Well we made it back to Toronto all in one piece! Although the booster seats were delayed, we made it back safe and sound. The past three weeks have been a blur of family time and seeing some amazing sights. It's going to hard to get back into a routine with work and school...but isn't that what vacations are all about.
We are going to start planning our travels for next year!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Frankfurt, Germany
Our flight from Athens to Germany was uneventful and we were able to catch a few winks, but we had a lengthy stopover in Frankfurt so we decided to check out the city. Off we went to the city centre and jumped on a hop-on-hop-off bus. Frankfurt was a lovely combination of historical and modern architecture. Although a short stay, we enjoyed the cooler temperatures of Germany and the thoughts of being closer to home.
Salamina, Greece
Uncle Soto picked us up from the airport and drove us to his beautiful summer villa in Salamina. It is simply paradise! The open style of the villa allows the sunshine and fresh air to flow through and the view of the sea, a 100m away, is simply breathtaking!
Surrounding the villa we were able to pluck fresh warm figs from the trees, pick almonds, olives, and so many other beautiful fruits and vegetables. Talk about organic selection!
But the best part about Salamina is our family! We haven't seen them in so long so it was a very special treat to be able to spend some time with them. My aunt Gisela and uncle Soto were so kind and hospitable to us...we felt so welcome and loved. My cousins and their families are lots of fun....we just need to find a way to get them to Canada to meet the rest of our brood. Alexis and Ursula have 2 beautiful daughters Sophia and Lea Melina, while Antigone and Fabian have a bouncy boy Jacques Nicholas!
We spent time in the sea, eating, talking, and laughing with all the kids. It was a perfect time in paradise with our wonderful family. Mik and Zoe both were upset that we had to leave...they had such fun meeting and playing with their cousins - bunk beds, sleepover parties and hide and seek! It truly was paradise for all of us!
Knossos, Heraklion Crete
Today we drove out to Knossos, the ancient palace of King Minos. It was incredibly hot, but wandering through ruins and seeing frescoes from over 5000 years ago was pretty amazing! Some of the neat things we discovered....the entire palace was a labrynth so that invading forces would have difficulty finding the King. This, along with the jumping bull games led to the Greek myth about Theseus and the Minotaur in the labrynth. They also had water pipes and indoor plumbing! The urns were bigger than us and were filled with Olive oil as offerings for their Gods.From Knossos, we went to the airport an took our short flight to Athens. Good by Crete - we will miss you!
Last Night in Crete
Well tonight's our last night in Crete. We have had a very relaxing and fun time. It will be hard to return to the real world!For our last night we decided to do some Greek dancing at the hotel. The girls were up dancing and of course they picked Oliver to do the Zabeckico! He was awesome! Afterwards, a special ice cream treat for the girls was in order - pretty nice. It was a great way to complete our time on the island.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Island Paradise
The last few days have been absolutely lovely. We have gotten into a routine of waking after 10:00 and wandering across the street to the beach to jump waves and build sandcastles. Then after lunch we go to one of the four pools on the resort and clean off the salt from the ocean. Afterwards, we have an ice cream and then try to have a bit of a rest out of the sun...the girls try to watch the animal tv shows in Greek and we just relax for a couple of hours before we go out again.We've adopted the Greek lifestyle of eating dinner at around 9:00 and then going out for a "volta". The nightlife doesn't get started until around 10:00 - 11:00 ish, but we're usually back home by 11:00...it's not the girls who want to go to bed, more like we're wiped out.
Today we went to the Rethymno fortress ruins and wandered through the churches, mosques, caves, etc...the ruins and views were amazing! The girls had a blast pretending to be explorers from the Medieval Times.
Oliver loves driving in Greece, especially dealing with the drivers who stradle the different lines and then drive up on the shoulder and sidewalk! Tonight the girls had a go at driving like the Greeks as they had fun with Eurocars and the driving track
at a local fun park.
Tomorrow's our last full day here as we are planning on leaving for Heraklion on Thursday.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
When are you having a boy?
When are you having a boy?
This is the question that has been asked of us throughout our time in Greece. To most Greeks, your family is not complete until a boy has been born. So every taxi driver, people we talk to etc...always ask Oliver, when are you having a boy? It's quite funny as I'm not part of this conversation at all...Oliver is the man and he is in charge while we are here so I'm the quiet and 2nd rate wife. Ah, what a country, no wonder they have so many problems here!
This is the question that has been asked of us throughout our time in Greece. To most Greeks, your family is not complete until a boy has been born. So every taxi driver, people we talk to etc...always ask Oliver, when are you having a boy? It's quite funny as I'm not part of this conversation at all...Oliver is the man and he is in charge while we are here so I'm the quiet and 2nd rate wife. Ah, what a country, no wonder they have so many problems here!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
We Made it to Rethymno!
Later....
We made it to Rethymno by around 6:30. Our resort is located right across the street from the beach. The front yard has a beautiful pool and there is another pool in the middle of our complex. When I registered, the manager greeted us with Cretan cookies and Fanta , while they brought our bags to our room. The room is compact with a nice size master for me and Ollie, while the girls have a trundle in the kitchen/living room that folds out. The kitchen is cute and totally compact – there is a fridge, dishwasher, and ironing board all in a cupboard the size of my pantry closet. We have a little balcony that overlooks a courtyard with lots of pastel and cool colours.
Of course the girls wanted to go swimming right away so off we went across the street to the beach. In the evening, the tide goes out and the waves are really big. We all had a blast jumping the waves and getting washed back into shore. At first Zoe was a little scared by the big waves, but it wasn't long before she was challenging the waves and yelling, “Bring it on Posiedon!”.
We found a small grocery store and the kids were super excited to find cheerios and eat them for dinner. Well at least the box was in Greek, so they had try and do all of the puzzles and games in Greek.
Tomorrow, our plan is pretty simple – beach and then pool, or perhaps it will be pool and then beach. Life shouldn't be tougher than deciding what order to do these in. Even though there are ancient ruins to be explored, we have travelled long and hard and we all need to just beach it for the next few days.
Ferry to Crete, Greece
Saturday, August 7th, 2010
An early morning to catch our ferry to Crete....but we made it in plenty of time to the port and our superfast boat (6 hours). It's the only way to go – we have a cabin for 4 that has 2 sets of bunkbeds and a bathroom with a shower. Of course the girls are in paradise as forts have been made and remade on the upper bunks. I had memories of when I purchased just a deck seat on the ferry – all I could think about was 12-20 hour boat rides that were never ending heat and trying to find a comfortable place to eat, sleep, watch my bags etc... In the cabins it is air-conditioned and we have just enough space to stow all of our luggage and relax comfortably. The girls had fun swimming in the salt water pool and the ice cream of course has kept everyone cool on the deck.
We're looking forward to landing in Heraklion and making our way to the resort in Rethmyno – a 90 minute drive away.
An early morning to catch our ferry to Crete....but we made it in plenty of time to the port and our superfast boat (6 hours). It's the only way to go – we have a cabin for 4 that has 2 sets of bunkbeds and a bathroom with a shower. Of course the girls are in paradise as forts have been made and remade on the upper bunks. I had memories of when I purchased just a deck seat on the ferry – all I could think about was 12-20 hour boat rides that were never ending heat and trying to find a comfortable place to eat, sleep, watch my bags etc... In the cabins it is air-conditioned and we have just enough space to stow all of our luggage and relax comfortably. The girls had fun swimming in the salt water pool and the ice cream of course has kept everyone cool on the deck.
We're looking forward to landing in Heraklion and making our way to the resort in Rethmyno – a 90 minute drive away.
Athens, Greece - Day 2
Friday, August 6th, 2010What a great day in Athens! We were up bright and early for our morning half day tour. George was our tour guide and Stavros our driver. The tour brought us in an air conditioned coach as the temperature was already 30 degrees at 8:30 in the morning. We enjoyed seeing the sites and landmarks from our cool bus. We did exit for pictures of the ancient Olympic stadium. It was cool to think that this is where Niki from our church ran with the torch when it changed from Greece to Canada. Afterwards, we went to visit the Acropolis and walked through the ancient ruins. It was so worth having a tour guide as they receive degrees in Art History, Geology, Ancient History, and Current Affairs, so they are very well informed about the landmark and all that it entails. We were there for a couple of hours – Mik really enjoyed making connections with the ancient stories of the Gods from Percy Jackson and other myths. Zoe preferred the air conditioned coolness of the new museum – which was outstanding – highly recommend the visit as the new design allows visitors to see the ruins underneath the museum.
After the tour we returned to our fab hotel and had a great afternoon nap. Then a swim in the awesome pool was in order – we agreed that we were in Heaven as the temps were great, the pool glorious, and the fitness centre was open 24 hours a day.
Later in the evening we ventured out to the Plaka for some dinner and had lots of fun getting the best offer for dinner. We finally decided on the restaurant that included a free glass of wine for the adults and free ice cream for the kids. The girls both enjoyed pastitso while Oliver tried swordfish and I ate tuna and Greek salad. There was live music and a great atmosphere which really made it a fun evening. We finished off the night by taking photos by Zeus' temple and making our way back to the hotel in order to pack for our ferry the next morning.
Both girls expressed a desire to stay in Athens longer as there was just so much for them to see and do...yet the heat limited our time when we could be outside comfortably. We will definitely return to Athens again.
Athens, Greece - Day 1
Thursday August 5, 2010
We arrived in Athens around lunch and we are loving the Intercontinental Hotel. It's in a bit of a run-down area of the city, but the hotel is gorgeous with a beautiful outdoor pool and a 24 hour gym. That's my treat!
After a quick trip to the market to purchase some fruit and water, we all went and enjoyed the pool and beautiful weather. Afterwards, we contacted my uncle Soto and we are going to try and change our Friday flights so that we can meet up with them and catch up with our cousins. They are so kind and caring...I hope it all works out.
For the evening, we took the shuttle to Syntagma Square and saw the tomb of the unknown soldier and the changing of the guard. It was funny because the girls were totally engaged by the pigeons, rather than the soldiers. Then we went and walked through the Plaka enjoying the atmosphere and seeing all the souvenirs available...we'll go back tomorrow night as Oliver had to return to do some calls for work.
We are going on a full day tour tomorrow starting at 8:00 – 2:00 and will take us in an air conditioned coach to the acropolis and some museums. The girls have been told to pretend to be 5 and 7. We'll see how it goes!
So after a lovely dinner and a fun taxi ride back to the hotel – I did my first negotiation with the taxi driver. He was fun and just wanted to chat with us about everything. A great first night...and a fabulous hotel....can it get any better than this?
Munich, Germany
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Today we went on a tour of Munich. It was really neat, because the tour was free and given by a Canadian. There is a company giving free city tours and then they offer specialized tours that they charge for. Our guide was Kristen from Montreal and she was lots of fun. We started the day at Marianplatz and the glockenspiel as we watched the wedding, jousting, and then the plague performances. Here's the youtube link to see the show -
Basically we learned that Munich is all about beer! Kristen shared stories about how the city grew from the profits of beer and it was linked to the church too. The beer was made by the monks so it's all kind of funny that the church supported all of the alcohol and received a good share of the tax money too!
There was also lots of information on Hitler and the rise of the Nazi party. It was really sad, but when you think that the Nazi's only lasted 12 years and there is so much other great history to celebrate – that should be our focus.
At the end of the tour we went to the Munich Marionette theatre where we watched a really sweet show called “Little Mouse” The sets and puppets were amazing and we made friends with some of the little children who attended the show. The girls really enjoyed it...of course, Oliver translated, but the girls were able to get the jest of the play even if it was in German.
Afterwards, we walked up the tower of Saint Peter's, or Old Peter, as once again Zoe led us up the stairs to the top. We happened to be at the top when the bells struck marking the hour. The whole tower shook and swayed slightly so it was lots of fun and excitement.
Then we went to the biergarten and had sausages, sauerkraut, potato salad and beer. Oliver was celebrating his German heritage. All I can say is that I'm glad he didn't wear the leiderhosen and carry a curved walking stick – Kristen shared the reason why the men wear them and how they use the stick so they don't have to leave the beer hall to use the wC.
Then it was Mik's turn for a treat and she selected ice cream...which was perfect for the sunny day that we had enjoyed.
Just as we were about to leave Marianplatz and return to the hotel, there was this fantastic band that started playing classical music with jazzy tones. We all totally loved it, and Mik was so enthralled that she decided to use her birthday Euros to purchase their CD as a souvenir. We all enjoyed it!
So we packed up and off we went to Athens Greece early in the morning. We've had such a great time in Germany and have learned so much. The girls continue to collect their pins and we are trying to continue the collection in Greece.
Today we went on a tour of Munich. It was really neat, because the tour was free and given by a Canadian. There is a company giving free city tours and then they offer specialized tours that they charge for. Our guide was Kristen from Montreal and she was lots of fun. We started the day at Marianplatz and the glockenspiel as we watched the wedding, jousting, and then the plague performances. Here's the youtube link to see the show -
Basically we learned that Munich is all about beer! Kristen shared stories about how the city grew from the profits of beer and it was linked to the church too. The beer was made by the monks so it's all kind of funny that the church supported all of the alcohol and received a good share of the tax money too!
There was also lots of information on Hitler and the rise of the Nazi party. It was really sad, but when you think that the Nazi's only lasted 12 years and there is so much other great history to celebrate – that should be our focus.
At the end of the tour we went to the Munich Marionette theatre where we watched a really sweet show called “Little Mouse” The sets and puppets were amazing and we made friends with some of the little children who attended the show. The girls really enjoyed it...of course, Oliver translated, but the girls were able to get the jest of the play even if it was in German.
Afterwards, we walked up the tower of Saint Peter's, or Old Peter, as once again Zoe led us up the stairs to the top. We happened to be at the top when the bells struck marking the hour. The whole tower shook and swayed slightly so it was lots of fun and excitement.
Then we went to the biergarten and had sausages, sauerkraut, potato salad and beer. Oliver was celebrating his German heritage. All I can say is that I'm glad he didn't wear the leiderhosen and carry a curved walking stick – Kristen shared the reason why the men wear them and how they use the stick so they don't have to leave the beer hall to use the wC.
Then it was Mik's turn for a treat and she selected ice cream...which was perfect for the sunny day that we had enjoyed.
Just as we were about to leave Marianplatz and return to the hotel, there was this fantastic band that started playing classical music with jazzy tones. We all totally loved it, and Mik was so enthralled that she decided to use her birthday Euros to purchase their CD as a souvenir. We all enjoyed it!
So we packed up and off we went to Athens Greece early in the morning. We've had such a great time in Germany and have learned so much. The girls continue to collect their pins and we are trying to continue the collection in Greece.
Fussen, Germany
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Today we drove through the countryside to the Neuschanstein and Hocenschwangau castles in the Bavarian mountains. The castles are stunning examples of medieval architecture that are now kept as museums. The Neuschanstein castle was the one that inspired Walt Disney to build Cinderella's castle. We hiked the mountains to reach the castles – we decided the hike would repl
ace a tower climb of a cathedral – it was a good workout. Although slightly rainy, it was a nice day to walk in the clouds and revisit some medieval history. The castles are a result of very sad stories about King Ludwig the II – h e was declared insane and then mysteriously killed in a drowning accident. More information on the story can be found at www.On the drive back to Munich, we decided to stop at a traditional biergarten for a German feast. The garten holds up to 8000 people during Octoberfest and the beer was flowing everywhere in huge steins. Reminds me of visiting Paul at Laurier during our university years. Our saying of the day was, “When in Germany, eat sausages!” So that is what we did! The girls ate foot long sausages and french fries and declared them to be delicious! Oliver had a spicy sausage and fries, while I indulged in roast chicken, curry sauce and potatoes.
Tomorrow is our last day in Germany. We are going to tour downtown Munich and return for an early night so that we can catch our flight to Greece early Thursday morning.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Toilets
It was after the park play in Koln that we experienced our first incredible toilet experience. For those who are not aware of Euro toilet rules...you pay to go – no visit is for free. Sometimes you simply tip the attendant for pointing to the toilet that is available, while other times, you cannot enter the bathroom without a voucher and a scanned barcode. On some of our touring days, we have spent almost $10 Euros just to go to the bathroom – we never factored such charges into our budget! Nevertheless, the first public one we went to in Koln is the one that is being proposed for Toronto. You put your money in and use the bathroom, once finished, the whole bathroom gets a shower and everything is cleaned and disinfected. It takes less than 5 minutes between people, so it's very impressive. We were able to fit 3 of us in there, so we got a bonus deal!
Other notable loos were ones that have revolving toilet seats....once you flush, a cleaning unit comes out of the base of the wall and the toilet seat raises and spins as it gets disinfected. Again, very impressive. Toronto has a lot to learn from the Germans in terms of transportation and toilet technology.
Travel to Munich
Monday, August 2, 2010
Today we are on our way to Munich – just over 5 hours away from Berlin. In the morning, the girls and Oliver packed up the car and went to the park, while I went to the shops to buy provisions for our trip. Again, my German is atrocious, I'm constantly putting my words into French, but I have the basics to be polite. I was able to purchase some bread, cheese, meat, and fruit without too much stress and frustration for myself or the shopkeepers!
The drive so far has been great – the GPS is the only way to go. Whenever we miss a turn or exit, it just recalculates for us and sends us in the right direction again. It has made driving in some of these cities much less stressful – at least for Oliver that is! I could never drive in the cities the way he does...I'm only the navigator, but I'm sweating, while he's loving it! Thanks goodness for different talents!
Today we are on our way to Munich – just over 5 hours away from Berlin. In the morning, the girls and Oliver packed up the car and went to the park, while I went to the shops to buy provisions for our trip. Again, my German is atrocious, I'm constantly putting my words into French, but I have the basics to be polite. I was able to purchase some bread, cheese, meat, and fruit without too much stress and frustration for myself or the shopkeepers!
The drive so far has been great – the GPS is the only way to go. Whenever we miss a turn or exit, it just recalculates for us and sends us in the right direction again. It has made driving in some of these cities much less stressful – at least for Oliver that is! I could never drive in the cities the way he does...I'm only the navigator, but I'm sweating, while he's loving it! Thanks goodness for different talents!
Berlin, Germany
We then got into our car and departed for our next stop...the capital of Germany – Berlin!
Of course it wouldn't be travels without some mishaps – after some play in the park at a reststop, Zoe decided to wrestle a thornbush and unfortunately came out on the losing end. A few bandaids and multiple countings of the holes and scrapes on her arms and legs and she was back at it and ready to go.
We arrived late Saturday night and checked in at the Holiday Inn in East Berlin. It's an older hotel and the rooms are dispersed in random order throughout the floor of the hotel, which is then divided by doors, staircases etc... the lifts would take you to a certain floor, but then you have to go up 3 stairs, go through doors etc...it was a bit of a maze, but a fun challenge nonetheless. Our room has two double beds basically pushed together and a full bathroom. We're happy to have such a place, as many of the hotels insist that only 2 people per room and children would have a separate room and not necessarily beside us.
Sunday August 1st
Today we spent the whole day and evening touring through Berlin. We started in the Eastern part of the city at Alexanderplatz and walked along Unter der Linden and were amazed at the incredible buildings built during the 17th and 18th century which made Prussia a political and economical centre of Europe.
When we reached the Bradenburg Tor/Gate we all had chills as we had our papers stamped with all of the appropriate stamps from the 4 Allied countries who controlled Berlin following the war. It's all for tourist fun, but to think that in order to cross the wall you needed to have a visa and be checked by armed guards...it really was something. Oliver was here 20 years ago in 1989 when the wall first came down and we were amazed to see the growth and change to the city. A wall memorial runs throughout the city and where it was destroyed are some of the most modern and beautiful buildings at Potsdam Platz.
The girls were trying to understand it all, but how can one explain a city that has memorials from World Wars I and II, the Holocaust, the Berlin wall, and Soviet occupation? We told them to take a European history course as it was just too complicated to explain.
We also visited Checkpoint Charlie and a memorial church tower that was bombed in WWII, but a modern church was built around it to make sure people never forget the devastation of war.
Overall, Berlin is an incredible city of history and culture and one could spend weeks exploring. Out of all the cities we've visited, it's also the most modern and cutting edge in terms of fashion, architecture, and culture in general.
M – the wall and all the graffiti on it
Z- Bicycles that could fit 7 people on it – go on the road too
Of course it wouldn't be travels without some mishaps – after some play in the park at a reststop, Zoe decided to wrestle a thornbush and unfortunately came out on the losing end. A few bandaids and multiple countings of the holes and scrapes on her arms and legs and she was back at it and ready to go.
We arrived late Saturday night and checked in at the Holiday Inn in East Berlin. It's an older hotel and the rooms are dispersed in random order throughout the floor of the hotel, which is then divided by doors, staircases etc... the lifts would take you to a certain floor, but then you have to go up 3 stairs, go through doors etc...it was a bit of a maze, but a fun challenge nonetheless. Our room has two double beds basically pushed together and a full bathroom. We're happy to have such a place, as many of the hotels insist that only 2 people per room and children would have a separate room and not necessarily beside us.
Sunday August 1st
Today we spent the whole day and evening touring through Berlin. We started in the Eastern part of the city at Alexanderplatz and walked along Unter der Linden and were amazed at the incredible buildings built during the 17th and 18th century which made Prussia a political and economical centre of Europe.
When we reached the Bradenburg Tor/Gate we all had chills as we had our papers stamped with all of the appropriate stamps from the 4 Allied countries who controlled Berlin following the war. It's all for tourist fun, but to think that in order to cross the wall you needed to have a visa and be checked by armed guards...it really was something. Oliver was here 20 years ago in 1989 when the wall first came down and we were amazed to see the growth and change to the city. A wall memorial runs throughout the city and where it was destroyed are some of the most modern and beautiful buildings at Potsdam Platz.
The girls were trying to understand it all, but how can one explain a city that has memorials from World Wars I and II, the Holocaust, the Berlin wall, and Soviet occupation? We told them to take a European history course as it was just too complicated to explain.
We also visited Checkpoint Charlie and a memorial church tower that was bombed in WWII, but a modern church was built around it to make sure people never forget the devastation of war.
Overall, Berlin is an incredible city of history and culture and one could spend weeks exploring. Out of all the cities we've visited, it's also the most modern and cutting edge in terms of fashion, architecture, and culture in general.
M – the wall and all the graffiti on it
Z- Bicycles that could fit 7 people on it – go on the road too
Hamburg - the final time
Saturday July 31st
In the early morning, I took advantage of Jens and Marion's help with a map of where I could run in a grid pattern so that I wouldn't get lost. It was fun to roam up and down the streets and just take in the local community culture. Bakeries, flowershops, butchers etc... all lined the streets and everyone was very helpful and friendly. My German is atrocious, but when I attempt Guten Morgen people are more than happy to help.
Thank goodness for Oliver's German – he has been fantastic throughout our stay here and has been our translator for all of our questions regarding the directions, customs and culture of where we have been. He hasn't been to Germany in 20 years, but it goes to show you that the language you learn in the early years, lingers in your brain forever and can be recalled when needed.
We went to Jens and Marion's place for a lovely German breakfast/brunch and enjoyed the local delicacies.
Afterwards, we headed off for the harbour for a cruise of the Elba river and just saw how immense the harbour was and all of the business it entailed. We compared it to Halifax harbour which we visited last year, and came to the same conclusion that Hamburg was probably 3-4 times larger than Halifax. The cruise ships, container ships, floating docks etc...were incredible to see and makes ones realize just how much shipping is still used throughout the EEC.
Once on shore we strolled along the harbour and just took in the buskers and other happenings. It was packed with people from all over the world.
We then went to Miniature Wunderland, where the creators have made miniature models of German cities and other large cities from around the world, all based around model railways. The details were incredible and the children had so much fun pushing buttons to light up homes, move cranes, make people dance etc...
It was wi
th sadness that we left Hamburg and our dear relatives as we have truly enjoyed their company and the girls really enjoyed being Finn's older sisters and babysitters.
In the early morning, I took advantage of Jens and Marion's help with a map of where I could run in a grid pattern so that I wouldn't get lost. It was fun to roam up and down the streets and just take in the local community culture. Bakeries, flowershops, butchers etc... all lined the streets and everyone was very helpful and friendly. My German is atrocious, but when I attempt Guten Morgen people are more than happy to help.
Thank goodness for Oliver's German – he has been fantastic throughout our stay here and has been our translator for all of our questions regarding the directions, customs and culture of where we have been. He hasn't been to Germany in 20 years, but it goes to show you that the language you learn in the early years, lingers in your brain forever and can be recalled when needed.
We went to Jens and Marion's place for a lovely German breakfast/brunch and enjoyed the local delicacies.
Afterwards, we headed off for the harbour for a cruise of the Elba river and just saw how immense the harbour was and all of the business it entailed. We compared it to Halifax harbour which we visited last year, and came to the same conclusion that Hamburg was probably 3-4 times larger than Halifax. The cruise ships, container ships, floating docks etc...were incredible to see and makes ones realize just how much shipping is still used throughout the EEC.
Once on shore we strolled along the harbour and just took in the buskers and other happenings. It was packed with people from all over the world.
We then went to Miniature Wunderland, where the creators have made miniature models of German cities and other large cities from around the world, all based around model railways. The details were incredible and the children had so much fun pushing buttons to light up homes, move cranes, make people dance etc...
It was wi
th sadness that we left Hamburg and our dear relatives as we have truly enjoyed their company and the girls really enjoyed being Finn's older sisters and babysitters.
Hamburg, Germany2
Friday July 30th
Due to the late night we had a late start on the day. I wasn't sure when the girls would wake up, so instead of a run, I just ran up and down the stairs in the hotel. At first, the people who worked there smiled and said good morning, but then, once they realized that I was running up and down the stairs, their reactions and looks indicated that they thought I was crazy!
By the time we were out and about it was nearly lunch and we missed the only English tour of the harbour. So we jumped on the city hop on and hop off tour bus and settled in to find out about Hamburg.
It's a very large city with over 2 million people and an incredible harbour. One of the neatest things I saw were the warehouses along the waterfront where carpet sellers and other vendors sold their goods from the windows of their apartments to the people going through on boats.
We jumped off the bus at Saint Michael's cathedral, better known as Michel to the locals. It's a baroque protestant cathedral that was stunning with a white interior and gold throughout. The girls were excited to climb up to the top of the tower and counted out each of the 400+ steps. We have now decided to try and climb to the top of the highest points in each of the cities we visit. Once we return to Toronto, we will try to do the same thing, including the CN Tower.
After Michel, we strolled through the city and marvelled at the beautiful architecture and piazzas. People were gathered everywhere and were just enjoying the beautiful day. We met up with Jens and Finn and the kids had a ball feeding swans and ducks on the grand canal. We did a short boat ride on the two “lakes” - the inner and outer Alster, which highlighted some of the most expensive homes in Hamburg. The interesting thing is that these weren't lakes at all, but sections of the Alster river that had been dammed up. It also had a fantastic 10km route, so Jens has promised the next time we come, we will run this route together!
The whole transportation system in Germany has been fantastic; they have a combination of buses, streetcars, subways, and light rail. We have travelled everywhere on family day passes which has given us an economical opportunity to travel all over without having to worry about trying to drive in the cities and locate non-existent parking spots!
The kids were in bed at a better hour as we were planning another great day of touring!
Z – liked the bells – started ringing – sounded like fireworks – maybe they were canons, feeding the ducks and swans and taking care of Finn
m – liked climbing the stairs – reminded me of the Dom in Koln but fewer stairs
Due to the late night we had a late start on the day. I wasn't sure when the girls would wake up, so instead of a run, I just ran up and down the stairs in the hotel. At first, the people who worked there smiled and said good morning, but then, once they realized that I was running up and down the stairs, their reactions and looks indicated that they thought I was crazy!
By the time we were out and about it was nearly lunch and we missed the only English tour of the harbour. So we jumped on the city hop on and hop off tour bus and settled in to find out about Hamburg.
It's a very large city with over 2 million people and an incredible harbour. One of the neatest things I saw were the warehouses along the waterfront where carpet sellers and other vendors sold their goods from the windows of their apartments to the people going through on boats.
We jumped off the bus at Saint Michael's cathedral, better known as Michel to the locals. It's a baroque protestant cathedral that was stunning with a white interior and gold throughout. The girls were excited to climb up to the top of the tower and counted out each of the 400+ steps. We have now decided to try and climb to the top of the highest points in each of the cities we visit. Once we return to Toronto, we will try to do the same thing, including the CN Tower.
After Michel, we strolled through the city and marvelled at the beautiful architecture and piazzas. People were gathered everywhere and were just enjoying the beautiful day. We met up with Jens and Finn and the kids had a ball feeding swans and ducks on the grand canal. We did a short boat ride on the two “lakes” - the inner and outer Alster, which highlighted some of the most expensive homes in Hamburg. The interesting thing is that these weren't lakes at all, but sections of the Alster river that had been dammed up. It also had a fantastic 10km route, so Jens has promised the next time we come, we will run this route together!
The whole transportation system in Germany has been fantastic; they have a combination of buses, streetcars, subways, and light rail. We have travelled everywhere on family day passes which has given us an economical opportunity to travel all over without having to worry about trying to drive in the cities and locate non-existent parking spots!
The kids were in bed at a better hour as we were planning another great day of touring!
Z – liked the bells – started ringing – sounded like fireworks – maybe they were canons, feeding the ducks and swans and taking care of Finn
m – liked climbing the stairs – reminded me of the Dom in Koln but fewer stairs
Hamburg, Germany
Thursday night we checked into our hotel and went to meet with Jens and Marion. We had a lovely time in their beautiful 3rd floor apartment; it reminded us of the beaches with big open rooms and high ceilings. They are close to the downtown so everything is close for them. The only obstacle is parking as when the old apartments were built people didn't have cars so now there are over 2 million people trying to park in places without parking lots or driveways. Jens said it can sometimes take over 40 minutes to find a spot to park outside of their place. He said that during the summer it was better because a lot of people were away for holidays and there are more spaces freed up. So just when you think parking is bad in Toronto, at least we have some, even if you do have to pay for it!
We spent the rest of the evening catching up as much has happened for them since we last saw them in 2005 while they travelled through North America on their honeymoon. Finn is now 3 years old and baby number 2 is due in October. The girls had a blast playing lego – they have lots of it in Toronto, it appears Hamburg Lego is much more appealing!
It was after midnight when we got home to our hotel so it was quite late for the girls – they fell into bed and were off fast to sleep!
We spent the rest of the evening catching up as much has happened for them since we last saw them in 2005 while they travelled through North America on their honeymoon. Finn is now 3 years old and baby number 2 is due in October. The girls had a blast playing lego – they have lots of it in Toronto, it appears Hamburg Lego is much more appealing!
It was after midnight when we got home to our hotel so it was quite late for the girls – they fell into bed and were off fast to sleep!
Werdum, Germany
Thursday July 29th
In the morning I woke up and ran through the village enjoying the fresh sea air and cool breeze. Along the way I saw ponies and sheep roaming the village streets, and the fresh smell of bread from the bakery as it opened for its first customers of the day.
After waking up the girls from a very sound sleep and eating a hearty breakfast, we went to visit the village church built in the 1300's. It was built up on a hill in case of a flood so all the congregation could gather there if needed. On the property there is a cemetery where Oma's Oma is buried. Oma spent many childhood summers in Werdum and showed us where she played and lived during her holidays.
Afterwards, we dropped off Oma at uncle Jonny's and we went back to the North sea to go swimming in an olympic size salt water pool. Everything was very organized – both genders changed in individual change rooms located within the same area; the only difference was when you went to the showers – then it split according to female and male. In the pool there was a whole section of super jets – I tried to join the people on the bench for a much needed back massage, but received some disapproving looks. Oliver read the instructions – there was a lighthouse with a red and green light – first you line up in the jet line and when it changes lights, you shift down to the next jet...all very organized and civilized! The jets were awesome. They were so hard that you had to hold onto a bar otherwise you would be pushed to the centre of the pool.
The girls were excited to swim, but didn't enjoy the salty water so much – I told them to get used to it if they want to swim in the Greek islands! We have a family saying while on this trip if something is different and we are uncomfortable with it – when in Rome – wear a toga!
I felt I had a great spa experience – I had walked in the mud in the North Sea, and the following day I had a salt water bath with super jets. What more could a girl ask for?
After we changed we went back to pick up Oma and say goodbye to uncle Jonny and Werdum
On our way out of town we wanted to stop at a bakery for lunch but they were all closed. Instead, we had lunch at a German chip truck that only visits once a week. This is where we tried German hamburgers for the first time – frikadellen. Zoe loved the meat – it was delicious. Mik thought they were yummy but wondered why they only used one piece of bread instead of a full bun? Afterwards, we visited the village windmill and climbed to the top to see how the levers and gears worked. It was really neat, but it was scary to climb down because the stairs were so steep!
We then started up the GPS and were on our way to Hamburg to visit with Marion, Jens and Finn. The
drive was pleasant and the girls are loving to listen to their music and stories on the ipod and playing card games. So far no car sickness! Fingers are crossed!
In the morning I woke up and ran through the village enjoying the fresh sea air and cool breeze. Along the way I saw ponies and sheep roaming the village streets, and the fresh smell of bread from the bakery as it opened for its first customers of the day.
After waking up the girls from a very sound sleep and eating a hearty breakfast, we went to visit the village church built in the 1300's. It was built up on a hill in case of a flood so all the congregation could gather there if needed. On the property there is a cemetery where Oma's Oma is buried. Oma spent many childhood summers in Werdum and showed us where she played and lived during her holidays.
Afterwards, we dropped off Oma at uncle Jonny's and we went back to the North sea to go swimming in an olympic size salt water pool. Everything was very organized – both genders changed in individual change rooms located within the same area; the only difference was when you went to the showers – then it split according to female and male. In the pool there was a whole section of super jets – I tried to join the people on the bench for a much needed back massage, but received some disapproving looks. Oliver read the instructions – there was a lighthouse with a red and green light – first you line up in the jet line and when it changes lights, you shift down to the next jet...all very organized and civilized! The jets were awesome. They were so hard that you had to hold onto a bar otherwise you would be pushed to the centre of the pool.
The girls were excited to swim, but didn't enjoy the salty water so much – I told them to get used to it if they want to swim in the Greek islands! We have a family saying while on this trip if something is different and we are uncomfortable with it – when in Rome – wear a toga!
I felt I had a great spa experience – I had walked in the mud in the North Sea, and the following day I had a salt water bath with super jets. What more could a girl ask for?
After we changed we went back to pick up Oma and say goodbye to uncle Jonny and Werdum
On our way out of town we wanted to stop at a bakery for lunch but they were all closed. Instead, we had lunch at a German chip truck that only visits once a week. This is where we tried German hamburgers for the first time – frikadellen. Zoe loved the meat – it was delicious. Mik thought they were yummy but wondered why they only used one piece of bread instead of a full bun? Afterwards, we visited the village windmill and climbed to the top to see how the levers and gears worked. It was really neat, but it was scary to climb down because the stairs were so steep!
We then started up the GPS and were on our way to Hamburg to visit with Marion, Jens and Finn. The
drive was pleasant and the girls are loving to listen to their music and stories on the ipod and playing card games. So far no car sickness! Fingers are crossed!
Travel to the North
Wednesday July 28th
Time to pack up and check out at 12:00 – Ollie went to get our rental car – a Renault station wagon – fantastic car with lots of trunk space for our luggage; we can even flip up the trunk and there are 2 extra seats that can be used. It's been a while, but Ollie quickly picked up driving a standard transmission again as we have had 2 automatic cars since the girls were born.
Before leaving Dussoldorf, we went to visit Oliver's oma's grave – it's so very kind of tante Christiane to take care of it – fresh flowers and candles each week. It was the first time Oliver visited his Oma's grave since she was still with him 20 years ago during his last visit.
We went to visit uncle Soto and Tante Gisela in Essen, but they weren't home so we left our Canadian greetings through the mail slot and in the garage.
Our next part of the journey was to the North Sea to visit Oliver's uncle Jonny. Ollie loved driving on the autobhan but wished he was in his dream Porsche car.
He drove an average of 135km/hr and we made it up to North Sea to walk through the marina where we saw all the fishing boats and nets – reminded me a lot of Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia.
The tide was way out so we took off our shoes and went barefoot out into the sea about 1 km and collected crabs, mussels, and other kinds of shells of course seagulls were there too!
It was sunny but very windy – it would be the best place for kite flying. Sheep were everywhere along the dyke so they didn't have to worry about mowing the grass – it was quite a sight! By this time of night we were starving and decided to find a local fish shack to taste the fruit of the sea. We decided upon fresh baby shrimp in a bun – delicious!
We then drove into the village of Werdum and visited with uncle Jonny. He lives in a beautiful village with chalet style homes and flower boxes. It used to be a farming community but has since changed into a resort spa town that attracts people with spa services and wellness centres. His home is an incredible collection of teddy bears and other interesting pieces. The girls were totally enthralled and in explorer mode. His birds of course were their first stop!
In 1999, uncle Jonny was voted citizen of the year because he has helped so many people in the village – the title is quite an honour. At 81, he needs some help and didn't want to go into a home, luckily a very kind neighbour – Annelisa takes care of him so that he can remain independent in his home. I've been very impressed by the people we've met and how they take care of each other. It's always helpful to remember that we need to help and take care of each other – either family or neighbour!
Uncle Jonny graciously paid for our stay at the village hotel – a chalet style picturesque B and B.
Oma and the girls slept in one room together while Oliver and I had one to ourselves. We had to call Zoe princess of Dusseldorf because she claimed the sheets are too scratchy for her to sleep on, even with long sleeve pyjamas with pants – similar to the story of the Princess and the Pea. Luckily she fit on the couch. Everyone had a good night's sleep and jet lag has now disappeared!
Remarks – it was awesome finding the crabs and jellyfish in the North Sea – because it was like being an explorer
Mik loved the shrimp in the bun – it was delicious1
We loved uncle Jonny because his birds were so loud. We also liked the bears and beaver collections because he had so many to look at and the beaver reminded me of Canada and the beaver at Mulmar when we went with our school trip
Time to pack up and check out at 12:00 – Ollie went to get our rental car – a Renault station wagon – fantastic car with lots of trunk space for our luggage; we can even flip up the trunk and there are 2 extra seats that can be used. It's been a while, but Ollie quickly picked up driving a standard transmission again as we have had 2 automatic cars since the girls were born.
Before leaving Dussoldorf, we went to visit Oliver's oma's grave – it's so very kind of tante Christiane to take care of it – fresh flowers and candles each week. It was the first time Oliver visited his Oma's grave since she was still with him 20 years ago during his last visit.
We went to visit uncle Soto and Tante Gisela in Essen, but they weren't home so we left our Canadian greetings through the mail slot and in the garage.
Our next part of the journey was to the North Sea to visit Oliver's uncle Jonny. Ollie loved driving on the autobhan but wished he was in his dream Porsche car.He drove an average of 135km/hr and we made it up to North Sea to walk through the marina where we saw all the fishing boats and nets – reminded me a lot of Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia.
The tide was way out so we took off our shoes and went barefoot out into the sea about 1 km and collected crabs, mussels, and other kinds of shells of course seagulls were there too!
It was sunny but very windy – it would be the best place for kite flying. Sheep were everywhere along the dyke so they didn't have to worry about mowing the grass – it was quite a sight! By this time of night we were starving and decided to find a local fish shack to taste the fruit of the sea. We decided upon fresh baby shrimp in a bun – delicious!
We then drove into the village of Werdum and visited with uncle Jonny. He lives in a beautiful village with chalet style homes and flower boxes. It used to be a farming community but has since changed into a resort spa town that attracts people with spa services and wellness centres. His home is an incredible collection of teddy bears and other interesting pieces. The girls were totally enthralled and in explorer mode. His birds of course were their first stop!
In 1999, uncle Jonny was voted citizen of the year because he has helped so many people in the village – the title is quite an honour. At 81, he needs some help and didn't want to go into a home, luckily a very kind neighbour – Annelisa takes care of him so that he can remain independent in his home. I've been very impressed by the people we've met and how they take care of each other. It's always helpful to remember that we need to help and take care of each other – either family or neighbour!
Uncle Jonny graciously paid for our stay at the village hotel – a chalet style picturesque B and B.
Oma and the girls slept in one room together while Oliver and I had one to ourselves. We had to call Zoe princess of Dusseldorf because she claimed the sheets are too scratchy for her to sleep on, even with long sleeve pyjamas with pants – similar to the story of the Princess and the Pea. Luckily she fit on the couch. Everyone had a good night's sleep and jet lag has now disappeared!
Remarks – it was awesome finding the crabs and jellyfish in the North Sea – because it was like being an explorer
Mik loved the shrimp in the bun – it was delicious1
We loved uncle Jonny because his birds were so loud. We also liked the bears and beaver collections because he had so many to look at and the beaver reminded me of Canada and the beaver at Mulmar when we went with our school trip
Koln, Germany
Tuesday July 27th
Happy 9th birthday Mikhaila! Today we went for a day trip to Koln and had a wonderful time. Of course our first and major stop was the Dom Cathedral. There was an English tour at 10:30 and we truly enjoyed it. Oliver and I have both been there before, but in such a beautiful building, one always learns something new. The girls were awed by the size and beauty of the place. They loved the mosaics and of course the relics of the Three Wisemen were fascinating to learn about. We wanted to climb to the top of the tower – over 500 steps up! Zoe led the way and we made it without incident despite the worn and aged stone stairway. The view from the top was breathtaking and well worth the climb. We all agreed that the climb up was actually easier and more fun, than the one going down!
Afterwards we searched in vain for a charm of the Dom for the girls' charm bracelets. Instead we decided to start a Pin collection. Tante Christiane and Uncle Heinz had already given us all cartwheel pins to represent Dusseldorf, so once we purchased pins for the Dom, a new collection was started!
Of course the girls were hungry so we quickly found the bakery that is now a favourite – Le Crobag where they can buy “moebschen” - soft raisin buns that hit the spot. It's very hard to be gluten intolerant in a country that incorporates bread and fried meats with everything. Not to worry, the hotel includes a large breakfast buffet so while the girls and Oliver feast on the carbs and meat, I'm happy with cucumber and tomato salads.
After lunch and our big climb, we decided to try something different so we travelled across the Rhine by a cable car. It's like being on the Alpine Ride at Centre island or the Ex, except the ride goes over the river and took us to a huge park where the girls spent the better part of the afternoon playing in this huge playground.
Remarks – It was Fun to climb the stairs because it was a lot of hard work – but the view was worth it
We also bought some eau de cologne which was first made here in the 1700's by an Italian chemist. It was basically some scented water to hide the stench of the aristocrats who didn't take baths for a year. We thought it might come in handy during our trip and it's a great souvenir!
Oliver – I thought the cable cars were neat, the fountain of cologne and the tour of Dom were interesting
In the evening we celebrated Mik's birthday with a yummy homemade chocolate cake that Tante Christiane made along with a fabulous dinner of salads and chicken. Everything was absolutely delicious. It always makes me realize how we Canadians need to focus upon our local fruits and veggies in order to get the best tasting food. Local produce is fresher and tastier!
It was sad to leave our wonderful aunt and uncles in Dusseldorf – they gave the girls fantastic t-shirts that said it all, Dusseldorf Princesses. It was very special to spend time with the relatives here – it was a big part of Oliver's childhood and of course, Oma's brothers and sister-in-law. Nothing is better than family.
Mikhaila: Mommy – don't forget they gave us German gummi bears!
We love them so much because they were so nice to us and made sure we had lots of fun.
Dusseldorf, Germany
Monday July 26thToday we toured Dusseldorf on a “Hop on, hop off” bus tour- -it was pouring rain for most of the day, so it was good to be on the bus, but we were prepared with rain ponchos and umbrellas nonetheless.
We saw the old town (Altstadt), King's street (Koenig's Allee) with the canals and fancy shops, market area, the River Rhine etc...
We went for a lovely walk in the old town and saw the statues of the cartwheeling children which is the symbol of Dusseldorf. Kids are supposed to do cartwheels and then ask for a penny bitte. In the afternoon, the rain let up and we were able to cruise along the Rhine and see the city from a different perspective. The architecture is beautiful and reminded me a lot of Ottawa – big city options, but in a cozy city atmosphere.
In the evening, we met Oma's other brother – Uncle Peter and his son Peter Jr. Oliver last met his uncle in Las Vegas in 1994, so it had been quite awhile. It was his first time meeting his cousin, so that was very nice for all. It was very kind of them to give the girls charm bracelets so we are going to look for other vacation charms along our travels.
After a delicious supper, we walked to the local square where the girls ordered ice cream in German
and then fed the ducks. We are all experiencing some jetlag still....I was up for most of the night, as was Zoe....but it's getting better!
Mik – I enjoyed learning about how the people threw manure at the King while he was visiting on Koenig's allee and it was fun to feed the ducks
Zoe – I liked the story about the artist who created the sculpture of the King. The people didn't like it and suggested lots of changes so the artist covered it up with a cloth for a week. He hired a little boy to bang on a piece of tin all day which suggested changes were being made. At the end of the week, they unveiled the statue again, and everyone thought it was great! The artist decided to sculpt the little boy to give him some credit.
Oliver – I really liked the tour of the city – There are so many different options for the arts and culture
The Arrival - Sunday, July 25th
When we arrived in Dusseldorf, it was 6:00 in the morning German time, while midnight for us Tante Christiane picked us up and we went back to their place for a sleep. The weather was cool and rainy...perfect for touring!
The hotel at Park Inn was lovely – we had a family suite that was spacious and looked like Ikea. The pool and fitness centre were under renovation for the week, so we were not available for our use, and there were no other pools in the city - -we were glad it was not too hot!
We returned for dinner at Tante Christiane and Uncle Heinz's apartment. His paintings and artwork are everywhere and we all quickly picked out our favourites. It's unfortunate that Uncle Heinz's lungs are causing him so much discomfort – nevertheless, he was a superb host and lots of fun to be around. The girls think he's great! Luckily tante Christane is a super woman and is able to take care of everyone and everything. She helped us with getting around town, preparing meals,planning our trip etc...and she works full time!
It was also wonderful to have Oma with us as she was able to share her childhood experiences and places with us all and made this part of our trip extra special.
Mik – The apartment looked cool because of all the paintings – I liked the painting of the clouds because when I looked at it hard, it looked like it was moving
They took really good care of us and made yummy dinner for us.
Zoe – The bed was really comfy and pillows were really big and I was really tired!
Oliver – I liked catching up with my aunt and uncle, drinking tea, and chatting
Take-off!
This blog will outline our adventures while in Germany and Greece from July 24th to August 15th.
Our first adventure happened at the Toronto airport. We checked in with 2 suitcases because we wanted to travel light, but were told that it would cost us an extra $350 because we were over the weight limit. We discovered that we were allowed to bring up to 6 suitcases, but that each case had to be under the weight limit. Luckily we had packed an empty bag within our suitcases for souvenirs, so we quickly pulled it out and repacked our bags to be in under the limit. There was no way we were going to pay that kind of money at the beginning of our trip!
Overall, the flight was a good one and uneventful. Oliver felt like he was a pretzel in economy but was a good sport about it all. He definitely prefers flying first class!
The girls loved being able to have their own media player and selected movies from Alice in Wonderland to How to Train your Dragon. We all tried to sleep, but with the noise and upcoming excitement, none of us got a wink!
Remarks
Oliver
Customs went well – very smooth overall – “Up in the Air” and all of his own travelling experiences certainly helped us get through quickly and efficiently (Never get behind a family at airport security...)
Mik
I liked watching the movie, How to Train your Dragon, because it's an exciting movie
The flight was fun because we got to eat and sleep on the plane.
Zoe
I liked watching tv because it had Alice in Wonderland – because it was like a dream! I also liked the food on the plane, except the spinach in my noodles.
Our first adventure happened at the Toronto airport. We checked in with 2 suitcases because we wanted to travel light, but were told that it would cost us an extra $350 because we were over the weight limit. We discovered that we were allowed to bring up to 6 suitcases, but that each case had to be under the weight limit. Luckily we had packed an empty bag within our suitcases for souvenirs, so we quickly pulled it out and repacked our bags to be in under the limit. There was no way we were going to pay that kind of money at the beginning of our trip!
Overall, the flight was a good one and uneventful. Oliver felt like he was a pretzel in economy but was a good sport about it all. He definitely prefers flying first class!
The girls loved being able to have their own media player and selected movies from Alice in Wonderland to How to Train your Dragon. We all tried to sleep, but with the noise and upcoming excitement, none of us got a wink!
Remarks
Oliver
Customs went well – very smooth overall – “Up in the Air” and all of his own travelling experiences certainly helped us get through quickly and efficiently (Never get behind a family at airport security...)
Mik
I liked watching the movie, How to Train your Dragon, because it's an exciting movie
The flight was fun because we got to eat and sleep on the plane.
Zoe
I liked watching tv because it had Alice in Wonderland – because it was like a dream! I also liked the food on the plane, except the spinach in my noodles.
Friday, July 23, 2010
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