The title says it all really. Mum and Dad decided we could watch it because Gemma and I were starting to get slightly desperate. We also wanted a break from museums and walking around cities.
The movie was excellent, but there were some slight disappointments to do with keeping true to the story. It was good that there was nothing major like the Weasley’s House in the sixth movie. Anyway, I could go on for ages but I’ll wait until I get back to Australia so we can discuss it.
Talking of back in Australia, I’m thinking of meeting up with all of you. We get back on the 25th and I would probably need the 26th to rest, but 27th until when school goes back I’m doing nothing so if you can’t come over any particular day please tell me so I can organise everything.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Boxing Day in Rotterdam
On Boxing Day we went to the Bojmans art gallery (pronounced Boymans). We saw some very famous paintings like the Tower of Babel by Breugle and a large Salvador Dali collection. The highlight for Jonathan and I, though, was the ‘performance’ art at the front of the gallery. This was essentially a cage which you could play soccer in because it had two small areas added on opposite sides for goals.
We then went to the hostel we were staying a to have a rest before going back to Paul and Wendaline’s house for a good sized dinner before settling down.
Jonathan and I playing soccer outside the Bojman's art gallery.
We then went to the hostel we were staying a to have a rest before going back to Paul and Wendaline’s house for a good sized dinner before settling down.
Chris in Rotterdam
The next few days (25th-27th of December) I will try to recall in as much detail as I can, so let’s see how that will go.
The day after we arrived in Rotterdam was Christmas day. We were allowed to ‘jump in’ on Paul (our grandma’s cousin) and Wendaline’s (his wife, pronounced Vendalin) Christmas. We arrived at their house at roughly 12:00 and were the first to arrive. We were shortly joined by Noor (Paul and Wendaline’s daughter) and Geert (her husband) and their children David, Clara and Vera and Bernt (Paul and Wendaline’s son) and his wife Ellen and their children Marius and Roland. (Sorry if this is confusing, it was really hard to get around at the time).
When everyone had arrived we had a big-ish morning tea and then went out to do some ice-skating. We went to a small rink next to the big canal (but not on it :( ). Everyone had fun, but I got sore feet from the skates and a sore knee from falling while avoiding some (maniacal) little kid.
Once we had finished ice-skating we headed back to Paul and Wendaline’s house for the (apparently traditional) Christmas Quiz. This was ‘inspired’ by our travels and so included many questions from around the world. We were split into three groups, two Dutch and one Australian. In the end we lost, but received a book as a consolidation prize.
We then had a large dinner consisting of various ‘traditional’ Dutch foods like roast turkey with apple or cranberry sauce and a chocolate cake for desert. It was nice, though, because it was a traditional European Christmas dinner.
On the whole, Christmas in Holland was really exciting, mainly because of the chance to meet up with some relatives who we really didn’t know existed until before, but also because of the different experiences of a white and European Christmas.
The day after we arrived in Rotterdam was Christmas day. We were allowed to ‘jump in’ on Paul (our grandma’s cousin) and Wendaline’s (his wife, pronounced Vendalin) Christmas. We arrived at their house at roughly 12:00 and were the first to arrive. We were shortly joined by Noor (Paul and Wendaline’s daughter) and Geert (her husband) and their children David, Clara and Vera and Bernt (Paul and Wendaline’s son) and his wife Ellen and their children Marius and Roland. (Sorry if this is confusing, it was really hard to get around at the time).
When everyone had arrived we had a big-ish morning tea and then went out to do some ice-skating. We went to a small rink next to the big canal (but not on it :( ). Everyone had fun, but I got sore feet from the skates and a sore knee from falling while avoiding some (maniacal) little kid.
Once we had finished ice-skating we headed back to Paul and Wendaline’s house for the (apparently traditional) Christmas Quiz. This was ‘inspired’ by our travels and so included many questions from around the world. We were split into three groups, two Dutch and one Australian. In the end we lost, but received a book as a consolidation prize.
We then had a large dinner consisting of various ‘traditional’ Dutch foods like roast turkey with apple or cranberry sauce and a chocolate cake for desert. It was nice, though, because it was a traditional European Christmas dinner.
On the whole, Christmas in Holland was really exciting, mainly because of the chance to meet up with some relatives who we really didn’t know existed until before, but also because of the different experiences of a white and European Christmas.
People are, clockwise from me: Gemma, the back of David's head, Roland, Clara, Marius and Jonathan.
Clockwise from me again are: Ellen, Jonathan, David, Vera, Noor, Geert, Roland and Bernt.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Bacharach to Rotterdam
Today we rose early to catch a train (with three changes) to Rotterdam. The first two changes were fine but when we got to the third, the train was cancelled (the electronic timetable said it had falle aus, and as far as we could tell it meant it had ‘fallen off’ the timetable). We eventually caught the train and crossed the German/Dutch border. We caught our last planned train of the journey but we had to change again because of bad conditions and snow on the tracks.
Bacharach – Day 2
Today we had a slightly lazy morning and then went off to Ruddesheim, a small town across the Rhine from Bingen, the nearest major town to Bacharach. Once we reached Ruddesheim we headed off to ‘Siegfried’s Mechanisches Musikkabinett’ (or Siegfried’s mechanical music cabinet, if you hadn’t picked that up).
Once we reached the museum/collection, which was housed in a large house that was possibly as early as the 1500’s. Inside the house they had an AMAZING collection of mechanical instruments like pianos that could play by themselves, a mechanical instrument involving an piano and six violins, an original Thomas Edison manufactured gramophone and a large set-up designed for a merry-go-round in Budapest, which was the only one like it in the world and was completely powered by compressed air, requiring someone to ‘pump the bellows’. What I thought was the most impressive, though was the Maestro, which was a combination of 11 or so (maybe even more) instruments like piano, violin, trumpet, xylophone, various horns and a small drum kit with a symbol and a few drums.
After Siegfried’s we went to find some lunch in a Christmas Market. Once we did that we went to the Ruddesheim toy museum, just for want of something to do and somewhere warm to go. It wasn’t all that exciting and wasn’t nearly as good as in Nuremburg, though it did have different types of toys. It was fun just going around and saying “we saw that in Nuremburg”.
When we had finished in the toy museum we caught the ferry back to the railway station and travelled back to where we were staying.
Once we reached the museum/collection, which was housed in a large house that was possibly as early as the 1500’s. Inside the house they had an AMAZING collection of mechanical instruments like pianos that could play by themselves, a mechanical instrument involving an piano and six violins, an original Thomas Edison manufactured gramophone and a large set-up designed for a merry-go-round in Budapest, which was the only one like it in the world and was completely powered by compressed air, requiring someone to ‘pump the bellows’. What I thought was the most impressive, though was the Maestro, which was a combination of 11 or so (maybe even more) instruments like piano, violin, trumpet, xylophone, various horns and a small drum kit with a symbol and a few drums.
After Siegfried’s we went to find some lunch in a Christmas Market. Once we did that we went to the Ruddesheim toy museum, just for want of something to do and somewhere warm to go. It wasn’t all that exciting and wasn’t nearly as good as in Nuremburg, though it did have different types of toys. It was fun just going around and saying “we saw that in Nuremburg”.
When we had finished in the toy museum we caught the ferry back to the railway station and travelled back to where we were staying.
Bacharach – Day 1
Sorry I haven’t posted for a while but I haven’t had time due to Christmas celebrations with distant Dutch relations and also issues with Wi-Fi (including a time limit, so I am pre-writing entries). I'm excited about Paris too, Alexander, and we are going to Versailles. Will take heaps of photos. We are there 1st to the 4th of January.
While we were in Bacharach we stayed in the local youth hostel, which was situated in a castle. We arrived in the late evening and spent the remaining daylight trying to figure out how to get up to the castle. In the end we resorted to calling a taxi and getting driven up to the tower with all of our luggage. We quickly dumped our stuff in our room and set off to find some dinner and to explore the village.
We walked along the wall for a bit, but all of the restaurants that were on the wall were closed so we descended and went to a bar-restaurant that we had seen and had a very nice dinner of different things like schnitzel, goulash soup or an omelette.
After this we walked back up to the castle and settled down to sleep.
While we were in Bacharach we stayed in the local youth hostel, which was situated in a castle. We arrived in the late evening and spent the remaining daylight trying to figure out how to get up to the castle. In the end we resorted to calling a taxi and getting driven up to the tower with all of our luggage. We quickly dumped our stuff in our room and set off to find some dinner and to explore the village.
We walked along the wall for a bit, but all of the restaurants that were on the wall were closed so we descended and went to a bar-restaurant that we had seen and had a very nice dinner of different things like schnitzel, goulash soup or an omelette.
After this we walked back up to the castle and settled down to sleep.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Really sorry, but I've got to be quick again
Because of time restraints I'm going to reply to your comments now and post about Bacharach later.
I was really disappointed about the lack of LEGO to, Alexander, but, well, if it's not German then it's not German enough, sorry. I love the way the city is set out as well. The old cities have so many beautiful little alleyways and there is a church/cathedral nearly on every block. Christmas will be different here, but still nice as we have relatives (grandmother's cousin) in Holland (Rotterdam) to spend it with.
Great to hear about your turfed yard, Tom. When I get back we need to christen it with a back-yard cricket match. Which brings me to the cricket. In answer to whether I've been following the ashes or not, my brother is Jonathan, so of course we are following it. My Cricket Australia shirt is sitting in the bottom of my pack waiting for us to hit England. Sorry to hear you're working Christmas Eve but you'll probably earn a bucket load of money.
Big news is we've booked a place in Paris for 3 nights, meaning we'll get 2 whole days and 2 half days.
Anyway, will write more on our 5 hours of train journey tomorrow and will hopefully post tomorrow night (for me).
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope you have a great time.
Bring on the Boxing Day Test!!!!
Posted at 8:39pm
I was really disappointed about the lack of LEGO to, Alexander, but, well, if it's not German then it's not German enough, sorry. I love the way the city is set out as well. The old cities have so many beautiful little alleyways and there is a church/cathedral nearly on every block. Christmas will be different here, but still nice as we have relatives (grandmother's cousin) in Holland (Rotterdam) to spend it with.
Great to hear about your turfed yard, Tom. When I get back we need to christen it with a back-yard cricket match. Which brings me to the cricket. In answer to whether I've been following the ashes or not, my brother is Jonathan, so of course we are following it. My Cricket Australia shirt is sitting in the bottom of my pack waiting for us to hit England. Sorry to hear you're working Christmas Eve but you'll probably earn a bucket load of money.
Big news is we've booked a place in Paris for 3 nights, meaning we'll get 2 whole days and 2 half days.
Anyway, will write more on our 5 hours of train journey tomorrow and will hopefully post tomorrow night (for me).
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope you have a great time.
Bring on the Boxing Day Test!!!!
Posted at 8:39pm
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Pictures of Nuremburg
Here are some pictures of Nuremburg
Jonathan and his half a meter Bratwurst (sausage and bread)
The tower in Nuremberg castle
A large scale model railway outside the toy museum. Nothing was working.
Nuremberg castle and a part of the old city.
Hope to hear from all of you and hope that you are all having a great holiday.
Posted at 9:12pm
Jonathan and his half a meter Bratwurst (sausage and bread)
Hope to hear from all of you and hope that you are all having a great holiday.
Posted at 9:12pm
The Toy Museum
On our second day in Nuremburg we went to the toy museum which was easily the most impressive museum we went to. There were only really two annoying things, which was that we weren’t allowed to take any photos of the toys and because it was all based around German toys, so there was a noticeable absence of LEGO.
The first room we went to was a special exhibition dedicated to the first wooden toys that were made in Nuremburg. These included moving toys and building blocks including a set with special blocks so you can build the big tower in the castle.
Then there was a room that had educational toys and other toys designed to teach children things like how to behave in public or to watch for cars on the road.
Then, there was a section dedicated to dolls and doll houses/ play kitchens. Even though I wasn’t all that interested in the dolls, some of the kitchens and houses were amazing. There was even a kitchen made for the Bavarian royal family’s children and had a working stove where you could boil water and cook!
The next area was dedicated to Lehmann toys and optical toys. Lehmann is a German toy brand which produced metal wind-up toys. Some of them were really amazing and there was also the very politically incorrect Momo he Dancing Coon, which was a black man who danced when you wound him up. There was also a small exhibition of LGB trains, a branch of Lehmann designed to combat the model train market, but using very large model trains to open up a new market.
Next there were toys like pedal cars and bikes including a car that dad identified as one he had when he was young and also one he identified as like one he wanted as a kid. Some of these were really intricate and they were all really well preserved, without much rust and not many dents.
Then there was a section of tin-plate and metal toys like cars and trains. There was also some Meccano and other systems a lot like Meccano. There was also a large model railway which was unfortunately not running.
We were all disappointed that we couldn’t spend more time at the toy museum, but left fascinated by all the toys and the whole museum.
Posted at 8:53pm
The first room we went to was a special exhibition dedicated to the first wooden toys that were made in Nuremburg. These included moving toys and building blocks including a set with special blocks so you can build the big tower in the castle.
Then there was a room that had educational toys and other toys designed to teach children things like how to behave in public or to watch for cars on the road.
Then, there was a section dedicated to dolls and doll houses/ play kitchens. Even though I wasn’t all that interested in the dolls, some of the kitchens and houses were amazing. There was even a kitchen made for the Bavarian royal family’s children and had a working stove where you could boil water and cook!
The next area was dedicated to Lehmann toys and optical toys. Lehmann is a German toy brand which produced metal wind-up toys. Some of them were really amazing and there was also the very politically incorrect Momo he Dancing Coon, which was a black man who danced when you wound him up. There was also a small exhibition of LGB trains, a branch of Lehmann designed to combat the model train market, but using very large model trains to open up a new market.
Next there were toys like pedal cars and bikes including a car that dad identified as one he had when he was young and also one he identified as like one he wanted as a kid. Some of these were really intricate and they were all really well preserved, without much rust and not many dents.
Then there was a section of tin-plate and metal toys like cars and trains. There was also some Meccano and other systems a lot like Meccano. There was also a large model railway which was unfortunately not running.
We were all disappointed that we couldn’t spend more time at the toy museum, but left fascinated by all the toys and the whole museum.
Posted at 8:53pm
The Castle in Nuremburg
The castle in Nuremburg wasn’t as exciting as I thought it would be because we couldn’t take a tour because there were no tours in English. Because of this we had to settle for the castle museum and the watch-tower, though that wasn’t all that disappointing.
The museum was only small and was pretty much all taken up by various displays of weapons, both offensive and defensive. They had displays from the 12th century to the (supposedly) 19th century, though it was more like the 15th-ish century. It included different suits of armour, helmets, swords and halberds, bows/crossbows and early gunpowder weapons, all found in the Nuremburg area.
We then clambered up the tower in the castle and got a nice, although white-dominated view of Nuremburg. It was quite nice to look out over Nuremburg, though we couldn’t really see much because of all the mist and falling snow. The city was really clustered and tight and all the houses were very small with little or no space around them.
Posted at 8:52pm
The museum was only small and was pretty much all taken up by various displays of weapons, both offensive and defensive. They had displays from the 12th century to the (supposedly) 19th century, though it was more like the 15th-ish century. It included different suits of armour, helmets, swords and halberds, bows/crossbows and early gunpowder weapons, all found in the Nuremburg area.
We then clambered up the tower in the castle and got a nice, although white-dominated view of Nuremburg. It was quite nice to look out over Nuremburg, though we couldn’t really see much because of all the mist and falling snow. The city was really clustered and tight and all the houses were very small with little or no space around them.
Posted at 8:52pm
The German Rail Museum
As I said earlier, I will talk about each of the museums/attractions we went to separately.
The rail museum was really interesting because it talked about the history of railways all over the world, not only in Germany. They also had a replica of the first German steam locomotive, which was actually made in England. It also had some other original locomotives and Emperor Maximilian the 1st's personal carriage, which was so richly furnished. There was one 'room' with two beds and another with a lounge and some armchairs. There was even a small carriage that had a kind of sunroom in it that was attached to the main carriage.
There was also a lot of information of how the trains were used in the Second World War. This included things like trains carrying troops to the western front, transporting Jewish people to concentration camps and how the English would target the German railways in bombing missions.
Lastly there was an interactive area including large model railway outlining all of the German railway operations, a series of model railways showing how a station might have changed over time and various interactive things like a driving simulator and a mock junction where you can change the signals and other tings.
In all, the rail museum was really interesting because of the variety of stuff in it ranging from the begging of the railways in Germany, to the two World Wars and then modern times.
Posted at 8:46pm
The rail museum was really interesting because it talked about the history of railways all over the world, not only in Germany. They also had a replica of the first German steam locomotive, which was actually made in England. It also had some other original locomotives and Emperor Maximilian the 1st's personal carriage, which was so richly furnished. There was one 'room' with two beds and another with a lounge and some armchairs. There was even a small carriage that had a kind of sunroom in it that was attached to the main carriage.
There was also a lot of information of how the trains were used in the Second World War. This included things like trains carrying troops to the western front, transporting Jewish people to concentration camps and how the English would target the German railways in bombing missions.
Lastly there was an interactive area including large model railway outlining all of the German railway operations, a series of model railways showing how a station might have changed over time and various interactive things like a driving simulator and a mock junction where you can change the signals and other tings.
In all, the rail museum was really interesting because of the variety of stuff in it ranging from the begging of the railways in Germany, to the two World Wars and then modern times.
Posted at 8:46pm
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Nuremburg
I am just going to be brief now because I have a whole 4-ish hour train ride to Bacharach to write entries. Nuremberg is amazing. We have been to the rail museum (including the 175th anniversary of railways in Germany), the castle, the toy museum and to the massive Chriskindel Markets.
Haven't heard much from you all. How is everyone? How are your holidays?
Anyway, as I said earlier, will post more later.
Posted at 8:23pm
Haven't heard much from you all. How is everyone? How are your holidays?
Anyway, as I said earlier, will post more later.
Posted at 8:23pm
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Regensburg
I agree with you, Alexander, that its amazing that in Europe some of the buildings are so old. An example ins when we were staying in Aegina (the Greek island) the hotel we were in had been operating as a hotel almost longer than European existence in Australia! And it had been a house previous to being a hotel! Here are some pictures of a cathedral in Regensburg which was built in parts from the 1500's to the mid-1800's.
Although we didn't spend much time in Regensburg (we had an most of an afternoon and a morning) we were able to see enough of the town. On Sunday morning we went to the current residence of the Prince(ss) of the town, where we tagged onto a German tour group and listened to information on audio guides. The palace was amazingly furnished and was stunning, though Mum said it's probably nothing compared to Versailles.
We then hopped onto a train to Nuremberg and spent the evening wandering around the Christkindle markets.
Posted at 8:55pm
Although we didn't spend much time in Regensburg (we had an most of an afternoon and a morning) we were able to see enough of the town. On Sunday morning we went to the current residence of the Prince(ss) of the town, where we tagged onto a German tour group and listened to information on audio guides. The palace was amazingly furnished and was stunning, though Mum said it's probably nothing compared to Versailles.
We then hopped onto a train to Nuremberg and spent the evening wandering around the Christkindle markets.
Posted at 8:55pm
Friday, December 17, 2010
Hallstatt
Great to hear you all had a good time at Tom's house, and that you got some things done. Can't wait to see Tom's front yard when we get back. Unfortunately we didn't get a photo of Gemma or the hole in the ice, though it was about 10-15cm in diameter. I don't know what the vegetable is called but it is all connected. We think that it is a type of broccoli, or very closely related, as it tastes just like it.
Hallstatt was very picturesque. Is set along a lake and is nestled between the shore and a mountain range behind it. It is often only 3 houses deep and is spread out a lot. The museum was really interesting. It had many different finds from the area over a space of about 200 years. The history of the area goes back to about 2000 B.C., or in the bronze age. Because of the salt in the mines, many organic artifacts like fur, leather and wood have been preserved. Because of this they had some miners clothing and equipment from roughly 1000B.C.
We didn't spend any more time in Hallstatt because we wanted to catch an early train so we could get back to our accommodation at around 5:00.
Today (Friday 17th) we spent the morning lazing around and then borrowed some sleds from an American lady who lives in an apartment next to ours. We had heaps of fun sledding (and stacking) down a hill at the end of the street where we are staying.
Here is a photo of me after falling off my toboggan.
Here are some photos of Salzburg
This is a cherub-thing statue in the Salzburg council chambers with my beanie on.
This is a maccas sign on a street famous for it's extremely ornate shop signs. I'd say it would win the best maccas sign hands down.
Anyway, tomorrow we move on to Germany. We can't find anywhere in Nuremburg to stay tomorrow night but we found a place with a room free from Sunday onwards. Because of this, tomorrow we are staying in Regensburg for one day and then moving on to Nuremburg.
Posted at 8:23pm
P.S. Go Australia! Fingers crossed, we can win the third test in the ashes and then regain the urn.
Hallstatt was very picturesque. Is set along a lake and is nestled between the shore and a mountain range behind it. It is often only 3 houses deep and is spread out a lot. The museum was really interesting. It had many different finds from the area over a space of about 200 years. The history of the area goes back to about 2000 B.C., or in the bronze age. Because of the salt in the mines, many organic artifacts like fur, leather and wood have been preserved. Because of this they had some miners clothing and equipment from roughly 1000B.C.
We didn't spend any more time in Hallstatt because we wanted to catch an early train so we could get back to our accommodation at around 5:00.
Today (Friday 17th) we spent the morning lazing around and then borrowed some sleds from an American lady who lives in an apartment next to ours. We had heaps of fun sledding (and stacking) down a hill at the end of the street where we are staying.
Here are some photos of Salzburg
Anyway, tomorrow we move on to Germany. We can't find anywhere in Nuremburg to stay tomorrow night but we found a place with a room free from Sunday onwards. Because of this, tomorrow we are staying in Regensburg for one day and then moving on to Nuremburg.
Posted at 8:23pm
P.S. Go Australia! Fingers crossed, we can win the third test in the ashes and then regain the urn.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Ya! Mit Schlagen
Today (Wednesday 15th of December) we went to Salzberg, a major city in Austria, capital of the state/area of Salzburg. It is big because it has grown on the profits of the salt trade in the area. The town is even named after the salt trade (salz being German for salt and burg being town so Salzburg is Salt Town)
When we first got to Salzburg, we went to a café for morning tea. We all had some pastry and a hot drink. I had a pastry, which was like a croissant but in a snail-shell like shape with chocolate poured over it. Also a lot of drinks in Europe like hot chocolate come mit schlagen (or with cream).
We then headed over to the castle, which had been the residence of the town's prince/archbishop from 1100 to the 1800s, passing through the council chamber gardens, which were all white. At a fountain there Gemma went one better than Minh when she, in the process of breaking the ice covering the water of the fountain, submerged the whole of her right leg into the water (she was fine afterwards).
The castle was amazing! We did a small tour of one of the battlements and a tower (which was slightly under our expectations). We then had a late lunch in a restaurant in the castle grounds and went to visit a museum inside the keep. There were displays of many different artefacts from medieval times on the ground floor. When we went upstairs we saw the prince/archbishops rooms. One of them (named the gold room) had really ornate walls, which had gold inlay on them. There was also a tapestry with gold thread in the room when it was used as a residence but had since rotted away. There was also, weirdly, a whole part of the museum dedicated to weaponry from the 1900 to WWII.
We didn't have any time to see more after this, as we had to go and catch a train back to Altmunster. Tomorrow we are going to Hallstatt, another town that profited greatly from the salt trade. There is a museum of the history of the area from the Bronze Age to modern times.
B.T.W. How are everyone's holidays so far?
P.S. We found this weird vegetable that in a local supermarket. It tastes a lot like a broccoli and looks a bit like one too, but it is quite unusual.
When we first got to Salzburg, we went to a café for morning tea. We all had some pastry and a hot drink. I had a pastry, which was like a croissant but in a snail-shell like shape with chocolate poured over it. Also a lot of drinks in Europe like hot chocolate come mit schlagen (or with cream).
We then headed over to the castle, which had been the residence of the town's prince/archbishop from 1100 to the 1800s, passing through the council chamber gardens, which were all white. At a fountain there Gemma went one better than Minh when she, in the process of breaking the ice covering the water of the fountain, submerged the whole of her right leg into the water (she was fine afterwards).
The castle was amazing! We did a small tour of one of the battlements and a tower (which was slightly under our expectations). We then had a late lunch in a restaurant in the castle grounds and went to visit a museum inside the keep. There were displays of many different artefacts from medieval times on the ground floor. When we went upstairs we saw the prince/archbishops rooms. One of them (named the gold room) had really ornate walls, which had gold inlay on them. There was also a tapestry with gold thread in the room when it was used as a residence but had since rotted away. There was also, weirdly, a whole part of the museum dedicated to weaponry from the 1900 to WWII.
We didn't have any time to see more after this, as we had to go and catch a train back to Altmunster. Tomorrow we are going to Hallstatt, another town that profited greatly from the salt trade. There is a museum of the history of the area from the Bronze Age to modern times.
B.T.W. How are everyone's holidays so far?
P.S. We found this weird vegetable that in a local supermarket. It tastes a lot like a broccoli and looks a bit like one too, but it is quite unusual.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Vienna
Vienna is such a nice city and place to be in, especially the old city which is is really beautiful with all its old, historic buildings and big churches.
When we arrived at the station, we were picked up by Claudia, Mum's 2nd cousin ( our grandmother's cousin's daughter) and her husband, Ernst. They drove us to our youth hostel where we checked in and dumped our packs. We then had a quick lunch at a Schnitzel House (an Austrian/German version of McDonalds) before going to see our great grandmother's sister, who is 94 years old. She was very energetic and excited to see us. We had some cake and drinks at a cafe in her flat/retirement village. We also saw Thomas, Christal's nephew.
After this we were taken on a night tour of the Old City, including Saint Stephansdom, the main church in Vienna. After this we went to the Kriskringle Markets. These were spectacular and had heaps of stalls selling almost anything.
Sunday morning we went ice skating in an open rink on top of a building. This was really fun for all, but Gemma particularly liked it. We then went for a tram ride around the Old City, looking at a lot of the old and important buildings.
We are currently staying in a small lakeside town called Altmunster, which is near Salzburg. We were going to stay in a town called Ebensee until we realized
that it was the biggest Nazi concentration camp in Austria.
Tomorrow we hope to either go to Salzburg or go tobogganing.
Posted at 7:59
P.S. Here are some photos of the mirror maze in Luzern.
When we arrived at the station, we were picked up by Claudia, Mum's 2nd cousin ( our grandmother's cousin's daughter) and her husband, Ernst. They drove us to our youth hostel where we checked in and dumped our packs. We then had a quick lunch at a Schnitzel House (an Austrian/German version of McDonalds) before going to see our great grandmother's sister, who is 94 years old. She was very energetic and excited to see us. We had some cake and drinks at a cafe in her flat/retirement village. We also saw Thomas, Christal's nephew.
After this we were taken on a night tour of the Old City, including Saint Stephansdom, the main church in Vienna. After this we went to the Kriskringle Markets. These were spectacular and had heaps of stalls selling almost anything.
Sunday morning we went ice skating in an open rink on top of a building. This was really fun for all, but Gemma particularly liked it. We then went for a tram ride around the Old City, looking at a lot of the old and important buildings.
We are currently staying in a small lakeside town called Altmunster, which is near Salzburg. We were going to stay in a town called Ebensee until we realized
that it was the biggest Nazi concentration camp in Austria.
Tomorrow we hope to either go to Salzburg or go tobogganing.
Posted at 7:59
P.S. Here are some photos of the mirror maze in Luzern.
The Curious Plight of the Lost Subcontinental Man
Saturday afternoon Mum, Dad and I were in our room (E4) in the hostel when a subcontinental man walked in looking for W4. I tried to tell him to go to the reception (which was in another building) but he said he had already been there twice and didn't want to go round again.
Later I talked to Gemma and Jonathan, who where on Dad's laptop pre-writing blog stuff and e-mails, and they said that he had come to them asking for help finding his room. They had sent him to the reception area. Eventually someone came to help him so he found his room.
After dinner Gemma and I went from the reception area to our room and as we were walking past the enclosed parking lot next to the hostel the man poked his head out and asked us where the hostel was. We showed him where he hostel was and he went to his room.
The next day after breakfast he approached me while I was playing on my PSP. He asked me if it was a camera and then told me he was looking for a battery for his camera. He then spent the next 5 or 10 minutes trying to see if I would sell him any batteries, which of course I didn't have any.
I am glad to get rid of him after leaving Vienna!
Later I talked to Gemma and Jonathan, who where on Dad's laptop pre-writing blog stuff and e-mails, and they said that he had come to them asking for help finding his room. They had sent him to the reception area. Eventually someone came to help him so he found his room.
After dinner Gemma and I went from the reception area to our room and as we were walking past the enclosed parking lot next to the hostel the man poked his head out and asked us where the hostel was. We showed him where he hostel was and he went to his room.
The next day after breakfast he approached me while I was playing on my PSP. He asked me if it was a camera and then told me he was looking for a battery for his camera. He then spent the next 5 or 10 minutes trying to see if I would sell him any batteries, which of course I didn't have any.
I am glad to get rid of him after leaving Vienna!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Re: Year 10 Formal
Great to hear the formal was awesome. If you won Prime Minister, Tom, what did Scott win? Also who got dux. Had a good laugh at my 100% attendance. What awards did you get. Hearing about the good time you all had makes me feel really sad I couldn't be there.
I though of you in Grindelwald, Alexander, and also while reading HP7. Really good book. I had forgotten so much since I last read it, to good to re-learn all the stuff I forgot.
Vienna is great but I don't have enough time to explain a lot. I will post more later as we are staying in an apartment where you don't have to walk over to a foyer to get Wi-Fi.
After Vienna we are staying in an apartment near Salzburg for 5 nights and then moving on to Nuremberg in Germany, the (un)official toy capital of the world.
Posted at 8:19
I though of you in Grindelwald, Alexander, and also while reading HP7. Really good book. I had forgotten so much since I last read it, to good to re-learn all the stuff I forgot.
Vienna is great but I don't have enough time to explain a lot. I will post more later as we are staying in an apartment where you don't have to walk over to a foyer to get Wi-Fi.
After Vienna we are staying in an apartment near Salzburg for 5 nights and then moving on to Nuremberg in Germany, the (un)official toy capital of the world.
Posted at 8:19
Friday, December 10, 2010
Budapest
Great to hear that James did so well in the S.C. and that you got all band 5s and a band six Scott. The rock monument was created in memory of Swiss mercenaries in a battle against the French in 1792.
We are currently in Budapest and really enjoying ourselves. We went to a castle on top of a hill, overlooking the city. Some of the things there were really amazing. We saw two guys dressed in medieval costumes with a hawk and an eagle. I was going to get a photo with a bird on my hand but it cost 6 euro for a photo.
We then went into a labyrinth which was really a medieval underground sanctuary and it was extremely hard to get lost. The part I found most interesting was a section called the end of history and was dedicated to consumerism and what people from the future would see looking at our consumerism world. It featured things like a shoe-print, laptop, TV and coke bottle cast in "rock". The area in this I like the best was the "pantheon" (a pantheon being a sanctuary for the worship of all gods). It featured a whole lot of modern products that are named after ancient gods and so was a modern take on a temple.
After this we crossed the Danube and found a food market. We decided to cook Letchel, a Hungarian peasant meal consisting of tomato, capsicum, onion and salami which is a bit of a family favorite for dinner.
We had lunch back at the hotel where we were staying and went for a wander away from the river and in the opposite direction to the way we went to the castle. We walked along a famous road in Hungary (can't remember its name) and found a Hungarian hot thermal baths. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to go in so we caught the metro back to our hotel.
Tomorrow we move on to Vienna to visit some relatives on my Mothers side (in particular our great grandma's sister).
Posted at 6:46
We are currently in Budapest and really enjoying ourselves. We went to a castle on top of a hill, overlooking the city. Some of the things there were really amazing. We saw two guys dressed in medieval costumes with a hawk and an eagle. I was going to get a photo with a bird on my hand but it cost 6 euro for a photo.
We then went into a labyrinth which was really a medieval underground sanctuary and it was extremely hard to get lost. The part I found most interesting was a section called the end of history and was dedicated to consumerism and what people from the future would see looking at our consumerism world. It featured things like a shoe-print, laptop, TV and coke bottle cast in "rock". The area in this I like the best was the "pantheon" (a pantheon being a sanctuary for the worship of all gods). It featured a whole lot of modern products that are named after ancient gods and so was a modern take on a temple.
After this we crossed the Danube and found a food market. We decided to cook Letchel, a Hungarian peasant meal consisting of tomato, capsicum, onion and salami which is a bit of a family favorite for dinner.
We had lunch back at the hotel where we were staying and went for a wander away from the river and in the opposite direction to the way we went to the castle. We walked along a famous road in Hungary (can't remember its name) and found a Hungarian hot thermal baths. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to go in so we caught the metro back to our hotel.
Tomorrow we move on to Vienna to visit some relatives on my Mothers side (in particular our great grandma's sister).
Posted at 6:46
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Luzern and on to Budapest (4 countries in 12 hours)
We caught a train from Lungern (where we were staying) to Lucerne, a major Swiss city. When we reached Lucerne we had a whole day to wader around before catching another train at 8:30pm to Zurich so we could get an overnight train to Budapest.
Lucerne was a very pretty town build around medieval ruins. We walked around a part of the old medieval wall and saw the worlds first medieval fully mechanical clock ring 12:00. I was amazing because we were on a hill and could hear all the other bells in Lucerne ringing.
After this we wandered around for some more and went to the dying lion monument, described by Mark Twain as "the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world". We then went to the glacier museum of Lucerne which was really various things built around an 18th century house build on an ancient glacier. Probably the best attraction was the mirror maze (I will post pictures of it later as i don't have them loaded onto dad's laptop yet).
We spent most of the rest of the day wandering around Lucerne and visiting the handcraft market, which had some amazing glass ball pendants.
We then caught the train which went from Switzerland to Germany, through Austria and then on to Budapest, in Hungary. Fairly good night sleep (for some of us, but not all).
Great to hear that everyone passed the S.C. Haven't seen my results because I don't know my Student ID. How did everyone go? Hope the formal in good and that your year 10 concert thing (hahahahaha) went well. I felt a bit sorry for Cameron but then stopped to think and realized how much he deserved it. Anyway, here are some snow pictures:
Lucerne was a very pretty town build around medieval ruins. We walked around a part of the old medieval wall and saw the worlds first medieval fully mechanical clock ring 12:00. I was amazing because we were on a hill and could hear all the other bells in Lucerne ringing.
After this we wandered around for some more and went to the dying lion monument, described by Mark Twain as "the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world". We then went to the glacier museum of Lucerne which was really various things built around an 18th century house build on an ancient glacier. Probably the best attraction was the mirror maze (I will post pictures of it later as i don't have them loaded onto dad's laptop yet).
We spent most of the rest of the day wandering around Lucerne and visiting the handcraft market, which had some amazing glass ball pendants.
We then caught the train which went from Switzerland to Germany, through Austria and then on to Budapest, in Hungary. Fairly good night sleep (for some of us, but not all).
Great to hear that everyone passed the S.C. Haven't seen my results because I don't know my Student ID. How did everyone go? Hope the formal in good and that your year 10 concert thing (hahahahaha) went well. I felt a bit sorry for Cameron but then stopped to think and realized how much he deserved it. Anyway, here are some snow pictures:
Posted at 9:22pm Hungary time
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Grindelwald
Sunday 5th of December
Today we rose fairly early so that we could hopefully catch a train to Jungfraujoch, supposedly the highest village in Europe at around 3400m high (about 1200m higher than Mt Kosciusko). Unfortunately when we went to buy tickets we found out that the combined journey to Jungfraujoch was over 500 franks. Because of this we decided just to go to Grindelwald, a village at the base of some massive mountains, which are a popular ski destination.
Once we reached Grindelwald we decided to have a wander around to see what we could find. In the end we decided to hire two toboggans and go to a spot recommended to us by the hire place just near the base of a ski run. They drove us up to the location and told us we had to get ourselves down, which seemed daunting at the time (we would later discover a shortcut down some old ski runs which now had a few houses on them and tobogganed down those) We then spent two or more hours tobogganing down various slopes and having a really fun time. Once we returned the toboggans back we went to the local sports centre to see what was happening (some of us with the hope of seeing some curling, a sport like lawn bowls but on ice, but which never really happened), which was figure skating, much to the enjoyment of Gemma but not really Jonathan and I.
After this we had to catch the train back at 4:19 or face waiting another hour for the next one. When we arrived home we watched the Swiss news, which had add breaks with ads not much different to Australian ones.
I posted this at the same time as the 7th of December
P.S. One of the guys at the hire place told us he heard on the news that there was heaps of flooding in NSW. Sounds a lot like last year. Waiting from confirmation from friends who live near Coffs Harbour where the flooding was last year and for them to tell us how bad it really is. How much is it raining in Sydney?
Today we rose fairly early so that we could hopefully catch a train to Jungfraujoch, supposedly the highest village in Europe at around 3400m high (about 1200m higher than Mt Kosciusko). Unfortunately when we went to buy tickets we found out that the combined journey to Jungfraujoch was over 500 franks. Because of this we decided just to go to Grindelwald, a village at the base of some massive mountains, which are a popular ski destination.
Once we reached Grindelwald we decided to have a wander around to see what we could find. In the end we decided to hire two toboggans and go to a spot recommended to us by the hire place just near the base of a ski run. They drove us up to the location and told us we had to get ourselves down, which seemed daunting at the time (we would later discover a shortcut down some old ski runs which now had a few houses on them and tobogganed down those) We then spent two or more hours tobogganing down various slopes and having a really fun time. Once we returned the toboggans back we went to the local sports centre to see what was happening (some of us with the hope of seeing some curling, a sport like lawn bowls but on ice, but which never really happened), which was figure skating, much to the enjoyment of Gemma but not really Jonathan and I.
After this we had to catch the train back at 4:19 or face waiting another hour for the next one. When we arrived home we watched the Swiss news, which had add breaks with ads not much different to Australian ones.
I posted this at the same time as the 7th of December
P.S. One of the guys at the hire place told us he heard on the news that there was heaps of flooding in NSW. Sounds a lot like last year. Waiting from confirmation from friends who live near Coffs Harbour where the flooding was last year and for them to tell us how bad it really is. How much is it raining in Sydney?
Tuesday 7th
Today we woke late to find that nearly all the snow that had covered the village while we had stayed there had disappeared. What remained was a village surrounded by lush green pastures, not white snowfields. After a nice breakfast of homemade pancakes we set off for a little walk in the village. We started to walk up one of the hills outside the village but when the path ran out we turned back. Mum, Gemma and I walked back to the house while Jonathan and Dad walked along a different path leading to a neighbouring village. When we reached where we were staying we spent the rest of the afternoon lazing around.
Tomorrow we are taking the train to Lucerne, a modern city based around a medieval village. At 10:40 we catch an overnight train from Zurich to Budapest.
Tomorrow we are taking the train to Lucerne, a modern city based around a medieval village. At 10:40 we catch an overnight train from Zurich to Budapest.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Monday 6th
Today we rose early again so we could catch a train to Bern, which is the capital of the state that we are staying in. After a two hour long train ride we finally reached Bern at around 11:00. We bought some morning tea at a nice bakery at the station. Once we had finished eating we went to see the clock in Bern strike 12:00. The clock does a routine where a big bell in a tower rings while small figures below the clock face move around. Though we were told it was worth seeing it wasn't really all that spectacular. There weren't all that many moving figures. Dad kept going on about how it was exactly the same as when he had seen it 20 years ago. He also said that he remembered the bear pits in Bern, bears being the symbol of the state, were really depressing but we still set off for them,
When we got the bear pits we discovered that they weren't actually pits. The bears had a large enclosure that they could roam around in. The enclosure was maybe even bigger than an exhibit at Taronga Zoo. Apparently the Russian President gave the bears, which are brown bears, as a present to Bern during the first Russian visit to the City. We then wandered around Bern some more and found out that there was an Einstein Museum just out of town. Luckily I looked at the brochure and saw that is was closed on Monday before we went off to have a look at it.
After another long train ride home we watched some more Swiss T.V. and didn't do to much else.
I posted this at the same time as the 7th of December
When we got the bear pits we discovered that they weren't actually pits. The bears had a large enclosure that they could roam around in. The enclosure was maybe even bigger than an exhibit at Taronga Zoo. Apparently the Russian President gave the bears, which are brown bears, as a present to Bern during the first Russian visit to the City. We then wandered around Bern some more and found out that there was an Einstein Museum just out of town. Luckily I looked at the brochure and saw that is was closed on Monday before we went off to have a look at it.
After another long train ride home we watched some more Swiss T.V. and didn't do to much else.
I posted this at the same time as the 7th of December
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Venice and 1st day in Switzerland
Hi all. Sorry I haven't posted for a while. We couldn't get Internet in Venice for the two nights we spent there and the only Internet we could find where we are staying is at a youth hostel where we can only get Internet for half an hour at a time, for 5 Swiss Franks. A lot has happened since the last post and I'll try to keep it short but detailed.
Venice
Venice is awesome. We arrived at around 2:30pm and it wasn't until 4pm when we checked in at the Bed & Breakfast we were staying at. We had a nice big dinner of various pasta dishes in a small restaurant/bar. Had a great time even with an Italian version of Big Brother playing in the background. It was actually slightly better than Aussie Big Brother because you couldn't understand anything. Add flamboyant gestures (it is, of course, Italy) and it was slightly entertaining.
Our second day in Venice was also our only full day, as we had to catch a train to Milan at 7:50 so we could get a connection to Switzerland. We went to Murano, a suburb of Venice and a separate island. We walked around a bit trying to find a good glass shop and even see if we can catch a glimpse of them making some glass objects. We stumbled across a shop called The Glass Factory (which is a major supplier to David Jones in Australia) and met a really nice man who took us on a mini tour of where they make the glass objects. While we were there we saw them making glass Mexicans!! The way they made them was amazing. They started with a long orange/yellow glass blob and made a head, arms and body out of it. They added some feet and a beard and then made a sombrero. Once this was done they started on a new one. We spent the rest of the day looking in glass shops and exploring the main island and some of its main tourist locations.
Switzerland
We have only been in Switzerland for a day or so, but even that short time has been enough to reveal how amazing it is. We are staying in a house on a lake surrounded by mountains covered in snow. When we woke up this morning it was snowing lightly and clouds covered the mountains. Gradually, though the clouds dispersed and by 9-ish in the morning it had developed into a beautiful day. We didn't do too much in the morning but in the afternoon we caught a rack railway which worked it's way over a mountain and down into a valley, giving spectacular views. We then explored a neighbouring village for an hour or so and caught the train back.
Tomorrow we are catching a train to Interlaken, another town on a lake, and then rack railing up to a 3454m high mountain. This should be really awesome, with spectacular views.
Posted at 7:53
PS sorry, but i don't have time to reply to replies -will have to wait til we get more wifi time
Venice
Venice is awesome. We arrived at around 2:30pm and it wasn't until 4pm when we checked in at the Bed & Breakfast we were staying at. We had a nice big dinner of various pasta dishes in a small restaurant/bar. Had a great time even with an Italian version of Big Brother playing in the background. It was actually slightly better than Aussie Big Brother because you couldn't understand anything. Add flamboyant gestures (it is, of course, Italy) and it was slightly entertaining.
Our second day in Venice was also our only full day, as we had to catch a train to Milan at 7:50 so we could get a connection to Switzerland. We went to Murano, a suburb of Venice and a separate island. We walked around a bit trying to find a good glass shop and even see if we can catch a glimpse of them making some glass objects. We stumbled across a shop called The Glass Factory (which is a major supplier to David Jones in Australia) and met a really nice man who took us on a mini tour of where they make the glass objects. While we were there we saw them making glass Mexicans!! The way they made them was amazing. They started with a long orange/yellow glass blob and made a head, arms and body out of it. They added some feet and a beard and then made a sombrero. Once this was done they started on a new one. We spent the rest of the day looking in glass shops and exploring the main island and some of its main tourist locations.
Switzerland
We have only been in Switzerland for a day or so, but even that short time has been enough to reveal how amazing it is. We are staying in a house on a lake surrounded by mountains covered in snow. When we woke up this morning it was snowing lightly and clouds covered the mountains. Gradually, though the clouds dispersed and by 9-ish in the morning it had developed into a beautiful day. We didn't do too much in the morning but in the afternoon we caught a rack railway which worked it's way over a mountain and down into a valley, giving spectacular views. We then explored a neighbouring village for an hour or so and caught the train back.
Tomorrow we are catching a train to Interlaken, another town on a lake, and then rack railing up to a 3454m high mountain. This should be really awesome, with spectacular views.
Posted at 7:53
PS sorry, but i don't have time to reply to replies -will have to wait til we get more wifi time
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tuesday 30th of November
This morning we received the news from the P&C president that Mr Elton is leaving Model Farms. We don't know why and are waiting for the P&C minutes to find out more.
Yesterday we had a late breakfast and spent most of the morning lazing around/resting before heading out to various places. Dad, Jonathan and I headed off to the Lamborghini museum while Gemma and Mum got lost in the southern part of Bologna.
The Lamborghini museum was amazing! They had a dozen or so vintage cars, including the first ever Lamborghini and a Lambo 4wheel drive. There were also quite a few concept cars and a few of them were really interesting. There was also a Gallardo that Lamborghini had donated to the police. It was designed to patrol the A1, Italy's main highway, and had features like a defibrillator and cases to transport organs.
After this we returned home and had some nice take-away pizza from a place next door to our apartment.
Tomorrow we are traveling to Venice and we have already booked a place to stay. Unfortunately it doesn't have Wi-Fi but there is an internet cafe nearby so I hope to keep you aware of what is happening.
Posted at 10:14am
Yesterday we had a late breakfast and spent most of the morning lazing around/resting before heading out to various places. Dad, Jonathan and I headed off to the Lamborghini museum while Gemma and Mum got lost in the southern part of Bologna.
The Lamborghini museum was amazing! They had a dozen or so vintage cars, including the first ever Lamborghini and a Lambo 4wheel drive. There were also quite a few concept cars and a few of them were really interesting. There was also a Gallardo that Lamborghini had donated to the police. It was designed to patrol the A1, Italy's main highway, and had features like a defibrillator and cases to transport organs.
After this we returned home and had some nice take-away pizza from a place next door to our apartment.
Tomorrow we are traveling to Venice and we have already booked a place to stay. Unfortunately it doesn't have Wi-Fi but there is an internet cafe nearby so I hope to keep you aware of what is happening.
Posted at 10:14am
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