 18.0pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl65" height="24" style="border-top: none; height: 18.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;"><br /></td><td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt;"><br /></td><td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt;"><br /></td><td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="40" style="height: 30.0pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl65" height="40" style="border-top: none; height: 30.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="46" style="height: 34.8pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl65" height="46" style="border-top: none; height: 34.8pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-12133254831313309972012-07-08T17:00:00.000-04:002012-07-08T17:00:53.339-04:00Key West, Florida, June 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
At the beginning of June, the entire division of MCC took off to Fort Lauderdale for 5 days of planning and, of course, fun in the sun! I decided to head out a day early so that I could tag along with a colleague and discover Key West. </div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
We flew down to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday afternoon, and had planned to make the 4 hour trek in a Jeep bright and early Monday morning. The plan was to leave at 5am to get to Key West by 9 am so that we could spend 4 hours and then be back at 5pm with an hour to spare before the kickoff BBQ. Well even the best laid plans are bound to change!</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
At the ungodly hour of 4:30 am, I woke to the awful sound of my Blackberry wake up call. By 4:50 at was in the parking waiting for my colleague. By 5:10, they had located the Jeep and we were on our way. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-BKE8e2qU8bCgWp4QU0UoNGafXYsgT3nvP_meG2H7UGxefs45dv46p1PvY5ob413NgIFsbWo_IASQ3aoRXvKYzQH99fE5M_yXPp8LzWRfEZWVIoRHCJcPucYEuM3JH8Mf26J92hzQTSx/s1600/IMG_1370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-BKE8e2qU8bCgWp4QU0UoNGafXYsgT3nvP_meG2H7UGxefs45dv46p1PvY5ob413NgIFsbWo_IASQ3aoRXvKYzQH99fE5M_yXPp8LzWRfEZWVIoRHCJcPucYEuM3JH8Mf26J92hzQTSx/s320/IMG_1370.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the tourist information site announcing the beginning of the Keys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The
trip took a little less than 4 hours. My sole plan was to take a
picture at the southern most point of the continental US and take in the
sights. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosypqv02MsXnRM2xygTeV8TAZWrQz7AL8gXIkU5NdWQbWtbS5HgItsCSKPD65yJHaPgOC4becTawTFILkDiK7jDdllNJb5BxTm7QLsaUCWe7zbFo8I_4J7c2z81AKVifFG5m7QTfxQBDZ/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosypqv02MsXnRM2xygTeV8TAZWrQz7AL8gXIkU5NdWQbWtbS5HgItsCSKPD65yJHaPgOC4becTawTFILkDiK7jDdllNJb5BxTm7QLsaUCWe7zbFo8I_4J7c2z81AKVifFG5m7QTfxQBDZ/s320/IMG_1396.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once at the Keys most of the road was like this, on a bridge surrounded by water</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt_h2Jk-J3Lay-Me596T58KYU8U0wQXAb_Z7IB5v1LeLS-KCd0UkadeIWMkr7uMuTMJOwBtLBda6eVxLmxe908swczwDkfbT2L_5kChXiuE1rmapDM9nxbW9cCReVP60KSzU891XQXIz6/s1600/IMG_1443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt_h2Jk-J3Lay-Me596T58KYU8U0wQXAb_Z7IB5v1LeLS-KCd0UkadeIWMkr7uMuTMJOwBtLBda6eVxLmxe908swczwDkfbT2L_5kChXiuE1rmapDM9nxbW9cCReVP60KSzU891XQXIz6/s320/IMG_1443.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southernmost Point: Check!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNFh1JagzdUeGRw6m5mLinBk_WBx57B5A1f-fSVYnIv7bGH5pBLEKOSM0-CUPF-qk-zNXhhw1OKKQyC2v3I6qRT61C71S3PYOJUuKEohSYfZ7tbNvxkV8Qg63Vfo6mgicEOt8nq4nDzDw/s1600/IMG_1446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNFh1JagzdUeGRw6m5mLinBk_WBx57B5A1f-fSVYnIv7bGH5pBLEKOSM0-CUPF-qk-zNXhhw1OKKQyC2v3I6qRT61C71S3PYOJUuKEohSYfZ7tbNvxkV8Qg63Vfo6mgicEOt8nq4nDzDw/s320/IMG_1446.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting Find while exploring Key West</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
And, given that I'd been in my new job for about 5 minutes, I did a few store checks to see what Suncare looked like in Key West. After some exploring and some shopping, lunch was in order before we made the trip back to Fort Lauderdale. A supplier had suggested the pier which turned out to be a great suggestion.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKRVaoKQDtAaxSWuMQnydJFxR3-RgzylbecPxPOoNGEhDzSFGjAm7mN5z9ANWKdgAbAshfl3eSsRYB7tyJ0o-1-q_RWVi0aNto3ULwAzFP_Jaba7NXlX0iiH9vRBK94IYSBG5mShh1hDd/s1600/Key+West-20120528-00043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKRVaoKQDtAaxSWuMQnydJFxR3-RgzylbecPxPOoNGEhDzSFGjAm7mN5z9ANWKdgAbAshfl3eSsRYB7tyJ0o-1-q_RWVi0aNto3ULwAzFP_Jaba7NXlX0iiH9vRBK94IYSBG5mShh1hDd/s320/Key+West-20120528-00043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
So where did our best laid plans go wrong you may be wondering? Well about 45 minutes into our drive back on US1, two lanse highway surrounded by water, traffic came to a complete stop. Engines off, nobody moving for 30 minutes. Turns out an accident on US Route 1 brings traffic to a complete stop as emergency crews clean up the highway. What this meant for us is that even as traffic starting rolling again, it wasn't until Key Largo that we starting rolling at reasonable speeds. We left Key West at 12:45 and rolled into the W Fort Lauderdale hotel parking lot at 7:45. Lucky for us, the weather was beautiful, sunny and hot. Unfortunately, both our blackberries died and we ran out of music to listen to. </div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
In the end, despite the painfully long drive back, I don't regret my excursion. Key West was beautiful and I'm glad I took the time to visit. </div>
<br />Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0398 South Dr, Islamorada, FL 33040, USA24.546496 -81.797424824.532052500000002 -81.8171658 24.5609395 -81.7776838tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-68892022131427857132011-12-10T16:48:00.001-05:002011-12-11T16:23:19.365-05:00Notre-Dame and the Louvre, oh my!Today was quite the busy day. <br />
<br />
We woke up to a beautiful albeit chilly 4 degrees and walked to the local coffee shop and bakery for breakfast. I think by tomorrow they should have our orders memorised :)<br />
<br />
We decided to go straight to Notre-Dame Cathedral and take advantage of the first sun we've seen so far in Paris. Notre-Dame has always been one of my favorite places and remains one of the most impressive churches I have ever seen. The architecture and all of the Gothic design elements are quite literally impressive. We walked around the church and got different vantage points of the beautiful church and wandered around the very eclectic and artsy streets that surround it. We even had a Parisian-style lunch of a panini on the go, purchased from a restaurant window on the restaurant alley beside the Notre-Dame. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S4li00vSs71EFXYh8McdkNeEr7vqYPRbFXPBRjl-fLHVlEzTX9SSsIOhTgZXl_uvyOhDX1TCMNIBcmTFCTe-qoxysyVFpjeYoo92zNRDEohL6Kq9mNgR31e4uIJFXkm5ZFrsjHoeVvEx/s1600/IMG_6359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S4li00vSs71EFXYh8McdkNeEr7vqYPRbFXPBRjl-fLHVlEzTX9SSsIOhTgZXl_uvyOhDX1TCMNIBcmTFCTe-qoxysyVFpjeYoo92zNRDEohL6Kq9mNgR31e4uIJFXkm5ZFrsjHoeVvEx/s320/IMG_6359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
After a few hours we decided to make our way to the Louvre by foot, it was a beautiful day and it's not that far. Surprisingly, for a Saturday, the line-up at the Louvre wasn't bad, we only waiting about 10 minutes at the main entrance and no wait at the automatic ticket machines. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0f_GHRnflpSjPFHIAxFXgZ3Bu7P4MFVYVYWuA36qicVvFhrnhgZFaAjQ3Y0qWYM4VZIKcn10kxLY3ClP8a-Fl39xCHOkrYd6D_exT2pVMr4NnWByS5tSjWn9elJFWSt1XqxcUwUgfrV1q/s1600/IMG_6396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0f_GHRnflpSjPFHIAxFXgZ3Bu7P4MFVYVYWuA36qicVvFhrnhgZFaAjQ3Y0qWYM4VZIKcn10kxLY3ClP8a-Fl39xCHOkrYd6D_exT2pVMr4NnWByS5tSjWn9elJFWSt1XqxcUwUgfrV1q/s320/IMG_6396.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
We only wanted to spend a few hours and really only wanted to see one part of the Denon wing of the museum, we wanted to see the Mona Lisa, the Wedding of Cana as well as the Venus of Milo. I must admit, we aren't good museum visited, we glances at paintings and sculptures and really just paid closer attention when something that pleased our eye caught our attention. Or sometimes when something was really bad (to our eyes) we wandered over to see whose masterpiece we were witnessing.<br />
<br />
I was happy to see the Mona Lisa with more mature eyes. I was 14 when I first saw her and I remember being very disappointed. She's not quite as small as I remember her being but she is surrounded by as many people. I believe they've moved her since I last saw her because she's now in the same room as the wedding of Cana which is still as impressive as the first time I saw it. It takes up a full wall and you could easily spend hours interpreting the details and the subtleties of the painting. I noticed that only two characters are looking directly at the audience, Jesus and a women on the left of the painting, I wonder who she's suppose to be given that Mary Madeleine is on Jesus' left. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgEE4KAHMnTvbRo9_mKuueQNxVfYQkpQ893EDJc8e15AUupIYqMjFweq1hyzAiz1sLm-YRGYl0CF-y0oR1cCtr6hcmGyctIIy9wdb8nnNrM-SbWDUGKkob-xmVzQ7LdwdP9PqPPX6bopT/s1600/IMG_6430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgEE4KAHMnTvbRo9_mKuueQNxVfYQkpQ893EDJc8e15AUupIYqMjFweq1hyzAiz1sLm-YRGYl0CF-y0oR1cCtr6hcmGyctIIy9wdb8nnNrM-SbWDUGKkob-xmVzQ7LdwdP9PqPPX6bopT/s320/IMG_6430.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venus of Milo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lfKM8n0u-LpyEJ5WhasUj1FfACnFNdHX7J264ISEv_nFWFmWbgXfteJ2L5oGWMlU4gJ0bSgAazFy1HrCUFjNgL_MgzYumcdTCK9Qpr2Df8r4aVdd4djKqy7-BH5p36U613FVuwzTf5G9/s1600/IMG_6436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lfKM8n0u-LpyEJ5WhasUj1FfACnFNdHX7J264ISEv_nFWFmWbgXfteJ2L5oGWMlU4gJ0bSgAazFy1HrCUFjNgL_MgzYumcdTCK9Qpr2Df8r4aVdd4djKqy7-BH5p36U613FVuwzTf5G9/s320/IMG_6436.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veronese's Wedding of Cana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOCB5M-ZZpgM_jKnKOS5oEdYyyAwldpgNL7o7YxVqHjUG96NJ-HNbQG48P5otlq2qedBaNlBj7Q7ECZN53rcuAazY3OoHcS6iE_kcIkdk39pZTIUK_Ayg9uwwUMB_IW1SYIXiKpqWz60j/s1600/IMG_6444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOCB5M-ZZpgM_jKnKOS5oEdYyyAwldpgNL7o7YxVqHjUG96NJ-HNbQG48P5otlq2qedBaNlBj7Q7ECZN53rcuAazY3OoHcS6iE_kcIkdk39pZTIUK_Ayg9uwwUMB_IW1SYIXiKpqWz60j/s320/IMG_6444.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't get a good picture of the Mona Lisa who's behind 6 inches of plexi glass and behind a barricade 10 feet away!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We saw a lot in the three hours we were there and was quite satisfied with my visit to the Louvre. I was even happier when I found a Starbucks in the Louvre. What better way to end an afternoon like we had then with a tall vanilla latte???</div>
<br />
The metro ride home was quite the experience. I thought yesterday was an adventure this evening was even worse. If ever you're in Paris at rush hour, even on the weekend, and are at a station with plastic wall barricades along the track be forewarned, the platform will get full and the train will arrive at full capacity. It's every man, woman and child for himself as you try to negotiate for a place on the train. I wish I had been able to take out my camera to take a picture because I don't think I could ever draw an accurate portrayal in words. Dad and I squeezed into the train that was already full much to the dismay of the people already on the train, but then 5 more people threw themselves onto the train. The guy closest to me was less polite than I was last night when I backed in with mom. He used his elbow as he literally plowed in. I was already sandwiched against the other people on the train so this literally knocked the wind out of me. My yelp of surprise and pain did little to stop him, he kept pushing until he was certain that he was staying on the train. But I think the most surprising to me was at the next stop. As we waiting on the platform that filled with people, two older Chinese ladies that were about 4foot8, 80 pounds dressed to the nines and all made up, came up along side us. When the train arrived, full of course, and people jostled to get on, one of them literally pushed me into the train, it was like I had a 200 pound linebacker behind me! Even once we were on the train and sardined together, I guess she wanted more room for herself because she planted both her hands on my lower back and pushed. I really couldn't believe the moxie, and to think, I almost offered them help on the platform because they looked a little lost. I don't know how Parisians do this every day without getting into fights. I can't see people getting away with behaviour like this in Montreal, there would be brawls all the time. It's way too stressful and physically demanding!<br />
<br />
We decided to have a night in the apartment so we ordered pizza from the restaurant next door and bought a bottle of wine for 3.8E that was really quite good and had mille-feuilles from the local bakery. Overall, an excellent way to end the evening.Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-79662718207487497932011-12-10T15:54:00.001-05:002011-12-11T16:24:06.955-05:00Paris Day 2, Versailles Take 2We woke to a gloomy rainy Friday morning. We knew we needed a quick start to make it to Versailles bright and early. This morning we picked our café crème to go from the local brasserie and picked up some chocolatines from the local bakery.<br />
<br />
We made it to Versailles, on the right train today, at around 10 am. As we exited the train station I spotted a Starbucks, Yay! Since we needed to use the washroom and we can always use an excuse for a grande no foam non-fat latte, we made a pit stop.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Xv1jKRjgK1JHz7hwMvPQr4_4zGcqDNwJZiK_lZfQLJ7gWSovQndV1hDq_NyRIwgumvnrQo1RupAiZTTlyI20jC2Dfpsx8gIJ-or6U4rFiytFcAdSXO5rK1CC5wGpH9PgI3p-Z-DOn1DG/s1600/IMG_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Xv1jKRjgK1JHz7hwMvPQr4_4zGcqDNwJZiK_lZfQLJ7gWSovQndV1hDq_NyRIwgumvnrQo1RupAiZTTlyI20jC2Dfpsx8gIJ-or6U4rFiytFcAdSXO5rK1CC5wGpH9PgI3p-Z-DOn1DG/s320/IMG_1145.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Château Versaille</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Versailles was as opulent as I remembered from my last visit 19 years ago! The gold and the chandeliers are absolutely remarkable. The <em>salon des glaces</em> is still my favorite.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdrnKPyKIEl0MkIi2oDffVczuYA3qbyGY3AjFgldemR3oJb598NPSahyphenhyphene221V90v-EKzA-C0ZJhzzTDeKWjURLRsMZoBwaUt29QN34nWZh5EJNmaVoCJsQI_aXrIseIPkFWRGmvbGJW6A/s1600/IMG_6310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdrnKPyKIEl0MkIi2oDffVczuYA3qbyGY3AjFgldemR3oJb598NPSahyphenhyphene221V90v-EKzA-C0ZJhzzTDeKWjURLRsMZoBwaUt29QN34nWZh5EJNmaVoCJsQI_aXrIseIPkFWRGmvbGJW6A/s320/IMG_6310.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
However, the frescos on the ceilings are also quite impressive. One in the Diana room had me particularly impressed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGFpfkxhZ-iz037LuruI7sKFk_tP6hmov44gVRIE8vNLn1vFo1mBtQNBpBOgWCeNdhZpLN8Bnpi2zfUObO4eSymndLrH4rygg5X0bWMFSX5LiPMns-gtPVx3cwYhN2P0BERV_vctMq8v7/s1600/IMG_6295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGFpfkxhZ-iz037LuruI7sKFk_tP6hmov44gVRIE8vNLn1vFo1mBtQNBpBOgWCeNdhZpLN8Bnpi2zfUObO4eSymndLrH4rygg5X0bWMFSX5LiPMns-gtPVx3cwYhN2P0BERV_vctMq8v7/s320/IMG_6295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After Château Versailles, we decide to have lunch in the city of Versailles and had lunch at a modern little creperie. We had excellent ham, cheese and mushroom crêpes bretonnes followed by Froment Crêpes with Nutella. And for those who know us well, you won't be surprised that the three of us, ordered exactly the same meal again!<br />
<br />
Today was also MBA graduation day 2 for me. Time to accept my Paris-Dauphine diploma It was a nice evening and now I can officially close that chapter of my life. Quite a proud day if I can be allowed to be proud. I'm now a executive MBA graduate from the université of Paris-Dauphine. Who would have thought I would be accepting my MBA from a top ranked Paris university? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-2UwFWschDmpLwn6Ri9Q6QYMRi4fN3kZXZjvjHOUWcalS5z9gnHHrSGcC_fmGXoPLo6Hc_xEE6YMyTBIUhdT-RXcqUJy3gWKUTvOKVxU-AubDcVAz73Qe7kyMFsm4KFgmQlKtWoeu1Vp/s1600/graduation+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-2UwFWschDmpLwn6Ri9Q6QYMRi4fN3kZXZjvjHOUWcalS5z9gnHHrSGcC_fmGXoPLo6Hc_xEE6YMyTBIUhdT-RXcqUJy3gWKUTvOKVxU-AubDcVAz73Qe7kyMFsm4KFgmQlKtWoeu1Vp/s320/graduation+picture.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbERXMPhkZi0Sp485DL2-eIhgUpEBoo_7mJZbEhfb77vfOyHkUzQRskXVb3BN7Tbdp12QKqYrCJsOy27WfoMCT9mLiw4oDK3HnEMya_jWUkdB51orX1-Khvrl7ulPUKl1fdNSgsBzO_N4/s1600/graduation+with+parents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbERXMPhkZi0Sp485DL2-eIhgUpEBoo_7mJZbEhfb77vfOyHkUzQRskXVb3BN7Tbdp12QKqYrCJsOy27WfoMCT9mLiw4oDK3HnEMya_jWUkdB51orX1-Khvrl7ulPUKl1fdNSgsBzO_N4/s320/graduation+with+parents.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The unfortunate part is that I caught a nasty cold. What started as a sore throat yesterday developed into a full-fledged head cold in time for convocation. I toughed it out but by the time we left, I was battling a fever, some pretty nasty congestion and all the other fun symptoms that accompany a head cold, but I was determined not to let it spoil the evening. We went for a nice celebratory dinner at a brand new restaurant recommended by a colleague. Just off les Champs Élysées, on les acacias, le Dodin offers typical French cuisine. Again, we all ordered the same meal:<em> la pièce de boeuf d’Aubrac à la moelle avec sa purée mousseline à l’ancienne joliment moutardée</em>. It was absolutely delicious, and although we were full we wanted to try their specialty desert, le<em> pain perdu</em> which is like a piece of spice cake prepared like french toast. As they called it, c'est un <em>cake. </em>It was served with a scoop of homemade hazelnut ice cream and it was absolutely delicious combined with our café crème.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another great day in Paris that had us collapsing into bed.</div>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-26890938932225697492011-12-09T03:04:00.001-05:002011-12-10T15:51:09.030-05:00Paris, mais oui!So on our first full day in Paris, we slept in... I think we needed it. We went back to the café we had spotted last night and had café crème, 3 mini-chocolatine and croissant's each as well as a glass of freshly pressed OJ. What a treat to see your orange juice being pressed in front of you! I saw four full oranges go into the press for my glass.<br />
<br />
Our plan for the day was to visit Versailles in the afternoon then see what we felt like doing. So we made our way to the train station, two metro lines and some walking in underground tunnels later, we end up at the train station. A few minor glitches since we couldn't figure out where to buy tickets for the regional train and both information desks were closed. Also we realised that both trains go through the same platform. Next train going to Versailles will be the short one going through at 2:04. Should be simple right?? Wrong! Not for us it seems. We got on the next train, because it was suppose to be ours. We didn't check the length of the train or actually look at our watches. About 20 minutes into the ride, I asked Dad to check how many more stops before Versailles. We realise that we're on the wrong line, going in the opposite direction. So we got off the train at the next station, crossed over to the other platform and of course miss the train, next one 30 minutes later. So we now have to sit and wait on a platform out in suburbia. Obviously, it's cold and windy and none of us dressed to be sitting on a platform in the cold. We came to the conclusion that since we'd be boarding the train at 3 and that we would be back at the station around 3:20, it no longer made sense to go to Versailles. So we made new plans.<br />
<br />
We got off the train at Bir Hakeim station and Mom and Dad got their first real up close sighting of the Eiffel Tower. It really is quite impressive no matter how often you've seen it. We walked to the tower, took loads of pictures and decided that we were hungry for a snack. So we headed to a local brasserie le Bailli du Suffren. We had croque messieurs avec frites with a good café crème to warm up our fingers. After the much deserved rest we headed back to other side of the Seine in front of the Eiffel Tower at the base of Trocadero was a cute Christmas market. They have a U shape of Wooden huts decorated with lights and selling various things including Gluwein (hot mulled wine). We also took in the Tower's first sparkling session. It really is quite beautiful and it's nice to see tourists have the same reaction I had the first time I was surprised by it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwC3jiroFvnO-l4nmVEirWMfk88bVoh5ryLJMbjhLvgO4nXl0o-KeohG_YiC3BTHqpuE3Qm86tVMMJcfE8FjxzT7zwAGvzS9C7SFsYJaqEJHVtuQ6Mmowb-6hGe1v82MDVmWvPu04S1h9/s1600/Eiffel+Tower+Night+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwC3jiroFvnO-l4nmVEirWMfk88bVoh5ryLJMbjhLvgO4nXl0o-KeohG_YiC3BTHqpuE3Qm86tVMMJcfE8FjxzT7zwAGvzS9C7SFsYJaqEJHVtuQ6Mmowb-6hGe1v82MDVmWvPu04S1h9/s320/Eiffel+Tower+Night+shot.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<br />
We walked back to the Eiffel tower to see if we could go up but decided the line was too long. Mom's ticket had been demagnetised so Dad and I walked back to have it fixed. About 30 mins and close to 2 km later we got back to the Eiffel tower and made our way to the nearest metro which was Trocadero. What a beautiful view of the market and the Tower, We made our way to the Champs Élisées and walked to Marboeuf Street in search of Chez André where they supposedly make the best Mille Feuilles in Paris. We finally made it there only to be told to leave by the Maitre D. He actually told us to get out, there's no room.. So insulted, we went to stand in line at the restaurant across the street that makes the best Steak Frites. We waiting about 45 minutes and then M&D got to taste the wonderful Steak Frites with the weird green sauce that tastes much better then it looks. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_VvEzgb69sdliifCpewyeYz6Ag_b4M4lDlxVIJXxkkoRyj7r8MfeXB0rSIquwwiHkjEmF6rOcMn0LCERVRkpaj1vbadAneLRThihMIPVFc-B7MlqzuGW37-k7h7RlC-EzhUToMb4P3Ik/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_VvEzgb69sdliifCpewyeYz6Ag_b4M4lDlxVIJXxkkoRyj7r8MfeXB0rSIquwwiHkjEmF6rOcMn0LCERVRkpaj1vbadAneLRThihMIPVFc-B7MlqzuGW37-k7h7RlC-EzhUToMb4P3Ik/s320/IMG_1136.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arguably the best Steak Frites in Paris is found here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Around 11pm we made our way back to the apartment. The Metro station was packed. They have these barricades that prevent people from being pushed onto the tracks when the platform is crowded. When the train arrived, it was full. I knew from experience that it wouldn't get better so we needed to get on. Mom didn't want to try to get on so I grabbed her in a bear hug and barrelled backwards onto the train, like a reverse tackle. We were sandwiched so closely, we didn't even need to hold onto anything to stay standing. Even the metro in Beijing or Korea weren't as full as this car was :) But what great stories this makes later. We made it back to the apartment in one piece, albeit with sore feet and more than a little tired.<br />
<br />
What a great first day in Paris: Eiffel Tower,Christmas markets on Trocadero, Champs Élisées decorated for Christmas, best steak frites in town...Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-9719229619953378832011-12-06T14:14:00.001-05:002011-12-06T14:19:15.505-05:00Ravenna Italy- Last stop of the cruise<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ravenna Italy, the last port on our 11 day cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rick Steve’s’ guidebook suggests that Ravenna can be visited in a three to four hour visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided that we would visit 2 of the 3 recommended sites; the Basilica di San Vitale & Santa Maria Maggiore.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had a little hiccup with the cruise line this morning. When the city is further then walking distance away, they sell tickets to a shuttle bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right, charge; it’s never free, nothing is ever free on MSC. So we had tickets for the first bus that cost us 30<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">€</span> for the 3 of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We missed the first bus which is ok but when we got outside there was a long line and no shuttle waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next bus arrived and they all the people in line with strollers on board and so we didn’t get on the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently they had 12 buses on the route but again, in typically Italian management processes, it took them a while to get organised and it took 20 minutes for another bus to arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the bus arrived a young Italian woman ran past us and jumped on board first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then proceeded to save the first row for her friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She argued with us that she could save the seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We argued a little but in the end decided that we didn’t want a confrontation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her friends spent the entire 20 minutes bus ride being rude and speaking in Italian and laughing at us and others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to put it behind us and enjoy Ravenna.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The city itself is nothing special, however, there were a few interesting sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a cute Christmas market in Piazza del Popolo, which was built in the 1500s by the venetians. We made a few purchases. We stopped for a cappuccino at a small café before going into Basilica San Vitale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though the morning started off cool and overcast by lunchtime the sun starting making its appearance and the temperature rose from 7 to about 13<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Basilica di San Vitale was built in 540 AD by the Romans at the end of their reign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was meant to show their power and act as a sanctuary while the madness surrounding the barbarians took hold of Europe. The entire inside of the church is covered in lavish tile mosaics and marble patterned floors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really quite impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ceilings really had me impressed. The sun coming in through the windows had the mosaics shining and full of colour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Particularly interesting is the portrayal of Christ according to byzantine tradition without a beard and in red velvet robes like a king.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HxGiX0mnW_nyoASfZw74_dDZimmevYfDnVE6AJ1QefdD9-tW8c-asFan_pMbWh5a6qDdXg-O8oLpsgv4-6F-QAaWRcdrF6vsb7tGDNFwMdaeFm7uIYrg2gUf-hb4P1v8wiX_Xq475tgM/s1600/san+vitale+ceiling_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HxGiX0mnW_nyoASfZw74_dDZimmevYfDnVE6AJ1QefdD9-tW8c-asFan_pMbWh5a6qDdXg-O8oLpsgv4-6F-QAaWRcdrF6vsb7tGDNFwMdaeFm7uIYrg2gUf-hb4P1v8wiX_Xq475tgM/s320/san+vitale+ceiling_s.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresco on the ceiling of Basilica di San Vitale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeuFVMEnxpsZnn34Qq4ZukESNjKIr0Ut36NKBNrs4VhyWM1qFtP5bUetar2Rrnd5mIoX4lXidzzBQc8JdoYMzov1Yy63awAQpydmsoR2mdUcJDS8Nh9NGlMzXUn1kZ-ePihXuKY4cxhUM/s1600/San+Vitale+front_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeuFVMEnxpsZnn34Qq4ZukESNjKIr0Ut36NKBNrs4VhyWM1qFtP5bUetar2Rrnd5mIoX4lXidzzBQc8JdoYMzov1Yy63awAQpydmsoR2mdUcJDS8Nh9NGlMzXUn1kZ-ePihXuKY4cxhUM/s320/San+Vitale+front_s.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Vitale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQQ0uf6kG2zdQTB1lwgCoRNwp304jW2aJJk0hVrx6HOWlsn4Mkzgs61CfoaCQ0aSqGVEkrNCav6KcU6mLlpCGwj7_58HB8F4HEiMhMrElrA9XhzFFTTfgVJ7cXjkY4SRNWyA0IaYcYhbo/s1600/san+vitale+overview_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQQ0uf6kG2zdQTB1lwgCoRNwp304jW2aJJk0hVrx6HOWlsn4Mkzgs61CfoaCQ0aSqGVEkrNCav6KcU6mLlpCGwj7_58HB8F4HEiMhMrElrA9XhzFFTTfgVJ7cXjkY4SRNWyA0IaYcYhbo/s320/san+vitale+overview_s.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Vitale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We also made our way to the mausoleum Galla Placidia which contains the oldest mosaics in Ravenna and apparently the bones of Placidia who was the daughter, sister, wife and mother of Roman emperors and died in 450AD. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the visits we had decided we had to try the local pizza so we stop at the same little café on Via Argentario and had a pizza and some half pints of local beer before making our way back to the shuttle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back on the ship, I went for a nice relaxing manicure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tonight is our last night on the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have the second seating for dinner which means we eat at 8:15. After dinner we have to pack our bags and leave them outside the door before 2am, we have to vacate the room tomorrow before 7:30 am and then we’re supposed to be off the ship by 9am. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 375.65pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On another post I’ll have to write about my experience with the staff and the other cultures on board. I know many Germans and am friends with several Germans but the ones on this cruise are really something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t saw that I’ve ever been body checked by an older German woman before this cruise!</span></div>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-44363941615565106062011-12-05T11:55:00.001-05:002011-12-05T11:58:06.539-05:00Dubrovnik, Croatia<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday December 5th</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was really looking forward to Dubrovnik and it didn’t disappoint. It is a beautiful fortified town that has been very well maintained. We had no tour scheduled today so we took the shuttle into the old town and walked around the streets. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s a pity that the weather didn’t fully cooperate, it’s was a cool 13<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>C and overcast. I can only imagine how much more beautiful the city would be under sunlight. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bLUjo20UBBj2zek_a4U4IhRxZS1M64ezMCY24zVx2QaFVsoPdaoRoMP6Fr8ihNU_Qiz5G_q7kyPnm_opg_2XpwuIsUofvO_S0yBMTcRQHJ3KQdwbfw2U2uTX_3UE0KMxH79K0ovMWA4a/s1600/Dubrovnik_1_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bLUjo20UBBj2zek_a4U4IhRxZS1M64ezMCY24zVx2QaFVsoPdaoRoMP6Fr8ihNU_Qiz5G_q7kyPnm_opg_2XpwuIsUofvO_S0yBMTcRQHJ3KQdwbfw2U2uTX_3UE0KMxH79K0ovMWA4a/s320/Dubrovnik_1_s.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, outside the main gates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was immediately swept into the magic of the walls, the drawbridge, and the town crier selling the heart of Dubrovnik. The main street is wide and open to pedestrians and is lined with flags. We walked around and looked for the way up to the top of the walls to lookout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we finally found it we were a little tired and cold.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few hours in to our tour, we decided to stop in a café for a break. We had cappuccinos and some local deserts a strudel and a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">torta od makarula.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I particularly enjoyed the<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> torta od makarula</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which had a dark chocolate and noodle filling inside a pie crust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You read correctly, it isn’t a type, it’s a macaroni cake!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We did lots of touristy shopping in Dubrovnik, seems they have a lot of lavender and lace and they have the typical tourist t-shirts and nick-knacks. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vNhvNa0XtROqJ9uF0JQ67_G2z8_MMoWX24qgvRa1ER-V3d7QgnmwaPViT8ubkFIt1NrNSD6nGy2kyivTebJkt_ZTPDwveYn-uHk57KjlvSSmBwnvNqxupcga4trLfU-GYfNmG0oiMM3f/s1600/dubrovnik_2_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vNhvNa0XtROqJ9uF0JQ67_G2z8_MMoWX24qgvRa1ER-V3d7QgnmwaPViT8ubkFIt1NrNSD6nGy2kyivTebJkt_ZTPDwveYn-uHk57KjlvSSmBwnvNqxupcga4trLfU-GYfNmG0oiMM3f/s320/dubrovnik_2_s.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view, outside the main gates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In my short 4.5 hours in Dubrovnik, I was really taken in by the architecture and scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dubrovnik must have been quite the fortified city in its day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have loved to see it in all its glory under the sun and with a little bit more heat, but it was still one of my favorite ports to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, it’s another country I’ve now had the opportunity to visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This cruise has been great, allowing me to add Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Croatia to the list of countries I’ve visited.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIKTJ7W0_qHYEnSeL_l0iFHGRA5YNu5tMDJGtoDEgKCxT5dUsqmHDbf-ucBQurOvAqkMXpwpM6u_GWAtlxofErycOiET_XC3FzAMXley6jM4UF-j3x5iw43lUEb9SDi2QHcZgoD6WVhJE/s1600/Dubrovnik_3_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIKTJ7W0_qHYEnSeL_l0iFHGRA5YNu5tMDJGtoDEgKCxT5dUsqmHDbf-ucBQurOvAqkMXpwpM6u_GWAtlxofErycOiET_XC3FzAMXley6jM4UF-j3x5iw43lUEb9SDi2QHcZgoD6WVhJE/s320/Dubrovnik_3_s.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the streets in Dubrovnik, near the wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tonight is our third and final gala dinner on the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow, Ravenna Italy.</span></div>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-55478416250718211552011-12-04T17:46:00.001-05:002011-12-04T17:54:38.788-05:00Haifa, Israel, December 1st<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a day relaxing at sea where I went to the gym, read and floated like a buoy in the salt water pool in the middle of the ship, we were relaxed and ready for Haifa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was quite amazed by the pool and loved the feeling of floating on my back in the pool, in the middle of the ship, looking up at the blue sky; it was like I was floating in the sea. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As for Haifa, we had a private tour scheduled with Avi who was to take us around northern Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So at 9:00 we met Avi in the parking lot of the port terminal and we left for the Sea of Galilee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started at the Mount of beatitudes where Christ did the Sermon on the Mount.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a lovely area overlooking the sea of Galilee, peaceful and well maintaining by an order of noun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_ESyYEbbJvWVLVc9X84Mm8pNX9zeDKNdNVp_CtWcjOFpRFbcT_Bhaqd6hvlFB71pL5wONb1n_ffc66MkuDRQZZlX2Hge9lqM8kCoM60DmcblXSUlMaOyBZsdaqFWcjWETUDqyxy-9FuM/s1600/tabgha_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_ESyYEbbJvWVLVc9X84Mm8pNX9zeDKNdNVp_CtWcjOFpRFbcT_Bhaqd6hvlFB71pL5wONb1n_ffc66MkuDRQZZlX2Hge9lqM8kCoM60DmcblXSUlMaOyBZsdaqFWcjWETUDqyxy-9FuM/s320/tabgha_s.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tabgha</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next, he took us a little down the mountain to Tabgha, we Christ performed the miracle of the fish and loaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s lovely little church built over the rock where Christ performed the miracle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t say felt any special connection to the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice but I wasn’t in awe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Rome, at the Vatican, I felt like l was seeing something great, something special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess because you can’t actually see anything, I really couldn’t wrap my head around the concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it’s because I don’t know the scriptures enough.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aelicCNe-0abnjasOVSyAP1VUopE-6FuYPFu_a73F-PcjM2zziwl8Fcuv8wVaNkEpGHwNgRlcsyxiGNyBN6FvAjm9PioWUbBuD8179dvKYnTLFO744utsq-09Wp4T0farWOZzWWhdl5P/s1600/Miracle+of+the+loaves_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aelicCNe-0abnjasOVSyAP1VUopE-6FuYPFu_a73F-PcjM2zziwl8Fcuv8wVaNkEpGHwNgRlcsyxiGNyBN6FvAjm9PioWUbBuD8179dvKYnTLFO744utsq-09Wp4T0farWOZzWWhdl5P/s320/Miracle+of+the+loaves_s.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock of the Miracle of the Loaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where I really felt like I was seeing something fairly special was at our next stop: Capharnaum, where Jesus spent the last years of his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that village overlooking the sea of Galilee, you have Peter’s village and a white Temple where Jesus gave sermons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a fair amount of the fishing village left as well as the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The view is amazing and can really understand why it was believed to be the Promise Land. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad even went to dip his toes into the sea!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From Capharnaum, we went to visit a Kabutz which was really disappointing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really didn’t provide any insight into the society or cult; however you want to see it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We next went to the River Jordan which is the site where Saint John baptised Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could, if you so chose, to redo your baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We skipped that part, but had a really good meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ordered tabouleh and hummus with beef kebabs and the restaurant offered us about 10 different salads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had baba ganoush, tahini, marinated carrots, cabbage, some marinated peppers and tomatoes, a Greek salad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also sampled some local beers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was delicious and we really enjoyed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The river Jordan is much greener then I expected, it reminds me of rivers in Western Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking of Canada, we met the local wildlife, the Israeli interpretation of the beaver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, the looked like a cross between a beaver and a giant rat!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From there we went to Nazareth to see the church of the annunciation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, neither Nazareth, nor the Church was what I expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nazareth looks like a rundown town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks poor but industrialised and not at all what I expected for such holy land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church that they built over the remains of the church of the annunciation is way too modern to my taste to represent the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe they could have done a better job of blending into the scenery. I was glad to see it but it wasn’t what I anticipated. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall, we had a great day with Avi and saw a lot of great places I never thought I would see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time we got back to the ship around 6pm we were exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had an early dinner then headed to bed early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you saw from my earlier post, the next day of exploration in Haifa was done on our own, where dad and I went to the gardens and walked down, culminating in a nice afternoon snack at Cheers!</span></div>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-88386918753803605012011-12-04T12:40:00.001-05:002011-12-09T11:07:52.762-05:00Kalispera from Katakalon Greece<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kalispera</i> from Katakalon Greece!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What a beautiful day in Katakolon and Olympia!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we approached the port city of Katakolon we sailed through a pretty big rain storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We figured we were bound to get some bad weather on the trip so we packed out our coats and umbrellas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as we docked, the sun came out and in turned into quite a beautiful day, sunny and around 20<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>C.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had reserved a car for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was supposed to be a Mercedes was a Skoda, but it was large and comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though Nikko’s English wasn’t great, I think I understood 20% of what he was saying, he was quite nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dropped us at the archeological site in Olympia, told us to visit the museum and that he would be back to get us two hours later at 1:15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got into the site just ahead of the numerous buses from the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We managed to avoid them for most of the time so we got a few pictures devoid of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think that would be possible in September or June.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the funny things about our trip is that everywhere we go, they tell us that they have the best olive oil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Nikko wanted to bring us to see how Olive Oil was made. Turns out it was quite interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the local olive oil community press and it was functioning when we went. Nikko even mentioned that he was making oil yesterday and would be back tomorrow to make more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The area was hit by a very bad fire four year ago where 75 people died and house and entire forests were lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see the scars left behind along the Olympic Site, the hills of Chronos and the n earby villages.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">WE then got to visit a very modern winery call Olympia winery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The owner showed us around and then gave us a snack and wine tasting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Kalamata olives and olive oil were delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her wines were light and tasty without any heavy tannins or sulfites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought a bottle of olive oil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How delicious that will be with some bread, yum!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nikko also very kindly offered us some wine that his brother in law made as well as some olive oil straight of the press when we went to visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both are bottled in some plastic water bottles so we will need to sample these before we get off the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also gave us six gigantic oranges he picked from his orange tree while we were at Olympic site. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Katakolon and its people left quite a nice impression on us in a very short amount of time.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnP1rhzKOAKTuiszE6o_-qjWzNzZ6nfdqgskqFUJVORMobEArLQoOBs01fQSwz8P7WBl5JEaojd_b7eDwkef-WMRbRb8NvpHcvPZl-Y9NPVXETQPDDBoMmlE65sqWOGBMucuwpAQNqEIaf/s1600/OLIVES_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnP1rhzKOAKTuiszE6o_-qjWzNzZ6nfdqgskqFUJVORMobEArLQoOBs01fQSwz8P7WBl5JEaojd_b7eDwkef-WMRbRb8NvpHcvPZl-Y9NPVXETQPDDBoMmlE65sqWOGBMucuwpAQNqEIaf/s320/OLIVES_small.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olives on the Olympic Site</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWBN-2cyW-x1esM9oRhM1rsQcCjXv8WF1xDah4do2iExCoGCgTEkkda5wJPg2ppRCCFyeYTl4JS9gXQvL5FDgkSkaHbmHI5JEQPPdb8PjWLuz_ZlzsjFE_rknAspX5eblz0GqlTd5G0hJ/s1600/OLUMPIC+PARC_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWBN-2cyW-x1esM9oRhM1rsQcCjXv8WF1xDah4do2iExCoGCgTEkkda5wJPg2ppRCCFyeYTl4JS9gXQvL5FDgkSkaHbmHI5JEQPPdb8PjWLuz_ZlzsjFE_rknAspX5eblz0GqlTd5G0hJ/s320/OLUMPIC+PARC_small.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remains at Olympia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-73230788343051810822011-12-02T07:22:00.001-05:002011-12-02T07:37:00.838-05:00Haifa, IsraelDay 7 (I think)<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm sitting at Cheers Bar in the German Colony of Haifa having a Goldstar (local Amber Beer) and sharing a fajita. It's another beautiful day. It's warm and sunny.<br />
We took the bus to the top of Mount Carmel and took at look at the Baha'i Gardens. The shrine is closed because of the Sabbath at sundown. We made our way down the hill using sidestreets and got to see the backside of Haifa as well as the beautiful view. It reminded me of taking a walk down the side of Mount Royal through Westmount and Outremont. Some really nice sites and some not so pretty.<br />
<br />
We have exactly 2 hours before the all on board signal. Then we're off to Katakolon Greece overnight.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, we had our private tour of northern Israel. We went to the Mount of the Beatitudes of the side of the sea of Galilee which was my favorite spot. It's really a beautiful site and you can image how it must have been paradise on earth.<br />
<br />
Gotta run. More later on Israel.Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-8830900685844530112011-11-30T11:58:00.001-05:002011-12-02T07:16:49.870-05:00Limassol, Cyprus<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s November 30<sup>th</sup> 2011 and time for our stop in Limassol Cyprus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our tour was organised by MSC and the plan was to visit Kourion, Apollo’s Temple and Omodos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At Kourion, there was a reconstructed theatre originally built in the 2<sup>nd</sup> century BC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s also a pretty impressive archaeological site where they’ve dug up the House of Eustolio who was a rich citizen who was concerned about the welfare of his catholic compatriots during the early Christian period (330 to mid-7<sup>th</sup> century).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The house which included hot, cold and warm baths as well a courtyard and some rooms, overlooks the sea and must have been quite the mansion in its time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Apollo’s Temple was a letdown after having seen the Coliseum in Rome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only two columns are left. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand that Apollo’s temple is older, but when you’re going to visit some ruins, you want to see something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Omodos village looked promising, it included a wine tasting and the information on Trip Advisor said the village was cute and interesting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, the wine tasting consisted of three shots, <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"</span>dry<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"</span>red or white wine (really nothing to write home about, though I guess that’s what I’m doing now), the comandaria sweet wine which was created by the Knights of Saint John’s and now DOCG (controlled appellation).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That wine basically tasted like sherry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last, was schnapps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a look at the shot my father caught of me, you’ll see what I thought of it!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The village was tiny and not too interesting but I managed to find a nice silver and turquoise ring. Our tour brought us back to the ship and was had access to a shuttle into town for free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we had three hours until all aboard, my dad and I went to take a look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe there’s more offered during the high season but this was pretty lame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stores had only junk and they were few and far between. There was Limassol <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"</span>Castle<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"</span> and imagine that I used air quotes because although the building looked a little like a castle, it was obviously rebuilt and not very impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took the opportunity for a photo shop but we chose not to pay 5 <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">€</span> for the visit. After 30 minutes, we chose to have a cappuccino and then head back to the ship.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">PS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the things that has made us smile over the last few days is that we’ve found a Dan Meli lookalike! I thought he just had to be Swiss German since about 40 to 50 percent of the passengers are German.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This guy works for the excursion office and has been with the Germans on both the excursions we went on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However it seems that the guy is Italian (crew have their native flag attached to the left shoulder when wearing their informal uniforms). I have yet to find a way to take a picture of him without looking like a stalker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I can manage it, I will definitely post it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh, I almost forgot, we had a helicopter emergency rescue off the ship last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dad noticed on the tv channel that gives the trip information that we had reversed our course and were going back on our route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thirty minutes later a search and rescue helicopter did a fly by, and then hovered over us for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems they dropped a crew member, flew off, and then came back for them minutes later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty sure I saw an American flag on the helicopter which makes sense because we were close to Greece on our way to Cyprus so it’s possible that they came from the American base in Turkey. It was all very exciting, not that we could see much, but I sure hope whomever was taken off is going to be ok.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s it for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow; Haifa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a private tour with a gentleman called Avi, so I’m looking forward to exploring northern Israel, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, River Jordan and whatever else we feel like seeing along the way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvsVe4Xiws1a5Jl_HexN6869zAiHbSotFS4iDTN40GHX5BsVHp0LAhry5ZuyOM7vQfteSRUvUl1J_H2aQQJTI7pxApV_r1a21BQ5YTLgcB3xByRYMDM0ctB-bbuzcX98H6NClmlc8B3Ay/s1600/dsn5331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvsVe4Xiws1a5Jl_HexN6869zAiHbSotFS4iDTN40GHX5BsVHp0LAhry5ZuyOM7vQfteSRUvUl1J_H2aQQJTI7pxApV_r1a21BQ5YTLgcB3xByRYMDM0ctB-bbuzcX98H6NClmlc8B3Ay/s320/dsn5331.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My candid reaction to the schnapps :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0UWOOnPFGXJexSwY6RspFawBKEwX2bx8kmBbv4n2oDEpDiX6yNDE7_v8a8dvU-3rvhZNP-KTssZMgaQ4mySvTyNu3Up9ZwdcZxa6IZwI6IJCAXjiBdE5Qi5yuzWaI26EN2Hk4uMvpqmN/s1600/DSC05320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0UWOOnPFGXJexSwY6RspFawBKEwX2bx8kmBbv4n2oDEpDiX6yNDE7_v8a8dvU-3rvhZNP-KTssZMgaQ4mySvTyNu3Up9ZwdcZxa6IZwI6IJCAXjiBdE5Qi5yuzWaI26EN2Hk4uMvpqmN/s320/DSC05320.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Frony of Appollo's Temple, Limassol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-22578136655779953342011-11-30T11:44:00.001-05:002011-12-02T07:21:34.778-05:00Beautiful Medieval Rhodes Greece<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We woke up to a beautiful day in Greece; sun, a few wispy clouds and it hit about 22<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>C.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had arranged for a private tour in a comfortable Mercedes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nicholas, our driver and guide, took us into the old city and showed us the sites, then took us to the acropolis of Rhodes and then off to Lindos to see the beautiful St-Paul’s bay and to climb the approximately 280 stairs to the acropolis of Lindos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The climb was steep and a little close to the precipice at times but the view from the acropolis was amazing and surprisingly, we were alone at the site for the few minutes we were there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were given a quick course on the significance of Greek words and learnt that acropolis, means the <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"</span>highest part of the city<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"</span>, thus the reason that there is an acropolis in Athens, in Rhodes, in Lindos and probably every other Greek town. I also learnt how to say thank you, pronounced as I understand it, EF-HA-RIS-TOU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether or not that’s the exact pronunciation, I was understood and that was what mattered to me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We got back to the old town after our tour at around 1:30, so we walked the city of Knights and snapped more pictures. We decided we had to sit down for a Greek dish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out we were very lucky with our choice and shared a delicious plate of traditional Greek dishes, we had mousaka, tzaziki, souvlaki, vines leaves and definitely the best baklava I’ve ever had.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rhodes was one of the places I was most looking forward to visiting and it definitely did not disappoint, however, I was surprised by the number of stray dogs and cats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They obviously do not spay or neuter their animals and there are dogs and cats everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The acropolis in Lindos was like a giant cat litter and smelled horrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only imagine what it would be like in August when it’s 38<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>C.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We left port around 3:30 and we make our way over night to Limassol, Cyprus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really have no idea what to expect, but I look forward to discovering another new city.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuK3DiITvLBDJxMr7HwzQXiKgyVdcCZnqfwAgYpEWbooYOYZR121CBWL2WiMF_zh6cIbwLZWPsrn3K6fmLLpq0op4ayTr-GfescWINx-NzCTYNquumrnrikkPscYJ9_K_-VO0_WX-_lqD/s1600/IMG_5754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuK3DiITvLBDJxMr7HwzQXiKgyVdcCZnqfwAgYpEWbooYOYZR121CBWL2WiMF_zh6cIbwLZWPsrn3K6fmLLpq0op4ayTr-GfescWINx-NzCTYNquumrnrikkPscYJ9_K_-VO0_WX-_lqD/s320/IMG_5754.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0weMbaMymmp-rWtPiVN54tW-YsUqRdo7nKGp8Em7rgyh9WaBOF2h_DtXIgBXK0X-RWQfysZNevyM0EWpBA0MpOov1PN6n63benWLiRIdAUQzkNMYD2AST1-YKNR-indJSdVZnIWxucmYn/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0weMbaMymmp-rWtPiVN54tW-YsUqRdo7nKGp8Em7rgyh9WaBOF2h_DtXIgBXK0X-RWQfysZNevyM0EWpBA0MpOov1PN6n63benWLiRIdAUQzkNMYD2AST1-YKNR-indJSdVZnIWxucmYn/s320/IMG_0843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8K5LZRbShY9jC6IX9uYo2NiOgvIKJ6W_OzctmjXA_7-M7naOcsQ-8NmG_8-Y-FyttSfrDcsipbFJpRSDqnHtOilBQO3KT1a_JYitOTZAgSXMSWXwYpXfVT-9eCE9GKNHIn96VUneXT9e/s1600/IMG_5775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8K5LZRbShY9jC6IX9uYo2NiOgvIKJ6W_OzctmjXA_7-M7naOcsQ-8NmG_8-Y-FyttSfrDcsipbFJpRSDqnHtOilBQO3KT1a_JYitOTZAgSXMSWXwYpXfVT-9eCE9GKNHIn96VUneXT9e/s320/IMG_5775.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-7125462586113265812011-11-30T11:36:00.001-05:002011-11-30T11:44:14.702-05:00Bari and Alberobello<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ship docked at 13:00 at the port of Bari.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were booked on a tour with the cruise ship, so we were to meet with the group at the Royal Theatre. There were eight groups meeting so, in a true Italian organisational setting, it was a little chaotic. There were several guides handing out the stickers identifying which group you would join but you needed to be able to guess which guide was handing out your particular group’s stickers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were lucky and found the girl handing out the <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"</span>English Speaking Stickers<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"</span> (oh Mr.Bogue would have a field day </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> ).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s really were our luck ended because we ended up on an English-Spanish tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As nice as the guide was, it was really annoying to hear everything in two languages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It meant that everything took longer because she had to say it twice, so we also got a lot less free time then the other groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it also meant that I heard about a third of what was being said in Spanish and it was giving me a giant headache trying to understand what exactly she was saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point, the guide was explaining in Spanish that the some of the buildings in Bari were built by Napolean’s hermano … cool I think, Napolean’s brother was in southern Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the English description was that his brother-in-law built that section of the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not quite the same thing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alberobello wasn’t at all what I expected but it was nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a world Unesco protected city for its famous Trulli houses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Round with conical shaped roofs, they used to be temporary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to avoid paying taxes to the King of Italy, they citizens used to remove the keystone from the top of the roof and the buildings would collapse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They could then claim that they were temporary dwellings and not a town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the king’s inspectors finally caught on and Alberobello was proclaimed a royal city, forcing them to pay taxes one way or another. After that point they started using mortar and lie to make the houses more permanent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At some point the keystone became an identifying marker, and was use used like a civic number to indicate which family lived in the house. I had expected really a remote location with a cluster of trulli buildings but this was snug in the middle of another town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are 1500 trulli and it really didn’t seem as ancient as I thought it could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Trulli style church, which was built by the neighbourhood, was erected in 1920!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not exactly Ancient or even medieval for that matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The local church in Vaudreuil is 70 years older! Alberobello was unlike anything I had seen before, so for that I was quite happy, but I have to admit, I kept thinking I would run into Frodo or Papa Smurf ;) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCx_iG_5odd9FPzSDL4kC7lpA0UVodFHcRm9sLGA0dd_xP1LAC-fymZBDzwJGSvL6epm-f_ThhWgUXvOWDW0wsWrZvKLCr8hufRkmRyLmLt1dEYLoEklvDBaTh6KGMHgIAg_19Q_KPWgP/s1600/IMG_5695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCx_iG_5odd9FPzSDL4kC7lpA0UVodFHcRm9sLGA0dd_xP1LAC-fymZBDzwJGSvL6epm-f_ThhWgUXvOWDW0wsWrZvKLCr8hufRkmRyLmLt1dEYLoEklvDBaTh6KGMHgIAg_19Q_KPWgP/s320/IMG_5695.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-1979038135687779732011-11-30T11:31:00.001-05:002011-11-30T11:35:40.613-05:00Making my way to Venice<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My flight into Paris was fairly uneventful except for the 15mins of bad turbulence that had the cabin crew postponing the beverage service. Despite my most valiant efforts I wasn’t able to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I watched horrible bosses, Contagion and about half of Abducted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time I cleared customs, picked up my bags and found my way from terminal 2A to2B and found a Brioche Dorée, where I ordered a café crème and a chocolatine. I was so exhausted that two Advil, the coffee, the food and 500ml of water weren’t enough to quell the massive headache that had settled in along with a pretty lousy wave of nausea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really felt an overused piece of shoe leather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really wasn’t sure how I would get myself to the hotel in Venice. I even managed to survive the snarky Parisian Easy Jet check-in clerk who told me that purses were counted in the maximum one piece of carry-on luggage. I managed to squeeze my ginormous purse into my carry-on and was able to prove that it still met their standard sizing and could be inserted and removed easily from the metal measuring frame. I was lucky enough to find a lounge chair were I got to lay back and put my feet up, put my MP3 on, wrap one arm around my purse, lean on my carry on and fell into a coma until I woke 20mins later, startled and worried that I would miss my flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t able to fall back asleep but managed to lie with my eyes closed and relaxed for another 40 minutes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I made it into Venice, my old friend, around 5, realised that I hadn’t eaten since 9 that morning in Paris. So I met up with Mom & Dad between St-Mark’s square and the hotel, dropped off my luggage, got changed and then walked the streets to Rialto bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to bring my parents to the nice cozy pizzeria where Steph and I had eaten and where I had ordered the diabolo pizza that really did end up making me breathe fire </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We found the restaurant, but it was packed, so we settled for another restaurant just around the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though Mom and Dad didn’t seem to notice, I can definitely mention to all the girlfriends out there reading this post that the waiter was quite cute and adorable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great face, great accent, very cute. But probably a little young, Bobbie’s age or a little younger….Anyhow, the food was great and reminded me that Italian food really does taste that much better in Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ordered three different things so that we could share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had Prosciutto pizza that was delicioso, mom’s Quattro frommaggi gnocchi was my favorite and dad’s lasagna was good but a little overcooked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cappuccinos were awesome and the tiramisu was sinful. The mascarpone filling had just the right amount of amaretto and the coffee and chocolate balance was perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though this tiramisu wasn’t the best I’ve ever had (a little too dry and cakey) it was a great way to jump back into the culinary delights of Italy.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOiTmyLwlh4lA7L1H9Q5zoPC9p3wOc2EPPh2Dynh25Jr7JXARmUMCKhieGzobkShSn8xHkFdBpcu9se43myAspb96rTgnTwX5YZwbyv9pKUji5Ke5qr4-evXO3L1tOaCZTYsWzryieAih/s1600/IMG_0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOiTmyLwlh4lA7L1H9Q5zoPC9p3wOc2EPPh2Dynh25Jr7JXARmUMCKhieGzobkShSn8xHkFdBpcu9se43myAspb96rTgnTwX5YZwbyv9pKUji5Ke5qr4-evXO3L1tOaCZTYsWzryieAih/s320/IMG_0724.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tomorrow morning we make our way to the Maritime port mid-morning and the cruise leaves port around 5pm so we’ll get to see the lights of Venice as we head off to our first destination: Bari, Italy</span>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-47794533426202063872011-11-20T17:00:00.001-05:002011-11-20T18:04:48.596-05:00Getting ready for a new adventureOnly 4 more sleeps until the next trip. I love the pre-trip anticipation. Planning, getting everything ready to get the most out of the trip. Reading about the destinations, finding out the best places to go, what to see, what to avoid. I know, not everyone is as anal as I am about the details but there's something reassuring to me about having a list and checking it twice ;)<br />
<br />
So the next trip is exciting for a few reasons. It brings a bunch of first, as well as closing an important chapter in my life. I get to experience my first cruise and visit southern Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Croatia for the first time. Like a kid planning a trip to a candy store, I can't help but look forward to the history and architecture of the medieval city of Rhodes. I've been told that the walled city of Dubrovnik is the jewel of the Mediterranean. At Bari we will take a side trip to Alberabello, a World UNESCO sights that looks like it will offer many fabulous photo ops. I know these are the places I'm most looking forward to discovering, but I wonder what will end up being the favorite place or discovery from the trip.<br />
<br />
But, I also get to go back and visit old favorites like Venice,that ending up being quite one of the high notes from my Italian trip in May 2010. I get to back to Paris and see the city of lights decorated for Christmas (apparently les Champs Élysées will be especially beautiful, decked out in firs and lights). I look forward to the Louvre and Versailles, Champagne 5à7. And, the reason behind the trip, convocation at Paris-Dauphine. The last chapter of my MBA experience and hopefully signaling the beginning of another chapter.<br />
<br />
So, for those who don't know and I'm not sure where you've been because I've been talking about this trip since July, here's the itinerary: fly to Paris, take an Easy Jet flight to Venice that afternoon. The next day, board the MSC Magnifica ship that will be our home base for 11 hopefully magical days and nights. Our ship will dock in Bari, Italy; Rhodes Greece; Limasssol, Cyprus; Haifa, Israel; Katakalon (Olympia), Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Ravenna, Italy before heading back to Venice. From there, we will make our way to Paris for five days of visiting, convocation and the wonderful sound of the pop of the Champagne cork.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPHGKd3czQTntk68wSkXsiHo3AWooGxgJzybvT-hp8A03Fn4rL1c6-EJOTmDImeYcUNhNEajLUftFz_LPT2sFj0mzY5Fo8jNWw_XOtgB5yIsdT_p9hMGd5X7sEAknBRTpckAevFhDZzUS/s1600/MVN2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPHGKd3czQTntk68wSkXsiHo3AWooGxgJzybvT-hp8A03Fn4rL1c6-EJOTmDImeYcUNhNEajLUftFz_LPT2sFj0mzY5Fo8jNWw_XOtgB5yIsdT_p9hMGd5X7sEAknBRTpckAevFhDZzUS/s320/MVN2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I've mentioned to a few my desire to post the thoughts I would have otherwise journalled. I hope to be able to entertain you a little as I go and it serves the added bonus of keeping in touch, albeit in a one sided conversation. For those who are interested, I will post when I can connect to the Internet during the trip. I'm told I won't have much access to the Internet, at least not on my budget, but I will try to post. So if you're interested in my posts you can follow my blog by email, that way you'll be notified by email when I post. Otherwise, you can chose to just follow and go see every once in a while. Feel free to comment if you want. I won't be posting on Facebook as I'd rather not let the world know I will be leaving my house unattended but I'm sharing this blog with Friends and Family. <br />
<br />
Europe here I come ;)Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2441745339695881704.post-48134928997593388242011-06-25T14:23:00.001-04:002011-06-25T14:24:20.272-04:00First Post<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hello!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I've been thinking about starting a blog and wondered what I could very well talk about and I decided that I would start simple. I love to journal about my travels and share stories and pictures with friends and family and thought this would be the best way.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Though I've traveled more in the last twelve months then ever before, I have a fairly long stretch ahead with no planned trips So for the next few months until I travel to Paris and ? in late November, I will post interesting stories from my travels of the last year.. China, Hong Kong, Paris, Miami and Italy should keep me covered for a little while.<br />
<br />
I hope you like it :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn46waUofL2ipuR-0z8wPxZuVWQSH2ngvYaKFxAha4vnDDWyQ72245bO7XDR1FxRthhE6nawY2nMSQfP9-bPenpzU30zc3MH8uk5B2SpGGkBefF1IHrMucrdQ8AkvG1dbdwdeCqpbEL_1/s1600/IMG_5243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn46waUofL2ipuR-0z8wPxZuVWQSH2ngvYaKFxAha4vnDDWyQ72245bO7XDR1FxRthhE6nawY2nMSQfP9-bPenpzU30zc3MH8uk5B2SpGGkBefF1IHrMucrdQ8AkvG1dbdwdeCqpbEL_1/s320/IMG_5243.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Julie Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13900631100562489078noreply@blogger.com0