Wednesday, October 05, 2005
DEDICATION
I dedicate giselastravels to the memory of my beautiful mother who through her enchanting stories about such things as the German forests, the sound of the churchbells ringing and the Landshuterhochzeit inspired all of her 5 children to not only travel and see more of this beautiful world we live in, but also to laugh and have fun.
My last Christmas present from mum was the suitcase I travelled with. So in a way I felt she was sharing this very special holiday with me, each and every day. Thank you mum. I miss you so!
with all my love always and forever
Gisela
My last Christmas present from mum was the suitcase I travelled with. So in a way I felt she was sharing this very special holiday with me, each and every day. Thank you mum. I miss you so!
with all my love always and forever
Gisela
Saturday 1 October - HOME SWEET HOME
To my dear readers,
Sadly I must say, this is my last entry today for giselastravels but please check within the next month or so because I hope to post a few photos onto my website for your enjoyment just as soon as I learn how to.
I landed at Sydney airport at 6.00 am and was greeted by 2 very special men in my life, my brother Robert and nephew Adam. Big hugs and kisses and I was bubbling over with happiness to see them again. We chatted all the way home and made the mandatory McDonalds stop for breakfast along the way. I returned for a very hot weekend 32 - 36 degree heatwave.
My home looked better than I remembered. So bright and fresh inside. Both my sister Val and her son had spent the previous day cleaning and tidying up and even Dad had come to tidy up the garden and remove some branches etc. The house was spotless, there were fresh brightly coloured flowers in a vase and food in the fridge etc. How wonderful to have family to welcome you home and to spoil you like this. We spent the day chatting and unpacking my bag full of goodies. We laughed and swapped stories and shared morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. They even left enough food to get me through the next couple of days. So yes, it felt good to be back home safe and sound and to have a whole house all to myself again.
My fat cat Isabella also looked healthy and well and happy to see me. She slept on the pillow beside me and when I placed my hand beside my head at night, she stretched out her front leg and placed her paw on my hand. She loves touching and that's how we both fell asleep. It's nice to have another heartbeat around the house.
So to all my friends, work colleagues and loved ones, thanks for joining me on this magical ride of a lifetime. I've been on buses, trains, planes, boats, taxis, motorbikes etc but all good things must come to an end. Like the saying goes, "the higher the high, the lower the low". So it was inevitable that after all this, I would come crashing down with a big thud and fall flat on my face.
There is nothing like the grocery shopping to bring you back to reality. The car needs repair, my tax return needs doing and lessons need to be prepared for classes on Monday. You all know the story, you are living it too I know and I'm sure your hearts cry out for me. In all seriousness though I miss my late nights sitting up and chatting with my aunt, the homely feeling of her and my uncles house with relatives popping by constantly. It will most likely take me a while to adjust to life on my own again, as much as I enjoy the peacefulness of my home, it does seem empty and quiet after having been surrounded by so many happy, loving and wonderful people for the last 3 months.
However, spring is here and it won't be long before I am back to my chirpy old self again. I returned to my routine 5 kms morning walks around my local park which never fails to put a smile on my face. I've had drinks with the neighbours and lunch with my nephew Paul, Fiona and Robert at Frenchs Forest. I noticed I was the only one who even thought to have a beer with her rump steak at the restaurant. A new habit I am going to have to wean myself off very soon. CHEERS! PROST! to all of you who came along for the ride. Stay tuned for giselastravels part 2. Yes I plan to visit the Caribbean and South America in 2008. In the meantime the photos and memories will have to suffice.
ASTA LA VISTA BABY!
from your traveller with love
Gisela
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sadly I must say, this is my last entry today for giselastravels but please check within the next month or so because I hope to post a few photos onto my website for your enjoyment just as soon as I learn how to.
I landed at Sydney airport at 6.00 am and was greeted by 2 very special men in my life, my brother Robert and nephew Adam. Big hugs and kisses and I was bubbling over with happiness to see them again. We chatted all the way home and made the mandatory McDonalds stop for breakfast along the way. I returned for a very hot weekend 32 - 36 degree heatwave.
My home looked better than I remembered. So bright and fresh inside. Both my sister Val and her son had spent the previous day cleaning and tidying up and even Dad had come to tidy up the garden and remove some branches etc. The house was spotless, there were fresh brightly coloured flowers in a vase and food in the fridge etc. How wonderful to have family to welcome you home and to spoil you like this. We spent the day chatting and unpacking my bag full of goodies. We laughed and swapped stories and shared morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. They even left enough food to get me through the next couple of days. So yes, it felt good to be back home safe and sound and to have a whole house all to myself again.
My fat cat Isabella also looked healthy and well and happy to see me. She slept on the pillow beside me and when I placed my hand beside my head at night, she stretched out her front leg and placed her paw on my hand. She loves touching and that's how we both fell asleep. It's nice to have another heartbeat around the house.
So to all my friends, work colleagues and loved ones, thanks for joining me on this magical ride of a lifetime. I've been on buses, trains, planes, boats, taxis, motorbikes etc but all good things must come to an end. Like the saying goes, "the higher the high, the lower the low". So it was inevitable that after all this, I would come crashing down with a big thud and fall flat on my face.
There is nothing like the grocery shopping to bring you back to reality. The car needs repair, my tax return needs doing and lessons need to be prepared for classes on Monday. You all know the story, you are living it too I know and I'm sure your hearts cry out for me. In all seriousness though I miss my late nights sitting up and chatting with my aunt, the homely feeling of her and my uncles house with relatives popping by constantly. It will most likely take me a while to adjust to life on my own again, as much as I enjoy the peacefulness of my home, it does seem empty and quiet after having been surrounded by so many happy, loving and wonderful people for the last 3 months.
However, spring is here and it won't be long before I am back to my chirpy old self again. I returned to my routine 5 kms morning walks around my local park which never fails to put a smile on my face. I've had drinks with the neighbours and lunch with my nephew Paul, Fiona and Robert at Frenchs Forest. I noticed I was the only one who even thought to have a beer with her rump steak at the restaurant. A new habit I am going to have to wean myself off very soon. CHEERS! PROST! to all of you who came along for the ride. Stay tuned for giselastravels part 2. Yes I plan to visit the Caribbean and South America in 2008. In the meantime the photos and memories will have to suffice.
ASTA LA VISTA BABY!
from your traveller with love
Gisela
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
27-30 September SINGAPORE
Hi again,
I have one word for Singapore and that is HOT. Firstly it was so nice to arrive at Changi airport being greeted by my very own welcome party with Bronwyn and the girls, Madeline and Hannah waiting patiently for me to walk through the gates. Then home we drove where a the wonderful aroma of roast lamb was waiting for us. Bronwyn and Tony live an ex pats life in Singapore where they enjoy a lovely home, swimming pool and garden and it all comes complete with a very helpful, sweet Filippino maid by the name of Myrna. I have to admit that I enjoyed leaving the bed unmade and putting out my washing and having meals laid out in front of me. It didn't take me long to get used to it and asking Myrna for another slice of toast in the morning seemed quite natural. Thank you Myrna for all you did for me.
I bought a 2 day pass for the hop on hop off bus to see as much as possible of Singapore. It was school holidays so Bronwyn could spend days with the girls while I went out and about. Evenings we spent together. One night Bronwyn took me to a wonderful Asian Bar where we could sip cocktails whilst enjoying a panoramic view of Singapore, the city, the bridges and the many oil tankers moored in the harbour. In fact Bronwyn doesn't let the girls swim at the beach because of all the oil. This was followed by a nice girly evening, just the 2 of us at an outdoor restaurant (we covered ourselves with mosquito repellant due to the Dhengi Fever scare). Do you want to know what we ate? Bruschetta, calamari, chicken kebab followed by cheesecake & coffee etc. It was all very yummy, we girls sure do know how to treat ourselves. We really got to chat and catch up on our lives there which was really nice because we have been friends since about the age of 19. I also tasted my very first SINGAPORE SLING. A must for tourists and I have to say, it was really delicious.
The 2nd evening we took the girls along with us because we went to the Zoo for a magical Night Safari. The Singapore Night Safari has won awards for the last 6 years and I can understand why. You drive through rainforest etc in the dark in an open tram type of vehicle (once again we smothered ourselves with mosquito repellant). On the left and right as we drove along with the other tourists we saw hippopotamus, lion, deer, giraffe, elephant etc etc, in their natural habitat (or as close to the real thing as you can get). Fences couldn't be seen. It was absolutely wonderful with just enough light pointed towards the animals so we could see them clearly but they were not disturbed by us at all.
Now my days were spent touring the city by the HIPPO BUS. I met a lovely woman named Karen who was alone for the days while her husband was here on a business trip. So we had a lovely time together seeing Little India, Chinatown, the red light district, the Thieves market and a long a leisurely stroll through the Singapore Botannical Gardens. We did the Heritage Tour, City Tour and a River Cruise all on the same day (all part of our 2 day Hippo Bus ticket which was excellent value by the way for $29 Singapore). The tour director said many people say that Singapore City reminds them of Batman's Gotham City and I have to agree, certain views only of course. There is such a mixture of architecture from old to modern, to spacy looking silver buildings to temples etc. Amazing to have such variety in the one city. The river cruise was gorgeous and I loved being out on the water again in what is called a "bum boat". We went under many bridges and got some interesting city views from the water.
Karen (who is from Queensland) and I had such a great day together that we decided to meet up again for the 10 am Hippo Bus Tour heading for Sentosa Island. So armed with our swimmers and beach towels and suntan lotion, off we went to the beautiful and peaceful Sentosa Island. Amazing to have such a resort and island so close to a city. Palm trees, hanging bridges, a bit like Gilligans Island. We planted ourselves on our own tiny beach we found called Palawan Beach and spent the afternoon there, chatting, swimming and just lazing around. At 2.30 pm the thunder and grey clouds came over so we decided we had better move because everyone warns you about the fierce storms and torrential rains that can suddenly come up in Singapore without much warning. Bronwyn had actually hoped that I would experience one of these tropical storms during my short 3 day stay because they are amazing. However they always fizzled out with only a bit of noise and a few drops of rain, which was really very welcome because of the heat. So Karen and I decided to have a very very late lunch and afternoon tea combined on the island overlooking another nice beach where we would be undercover in case of a downpour. It costs $2 on entry to the island and from then on all bus travel on the island is free. A great idea and no cars are allowed on the island. So we caught the red bus and the blue bus etc. It's not a big island, however not the type of island you would walk around. So another fun day and nice to have met another very nice person to spend the days with. We exchanged phone numbers, funny how with some people you just click with right from the start. We chatted both days like we had known each other for years in the gardens, at the beach, on the boat etc etc. A nice woman and only 1 year older than me too. She was heading off to Thailand for a week with her husband when his business was over in Singapore.
My final day in Singapore was spent with Bronwyn, Madeline and Hannah. We shopped in Chinatown where I bought the girls handbags they picked out themselves. They are both so cute with gorgeous eyes and eyelashes, that all the locals always stop to look at them and tell them how beautiful they are. We had our final lunch together in town at the Coffee Club, in Ngee An City overlooking the main and famous shopping street called Orchard Road. It is filled with exclusive brand name shops like Chanel and Cartier.
Then once again it was time to say goodbye to the children I had just gotten to know over 3 days since Hannah wasn't even born last time I visited the family in Melbourne and Madeline was just a baby. Bronwyn drove me to the airport for my last overnight flight for Sydney. I couldn't believe it, next stop SYDNEY. Could my 3 month holiday really be over. Only 7 1/2 hrs to fly this time and I scored another excellent seat right up the back of the plane for 2 people only. Too excited this time though to get much sleep.
Time for another short tea break, but before I go I want to thank BRONWYN for all the running around she did for me to make my holiday in Singapore as eventful and comfortable as it was. I will write soon. Hi to the girls and Tony.
love Gisela
I have one word for Singapore and that is HOT. Firstly it was so nice to arrive at Changi airport being greeted by my very own welcome party with Bronwyn and the girls, Madeline and Hannah waiting patiently for me to walk through the gates. Then home we drove where a the wonderful aroma of roast lamb was waiting for us. Bronwyn and Tony live an ex pats life in Singapore where they enjoy a lovely home, swimming pool and garden and it all comes complete with a very helpful, sweet Filippino maid by the name of Myrna. I have to admit that I enjoyed leaving the bed unmade and putting out my washing and having meals laid out in front of me. It didn't take me long to get used to it and asking Myrna for another slice of toast in the morning seemed quite natural. Thank you Myrna for all you did for me.
I bought a 2 day pass for the hop on hop off bus to see as much as possible of Singapore. It was school holidays so Bronwyn could spend days with the girls while I went out and about. Evenings we spent together. One night Bronwyn took me to a wonderful Asian Bar where we could sip cocktails whilst enjoying a panoramic view of Singapore, the city, the bridges and the many oil tankers moored in the harbour. In fact Bronwyn doesn't let the girls swim at the beach because of all the oil. This was followed by a nice girly evening, just the 2 of us at an outdoor restaurant (we covered ourselves with mosquito repellant due to the Dhengi Fever scare). Do you want to know what we ate? Bruschetta, calamari, chicken kebab followed by cheesecake & coffee etc. It was all very yummy, we girls sure do know how to treat ourselves. We really got to chat and catch up on our lives there which was really nice because we have been friends since about the age of 19. I also tasted my very first SINGAPORE SLING. A must for tourists and I have to say, it was really delicious.
The 2nd evening we took the girls along with us because we went to the Zoo for a magical Night Safari. The Singapore Night Safari has won awards for the last 6 years and I can understand why. You drive through rainforest etc in the dark in an open tram type of vehicle (once again we smothered ourselves with mosquito repellant). On the left and right as we drove along with the other tourists we saw hippopotamus, lion, deer, giraffe, elephant etc etc, in their natural habitat (or as close to the real thing as you can get). Fences couldn't be seen. It was absolutely wonderful with just enough light pointed towards the animals so we could see them clearly but they were not disturbed by us at all.
Now my days were spent touring the city by the HIPPO BUS. I met a lovely woman named Karen who was alone for the days while her husband was here on a business trip. So we had a lovely time together seeing Little India, Chinatown, the red light district, the Thieves market and a long a leisurely stroll through the Singapore Botannical Gardens. We did the Heritage Tour, City Tour and a River Cruise all on the same day (all part of our 2 day Hippo Bus ticket which was excellent value by the way for $29 Singapore). The tour director said many people say that Singapore City reminds them of Batman's Gotham City and I have to agree, certain views only of course. There is such a mixture of architecture from old to modern, to spacy looking silver buildings to temples etc. Amazing to have such variety in the one city. The river cruise was gorgeous and I loved being out on the water again in what is called a "bum boat". We went under many bridges and got some interesting city views from the water.
Karen (who is from Queensland) and I had such a great day together that we decided to meet up again for the 10 am Hippo Bus Tour heading for Sentosa Island. So armed with our swimmers and beach towels and suntan lotion, off we went to the beautiful and peaceful Sentosa Island. Amazing to have such a resort and island so close to a city. Palm trees, hanging bridges, a bit like Gilligans Island. We planted ourselves on our own tiny beach we found called Palawan Beach and spent the afternoon there, chatting, swimming and just lazing around. At 2.30 pm the thunder and grey clouds came over so we decided we had better move because everyone warns you about the fierce storms and torrential rains that can suddenly come up in Singapore without much warning. Bronwyn had actually hoped that I would experience one of these tropical storms during my short 3 day stay because they are amazing. However they always fizzled out with only a bit of noise and a few drops of rain, which was really very welcome because of the heat. So Karen and I decided to have a very very late lunch and afternoon tea combined on the island overlooking another nice beach where we would be undercover in case of a downpour. It costs $2 on entry to the island and from then on all bus travel on the island is free. A great idea and no cars are allowed on the island. So we caught the red bus and the blue bus etc. It's not a big island, however not the type of island you would walk around. So another fun day and nice to have met another very nice person to spend the days with. We exchanged phone numbers, funny how with some people you just click with right from the start. We chatted both days like we had known each other for years in the gardens, at the beach, on the boat etc etc. A nice woman and only 1 year older than me too. She was heading off to Thailand for a week with her husband when his business was over in Singapore.
My final day in Singapore was spent with Bronwyn, Madeline and Hannah. We shopped in Chinatown where I bought the girls handbags they picked out themselves. They are both so cute with gorgeous eyes and eyelashes, that all the locals always stop to look at them and tell them how beautiful they are. We had our final lunch together in town at the Coffee Club, in Ngee An City overlooking the main and famous shopping street called Orchard Road. It is filled with exclusive brand name shops like Chanel and Cartier.
Then once again it was time to say goodbye to the children I had just gotten to know over 3 days since Hannah wasn't even born last time I visited the family in Melbourne and Madeline was just a baby. Bronwyn drove me to the airport for my last overnight flight for Sydney. I couldn't believe it, next stop SYDNEY. Could my 3 month holiday really be over. Only 7 1/2 hrs to fly this time and I scored another excellent seat right up the back of the plane for 2 people only. Too excited this time though to get much sleep.
Time for another short tea break, but before I go I want to thank BRONWYN for all the running around she did for me to make my holiday in Singapore as eventful and comfortable as it was. I will write soon. Hi to the girls and Tony.
love Gisela
24-26 September FAREWELL WEEKEND IN GERMANY
Hi from downunder
Yes, it is true, I am back in Australia now and found a lovely present waiting on my desk at work, a brand new flat screen computer. So I am taking it for a little test run. Before we get into life back here though, I need to go back a week or two to my final weekend in Landshut.
Saturday 24 September I offered to cook a thankyou lunch for Else, Franz, Enrico and Angelique. Roast beef, baked potatoes with sour cream and chives and parsley, garlic bread and a huge bowl of greek salad. They loved it and it was nice to see Else have a morning off for a change. I enjoyed doing it and it was fun, even the shopping for it the previous day since I hadn't done any grocery shopping for 3 months. Plus to find the ingredients for my roast like Bouquet Garni and other herbs etc was quite an experience in German. So the weekend was filled with farewell phone calls from Nicole and Sepp and Enrico and by last minute visits by Toni and Christa and Erhard. I was really spoiled by all the attention and also with many farewell gifts. Christa brought with her another beautiful home-made cake roll filled with fresh cream and raspberries that she had picked herself. Uncle Toni gave me a silver coin which he had specially ordered, with the new Pope on one side and the Vatican on the other, to remember my holiday in Rome and to bring me luck in life.
Sunday 25 September Franz and Else took me to the Niederbayern (Lower Bavaria) Show. Very much like our Easter Show with many pavillions with business and farmers showing off their products/animals etc. We had lots of fun wandering around and tasting/sampling many cheese/tea/yoghurt varieties. I watched chickens hatch from eggs in the animal nursery and also watched 8 piglets suckling on their mother's nipples. 2 missed out and sat snuggled up in the hay. I love that smell of the animals at the show. Then of course there was a beer tent, we were in Germany after all. So my uncle bought me a HAXEN (leg of pork) complete with crackling and all, which I managed to eat and swallow down with a stein of beer. Somehow we also found room later for afternoon tea, to try out yet another deep-fried sweet (kind of like a doughnut) made from yeast. We were exhausted that afternoon after over 4 hours of walking around but it was very interesting and a fun day. Franz spent most of his time keeping track of where we got to and when he found us he would say to his wife, and the little one is here too with his arm around me. I must admit, I enjoyed being pampered by my aunt and uncle and at times, felt like a little girl again.
The day was not over, that evening Enrico and Angelique took me along to watch their favourite sport of Ice Hockey. They are serious fans of the LA Cannibals who were playing the Dresden Lions. They even gave me a jersey to wear to support the Landshut team. We had to have the right colours on when standing in amongst the crowd. So again, I felt like a teenager barracking for a team, something I haven't done for years and my very first ice hockey game. It was such an exciting and fast game with men on the sidelines playing drums all the way through. Lively music the whole time adding to the atmosphere (including "You'll Never Walk Alone) and a very close game. We lost, 1 nil. So Enrico was not a happy little vegemite on the way home. Nevertheless it was a very very good game and an evening enjoyed by all. I'll never forget the roar of the crowds, the drumrolls and the quick changeover every 2 minutes by the players. The fans even chanted "put the wall back up" since Dresden was from the old East side. It was all in fun of course.
Monday 26 September I packed my bags and Franz drove me to the Post Office with yet another 9.8 kg parcel to send back home. Angelique and the twins came over and we all had our final lunch together. Else and I took the twins for our last long walk together. It was very appropriate and beautiful, we walked to the Nicola Kirche where Marianne's funeral was held, to the hospital where she passed away and to the swimming pool where she spent many happy times with Else. I felt very close to Marianne that day and was happy to share that final day in Landshut thinking of her and reminiscing with mum's other sister Else, especially because I missed out on seeing her again this visit. The weather was beautiful and the walk was lovely amongst lots of greenery and some nice homes.
4.30 pm the reliable Mischa was there to take me to the airport once again. So teary quick goodbyes were said, many last minute kisses on the cheeks of the twins Kevin and Mark and I was whisked off. Mischa is hoping to visit us in August next year and even wants to do a farmstay. She is a trained Veterinary assistant and enjoys animals and the country lifestyle. So let's keep our fingers crossed that she will come over and experience how our farmers work.
The overnight flight Munich, Frankfurt to Singapore went well and I even got to sleep a few hours. By the way, Frankfurt airport has the longest moving indoor footway I have ever seen. Duck was served for dinner and I had the best seat at the emergency exit with no seat in front of us (I had a very friendly and chatty gay guy beside me to share the flight and leg room with). Perfect for this 12 hour flight.
Time for a tea break, will return to tell you all about my adventures in Singapore.
Chow!
Yes, it is true, I am back in Australia now and found a lovely present waiting on my desk at work, a brand new flat screen computer. So I am taking it for a little test run. Before we get into life back here though, I need to go back a week or two to my final weekend in Landshut.
Saturday 24 September I offered to cook a thankyou lunch for Else, Franz, Enrico and Angelique. Roast beef, baked potatoes with sour cream and chives and parsley, garlic bread and a huge bowl of greek salad. They loved it and it was nice to see Else have a morning off for a change. I enjoyed doing it and it was fun, even the shopping for it the previous day since I hadn't done any grocery shopping for 3 months. Plus to find the ingredients for my roast like Bouquet Garni and other herbs etc was quite an experience in German. So the weekend was filled with farewell phone calls from Nicole and Sepp and Enrico and by last minute visits by Toni and Christa and Erhard. I was really spoiled by all the attention and also with many farewell gifts. Christa brought with her another beautiful home-made cake roll filled with fresh cream and raspberries that she had picked herself. Uncle Toni gave me a silver coin which he had specially ordered, with the new Pope on one side and the Vatican on the other, to remember my holiday in Rome and to bring me luck in life.
Sunday 25 September Franz and Else took me to the Niederbayern (Lower Bavaria) Show. Very much like our Easter Show with many pavillions with business and farmers showing off their products/animals etc. We had lots of fun wandering around and tasting/sampling many cheese/tea/yoghurt varieties. I watched chickens hatch from eggs in the animal nursery and also watched 8 piglets suckling on their mother's nipples. 2 missed out and sat snuggled up in the hay. I love that smell of the animals at the show. Then of course there was a beer tent, we were in Germany after all. So my uncle bought me a HAXEN (leg of pork) complete with crackling and all, which I managed to eat and swallow down with a stein of beer. Somehow we also found room later for afternoon tea, to try out yet another deep-fried sweet (kind of like a doughnut) made from yeast. We were exhausted that afternoon after over 4 hours of walking around but it was very interesting and a fun day. Franz spent most of his time keeping track of where we got to and when he found us he would say to his wife, and the little one is here too with his arm around me. I must admit, I enjoyed being pampered by my aunt and uncle and at times, felt like a little girl again.
The day was not over, that evening Enrico and Angelique took me along to watch their favourite sport of Ice Hockey. They are serious fans of the LA Cannibals who were playing the Dresden Lions. They even gave me a jersey to wear to support the Landshut team. We had to have the right colours on when standing in amongst the crowd. So again, I felt like a teenager barracking for a team, something I haven't done for years and my very first ice hockey game. It was such an exciting and fast game with men on the sidelines playing drums all the way through. Lively music the whole time adding to the atmosphere (including "You'll Never Walk Alone) and a very close game. We lost, 1 nil. So Enrico was not a happy little vegemite on the way home. Nevertheless it was a very very good game and an evening enjoyed by all. I'll never forget the roar of the crowds, the drumrolls and the quick changeover every 2 minutes by the players. The fans even chanted "put the wall back up" since Dresden was from the old East side. It was all in fun of course.
Monday 26 September I packed my bags and Franz drove me to the Post Office with yet another 9.8 kg parcel to send back home. Angelique and the twins came over and we all had our final lunch together. Else and I took the twins for our last long walk together. It was very appropriate and beautiful, we walked to the Nicola Kirche where Marianne's funeral was held, to the hospital where she passed away and to the swimming pool where she spent many happy times with Else. I felt very close to Marianne that day and was happy to share that final day in Landshut thinking of her and reminiscing with mum's other sister Else, especially because I missed out on seeing her again this visit. The weather was beautiful and the walk was lovely amongst lots of greenery and some nice homes.
4.30 pm the reliable Mischa was there to take me to the airport once again. So teary quick goodbyes were said, many last minute kisses on the cheeks of the twins Kevin and Mark and I was whisked off. Mischa is hoping to visit us in August next year and even wants to do a farmstay. She is a trained Veterinary assistant and enjoys animals and the country lifestyle. So let's keep our fingers crossed that she will come over and experience how our farmers work.
The overnight flight Munich, Frankfurt to Singapore went well and I even got to sleep a few hours. By the way, Frankfurt airport has the longest moving indoor footway I have ever seen. Duck was served for dinner and I had the best seat at the emergency exit with no seat in front of us (I had a very friendly and chatty gay guy beside me to share the flight and leg room with). Perfect for this 12 hour flight.
Time for a tea break, will return to tell you all about my adventures in Singapore.
Chow!
