Paris recapped...

The Kyriad Hotel near Disneyland had the poorest Internet connection ever in the world of Internet connections, hence no blog.  But when you’re 35,000ft up in the air with nothing good to watch on the screen it gives one time to recap on the past few days.

This blog will cover a few things that we thought those of you who have been following us on our journey might want to know or find interesting.

Like all my other posts, I’ve never been back to re-read or re-work any of them, so apologies in advance for the grammatical errors (lol).

TRAINS

Trains are an amazing thing! They get you from A to B in a jiffy and you don’t have to wait at traffic lights or get caught in peak traffic.

Like Germany, Paris also has a metro system that is widely used by the multitudes that live in Paris.  The metro lines go both deep under the city or high above the roads.  With only 5mins between each train, it’s almost impossible to be late for anything.

As soon as a train pulls up you have between 10-20 seconds before the doors close and the train takes off again.

It is so efficient and one would wonder why you would need a car when living in the city with a system like this.

Unlike Germany, the Paris metro isn’t as clean or well kept as one would like, but nonetheless it is an economical way of getting to see the city.  It’s also a great way to meet the locals and find out the do’s and don’ts of life in Paris.

Now, just like on the movies, the first metro we caught in Paris had a busker onboard playing his guitar.  It set such a great tone in the carriage, the commuters were smiling sitting back enjoying the music he was playing on his guitar; after which he would walk through the carriage with his cup saying “merci, merci” obviously waiting for donations. 

The train we caught to the outskirts of Paris had an accordion player who was also very good and did the same thing as the guitarist.  These trains however travel at much higher speeds are multi-leveled and the stops are further apart,

The train would pull into the next station and the busker would hope off and either wait for the next train or simply just jump carriages.

But in terms of travel within not only the city but also the greater Europe I would give the train system 9/10 Jaffas.

BUSES

The Kyriad Hotel provided a daily shuttle that ran from the Hotel to Disneyland from 6:30am – 11:45pm with buses running 25mins part from 6:30am-8:30am and 10mins thereafter.

This was such an interesting experience; catching the shuttle for a 10min ride.  These buses are no doubt all around the world.  To look at they look like two buses that have been joined together with an accordion.

In New Zeland there are fairly strict traffic laws about how many passengers you can have on a bus, however the same can not be said for Paris.  It reminds me of the trains in India where you see people hanging out the doors.  If ever there was a time to use the phrase squashed in like sardines that was it. 

As soon as the doors open you have to rush into the bus to get a spot and then hold on for dear life.

Although not the best way to travel with a 3 year old and a pram, the experience of it was (not sure if amazing is the right word) an experience nonetheless.

I can not comment on the bus system within the city, but the shuttles from hotel to Disneyland I’d give 6/10 Jaffas because it was a free service.

DISNEYLAND

The most magical place on Earth for both young and old, I mean I enjoyed it and so did Ang hehehe oh and Miss 3.

We only squeezed in 2 days because there were still a few things we wanted to do in Paris before we departed, but we could of easily stayed another 2 days because there is sooooooo much to see and do. 

EuroDisney has 3 different areas.  There is Disneyland Park where the castle and most of the rides and different lands, such as Fantasy Land, Adventureland etc… There is Walt Disney Studios which has more older children, adult rides (rollers coasters and the likes) and then there is Disney Village which is more a eating place with shops scattered through the place.

Disneyland is definitely a place we will need to return, because Fantasyland was the only land we got to see.  After Hong Kong Disney where we spent 2 WHOLE days at and only just managed to get through the different lands (Hong Kong being the smaller of the Disneylands)  EuroDisney definitely needed more time (Shawn, glad you are having 4 days there, not even sure that will cover it.  Make sure you get and autograph book for the kids so they can get the characters autographs)

For me though EuroDisney definitely gets 10/10 Jaffas.

HOTELS

I’d been told by many who have traveled to Europe that their apartments and things are smaller than what we’re used to.  I must say though as a visitor here, the size of the hotel rooms are small but they served our purpose well.  They are very well serviced, clean and the custodians are very hospitable.

The Kyriad (although had a rubbish internet connection) was very typical of a French cottage style, out in the country overlooking green acres and other villas in the area was such a nice hotel.

The breakfast area however reminded me of being on camp with school kids.

For those of you who have been to Ikea for breakfast or lunch will know what I mean.  The tables were bare.  You had to collect a tray, your own cutlery and crockery and help yourself to the Buffet breakfast and just like camp, you wake up to a cool crispy morning and walk from the dorms, in this case hotel rooms to the restaurant.  I actually found the cool crisp mornings rather refreshing, apart from the first day where it drizzled a bit.

All things aside the two hotels we used in Paris I’d give a 7/10 Jaffas – Full marks if the internet was good hehehe.

POVERTY

This can be said in any country and although many don’t like to talk about it, the fact remains that it is there.  Just like Rome, Paris had peddlers and beggars everywhere.  The extremes we saw ranged from people handing out cards on the train saying they’re either refugees or a father with no job asking for donations, to looking across from our hotel room to the metro station and seeing a man who had accumulated blankets and bags and just stuff and set himself up in the corner where he would sleep, or sit during the day with a cup waiting for donations.

We also saw what looked like drug deals happening on the street (being 2 stories up, pedestrians tend not to look up when they’re walking), I witnessed 2 girls and a guy walk down the side street, a man hand them a small package and them departing with some money before heading on their merry way. You also saw a number of homeless intoxicated people at almost every train station and street corner, outside tourist attractions like the Eiffel tour, the Louvre and Notre Dame.

I think the worst was when we were headed to the airport and along the motorway what looked like people just dumping their rubbish over the back fence were shacks made out of pallets, umbrellas, tarpaulins and anything and everything they can find just to put a shelter over their heads.  That was such a big eye opener.  You read about it, you hear about it but to actually see it, to be in that part of the neighbourhood, it’s actually not even about being in the neighbourhood because it’s out in the open was such a sad thing to see and even though we had a fantastic time in Paris, seeing that on the way out almost left a damper on the trip.

This being said, I would definitely visit Paris again and stay at the same hotel.

WHERE’S WALLY?

Local time is 10:38pm, we have about 1 hour until we land at Queen Alia Airport where we have booked yet another hotel for a few hours sleep so we’re refreshed for our 9am flight to Dubai which should take 3 hours, then on home to Al Ain.

Another memorable trip almost near an end!  Time to plan our next one!

Last up-date today/ night I’m guessing will be from the Golden Tulip Hotel, Amman, Jordan.

We've just arrived and checked into our hotel in Jordan, local time is 1:30am, we're just skyping with dad before we have a slip and up for breakfast at 6am before we catch our transit shuttle back to the airport.

But for now, it's ma'asalama from Amman, Jordan

Paris, this city of love...

Well, such an exciting day out today.  Too many sites to see and take in and to try and capture it in a blog will not do anything justice.

So tonights blog is going to be merely a brief outline of what we experienced today.  We caught the metro to the Eiffel Tower and then caught a hop on hop off bus.

The Eiffel Tower - Amazing

Musée du Louvre - Mind blowing.  The sheer size of the place is absolutely indescribable, not to mention the pieces it houses.  That in itself needed a WHOLE day.  We saw pieces we've only heard about in song, seen on t.v. or in books.

My highlight of this place was the Monna Lisa, 2nd would of been the Ancient Egypt exhibition.  Just amazing.

Then we caught the hop on, hop off bus to see what the rest of Paris had to offer,  The Pantheon, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris (something we will take a look through in a couple of days) Avenue des Champs-Élysées (which is 73m wide and 1880m long and houses some of the big names in such things as perfumes and fashion) and then the Arc de triomphe del l'Étoile which has at least 15 entrances and exits from it.  

We also passed places such as the square where Marie Antoinette was decapitated and the hotel where HRH Princess Dianna and Dodi al Fayad shared their final meal.

I also learnt that Paris receives 26, 000, 000 tourists a year.  You could of fooled me you know because, the Champs-Élysées looked like it had 26,000,000 alone walking down either side.

Then there must have been another 26,000,000 near the Eiffel tower and checking out the Christmas Markets across the road.

All in all, travel within Paris is easy, just use the metro.  Hop on, hop off bus - Highly recommended.  This trip has reminded me of our trip to Belgium and Rome this year.  Belgium and Germany were very similar.  Country side, clean, would even consider living there.  Paris and Rome are also similar, high tourist areas, so many beggars and hagglers and not as clean as the other two, but both definitely worth putting on your bucket list.

Well that's me for the night.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be spent at Disneyland before we return to the city for our final night in Paris and then on to the sandpit.

But for now it's bonne nuit from Paris.

Auf Wiedersehn München, Bonjour Paris...

Well, a great day out yesterday at the museum. They had such a fantastic interactive area for children aged 3-8. Meriana had the time of her life. The museum showed the advances in German technology through the times. Their machinery, aircrafts and ships had been opened to show how the object is made-up. I found the cross cut of the plane very interesting because it showed the plane in its entirety. From the oxygen masks down the the wheels and how they operate.

Another visit to the Christmas markets for more shopping and of course hot chocolate, but what we also discovered was the most freshest fish shuppin (fish n chips) ever.

Had a great time train hopping (something Auckland would benefit a lot from, the rail system not the train hopping)I all over the city.
Then back to the hotel to our warm bed and a good nights sleep.

An early rise this morning, (by choice). We had to be at the train station by 9:40 for our Stuttgart bound train.
The time at the moment is 11:15am local time. We're sitting here our in our train cabin (which seats six) looking at the passing snow covered fields and ice covered lakes. A scenery I've only experienced in a movie.
The train reminds me of the Hogwarts Express and the cabins are just like where Harry, Hermione and Ron would be sitting, I'm just waiting for the lolly cart to come by now hehehe.

Meriana has no interest whatsoever in the scenery outside, rather she prefers to be watching Shrek. A train ride through the snow covered German countryside or Shrek? Hmmmm preferences of a 3 year old!

We've been joined by a mother /son duo. The mother is in her window seat knitting what looks like booties and the son is on his computer studying.
I'm writing the blog and Meriana is sitting next to me watching...wait a minute she must of had enough of Shrek, because now she's moved on to Ice Age.

The train is silent, you can't even notice it depart the train station. The ride is so smooth, the seats are comfortable and spacious, I could almost go to sleep.
Angela said it reminds her of a scene from out of Narnia and how the children are all trained off into the countryside during the war, personally i think its like Thomas the Tank Engine, the train guards stand outside the carriage and sound their whistle once all passengers are on board.

Once seated and the train has left the platform the guard comes around to check your tickets.

Thoroughly enjoyed my time amongst your people cousin Gisela, no wonder Uncle Siegfried like Raetihi so much, its cold just like this place lol, certainly would come back to visit again. Thank you München, you've treated us well.

So, to carry on, we pulled into Stuttgart at 11:55, went to get something to eat (because our breakfast was at 6:45am) and headed strait for our train. To look at, it looks like. A double deckin bullet.
Away we go on the second leg of our journey from Germany to Paris. Little did we know' that because we booked first class we got meals with our ticket lol (that'll do pig, that'll do!! - any guesses what movie that is from?)

Now, the train got up to speeds of 250km/h, it was so fast that the pressure built up in your ears, worse than a plane.
We've had 2 stops so far and have just received messages from Etisalat (UAE phone company) that we have arrived in France. Local time now is 2:25pm. Another 2 hours and we'll be in Paris. Meriana is fast asleep which she so didn't want but fell asleep protesting hehehe.

This 2nd stop was in Strasbourg, France where another passenger joined our table in first class. If you ever travel through Europe, do it by train. So much to see, so comfortable, I coulda just sat on this train for a couple of days touring the European country sides.
For those of you who have travelled through Europe will know that to go from country to country you don't go through any borders or get passports stamped. We landed in München, got a stamp at the border and won't get another stamp until we fly out of Paris. Same thing happened in Belgium and Rome. We flew into Brussels, flew from Brussels to Rome and only got a stamp when we left Rome. I guess this is the direction New Zealand and Australia will be headed back to in the near future.

We're passing through the French countryside now and it looks very dismal out, something which has been a little foreign to these eyes since leaving the motherland in August, but a reminder of the bright and sunny Manawatū hehehe. Farmlands have been transformed into marshes, some even turned into rivers, in saying that, it has been great to see greenery all around.

Note, when you make a booking on a train, make sure you get an area with just you and your family so your spouse doesn't keep kicking you under the table to remind your that you're snoring hehehe sorry lady sitting opposite me. Well I got 5 mins sleep lol.

Update on travel speed, we actually went up to 320km/h

Safely arrived in Paris at 4:35pm, caught a taxi to our hotel where we are at the present. Local time is now 7:55pm.

I went and got us some kebabs for dinner, Meriana has had a shower and Ang is skyping home.
Tour of Paris tomorrow, but for now it's bonne nuit from Paris.

München - Day 1

Guten morgen from München,
We were all awake by 5:40am and began the day with a Skype home to NZ sharing our experiences and talking through some of the photos we took yesterday.
Meriana was too busy watching Shrek to talk to Nana and Gwandad.

We headed downstairs to breakfast at around 8am. Now, breakfast in this part of the world consists of your normal cereals, lots of different breads and muffins, pretzels which were delicious and the you array of meat slices, cheeses, and eggs. (Sorry Aunty Ann we forgot to take the camera to breakfast hehehe).

After breakfast, we headed back to our room to brush our toofus and rug up before heading outdoors.
Meriana had on a singlet, a merino long sleeve, a t-shirt, a jersey, a swandri, a pair or tights and some jeans and her boots, a scarf, a hat and the hood on her swani.
Angela had a thermal long sleeve a t shirt and her jacket, thermal pants and jeans, sock and boots, a scarf and ear warmers.
I had a singlet, a merino long sleeve, a t shirt, a swandri, pants, sock, boots, a scarf, a hat, and ear warmers (lucky we bought those Janzen).

As soon as we stepped foot outside the hotel door you could feel the cold on your face.
Off we toddle (more like waddle with all these layers on hehehe) to the train station, get our pass for the underground train and head into Munich City Centre.
The city has 3 major public transport systems. Buses, subways (which a like trams on the road) and underground trains which all run every 5 mins.
The trip took us about 5 mins and once we got to town centre we were surrounded by market stalls which were still closed.
We took a walk around the town and came across some amazing animated Christmas scenes which Meriana would of stayed at all day if we didn't drag her away by the hair in protest hehehe, well not quite that dramatic, but you get my drift. These were located in The Royal Residence Christmas Village, where you can find toy makers making their toys, however we were there before a lot of them were opened.

Continued walking around and stalls started to open. Christmas is certainly alive in München.

We found one little stall which sold the most amazing hot chocolate and the mulled wine was just to die for as well. They gave the drinks to us in these christmas themed cups andd if you returned the cup, you got 3 euros back per cup, but Angela wanted to bring them home hehehe. While we were sipping on our hot chocolate, Meriana spotted the jolly fat man in the red suit (except this one wasn't fat - he looked authentic though).
He gave her a chocolate Santa (like the chocolate Bunny) and posed for some photos.
On we went and found another stall which was making crepes, so of course it would be rude not to buy some hehehe.

We thought we better head back to the hotel and give Meriana a sleep so we can go out a bit later on and see these markets during the night time. I think we will be tripling the layers this time round.
Will update you a little later this evening. Local time is 1:30pm

4:10pm we rugged up in EXTRA layers and braved the chilly winds and headed back into Munich City Centre to the Christkindle Markets.

Now I thought I was going mad when we headed to the underground station because I could swear when I used the escalator the first time it was going down. So I thought I was clever going to the escalator and all of a sudden it was going up. I looked at Ang and said maybe we've come the wrong way, so we go around the corner and thought no, that was the right way. When we went back, the escalator was going down again. Low and behold the escalators go either way. Quite ingenious really. Anyhow, back on the train we go, headed back to the night markets. One thing about these trains is, when you near your stop, you gather by the doors ready to disembark the train. The funny thing is, once the train stops you have to open the door yourself and you have exactly 20 secs to get off or on the underground before it departs again.
You know how on cartoons and movies you see people slide under a closing gate or door and they just make it, even though you think they'll get squashed, that is exactly how some people were with the underground. Talk about breath stoppers lol.

I thought the markets during the day were magic, the night ones are even more magical. Christmas decorations and lights adorn every single shop and lamp posts throughout the town and the air is filled with smells of roasted chestnuts, toasted coconut, mulled wine and hot chocolate, sausages being grilled, gingerbread. All the smells of Christmas.

Walking around the night markets, the streets are filled to the rim with 1000s of shoppers and then all of a sudden you hear carolers singing. Looking around trying to see where the sound is coming from and all you see is onlookers looking upwards.
Now, part of the markets are situated below, I think it's the St Peters Church, a gothic looking building which just portraits greatness, well on the balcony of this prestigious building is the group of carolers singing. Absolutely Christmassy.

We finished the night off with a feed of chips and sausages for Angela n Meriana and steak, chips and a cabbage and bacon salad for myself, and just like the cups, once you finish you return the plate and cutlery and get your deposit back. The place you eat your meal is at the bar learners they have set up around the market. They have these huge sauce bottles hanging at the food stall for you to use. It almost reminds me of milking a cow, except sauce comes out instead of milk. Such a great atmosphere.


Well, now we're back at the hotel, ready to settle in for the night ready for another adventure in Munich tomorrow.

But for now it's bis später from München, Germany.

Flight RJ610 is now boarding.....

Well, an early wake up call this morning (4am), a phone call down to reception to have a taxi by 5am and a luggage trolley.

At precisely 5am we pull away from the hotel to head to the airport. Now, looking on Google Maps, it said time to airport was 15min. We pull into Terminal 1 and notice the time said 5:04am WTH we could of slept for another hour at least, however the early arrival meant we could take our time, which we did.

Now, we've done a lot of check ins at airports since living in the UAE and this check in had to be one of the fastest and smoothest ones ever.
After clearing customs first port of call was Costas Coffee Shop.
We had about an 1hr 30min to wait until we were able to board, so we took our time. Had a coffee, bacon and egg muffin (Turkey bacon of course lol). I went for a look at the shops to get a couple of things, after which it was almost ready to board.

"Flight RJ610 is now boarding at gate C8" off we go!

The time at the moment is 8:36am and we're nearly over Doha, Qatar. Flight time is 3hr 10min to Amman, Jordan where we will swap planes, but for now I have to go because breakfast is being served hehehe

Up date after Jordan!

Ok well this update is before Jordan but I had to say as we started our descent into Jordan, there were these perfect circles throughout the desert. Obviously there is no Internet 30,000ft up so as soon as we get a connection I'm gonna google them to see what they are. That is all.

Ok so the time is 11:35am(UAE time). We just landed in Jordan and what a debacle! We had to get our boarding passes from the transfer counter for the next leg of our flight and you could imagine with a 45min layover and hundreds of passengers everywhere the queues were miles long. Like most gulf states, you disembark the plane and board a bus to take you to the terminal. So that in itself took some time off the 45min layover. As we enter the terminal an announcement comes over for all passengers to Munich to make their way to gate 7. Finally fast tracked through transfers, with final announcements coming over the intercom, we make it to gate 7 with our boarding passes, thinking we're late only to be told to sit and wait hehehe.
Oh we'll it gave me time to write this part of the blog.

12:03pm. We're on the bus heading to the plane. Temperature outside is 5 degrees.

On the plane now...
Flight time from Jordan to Munich, 4hr 30min. Correction, we've just been told by the captain flight time is 4 hours probably less now with a half empty plane.
So many empty seats on this flight, it's almost a row to yourself.
I'm sure there will be some sleeping had on this flight hehehe.
Oops gotta go now, they're serving lunch hehehe (it's 1pm UAE time by the way)

Great flight, couldn't get over the amount of room on the plane, there were at least 10 rows of 3 empty, landed in Müchen (Munich) at 1:20pm local time which would've been 4:20pm UAE and 1:20am NZ time.
We were met at the airport by our taxi driver holding my name, felt weird hehehe. He was such a lovely man, told us all the must do's while we're here, how to catch the subway, trams and buses and which routes to take before finally arriving at our hotel. Temperature at the moment is 3 degrees (very crisp outside).

Now, people warned us that places in Europe are really small and they weren't kidding, albeit a nice quaint little hotel (still better than Liwa) lol.
The lift can only fit four people there was only enough room for Meriana, myself and our 2 big suitcases and 1 small one. Ang had to wait down stairs for the lift to bring her and the pram up.
We arrived at the hotel at around 2:30pm, easy check in, dumped our bags, freshened up and then ventured off to find a supermarket. Got a few supplies and on exiting the supermarket spotted a bakery in the corner where we bought a hot drink, Meriana wanted a pretzel and Ang wanted some sort of pastry thing (both of which were left on the counter, which we realised when we got back to the hotel room lol)
Going up to the sister hotel down the road in 30 min for dinner because this one only serves breakfast. Local time at the moment is 4:30pm.

OMG - we just had the most delish Thai meal tonight and the most disappointing thing is neither of us took a phone to take pictures or the camera lol.  I had Garlic Pork, Angela had Sweet and Sour Pork and Meriana had chicken noodles and all 3 dishes were just devine.  Local time now is 6:50pm, we're all in bed ready to turn the lights out, but not before the blog is finished of course.

Photos are on Facebook!!

A fun filled day of Christmas Markets in Town Centre tomorrow me thinks,
but for now it's Gute Nacht from Müchen, Germany.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Well whānau, we've checked into our hotel in Dubai (flash I might add). Nothing like the Liwa Hotel. This one has more class and style.

Our good friend Andrew, dropped us at the hotel at around 6:30ish.

Meriana is now having a bath, while we wait for room service because we haven't eaten since our cup of tea and "homemade baking" at The Taggs hehehe.
Early rise tomorrow morning, need to be at the airport by 5am. Flight to Munich, Germany via Jordan is around 8 hours flight time and leaves Dubai at 8am.
Very daunting at the same time exciting as this is the first trip away as a family by ourselves.

One moment please, I hear the door bell........ Sorry whānau kai has arrived so it's time to say Pō māriē.
Next blog will be from Germany.

Sing along now "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go..."

Arrivederci Roma...

Well, today was our last day in Rome.  It was a slow start to the day for most of us.  Ang got up early (I know, shock horror hehehe) and headed down to breakfast.  She and Trace were doing the Vatican tour again as I mentioned in yesterday’s post.  The Taggs and I had organised to meet for breakfast at 8am, so Meriana and I make our way downstairs for breakfast and find Ian and Jazz waiting.  Was only the dad’s and the kids this morning, Devika was having a wee lie in (green with envy at this stage hehehe).

So off we went for breakfast, after which we decided to take the kids for a walk.  We walked for a good hour around the streets of San Pietro and stumbled across a market.  Fresh fruit and veges, meats stalls, cheese stalls and clothes and shoes.  Bought Meriana a pair of Italian made shoes and then headed back to the hotel.

It was about 9:40 by the time we got back to the hotel so I spent the next hour or so packing our luggage.  After the luggage was all packed, Meriana and I went for another walk around the neighbourhood.  My goal of course was to find an I LOVE ROMA sticker.  I searched all the shops in the area, but to no avail.  So a bought a couple of other stickers instead.

We got back to the hotel where Devika and Jazz were at reception checking out and Ian was at our room waiting for us.  I took the luggage cart upstairs and loaded it up to check out.  Just as we got the cart out into the hallway, Ang arrived back at the hotel, so we got ourselves sorted, checked out and, yip, you guessed it, it was time for lunch hehehe.

We made our way to the hop on, hop off bus and stopped off at one of the little pizza/ pasta places on the way.  After lunch we made our way to St Peter’s Square where we caught our bus.  We had decided to stay on the bus until it got back to our starting point.  It was such a relaxing ride and we got to see a lot of the city that way.  Once we made it back to our starting point we decided to get off at the Spanish Steps.

We got to the Spanish Steps and OMG there were a million people there, I’m sure of it.  The funny thing was it didn’t look that impressive and none of us knew why it was a special feature.  The only thing was, we were among a film crew who was shooting a movie.

So we took a couple of photos and from here we said goodbye to Trace as she had another 5 days left in Rome.  We then SQUASHED into a SMALL taxi (or was it only small because we ate so much over the last week?) and made our way back to the hotel to wait for our taxi to the airport. 

We got back to our hotel at 5:15 and the taxi was due at 6pm.  The kids had a little run around and were playing games with one another in the lobby, Ian was doing his assignment and the rest of us were just veging on the couches.

The taxi arrived and took us to the airport.  We weren’t expecting the trip to the airport to be so short, because our flight wasn’t due to leave until 11:40 (according to our e-ticket).  So of course we’re at the airport at 6:30, what else do we do?  Well go and have something to eat of course hehehe, the golden arches it was.  The thing I’ve noticed about the airports in both parts of Europe we’ve been in is that while you’re eating you are on watching the planes departing, seems quite close too.

It was about 7:30ish by the time we finished eating so we thought we’d find the Qatar airways check in counter to see what time we were able to check in.  Lucky we went early, because it turned out, that the time on our e-ticket had us leaving an hour later than the actual departure time.  So we checked our luggage in  and made our way through customs and onto the other side.  We had enough time for a drink and the kids had a little play (and I mean little, because the play area was over taken by big kids.  We made our way to the departure gate (which we had to catch a train to) and had about a 20 min wait.  Boarded the plane and as the saying goes, the rest is history.

When we left Dubai, we left in a light shower, we had great weather throughout the 8 days we were away and when we left Rome for our journey back to the UAE, we left in a light shower.  What a great way to start and end our holidays.

It has been awesome to share this experience with Ian, Devika, Jazzmyn, Geeta and Tracey.  We’ve had some fantastic, memorable moments which we will never forget. 

Like all good things they must come to an end and so ends our journey of a thousand miles.

We’ve just arrived home, a load of washing is in the machine, Meriana is having a bath, Ang is on Skype back to NZ and I am posting the post which was due last night.

This may have inspired me to keep up a blog of our time here in the UAE.

Our next trip is with the Taggs and the Rouvis which will be to Hong Kong before heading back to the land of the long white cloud.

This post has been kept photoless as we've only took photos of the bus trip, which are also included in the Day 7 album.

There may be a highlights and filling in the gaps post after this one, Insha Allah, but for now its Asalam wa alykum from the Middle East, I hope you’ve enjoyed taking the journey with us, it’s been a pleasure sharing these special moments with you all.

Palm Sunday...

(This prayer is designed to be said within the family before a Crucifix on Palm Sunday and during Holy Week.)

Mother or a child:
(Taken from the words of Pope Pius XII On the Sacred Liturgy. )
Dearly beloved, in Holy Week, when the most bitter sufferings of Jesus Christ are put before us by the liturgy, the Church invites us to come to Calvary and follow in the blood-stained footsteps of the Divine Redeemer, to carry the Cross willingly with Him, to reproduce in our hearts His spirit of expiation and atonement, and to die together with Him.
Father: We ought to glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ
Family: in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection.
Father: Let us pray.
All-powerful, eternal God, You have chosen to give mankind a model of humility; our Savior took on our flesh, and subjected Himself to the Cross. Grant us the grace to preserve faithfully the lessons He has given us in his Passion and to have a share in His resurrection. This we ask of You through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.
Family: Amen.
Favour this dwelling, Lord, with Your presence. Far from it repulse all the wiles of Satan. Your holy angels, let them live here, to keep us in peace. And may your blessing remain always upon us. This we ask of You through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.
Father: Let us bless the Lord.
Family: Thanks be to God.
Father: May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.
Family: Amen.

Today, is known in the christian world as Palm Sunday.

On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection. For many Christian churches, Palm Sunday, often referred to as "Passion Sunday," marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday.

The Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him by waving palm branches and covering his path with palm branches. Immediately following this great time of celebration in the ministry of Jesus, he begins his journey to the cross.

We were greeted this morning by the chiming of the bells of the Vatican which, if you've been following the blog will know is located about 5 mins from our hotel.  It is quite an amazing sound to hear on a quiet morning.  We made our way to breakfast as we were going at a leisurely pace today, for the tours we had booked were all concluded.

Our friend Tracey, arrived in Rome last night so we were also trying to organise a meeting point for us all during breakfast. In the end it was decided Trace would make her way to our hotel and we would all leave from there.

Tracey in Rome

After breakfast and before Trace arrived, we went for a walk to the information post (which are located on almost every corner) to purchase tickets for the hop on, hop off bus, a double decker opened top bus which travels through the center of Rome stopping at all the historical places.  The pass we bought allowed us to hop on and hop off at any point and lasts for 2 days.

On our way to purchase the tickets, I noticed people carrying olive branches and palm branches, of  course none of us knew what the significance of these were until we got back to our hotel at the end of the day, hence why I started the blog with a bit of info about Palm Sunday.

So we got back to our hotel after getting the tickets to await Tracey's arrival, she rang us from reception where we all went downstairs, almost had a full on pōwhiri before we headed out the door for our bus tour.

We had to catch the bus outside San Pietro or St Peters Square and to our surprise, as we walk around the corner we see a sea of people listening to the Pope who was leading Palm Sunday Mass. What an experience that was to be in such close proximity to the head of the Catholic Church. 

Pope Benedict leading Palm Sunday Mass

Finally after a few diversions we caught our bus and headed into Central Rome.  We got off at what we thought was our stop as we were wanting the find Fontana di Trevi (the Trevi Fountain, which we found in the end after asking a few people).  Among the detours and getting lost, some of us were starving because at this stage it was almost 1pm in the afternoon.  So after walking for about 20 mins we found, wait for it, you never going to guess McDonalds hehehe (I knew you were waiting for the food part of the story hehehe)

Lunch

After filling our shriveled stomachs (NOT) we attempted to find our way to the Trevi Fountain, after asking a few more people we were finally on the right track. 

Now the route to the Trevi fountain was absolutely amazing, picturesque in fact.  I thought the neighbourhood we were in had eateries on narrow little streets, but right in Rome were the ones you see on movies.  Little pizza and pasta places down these narrow alley ways no longer than 3 meters wide based at the bottom of at least 7 story buildings, which had window shutters on each set of windows, had a very Mediterranean feel.

Now, we were told by both tour guides we had in previous days that this was not peak season, but you could of fooled me, the little narrow allies were choker with people.

Before we got to the fountain, we stopped off in the little shops which lined both sides of the ally, we also came across an artist who was painting some of the historical  places of Rome.  Of course we bought a piece off him of the Trevi fountain which he signed and wrote a message at the back.

Our latest art purchase - with the artist

Finally we made it to Fontana di Trevi. AMAZING is all I have to say.  Now, legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss the coin over your left shoulder with your back to the fountain. 1 coin you will return to Rome, 2 coins will fall in love and 3 coins you will marry a Roman. If you want to read a bit more about the fountain look here. Fontana di Trevi.

Fontana di Trevi

Yesterday on our tour of the Colosseum, our guide told us that on Sundays they close the streets off around the Colosseum and hold a market,  so we decided to take a trip to the Colosseum.  Much to our disappointment there was no market.  Only souvenir stalls and horse and cart rides oh and not to mention this old, decrepit structure that looked like it was falling apart hehehe.

So we decided to catch the bus back to San Pietro Square and head home for the night.  Of course none of our nights end with us retiring to our hotel rooms, we stopped off at a restaurant along the way and had dinner with Trace.  I even enjoyed a glass of Merlot with my lamb chops.

Lamb chops with artichoke and spinach and a Merlot

This is final night in Rome, which means that I only have 1, maybe even 2 more posts to add to this blog before it comes to an end.

Tomorrow Ang and Trace have decided to do the Vatican tour again and for those of you who know Ang well, that should come as no surprise to you, while the rest if us will go and check out our local neighbourhood and see what other little treasures we can find.

We leave Rome and head back to Dubai tomorrow night at around 11pm, so my last post in Europe will probably be from the airport.

but for now, it's buona notte from Rome, Italy.  I hope you've enjoyed the journey!

Rome wasn't built in a day...

"Veni, vidi, vici" - "I came, I saw, I conquered"

Julius Ceaser - 100-44BC

Photo with a modern day Roman soldier

The history in the place is absolutely amazing, dating back to before Christ.

Not a lot to write about today other than we had an amazing tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

Again, started our day of as usual with breakfast at the hotel before departing for the Colosseum which is situated about 5-10km away from our hotel.

Our tour guide Marina.  The flower is so we could find her.

We got to our meeting point where we met our tour guide and wired ourselves up with the receivers and ear pieces.  The tour was 3 hours long and just like our tour guide the day before, this one also knew her stuff and clearly loves what she does.

Meriana and Jazz about to enter the Colosseum

We learnt so much about this place that it's impossible to fit it into a blog.  So my advise to you would be to make your own trip here to Rome (hehehe)

Photos are on Facebook and I have also included a couple of YouTube links so that you can see what Ancient Rome used to look like in comparison to the photos of the ruins.

Rome Reborn and The Roman Forum

Like all other trips, food is involved somewhere along the way, but I have to tell you that shops were quite few and far between during the tour (we did have food in the bags), but about half way through the tour we had about a 20 min stop before entering the Roman Forum.  There was a small shop and a library as well as a water fountain and some toilets.  Devika and Ian went off to get some drinks and also bought some pringles for when Jazz woke up (both she and Meriana were asleep in their prams at this stage).  Upon waking Jazzmyn was given her pringles to which she shared with Meriana.  It must of been a long time because even Ang was stealing food from the kids hehehe.  It was so entertaining because, everything we seemed to do on this trip was eat, but when in Rome!!!

just finished lunch

At the conclusion of the tour, of course we went to look for a place to have lunch, found a little quiet shop thingy about a millions miles away (seemed like it after walking around the Colosseum and Roman Forum for hours), had lunch and headed to our hotel for a rest.

The taxi ride to the hotel was certainly an experience.  The taxi driver at one stage thought he was a tram and drove along the trams tracks, then he thought he was a rally driver zipping in and out of the narrow streets of Rome.

 The streets of Rome are exactly how they are on movies, narrow streets with vespers and smart cars lining each side of the road.  The footpaths are covered with little pizzarias and ristorante with tables outside (some covered with those checkered red and white table cloths like in the movies) and covering those are large umbrellas.  Al fresco dining in its true form.  Placed among the eating places are souvenir shops with every little replica of and public figure and historical buildings you can think of.  From Pope John Paul II to the Colosseum, from Gladiators to the Basilica San Pietro and rosary beads of all size and shape from hear to Mexico, even glow in the dark ones.

Like the past few nights we dined al fresco on one of those small narrow streets, but we had a change from the normal pizza and pasta which we've been having the past 2 nights.  They were replaced with Roast veal, burgers and risotto.

After I finished last nights blog, we could hear some action outside our window.  Ang opened the window and we saw a mass of people walking along the street with candles burning and singing.  She managed to capture a bit of it on video.  When our cleaners came today, Ang played them the movie and asked what was happening.  The cleaners spoke very little English so rang down to reception and got them to explain what took place last night.  In the end she found out that it was the Stations of the Cross.  If you google you can find out more info about it.

but for now, it's buona notte from Rome, Italy and tonight I will leave you with this small clip of the   Stations of the Cross pilgrimage.

Sorry the video is sideways, I didn't have the energy to correct it.  I just wanted to share the experience of what we heard outside our window. (I may have corrected it in Youtube, but not too sure so will keep the apology here in case hehehe)