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
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
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
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