Well, we've had an outstanding two weeks. From France to Belgium to Germany to Iceland, many stops within each country, and so much fun with Brett and Lynette on the European part of our trip. We are fortunate.
We are exhausted. Our legs hurt from climbing and walking. We are sad to be leaving. But we are ready to come home.
Wish for safe travels tomorrow for us, smooth skies, and a stiff tailwind!!
Au Revior!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Bless!
Goodbye!
xo
Friday, May 26, 2017
Sheep and Horses everywhere.
This is what I will remember most about Iceland - horses and sheep everywhere, and the most beautiful landscape I've ever seen.
Last Night in Iceland...
Well, we spent our last night at a great French restaurant called SNAPS. Amazing food and beers from Einstok brewery in Iceland. DEFINITELY go here if you ever come to Reykjavik.
I think we might be back to Iceland. I think...
I think we might be back to Iceland. I think...
Skogafoss Waterfall
After the glacier walk, we were pretty exhausted and our legs were like rubber, so we made a quick stop at Skogafoss Waterfall, just about 5 km from the glacier.
It was beautiful!! Definitely worth stopping.
It was beautiful!! Definitely worth stopping.
Glacier Walk
We headed out early for our Glacier Walk at Solheimajokull glacier. We didn't really know what to expect. IT WAS FUCKING HARD.
We were with 4 French people from Chamonix, and 4 other people who were French Canadian, and we were by far the youngest of the group. Our guide was Pete, and he was Irish. And so cute.
So we had our lesson, got our crampons and harnesses on (yeah, that freaked me out), and starting walking. Straight up a god damn hill or so it seemed. It was super hard, and quite an exertion. Chris was kind of worried about his knee, but the fear of getting stuck on top of a glacier helps one press on through the pain.
It was startling to hear how far the glacier had retreated due to climate change. I just don't get how people refuse to believe science.
We hiked up to the top of the glacier, and once up there, checked out a few geological things. And had the option of hanging on to a rope rigged by Pete to look over the edge of a crevice. Um. No thanks. Chris, me, and the old French woman were the only ones to NOT do it. I couldn't even watch.
Would I do it again? No. Am I glad we did it? Yes, yes, yes.
We were with 4 French people from Chamonix, and 4 other people who were French Canadian, and we were by far the youngest of the group. Our guide was Pete, and he was Irish. And so cute.
So we had our lesson, got our crampons and harnesses on (yeah, that freaked me out), and starting walking. Straight up a god damn hill or so it seemed. It was super hard, and quite an exertion. Chris was kind of worried about his knee, but the fear of getting stuck on top of a glacier helps one press on through the pain.
We hiked up to the top of the glacier, and once up there, checked out a few geological things. And had the option of hanging on to a rope rigged by Pete to look over the edge of a crevice. Um. No thanks. Chris, me, and the old French woman were the only ones to NOT do it. I couldn't even watch.
Would I do it again? No. Am I glad we did it? Yes, yes, yes.
Dinner in Reykjavik
Headed down Langevegur street to dinner to Public House. It was really good! I had the Borg Brewing IPA from and Icelandic brewery, and Chris had...a Leffe Blonde. <>
We also had an amazing meal - lots of small plates but there were all amazing!
Then we looked at the 893 essential songs on the Current for a while.
We also had an amazing meal - lots of small plates but there were all amazing!
Then we looked at the 893 essential songs on the Current for a while.
Iceland!!
Well, we made it! Iceland!
Uneventful flight from Germany and we got here about 9:30 Thursday morning. Afterr waiting...and waiting...and waiting for our third bag to arrive on the luggage carosel (technical difficulties outside) and after almost having a heart attack, we were off.
First stop - pick up rental car. It's a Skoda Octavia, and it's a manual. And just like riding a bike, I remembered how to drive stick. Score one for me!!
We then headed to the Blue Lagoon. Talk about new experience anxiety. Whoa. But it was interesting. After getting showered, and out to the lagoon, you find that it is a milky blue color and kind of buoyant. It's from all the silica in the water. We relaxed and hung out for a while, then I was off to my in-water massage.
THAT was weird. But oddly relaxing. They put you on a floaty, with a pillow under your head, and you just float there while they give you a massage. With your bathing suit on. Weird, but good, once I got over the fact that my hair was soaked and the water is supposed to really screw up your hair. It just made it feel super damaged. So I've got that going for me.
After the Blue Lagoon new experience stress out, we headed for Reykjavik and our apartment. OHMYGOD!! It is SOOOOOOOOOO cute. Brand new, super modern, amazing views of the harbor and the long Langevegur street with shopping and restaurants. I would recommend this place to anyone. It even has a rooftop patio (sadly we never used it due to being so busy while here, but if I ever come back I will!!).
The other thing about Iceland is that right now the sun sets at like 11:30 pm - for example, it is 10:45 pm as I write this and it's still so light out I can see all the way to the harbor. And the sun rises at like 3:30 am, so it's impossible to sleep in. So weird - my circadian rhythms are for sure off.
Two other things: EVERYONE here speaks English - much better than I do in fact. It's amazing. And they are very kind. The other thing is that it is so stinking expensive here. I guess it's like Hawaiii - you live on an island, it costs a hell of a lot more to import stuff.
Later our first day we went to dinner, then got ready for day 2 and our glacier walk and Skogafoss waterfall!
Uneventful flight from Germany and we got here about 9:30 Thursday morning. Afterr waiting...and waiting...and waiting for our third bag to arrive on the luggage carosel (technical difficulties outside) and after almost having a heart attack, we were off.
First stop - pick up rental car. It's a Skoda Octavia, and it's a manual. And just like riding a bike, I remembered how to drive stick. Score one for me!!
We then headed to the Blue Lagoon. Talk about new experience anxiety. Whoa. But it was interesting. After getting showered, and out to the lagoon, you find that it is a milky blue color and kind of buoyant. It's from all the silica in the water. We relaxed and hung out for a while, then I was off to my in-water massage.
THAT was weird. But oddly relaxing. They put you on a floaty, with a pillow under your head, and you just float there while they give you a massage. With your bathing suit on. Weird, but good, once I got over the fact that my hair was soaked and the water is supposed to really screw up your hair. It just made it feel super damaged. So I've got that going for me.
After the Blue Lagoon new experience stress out, we headed for Reykjavik and our apartment. OHMYGOD!! It is SOOOOOOOOOO cute. Brand new, super modern, amazing views of the harbor and the long Langevegur street with shopping and restaurants. I would recommend this place to anyone. It even has a rooftop patio (sadly we never used it due to being so busy while here, but if I ever come back I will!!).
The other thing about Iceland is that right now the sun sets at like 11:30 pm - for example, it is 10:45 pm as I write this and it's still so light out I can see all the way to the harbor. And the sun rises at like 3:30 am, so it's impossible to sleep in. So weird - my circadian rhythms are for sure off.
Two other things: EVERYONE here speaks English - much better than I do in fact. It's amazing. And they are very kind. The other thing is that it is so stinking expensive here. I guess it's like Hawaiii - you live on an island, it costs a hell of a lot more to import stuff.
Later our first day we went to dinner, then got ready for day 2 and our glacier walk and Skogafoss waterfall!
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
auf Wiedersehen Munchen!
We had an amazing time in Munich, and with Brett and Lynette for the last 11 days. We are good travelling companions, and we did new things for all of us.
I know we'll be back.
We are now waiting for our flight to Iceland to take in 2 days in Reykjavik before heading home on Saturday. I'm exhausted.
I know we'll be back.
We are now waiting for our flight to Iceland to take in 2 days in Reykjavik before heading home on Saturday. I'm exhausted.
Bavarian Castles
We headed out on Wednesday to Bavaria to visit both Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein. Beautiful!!!
We hit the Autobahn where Chris cruised along at a leisurely 165 km/hour - or 103 MPH. It actually didn't really feel like it. Good job.
Arrived at the castles and had to wait in line for 30 minutes to get tickets - this might have been the one thing we didn't plan...but it worked out fine.
Took a carriage ride up to Hohenschwangau first. One of the horses peed (like 25 gallons), then farted (for like 30 seconds), and then pooped (and the driver just reached up and put a bucket under it's butt. Pretty slick actually. Horse emissions aside, it was a really nice way to get up there.
Hohenschwangau was the hunting cabin of King Maximillian, and his sons Ludwig and Hugo. It was so cool! I hadn't been before, and it was short and sweet and amazing. You can't take pictures inside, but here are some outside shots.
We then walked down, down, down the hill to get on the bus to go up to Neuschwanstein. Yes, I didn't walk up that goddamn hill. And no, I don't feel bad about it. Took the bus up - really is stunning when you see it. This castle was King Ludwig's masterpiece. But he died under mysterious circumstances at age 41, and it was never finished.
During the tour, we did about 135 steps, and by that I mean STAIRS. And then we had to walk down the giant hill. All of our legs are going to fall off.
We hit the Autobahn where Chris cruised along at a leisurely 165 km/hour - or 103 MPH. It actually didn't really feel like it. Good job.
Arrived at the castles and had to wait in line for 30 minutes to get tickets - this might have been the one thing we didn't plan...but it worked out fine.
Took a carriage ride up to Hohenschwangau first. One of the horses peed (like 25 gallons), then farted (for like 30 seconds), and then pooped (and the driver just reached up and put a bucket under it's butt. Pretty slick actually. Horse emissions aside, it was a really nice way to get up there.
Hohenschwangau was the hunting cabin of King Maximillian, and his sons Ludwig and Hugo. It was so cool! I hadn't been before, and it was short and sweet and amazing. You can't take pictures inside, but here are some outside shots.
We then walked down, down, down the hill to get on the bus to go up to Neuschwanstein. Yes, I didn't walk up that goddamn hill. And no, I don't feel bad about it. Took the bus up - really is stunning when you see it. This castle was King Ludwig's masterpiece. But he died under mysterious circumstances at age 41, and it was never finished.
During the tour, we did about 135 steps, and by that I mean STAIRS. And then we had to walk down the giant hill. All of our legs are going to fall off.
Tuesday in Munich
Started the day a little late on Tuesday, and our first stop was to mail home my new Christmas smokers (3) and nutcracker!!! Yes, that costs half as much to ship home. Don't ask. But aren't they cute?
Our first beer stop of the day was Augustiner Biergarten. We hopped in a cab, and our cab driver was SO NICE. He had lived all over the world, including Los Angeles, Little Rock, and Nashville. Super interesting guy, and really a great cab ride.
We arrived at Augustiner, and it was so awesome. After a couple of beers, and an amazing lunch, including lots of great traditional Munich food, we were stuffed. And I mean stuffed!! Oh. And Brett lost his credit card. Sigh...
But that didn't stop us from heading to the Hofbrau Haus for another beer and a big chewy pretzel. It wasn't as big as the last time we had a big chewy pretzel here, but it will do.
After Hofbrau, we headed to Ayinger for beers. No food. Just beer. At this point while I'm writing this I'm feeling full and ill thinking about it.
Our first beer stop of the day was Augustiner Biergarten. We hopped in a cab, and our cab driver was SO NICE. He had lived all over the world, including Los Angeles, Little Rock, and Nashville. Super interesting guy, and really a great cab ride.
We arrived at Augustiner, and it was so awesome. After a couple of beers, and an amazing lunch, including lots of great traditional Munich food, we were stuffed. And I mean stuffed!! Oh. And Brett lost his credit card. Sigh...
But that didn't stop us from heading to the Hofbrau Haus for another beer and a big chewy pretzel. It wasn't as big as the last time we had a big chewy pretzel here, but it will do.
After Hofbrau, we headed to Ayinger for beers. No food. Just beer. At this point while I'm writing this I'm feeling full and ill thinking about it.
Then, and I'm not sure what we were thinking...we went to dinner by our apartment. TOO MUCH. Pasta and pizza and beers. God help me. Frankly, I deserved the horrible night sleep I got that night.
Wednesday? Castles!!!
Monday, May 22, 2017
Evening in Munich
Our first night in Munich was all about beer. Weird.
Schneider for dinner on the Marienplatz where we had amazing beers and I had that same amazing amazing AMAZING salad I had six years ago. Consistency is NOT the hobgoblin of smalll minds, it is the bringer of amazing salad.
And yes...the glockenspeil!!
More adventure tomorrow. We are exhausted.
Schneider for dinner on the Marienplatz where we had amazing beers and I had that same amazing amazing AMAZING salad I had six years ago. Consistency is NOT the hobgoblin of smalll minds, it is the bringer of amazing salad.
And yes...the glockenspeil!!
More adventure tomorrow. We are exhausted.
Train to Munich
We realized that I booked us on the slow train to Munich, and even though we tried, couldn't change the tickets.
We are jammed into a train car for 6 with...5 suitcases that each weigh about 50 pounds, 4 backpacks, and two purses. I think we scared the guy that was in here. I am so afraid our luggage is going to fall and kill one of us.
We got beer though. And beautiful views along the Rhine.
We are jammed into a train car for 6 with...5 suitcases that each weigh about 50 pounds, 4 backpacks, and two purses. I think we scared the guy that was in here. I am so afraid our luggage is going to fall and kill one of us.
We got beer though. And beautiful views along the Rhine.
Last night in Köln
I am so glad we came again and got to show Brett and Lynette around. We make a great team.
Düsseldorf and Alt
We got our shit together on Sunday and took the train to Düsseldorf. Such a cute town!!!
We started at Classic Remise, a kind of car museum, auction house, sales floor for classic cars. What beauties! Took a ton of pictures, but I can't remember most of them. Here are a couple highlights:
We then headed for, you guessed it, beer and lunch. In Düsseldorf it is Alt, not Kölsch, and god help you if you mess it up. Had a great lunch and then multiple pubs for Alt. And a super super cute waiter. Düsseldorf is really lovely, and everyone here has been really kind to us. What a simply great day.
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