Let's Travel with Gisela

PHOTOS - FAMILY LANDSHUT, GERMANY

2005-11-28T17:11:00.000-08:00

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 License.

PHOTOS - LANDSHUT RELATIVES & FRIENDS

2005-11-28T16:22:00.000-08:00

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 License.

PHOTOS - FAMILY & FRIENDS, GERMANY

2005-11-28T16:06:00.000-08:00

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 License.

PHOTOS - SAARBRUCKEN

2005-11-27T15:42:00.000-08:00

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 License.

PHOTOS - GERMANY

2005-11-16T15:07:00.000-08:00

PHOTOS - MALTA

2005-11-14T15:14:00.000-08:00

PHOTOS - SICILY

2005-11-09T21:14:00.000-08:00

PHOTOS - CAPRI & AMALFI COAST

2005-11-08T15:05:00.000-08:00

PHOTOS - ROME TO POMPEII, ITALY

2005-11-07T22:30:00.000-08:00

PHOTOS - THE FRENCH RIVIERA

2005-11-06T21:38:00.000-08:00

PHOTOS OF SPAIN

2005-11-06T20:05:00.000-08:00

PHOTOS OF HONG KONG & LANDSHUT, GERMANY

2005-11-06T19:49:00.000-08:00

DEDICATION

2005-10-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

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

Saturday 1 October - HOME SWEET HOME

2005-10-05T21:47:00.000-07:00

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

27-30 September SINGAPORE

2005-10-05T20:45:00.000-07:00

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

24-26 September FAREWELL WEEKEND IN GERMANY

2005-10-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

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!

17 & 18 September MY WEEKEND IN THE COUNTRY

2005-09-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

ADLKOFEN WITH THE ECKER FAMILIE

Back again for a visit with the Ecker family to a nice homely country kitchen. Weather was overcast and very chilly, a great excuse for a lazy weekend indoors. Frau Ecker cooked and cooked while we ate everything she put in front of us. Erhard picked me up and we shopped for fresh plums called swetschken, a particular type so that his mum could cook a very traditional cake for us. We also stopped at the hardware store which was interesting to do all the normal things we do at home. Now, back at the ranch and this homely kitchen with the old wood heated stove that warmed the whole room, no need for electric heaters here. We chatted all day and they also took out old photographs, some of our family included.

Frau Ecker served home made strawberry jam for breakfast, it was the best. Erhard took me for a walk on the property in the evening to see his cottage, the guys meet here for BBQs and drinks, its really cute but mainly for the boys. A cosy weekend watching TV and doing all the normal things we take for granted at home, but after touring for 3 months it was really enjoyable. It was also ELECTION DAY the following day so everyone had to vote. Very special this time because it is the first time Germany voted in a female Chancellor. The 2nd evening I spent with Magdalena, Erhards sister in her apartment sharing stories and drinking whiskey etc. Another very nice evening.

Back in Landshut and enjoying more of the normal routine life. Long strolls with the Kinderwagen and my beautiful twins. We walk for hours here into town and along the gorgeous Isaar River. We walked to the Friedhof (the cemetery), it is a real meeting place because everyone looks after the graves of their loved ones regularly here. We stop to chat to others and they all want to see my (Enrico & Angeliques) beautiful babies. I visited my aunts grave who sadly passed away in March this year, mums younger sister. Walking thru the old town and the new, all buildings painted in different pastel colours, I couldnt help but remember how homesick my mother always was for this beautiful town of Landshut. And finally I can understand why. With the large and the small river running thru it with ducks everywhere, it truly is an amazing place.

I visited new friends I made here in July. Erna and Edgar invited me to their home in Landshut. A wonderful couple who have included me in so many outings since I met them and their adorable grandson Domonic. He showed me all the games 16 yr olds have in their bedrooms eg play station etc and then suddenly turned around and planted a kiss on my cheek. What a cutie! He couldnt help himself, seems at the ripe old age of 46, Ive still got it.

One day I spent the whole day wandering around town on my own. Ate at the wurstl stand where mum used to go and stopped for a coffee and grapfen to take it all in. Also brought home Leberkas for dinner, bretzen and mohnkuchen (poppyseed cake), quarktaschen etc. I have to taste it all. I shopped till I dropped and even purchased a couple of cookbooks with the traditional Bavarian recipes in it. I needed to send another 9.8 kg parcel home and now after receiving more gifts and attending the Oktoberfest last night I will be off to the PO again on Monday. SEND MORE MONEY! Easy to spend around here because they have all the things I love and things that are meaningful to bring home to my family.

OKTOBERFEST

Mischa picked me up at 5 pm looking gorgeous in her German traditional costume, a dirndl. Men wore lederhosen etc. It all looked great. We had a wonderful evening, packed on the train and lots of laughs. It was a bit like our Easter Show all lit up at night with rides etc. However the main theme was beer. You couldnt help but notice. It was so funny leaving the U Bahn and going up the steps to the main drag like a herd of cows all fresh and ready to party. Whilst on the other side we could see all the people entering the train station and going down the steps, very drunk, stumbling and laughing and singing and mostly happy drunks, looking a little cross-eyed. It was so funny because it was like we were going up to like a washing machine that would swirl us around and then spit us out on the other side like that. All I could think was is that how we will return?

We checked out the side stalls, drank beer in a beer tent, I ate baked camembert with berries and salad. We met loads of very friendly guys, cute in their lederhosen. Mischa ended up with a bagful of phone numbers that should keep her busy for the rest of the year. I ordered weissbier and it was as if the whole place, including Mischa stood still. They just stared at me and I thought, what have I done now? Apparently you dont drink Weissbier at the Oktoberfest, you only drink Wiesenbier. It is kind of like swearing I think. How was I supposed to know. Anyway the waitress brought me what I ordered and I stood out like a sore thumb. They serve it in a different glass. So everyone had this huge stein and I had this very elegant tall narrow glass of Weissbier. You learn something everyday dont you, handy for my next visit anyway.

Then smell of hot almonds was everywhere. We finally gave in to the smell on our way home.
We also went on the ghost train like a couple of kids. I giggled all the way while Mischa hid behind her hands. Then it was time to taste test the sweets, Dampfnudel with vanilla sauce, one of my favourites with a coffee at a stand amongst some cute lederhosen.

The pce de resistance was being invited into the Nymphenburger Wine Tent. Apparently you need to purchase tickets a year in advance to get in and then you wear a bracelet. Sort of for VIPS etc but a contact we had made earlier in the evening said to meet us there, he had connections and would get us in. So we met him at 10 pm at the door, 50 people waiting outside to try to get in with bouncers at the door and he pointed us out and we strolled thru the crowd and walked in. Like movie stars. We dont know who he was but he said what he whispered in the bouncers ear was that I was from Australia and had to experience this. And right he was, inside this tent was packed, loud music, drunks being escorted and thrown out, but mainly very happy lively people. Thousands. So it was the real thing. Just how I imagined the oktoberfest to be and very grateful I got to see it.

7 mins left and so much more to tell so I have to rush now. An overview of the week ahead. Tomorrow I am off to the Niederbayern Shau. On every 2 years, so again I am so lucky to be here at the right time. In the evening my cousin Enrico is taking me to watch a live Ice Hockey game, what a treat and a first for me. Monday its time to pack and head off to Singapore where Bronwyn and Tony are ready and waiting for me. Last stop before I get home.

Converting back to English will be funny. I am already comfortable with telling my jokes in German and speaking to strangers at the bus stops and in the stores etc. Its been fun, what more can I say. Till my next Internet stop.

Auf wiedersehen!

love as always from Gisela
xxx

10-24 September SAARBRUCKEN TO LANDSHUT

2005-09-24T09:28:00.000-07:00

Grussti!

Fischers tales continued. Where were we, yes in Saarland and the beautiful Saarschleife. A river which is shaped like a ribbon tied in a bow. I sailed on it and then viewed it from up high at a lookout after a long walk thru a forest in the rain. Refreshing. Nicole also showed me the wonderful work she does in a nursing home, amazing special people who work here, they are truly devoted. She took me on a tour, it was her day off but helped out anyway whenever she saw help was needed. It was very interesting and I was very impressed with the care they take of their elderly citizens.

I spent quality time with mums cousin Sepp Kargl, 82 yrs old. We shared many stories till late at night and also shared a bottle of champagne and beer and weisswurst. I hope his daughter Christa doesnt read this or he would be in trouble! Another night he brought out little snapps bottles which we downed while enjoying some lovely old German music and brought out the old photos, its funny to see photos of our family over here, he has so many he has kept of us which mum regularly sent to him, even those from South America. His memory is fantastic and we plan on sharing many more stories over the phone in the future.

Nicole and I also had a nice "girlie" day out shopping in the lovely town of Saar Louis. She also showed me the many sights and landmarks like the gate and stone wall around the city and the river. We also enjoyed our chats till very late in the evening, luckily she didnt have to go to work in the morning. Not only did she spoil me rotten with breakfast waiting every morning but also sent me home with a bagful of presents and food and drink for the train ride back.

So after a train ride to Frankfurt and the S bahn to the airport and a plane ride to Munich and pick up by my cousin Mischa at the airport again, I was back in Landshut.

Last 2 weeks in Germany and I have made the most of them. Shopping, eating and socialising. I feel like I did most of the touristy things so it was time to relax and just enjoy the place. Just live like a local. We dined out on Liver. Visited friends. Walked and walked and walked. I was reunited with the twins Kevin and Mark again. 7 months old now and finally I can tell them apart.

I joined Elses senior citizens group for an outing to Bayreuth. 2 men fought over me all day. Else told Franz when we arrived home that evening that she could easily have married me off that day. I should hang out with seniors more often. The day outing was fabulous. We visited Wagners Theatre, a 4 year waiting list to actually see a show. We stood on the stage and even went down into the orchestra pit. The seniors were really fun to be with, they all pretended to be pavorotti on stage while we danced like Las Vegas girls. We visited a palace and strolled thru the gardens and finally we had a guided tour thru a brewery, got to sample the product at the end. Stopped along the autobahn for a hot mushroom soup, gorgeous and arrived back in Landshut after 11 pm after a morning start of 6 am. We were exhausted.

Out of money again. Must publish the post. To be continued.

love Gisela

8 - 16 September BLACKFOREST TO OKTOBERFEST

2005-09-16T08:12:00.000-07:00

Servus!

GARMISCH and the Lech River - I was fortunate enough to be able to stay 2 nights in a prestigious area for skiiers. I would love to see it in winter when there is snow. This Allgau area specialises in cheese. It is very green here and we keep crossing the Austrian and German border. They also now say this Blackforest (Schwarzwald) region is where LAPTOP MEETS LEDERHOSEN. A mixture of the new and old is seen by solar panels on roof tiles of the traditional old homes in the forest. Most towns specialise in the manufacturing of something. eg Ravensburg known for board games. By the way, petrol prices are $1.49 Euro so dont complain at home. That is about $2.80 Aust. per litre.

LINDAU Last port of call in Bavaria. Had a wonderful lunch break here am Bodensee (Lake Constance). Largest (220 sq miles and 60 kms long) and warmest lake around with many tourist ferries. Not me though, I spent my free time at a nice Gasthaus overlooking the lake, Swiss alps as a backdrop, palm trees and tropical plants, lighthouse and enjoyed 2 weisswurst and a huge beer. I actually asked for a small beer and they said they dont have them. A cute town and kind of an island joined by a narrow bridge to the mainland. Excellent fruit growing area (apples) close to Swiss border where the finest cheeses, Alpenkase, is made. Apparently not so nice to live here though because of the hot and humid climate, mossies at night etc.

Then past Zeppelin area and actually saw one fly overhead past Friederichshafen. Then Birnau, white wine area, another lake and a huge Basilica. We then really entered the Blackforest area and enjoyed some of the most beautiful scenery when we got off the highway passing Neustadt where the conifers start. Many refreshing streams, creeks etc in FREIBURG, a gorgeous university town (where my cousin spent 4 yrs studying) with Schwarzwald all around it. We had time for a spot of shopping and then headed a bit further out of town for our overnight stay at a Health Spa Resort. A very peaceful place, very appropriate for the Blackforest region to be staying out in the wilderness. It had a natural spring where people come to for healing. We were know close to the Austrian, France and 60 kms from Swiss border. Dinner was goulasch and of course Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte for dessert.

The following day we climbed uphill through the Blackforest and stopped at a lookout in the Wald to take it all in. The Bauernhauser (farmers homes) sprinkled sparingly within the Wald. Picture postcard material. You can almost hear them yodelling. Then a huge cuckoo clock house, a shop for tourists which was so cute. We shopped till we dropped in there. Many cuckoo clocks were purchased. I bought one the size of a frige magnet, actually it is a fridge magnet. Cant afford the real thing, a decent one is $1000. The Americans went crazy and had them shipped home. They were beautiful and hand-carved by families to support them over the winter months.

Next stop HEIDELBERG and another Castle. Excellent views of the town from high up in the Castle. The evening was spent back in Frankfurt with a farewell dinner and drinks in the beergarden to celebrate our farewell and end of Globus tour. It was short and sweet and I really grew to like the Americans once they let their guard down, they were all lovely just seemed a bit reserved at first. A huge contrast to the English I spent my time with in Italy but I have to say both were nice in their own way.

So off to Saarbrucken for me the following morning, a 2 1-2 hour train ride. I was greeted by Marcus and Nicole. A family I had never met before. My mothers cousins family I had often heard mum speak fondly of and was so happy to meet them at last. They welcomed me with open arms, I felt truly at home, not unlike my own family in many ways. That evening was Harrys birthday so I sat with approx. 20 Germans that evening over dinner and birthday cake and thought quietly to myself, how funny life is, last night I sat at a table full of Americans in Frankfurt and tonight I am sharing dinner (a feast) with a German family in their home with their friends just like I had belonged there. Amazing! No wonder sometimes I think I am dreaming all of this. I even played pool and table soccer with the kids. Taught them to cheat of course by lifting the table at one end. They kept saying "Gisela, you cant do that" in German of course and they just thought I didnt know the rules. Gee they were cute. We laughed hard that evening. Kevin, Nicoles 13 yr old son is gifted in music. Not only plays the piano and organ beautifully but also teaches drums, is paid to play the Xylophone at weddings etc. He played something special for me everyday I was there. I just melted. All the instruments are up in there attic. Thank you Kevin, I will never forget those magic moments when you played so beautifully for me.

Out of time. Must publish this post before I lose it. Will continue next time but this weekend off to the countryside for a weekend away. Loads more to say so stay tuned till next week when I get to go to the Oktoberfest and my cousin Mischa wants me to wear a Dirndl.

Auf wiedersehen and A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KIRSTIN, love you.

30 September BACK IN GERMANY

2005-09-07T07:45:00.000-07:00

Guten tag!

From fishing villages back to forests and rivers. My journey from Gozo Island, Malta to Frankfurt was a taxi to ferry, ferry crossing to Malta mainland, taxi to airport, plane to Frankfurt, taxi to my hotel. All in a day.

FRANKFURT I enjoyed my Free day here, visited 3 churches and attended an organ recital in one of them, even stayed for the tea & chat afterwards. Wandered around the old and the new town. They have trams and lots of bridges along the Main River. I shopped and then stopped for lunch in the City Beer Garden, complete with 2 man band. Ate Kassler ripperl, sauerkraut and beer. A Bosnian woman approached me, and in German began telling me about my past, very true and specific stuff. Then she began telling me my future, and it was all good news. Hope she is right.

My room was on the 5th flr overlooking nothing but the tops of trees in the State Forest, a wonderful sight. Beds have been so comfortable throughout Germany with eiderdown dooners just like mum always had. For dinner all the Globus tour passengers met and this time, all but one couple are AMERICAN, plus one token Aussie couple and me. Tour guide is Barbara from Munich. She is good and very knowledgable.

Next day began with a 2 hour cruise on the Rhine which began near Rudesheim and ended at the Lorelei Cliff. Lorelei means "luring rock" by the way. However the locals tell the tale that the seamen always crashed boats and drowned here after seeing the beautiful rock which looked like a woman with long hair. The effect of sailors having been away too long at sea.

Drove past Bonn and then Remagen where the ruins of the tower where American troops breached Hitlers west wall. Next stop COLOGNE overnight. Bought 4711 perfume, a must when in Koln. Went to the cathedral where the new Pope stood only a few weeks ago to address 100,000 young people from all countries. Some greeted him by walking into the water because he came by boat along the Rhine. This motel was the best, leather chairs, gorgeous cushions and huge bed. Dinner was along the same lines as the room, very good. Schnitzel & red cabbage. I slept like a baby.

Election time is on in Germany, posters in every town. First time ever a woman is leading in the polls. The current Chancellor has been married 4 times which is why they say he drives an Audi, 4 rings, get it?

PIED PIPER territory. Visited Hamelin, the Ratcatchers House and alley where the story took place. A really cute town.

Past Prince Carolines husbands castle Prince Ernst, near Hildesheim. Very small town but nice country. We passed lots of forest and saw deer. Past the first Checkpoint watchtowers, now no longer in use since the reunification of East and West Germany.

BERLIN Statistics pop. 3-4 million (Germany has 80 million all up), 120,000 uni students, 16% unemployment. 7 Nobel prize winners from these universities. So much history here and a lively city. A city tour covered Charlottenburg, the 1st of many palaces and the Pergamon Museum. Our motel was wonderful and included free use of the internet. However I was too busy. Normally the motels charge 10 Euros, approx $20 Aust. I finally met my cousin Uwe here for the 1st time ever. He is very handsome. He and his lovely family (wife Andreas and delightful 9 yr old daughter Louisa) picked me up from the hotel at 3 pm. We had hot chocolate in a very special chocolate shop and then drove to Potsdam where the famous Sanc Souci Palace and gardens are. They have an italian feel about them which is the look the royals were after. We strolled in the gardens and around lakes all afternoon and chatted and generally caught up with each other. Swapping the occasional stories about our fathers who were brothers. Louisa was so sweet I just wanted to take her back to Australia with me. Then Uwe found a nice restaurant by the water where we could sit outside and continue this magic day with dinner. I had a typical Berlin meal of Liver and onions, it was really good. We all got on really well and I will treasure these memories forever. Thank you Uwe, Andreas and Louisa for showing me some of your beautiful city.

Breakfast buffets have been to die for. Erdbeer quark, herring, camenbert, smoked salmon and Leberkas etc. Left Berlin and saw nothing but Grunwald (forest). Many SMART cars around (invented by Swiss swatch watch guy but Mercedes now manufacture them). Also TRABANT, little 2 stroke cars.
We stopped at places which Barbara calls technical stops or change of fluid stops along the highway. We have to pay 50 cents for the toilets and often the men have to queue as well. Finally no discrimination in the toilet department. Tourists can find WC signs anywhere, we are getting really good at spotting them. At these petrol stations, they sell marinated gherkins, lots of varieties from Spreewald (local forest). The Americans loved them. Some with garlic, herbs, mustard, pepper or horseradish etc. Huge gherkins. We listened to Bach music along the way and it is quite cosy on the coach.

LEIPZIG lunch stop and visited churches with magnificent stained glass windows, even had Bachs head on one of them, Thomaskirche. This church has a 63 degree angle sloping roof. This town is also the home of Mendelsohn. Next we saw windmills for electricity, huge ones and hundreds along the freeway. Then it began to get hilly as we crossed into Bavarian territory.
Passed a town called BAYREUTH pop. 20,000 (I will be visiting on 15 Sept with my aunt). Wagner fell in love with this place so King Ludwig II built him an opera here and the Wagner festival is held here every year, tickets sold for $1000 Euro.

NURNBERG Huge soccer ball in main square advertising 2006 World Soccer Cup. You could go inside the ball and play a virtual game of soccer, kicking etc. This cute old town complete with towers, moat and a wall around it, was fun for shopping. Known for Lebkuchen (gingerbread without the ginger), christmas decorations sold, german dolls and in particular the Hummel dolls. On to the Hilton Nurnberg overnight. Wurstl & sauerkraut for dinner and then I decided what better place for a girl to pamper herself. Evening was spent with a long bath using every foam and cream the motel provided. Then all clean and cosy I pranced around my room wearing my Hilton slippers. Good stay at home night.

ROTHENBERG Everyone just loved this town and agreed that 3 hours was just not enough. It was charming and shoppers paradise. More dolls and beautifully decorated shop windows and christmas shops. It is a magical place for young and old.

ROMANTIC ROAD passing cute little towns. Mainly hilly but did pass a huge flat area where meteorite struck many years ago.

MUNICH and the Sheraton hotel, 7th floor, corner room with views both sides. Great dinner again, pepper steak everyone enjoyed it just for a change and Bavarian Bom for desert. Huge slabs of 3 flavoured ice cream like a bomb alaska. 8 pm off to the Hofbrauhaus to drink one litre of beer and sing and watch the entertainment on stage, band with traditional dancing (Schuhplatten) & yodelling. Even played one song with cowbells. We linked arms and sang along with "trink, trink, bruderlein trink....." and "eins, zwei, gsufer".

City tour next morning. King Maximillian & Ludwigs Nymphenburg Palace. Mercedes showroom with all cars in silver, every type. There are 51 museums and 70 theatres. A very lively city pop 2 million. approx. Skyscrapers are forbidden here, so as not to spoil the view of the Alps. What a top idea! Olympic Stadium, Roentgens private residence. Cafes, restaurants and we had 3 hours free to wander around. Watched Glockenspiel at 12 noon in Marienplatz and then posted my 2nd parcel home, this one weighing in at 4.8 kg. Pinakotek Museum to see art from 1600s, amazing, Durers, Rembrandts, Battistes. The Victoria Markets were a dream for food lovers. Berries of every variety, Johannesberren, Himmberren etc. I found a great seafood spot and ate a delicious crusty roll with Matjes Herring and loads of raw onion. Feet were sore again that night.

Left Munich at 4 pm, once again feeling that more days here would have been wonderful but then again, I shall be returning. We joined the Freeway and many of the Americans giggled every time we passed signs saying AUSFAHRT, which was quite often, because it means EXIT. We crossed the Donau River which is the Danube, and by the way, it isnt blue. More forests as we headed south to GARMISCH. Mountains began appearing in the background, including the famous ZUGSPITZE. Landscape breathtaking, real fairytale stuff. Appropriately King Ludwigs LINDERHOF CASTLE is in this region and I was in heaven here. It was his hunting lodge. We did a guided tour quite late and it was fully furnished. I loved every room, the gold, the 3 dimensional paintings on ceilings and walls with cupids etc. His bed had curtains of ermine (white with black spots), he had to have the best fur a royal could have. Gardens were equally beautiful but my favourite of all was the GROTTO. We had to climb further up the hill for 10 mins to get to it. Coloured lights on stalagtites and mites as you entered the cave and a beautiful large swimming pond inside with a spectacular swan shaped boat and cupid on it. He was a dreamer, like me, and he loved this spot. I wish I had a grotto in my house. Reminded me a bit of Hugh Hefners.

Trivia - did you know that he was gay (not that there is anything wrong with that), but apparently he was madly in love with Wagner and spent lots of money on him. Also withdrew after Wagner married a woman. We played Wagner CDs on the coach.

GARMISCH staying at Hotel Obermuhle. This is a fabulous skiing resort and very nice chalet style hotel. Mountains as a backdrop when out on my balcony. Edelweiss and Heidi country. The big old white farm houses with the wooden stable attached and carved dark brown wooden balconies with love hearts carved in them and full of colourful geraniums in window boxes. Postcard material. Shops sell local wood carved items and cuckoo clocks. Fresh mountain air to start the next morning for a drive across the Austrian border (Tirol) for a short while and then back into Germany to visit Ludwigs other Castle, Neuschwanstein. It means New Swan Stone and features many swans in statues and paintings. It was huge and Walt Disney like. We had top weather and we had to do a lot of climbing, some couldnt even come along so they stayed in town to shop. Many steps and a lot of downhill steep bushwalking. Some of the Germans brought stocks (walking sticks) with them and they walked cross country down steep slopes whereas we stuck to the main path. I loved it all. A top day! We had lunch in a beergarden overlooking the castle on the hill. I had liver dumplings and beer. We played lively Bavarian "oompah" music to sing along to on our way to Oberammergau (the Passion play village) for more shopping of wooden carvings, hummel dolls, beer steins etc. I didnt purchase anything, but enjoyed seeing all these things that I grew up with in my parents home.

So in case some of you have been waiting for this next update, hopefully you can appreciate from the above that I have been extremely busy, and when I have had time off, I needed it. So thanks again for your emails, I enjoy the contact and am happy that you are able to come along on this journey with me. Day 66 of 90.

We are so lucky with the weather. It is really quite hot and only 2 weeks ago you couldnt come here, it was all flooded.

love Gisela xxx

3 NIGHTS ON GOZO ISLAND, MALTA

2005-08-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

Sunday August began with a huge buffet style breakfast here at the Calypso Hotel. Every kind of breadroll imaginable and chef making omelettes on request right in front of you. Did I mention the water views from the restaurant? I'm running out of adjectives to help describe the scenery (help me out here Loretta, Rhondda, Lyn). Then I spent the whole day as planned, at the beach which is located right in front of the hotel, and it is a sandy one. Did I mention that the weather was perfect? And the best thing was, NO JELLYFISH. Everyone was in there floating around which is a good sign. Floating is so effortless in the sea, apparently because of the salt.

I swam and swam and swam. You don't want to get out of the water, the temperature is just right and a very slight swell (hardly any at all). A nice Maltese man was floating around beside me and we started chatting. He lives on the mainland of Malta but has a weekender on Gozo. We floated and chatted and floated and chatted. His English was very good - used to be a tour guide. So I felt like I had a friend to play with for the day. At lunchtime he had to go home to have lunch with his wife but said he would be back at 3.00 pm. Sure enough at 3.00 pm he was right there beside my towel and said let's go swim. So off I went with my new best friend to float around and chat again. It was Sunday so he had to get the ferry back that evening for work in the morning. Apparently waterview 3 bedroom units over here cost 35,000 lire 4 yrs ago
(x 4 $A). Not bad hey. Minimum wage here is 60 lire (remember x 4 $A). He also said that Marsalforn was the ultimate place to stay on Gozo, sort of the Mecca, that is why the Maltese have their holiday homes here. So I chose well from the internet.

While sunbaking and reading on this sandy beach, the church bells chimed every 1/2 hour which sounded just beautiful. It was Sunday afterall and the church was right beside my hotel and directly behind the beach. Nearly everyone on Malta is Catholic, even my new best friend went to church that morning. Anyway, the bells ringing were magic and at lunchtime they played a whole tune. Can you tell, I was in heaven. Nothing like sun and water to put a smile on my face all day long and the church bells just topped it all off. I watched the children playing along the seashore - they all have nets. Fishermen all along the rocky coastline and ladders every few metres so you can enter the Sea from any point. So there is plenty to watch while floating.

A lot of people left the island Sunday night, so it went back to being a sleepy little village. I wandered along the shore in the evening, they actually close off the main street to cars at night only, for the procession of walkers. I stopped at the last restaurant right on the edge of the rocks and asked for a pot of tea. Boy did I get a pot of tea. A huge pot filled to the brim. It was fabulous, I drank four cups and enjoyed the best views of the whole village all lit up at night and with lovely background music. The bill was 75 cents (x4).

Monday my Blue Lagoon trip was cancelled unfortunately due to tiny drops of rain the boats wouldn't go out. But as always I look at the bright side. Had one of my laziest days this holiday. Joined in siesta time and had an afternoon nap. Then watched CNN news to watch the Hurricane in New Orleans live for a couple of hours. I think I really needed a good rest. Also read my brochure for the upcoming Germany highlights 11 day tour and am now really looking forward to returning to the homeland tomorrow. I am island hopping. Ferry from Gozo Island to Malta then Lufthansa from Malta to Frankfurt. I'm excited about speaking German again for a whole month and the music and beer and the Rhine and castles etc etc. I hope the group will be as much fun as the English crowd were on the Italy tour. I feel like I am doing 10 years worth of holidays in one. I guess in a way I am. But the novelty hasn't worn off at all, I look forward to each leg as it comes. So goodbye beachbum, hello Fraulein.

Saha in Maltese means goodbye and good health. So SAHA to all my friends and loved ones.
And in particular, just in case I don't get to an internet cafe with the tour before the weekend:

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!

love Gisela xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

MY WEEK ON MALTA

2005-08-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

Day 55 of my 90 day holiday

TUESDAY 23 August

MDINA medieval town with a population of 400. It is in the south and high up. From there you have views of practically the whole island. Also visited the Presidents home and walked through his garden right up to the gate. He was home, flag was up.

Did some prickly pear liquer tasting here. It was good so I have bought a bottle. It is pink in colour and very strong and sweet. Cactus with prickly pear on them are everywhere. Also the odd bougainvillea to add just a hint of colour. The landscape all over the island is almost like a desert with honey-coloured buildings on it. They all have flat roofs to catch rainwater which does straight into the underground via a drain. Actually MALTA no longer has water problems because there are 4 factories just for salinating sea water. 80% goes back to the sea. However they do not drink it, even locals buy bottled water. The whole island is only 27 kms long and 14 kms wide. It is hilly which makes driving around more interesting. Speaking of driving, the tour guide said the road rules are "the one with the biggest wheels has right of way". Plus they park anywhere.

The afternoon was spent back at the motel pool. Lots of kids there. 400 rooms all full. Apparently it is cheaper for the poms to come here for the winter than to pay their electricity bill back home.

No fences here like our colourbond ones, every fence is made out of white pebbles so no matter what village you are in, they all look the same. Most have a beautiful bay or harbour with gorgeous coloured clear water. Did you know that Marsa means harbour. eg Marseille, Marsala etc.

WEDNESDAY 24 August

Hot but slightly overcast. Got in early for my front row deckchair by the sea. Very different today, waves rough and crashing onto rocks. Too difficult and perhaps dangerous to get in for a swim but still beautiful to lie there and watch the sea behave this way. Other die hard sunbathers were there as well. We know each other and you feel at home here by day 2. Shopkeepers know you and other tourists who you may have met on a tour or hotel pool etc.

Afternoon was spent doing a Harbour Cruise starting in Sliema. Sailed to Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour of Valletta and the nearby natural creeks and 2 small fishing villages. Very nice just cruising around admiring all the honey-coloured buildings from the seaward side. I stole that line from David Niven's autobiography. Was reading it the following day on the deckchair by the sea and on p. 67 "the moon is a balloon" he described how he joined the infantry and was sent off to Malta. He wrote all about entering the Grand Harbour and Valletta, and seeing the big Fort etc. just like I did the day before. What a coincidence! So of course I could really picture it all. They even showed us Errol Flynn's old boat which is on land and now used as a restaurant.

THURSDAY 25 August (Pay Day)

A normal sort of day. Sent my 1st parcel home to empty my bag of 3.7 kg. Then to the hairdresser who gave me a 2005 fringe, you know the one that slopes down the side and into your eyes. Have to join in with the jet set here. Enough chores for the day so by 1 pm the Mediterranean Sea was calling me again. Front row deckchair, umbrella and all afternoon swimming, reading etc etc. MAGIC! Didn't leave till 5 pm and then only because Doris and George were picking me up at 6 pm. A Maltese friend in Australia organised for them to meet up with me. They took me out to SLIEMA another beautiful large tourist resort. We did a really long walk in the evening along the promenade, fairy lights in trees etc and loads of people. We stopped for coffee and later again for dinner & wine at a great sidewalk restaurant that had the garlic aroma coming out of it. We got on really well and they were so nice they spoilt me and wouldn't let me pay for a thing, said I was their guest. Like I said before, the Maltese have been really nice and hospitable. Fireworks and band in streets of Sliema for festival that evening. A wonderful night with two really nice locals.

FRIDAY 26/8/05

Very hot but we were so lucky that it wasn't rough on the water like the other day because otherwise the BLUE GROTTO boats don't go out. So I got to see quite a few caves and there is even coral just below the water line. I hope the blue of the water shows on my photos. It really is something special.

Other sights included Ghar Dalam Cave (I love caves) and we could walk into this one for 50 metres, although it is much longer. Then the Tarzien Temples where they admired big women and called them Goddess of Fertility. The women were also the head of the household (got the food, had the children etc etc and they aren't sure what the men did), this is what they say on the tour. What has changed I ask?

SATURDAY 27/8/05

Said goodbye to my home of 7 nights, the beautiful village of Bugibba and headed north (by a black mercedes taxi - felt like Princess Di) to catch the car ferry to GOZO ISLAND. I really enjoyed the 30 mins on board, it was huge, I felt I was on a cruise and I wanted to do the Titanic thing up the front of the ship. We passed another small island famous for its blue lagoon. I am booked on a cruise on Monday (full day) to see it as well as to cruise right around Gozo Island with lots of swimming stops in some nice bays. I'm at the Calypso Hotel (like new inside, very very nice) with a pool & bar on the roof where I spent the afternoon till 7 pm. I have wandered around this village after arriving here in Marsalform. Walked for miles along the waters edge and guess what, no-one is swimming, you could see jellyfish everywhere, so this is why I opted for the motel pool.

Tonight I left motel room at 9.30 pm and its so funny to walk out the front door of motel and this little village is raging. All day it is quiet and I was warned that it is a relaxing type of place. Then because it is cooler at night, everyone is out and about. All the locals are out walking with grandparents as well with kids, prams etc. Beats the TV hey! It's such a nice way to socialise for families and the young and old. You see them stop to shake hands etc.

So what is the plan for tomorrow. I found a beautiful beach I plan to park my bum at!

Goodnight everybody. love Gisela xxx

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FIONA!

20-26 August BUGIBBA, MALTA

2005-08-22T11:02:00.000-07:00

Weekend in Bugibba went as planned. Two days of pure joy. Spent 1 lire and 25 cents for a sunbed and umbrella and sat in the front row because I got in early. Nothing and no-one between me and the Mediterranean Sea. One lire = $ A3.9 - best value for money I have received all holiday. It is a rocky coastline but there is sand where I swam so the water is crystal clear and a gorgeous green colour. You can swim as far out as you want. However most Europeans stay near the ladder where they can stand. Some do swim but I have to say, I am probably the best swimmer around here.

I know I shouldn't laugh, but the adult poms really do swim with those inflatable rings around their wastes with kiddy pictures on them and all. It's so funny though to see grown men wearing them.

The Maltese have been very friendly and start speaking to me while floating around the sea as most of them do. I don't need to tell them I am from Australia, they know the minute I start speaking. Even I can tell now how Aussie it sounds when I say, "see you later". Anyway, it seems they all have 5 brothers living in Australia. They all complain about the dust in their homes because all the buildings here are made of limestone bricks and since there hasn't been any rain for a long time, there is a lot of dust around. I think it also has to do with the land around here all rocky etc.

Food is good here, plenty of fresh fruit and veg sold on every street corner. Actually everything I need is here, PO, hairdresser etc. I am particularly enjoying my hot breakfasts again, bacon & eggs and baked beans hooray!

This morning I visited VALETTA which was a really busy city with markets and churches etc. I even saw 2 Caravaggio paintings in one church and from the Barraca Gardens we had beautiful views of GRAND HARBOUR. Actually I'm really looking forward to my harbour cruise on Wednesday afternoon to see it all from the water.

We were lucky today for this half day tour of the city because it was only 27 degrees today and we actually walked through the city which was good, stopping at all the important buildings eg where Napoleon stayed. I also got to sit in a movie theatre for 45 minutes called "The Malta Experience" where they take you through the history of Malta eg Phoenitians, Romans, Napoleanic times right up to the German bombings. I daren't mention my German heritage around here. Just joking. I have noticed loads of German tourists here and English so I haven't missed my newfound pommy friends' accents yet.

Because it was cooler today I also decided to do a long walk along the seashore promenade. Bugibba is a cute little village on a peninsula and I walked from there to the next little village called Qawra on the other side of the peninsula. Colourful boats were a pretty sight all the way and as it is evening the sun was doing beautiful things to the water and surrounding scenery. Along the walk I also noticed that all along the road that was raised like a type of bridge, there were doors underneath and people sitting in chairs outside cooking BBQs etc so I spoke to one of the men. These are there weekenders and they sleep in there. When they open the doors they have flowing curtains and overlook the water from under the bridge - another amazing and very good idea to make the most of space here in Malta and of water views. They are decked out with kitchen etc inside. Just amazing!

Thursday evening I am out to dinner with one of the locals, a contact through a friend of mine in Sydney (Mary Grech), her sister-in-law. We decided to go to Sliema because she drives a car and that is another town I'd heard about and would love to see. So I'm finding this a very relaxing break between my 2 tours of Europe. I'm always happiest near the water and being able to swim endlessly is just heaven for me. I swim right out to the boats and back. My suntan is coming along too now even though I do wear 15+ . Thought I'd just get that in before anyone lectures me.

All the shops close down here for the afternoon because it is too hot so they have siesta time and reopen again after 4.00 pm or whenever they are ready. You need all your patience around here and Italy if you are used to the fast pace of Sydney life. Anyway all the shops then stay open till very late and thats when everyone, tourists as well as the locals all go walkabout. So now and even more so later on tonight, the streets are full of people. So I just started to stroll back knowing I had a long walk ahead of me back to Bugibba when I decided to have a little treat and hopped on a horse & carriage ride. It was fun and romantic to travel the old-fashioned way along the rocky coastline admiring the sea and cliffs in the background. He took me all along the promenade and then into the sidestreets through the centre of the little village and back again. So that was my highlight for tonight. I will sleep well and dream of my handsome prince charming.

Goodnight everyone. love Gisela

13 August to 19 August SICILY

2005-08-19T12:27:00.000-07:00

Drove by coach to the toe of the italian boot. Calabria region. We took the whole coach onto the ferry across to Messina and then drove on to Taormina. We stayed down at sea level in a motel but had to get a cable car up to the town. Then a bus up to a Castle for good views. Amazing places. The old outdoor theatre is also high up there and Andrea Bocelli was singing there that evening. I enquired about tickets but the only ones left were 200 euro, nearly $400 and a black tie affair. It would have been fantastic. Strolled through the town of Taormina little alleyways and found a sign that said DON CORLEONE.

We had a buffet dinner that evening on the roof of the hotel by the pool. They even put on a one man band for us. We danced especially to the Ricky Martin song in Spanish I SAID HEY; HEY; :::::: I am sure you all know the one, the italians go beserk when they here it, in the pool, on the deckchairs both young and old.

The motel belonged to a Fiat-Citroen car place so we all had our motel keys on keyrings with a little car. The men especially looked really funny carrying their little cars around by the pool.

Climbed Mt Etna the next day. Only a little way because it is smoking badly, some went further with a jeep for extra money, the keen ones. Mt Etna last erupted in 2003. I climbed inside another smaller one, right down into the centre and just then, Robert sent me an SMS with the Big Brother update. Technology is amazing hey.

Syracuse was next. Lots of archaelogical sites to visit in 42 degree heat. Limestone quarries and grottoes. Also a great ruin of a roman outdoor theatre. Then to Ortiga, a lovely town by the sea. Even saw a boat race there. It looked like our Sydney to Hobart yacht race, full of small boats.

Sicily is like a triangle so we crossed the country and passed marsala vineyards and nice hilly landscape and plenty of olive and lemon trees. Then back to the Mediterranean sea to a place called Agrigento. This is a place where we all got into the let your hair down mood again. The motel had the biggest pool i have ever seen, I had a wonderful balcony overlooking the pool. Italians are on holidays as well so the place was full which made it fun to observe the italians on holiday. We all swam and spent all afternoon and evening dinner by the pool. After 6 pm entertainment began with a disc jockey playing italian songs the locals like to party and dance to. Young and old, some dances similar to line dancing and some like ballroom dancing when the romantic songs came on like VOLARE, oh oh..... I have bought all the CDs by the way.

The poms have been great fun. I haven t laughed so much for a long time. A few of us have exchanged numbers etc because we really clicked. They liked my warped sense of humour, so I have to apologise to all you aussies out there now, because the poms might think all aussies are like me. Heaven forbid.

The following morning began with more RUINS. The Acropolis overlooking the ocean. I really do enjoy climbing around the rocks of the ruins, these went on and on for quite a long stretch and many columns were still standing so you could really imagine what it once looked like. It really was like rock climbing amongst lizards because we couldnt see each other whenever we climbed over each lot. I loved it even though we would fight each other for any scrap of shade given by the large cactus plants. Are you getting the visual of climbing in 42 degree heat. We were rewarded with a free wine tasting stop of marsala and almond liquer etc with marinated olives which I loved. It was all good. Then further rewarded with a nice long lunch break on the beach, with water so nice and clear and the archaelogical ruins on the hill behind us. A gorgeous view.

The drive to Palermo was nice, even though we sleep most of the time on the coach, must have something to do with the motion and the sun beating in. It was mainly along the coast, sometimes so close to the water, we felt like we were on the same level. No waves, so thats OK. With Palermo I kept thinking of THE LOVE BOAT show I used to watch, they always cruised to Palermo and Valetta.

So in Palermo we were told that this is mafiosa headquarters. We even wined and dined in a very classy restaurant on the beach at Mondello, an exclusive seaside resort, and apparently the mafia sometimes eat there. Another beautiful evening full of laughter because we know each other quite well now. I ate the swordfish. Even tasted ricotta canoli here in Sicily because it is known for it. Hopefully my pasta and pizza days are over. As much as I love it, enough is enough. I had salami breadrolls for breakfast, quite the norm here. We also toured up to Mondello on the hill with a grand cathedral and views overlooking Palermo. Last night all the others from the Cosmos tour left me in Sicily on my own. I waved goodbye as they left by overnight cruise ship back to Naples. So I had my first evening after 15 days at home alone and put on the TV for the first time. It was nice and a much needed quiet night.

This morning I wandered around the city, felt quite at home already as you do after 2 days in a big city, there is a whole street full of shops like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Charmaine, you would have been in heaven. Me on the other hand, I decided to keep walking right down to the port and spent my time watching the boats, ships and fishermen. A long walk along the harbour, but lovely.

Then I caught the cab at 2 pm to Palermo airport. Luckily I have picked up a few words. We had a 40 min drive and he started driving so fast in the traffic that I said, PIANO; PIANO; which means slowly, slowly. He understood that. I also love saying SCUSI and have actually often used it in fun at home, but its funny here because everyone says it seriously all the time.

Palermo is a big city they liken it to Cairo because of the mixture of races it has attracted over the years. Arabs etc. Interesting place but doesnt look too clean. The influences are also very obvious in the architecture and in particular the Cathedrals, arabic style mosaics and walls covered in 24 carat gold leaf. Anyway goodbye to Sicily and Cosmos holidays and hello malta.

The flight was funny. The plane no sooner took off, they served drinks and then the announcement was made to prepare for landing. Short and sweet, that is how all flights should be. Some things were said by the pilot but of course I couldnt understand and just switched off. However when we landed, the man beside me did the sign of the cross and everyone on board began cheering and clapping the minute the wheels of the plane touched the ground. So I dont know if I missed something or if it is just something they always do over here.
I also enjoyed beautiful views of all the Malta islands from my window seat.

I am now in MALTA and look forward to 2 days of no wake up calls. I have 10 days here and I plan to take it easy. I am at the Bugibba Holiday Apartments and this place is amazing, from the reception area I have to go down a lift 3 floors, then walk across the pool area, more than one by the way and then get in another lift and go 3 floors up. People keep popping out of everywhere because there are steps and corridors at every turn. Its really weird but I think I am going to like it here. The motel is like a village with its own restaurants, bars, games area etc and finally once again, the Internet. I have had trouble this last week reaching one.

As far as Malta goes, I have to say I was quite surprised at the numerous amount of houses I saw from the air, all so close together. I will however reserve my judgement of this place until I get out and about a bit.

So good night for now and thanks for the emails. I will be able to respond this week as I have easy access to a computer right here in my hotel.

I will add though a little something I said to Dad by phone the other day. He is right, WE DO LIVE IN THE LUCKY COUNTRY.

love Gisela xxx

11 & 12 August SORRENTO & POSITANO

2005-08-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

Magic Days

The perfect day yesterday. In Sorrento you pay to go to the beach. They are all set up with decking which goes out to the ocean. Jean and I wandered into town which is thousands of metres above sea level. We reached the coastline and saw the beach below. You get the lift down and pay for it (you can walk but we wanted to give our legs a break). The ticket includes the beach. Weird hey! So then we chose which beach we wanted and paid 10 more euros for a sun deck chair and towel and umbrella. It was so nice that we stayed until 6.00 pm. We even had one of those little huts that are painted in green and blue stripes for our change room. It was the best feeling swimming in the clear waters of the Tirranean Sea. Also it was so colourful to look along at all the other beaches and their umbrellas orange and red etc. They each have their own restaurant and bar so you dont need to leave the area. We spoilt ourselves rotten with a beautiful seafood lunch and lounging in sunbeds floating in the water. It is also a boat harbour so you are constantly entertained with boats coming and going. We had the best day and a fabulous lunch. It was Jeans last day unfortunately. She left this morning.

Today was another perfect day. I did the BLUE CRUISE to Positano and around the Isle of Capri. I now know how it got its name. The water along the Amalfi Coast turns into the most gorgeous deep dark blue, it looks and is so refreshing. We had a 3 hour stop in Positano which was wonderful. I took myself off to a nice seaside open air restaurant and had a yummy seafood salad. Rocket, prawns and fresh tomatoes with a view to die for and a nice hot cup of coffee. I will remember it always, especially since visiting Positano has long been a dream of mine. It didnt disappoint.

So folks, I just dont know if anything can beat these last two weeks. They have been absolute beautiful places to visit, some of the most amazing scenery I have ever seen. I was actually thinking on the way back on the cruise this afternoon, I have now done everything I really wanted to do on this trip, it has been magic and to think that I am only nearly half way. Anything after this is a bonus.

And did I mention the Gelato. Everyone is having one every night so they can try as many flavours as possible before they leave. It is delicious, and I am not even a fan of ice cream. It is made from real fruit and chunks of berries or pistacchio nuts or whatever can be seen and tasted all through it. I may get one now on my way home tonight. I think I am up to cherry flavour tonight.

So Sicily tomorrow night. Mafia territory and olive trees, should be very interesting!

By the way, another piece of trivia I forgot to mention when in Rome. They fire a cannon at midday every day and it is loud, you jump out of your skin. The reason is an old tradition. Back in the days when women didnt work, a cannon was fired at midday to remind the women to boil the water for the spaghetti because the men would be home for lunch soon. They still keep up the tradition of firing the cannon today, just for the sake of tradition. Funny hey!

OK then, I must wander back to the motel, it is 11.10 pm and I have a 6.00 am wake up call tomorrow and a full day of travel. So good night and have a great weekend. Apparently there is a party at my place this weekend and I miss out, so have fun everybody.

love Gisela

5 August 2005 ITALY

2005-08-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

Bon Giorno

ROME Arrived safe and sound. Shared a cabin with a nice young couple from Naples. I probably spoilt their little love nest, a planned cosy evening overnight on the train turned into a threesome. They were actually very nice and even let me have the bottom bunk, probably thought the old girl wouldn t make it up the ladder.

I slept in and thought I missed my stop in Rome but luckily the train was running 1 hour late and Rome was 2 more stops away.

The motel was great, this time i had my very own balcony, even though it looked onto a very busy street, it was nice to be able to sleep with the doors open because i was on the 6th floor and remember it is very hot over here. 3 nights here was good, so much to see and do. Firstly the tour I am on is made up of 51 people. One other Australian couple from Melbourne, very nice (he is like Paul Hogan and she is like Meryl Streep) and the rest are poms, also very nice, they make me laugh.

I have teamed up with Jean. An ESOL teacher (English for speakers of another language) for any non TAFE people reading this. She is like Joanna Lumley from Absolutely Fabulous, so we have a ball together and laugh heaps. eg We never d0 what we are supposed to do with the tour. And the tour guide Rosella is young and really lovely and lively, our driver is Antonello and Vincenzo, we haven t quite worked out yet what his job is, he just comes along for the ride I think.

VATICAN CITY very interesting tour with a local guide, Maria Therese, believe it or not. I loved the Sistine Chapel and very impressed with Michelangelo s Cameo paintings, hard to believe they are not 3 dimensional.

A BIT OF TRIVIA

They say the Chef in the Vatican had to learn how to cook Snitzel and sauerkraut now.

Michelangelo didn t like painting and was horrified when asked by the Pope to paint the whole ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Arena means sand.

Romantica and the whole Rome and romance thing came from antique roman.

End of trivia.

Next was THE COLOSSEUM and many ancient ruins. We wandered around all day in the heat and to get an idea of how hot it was, one of the poms, not very old, fainted while standing under the tree in the shade. We don t go anywhere without water in our bags.

We also did a ROME BY NIGHT TOUR which was a beautiful way to see the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. I threw in my 2 coins and made my wish. She told us the 3rd coin was only if you wanted a divorce.

The next day was free so Jean and I caught a local bus into the city and walked all day. The Pantheon and the Basilica and a palace, the war memorial and wandered along the banks of the Tiger River back into the main Piazza. Caught the wrong bus back but we finally got there.

Tivoli Gardens in the evening in the town called Tivoli outside of Rome in the mountains. The gardens have over 100 different kinds of water fountains. Another palace backyard. This was followed by our 2nd fun evening out together with the whole group of 51. The dinners include really nice 4 course dinners and as much wine as you can drink. Each place we went to also had there own entertainment. Nice Italian music. One night they sounded just like the 3 tenors and sang their arias. We sang along all night and all the way home on the bus eg "Arriverderci Roma". The poms like us, love to have a good night out. By the way, our waiter was just like something out of a Faulty Towers, John Clease movie, his name was Pietro and Jean and I just cracked up laughing everytime we looked at him.

We drove to Pompei and climbed up to Mt Vesuvius to the top of the volcano. Last time it erupted was in 1944 and a minor quake happened in 1980. There is still smoke coming out of it just on one side. Very interesting to stand up there at the rim. Boy were we all dirty when we got home at night. My hair was stiff. We did a tour of Pompei with a local guide who knew all the details which made it very interesting to hear of what went on in that city 2,000 years ago and to think we are actually walking through their streets. Boy did the Romans know how to build!

We drove to Naples Boat Harbour and got on a hydrofoil, a 45 minute crossing to CAPRI. Talk about going from one extreme to another. We were filthy and arrived in the plushest motel I think I have ever stayed in. My own courtyard overlooking the Mediterranean. Just in time for a quick shower and down to the restaurant for wine and dinner again. What a life. But I have to tell you, that day was exhausting. I didn t even leave the motel the folllowing day. Just lazed by the pool under a sail and was served lunch and drinks on my sundeck. Now I know how the jet set live. It was lovely to experience it for 2 nights anyway. Waking up in paradise was wonderful and I actually felt sad again having to leave so soon. One more night would have been great. So we hopped onto another hydrofoil, only 20 mins this time and headed for Sorrento.

3 nights now in Sorrento before I head for Sicily. At 10.30 am we did the well known Amalfi Coast drive through POSITANO and onto to the town of AMALFI. We saw Sophia Lorens mansion down near the water just before arriving at Amalfi. What a place this Tyrannean Sea and Amalfi Coastline is, just magic views. But you know what has also been really exciting, watching the driving on these roads. The buses reverse and pull over to let each other pass and the motorbikes ducking in between. Hairy and really amazing. So again many wonderful experiences these last few days and I am sure many more ahead. I wandered into the Piazza on my own tonight to locate this Internet Cafe. The streets are full of people all just roaming around. A very lively atmosphere. Tomorrow I have a much needed free day to roam around this beautiful town and perhaps visit the local beach near the boat harbour and on Friday I go on a Blue Cruise for the day. It sails down to Positano and around the island of Capri etc.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR THE 12th ADAM, have a great weekend!

love you all, Gisela

4 August 2005 LOSING FREEDOM

2005-08-04T08:26:00.000-07:00

Hi again. As from tomorrow I shall be joining a day tour and losing the freedom i have so much enjoyed along the Mediterranean. The bright side is I will have people to chat to and wont have to worry about how to get to places any more. Looking forward to the Amalfi Coast, Positano in particular, a dream of mine.

My last few words on France. Forgot to mention Antibes. When we visited the other day and strolled along the boat harbour admiring all the yachts, the crew of a yacht owned by a Belgium millionaire told us that many of their neighbouring yachts had to leave urgently to fly back because the King of Saudi Arabia had died. The neighbouring yachts were owned by the King of Bahrain and the Amir of Qatar etc. Now we know who has the money to afford such luxury. It costs 1100 Euro to dock their for 1 night; and the Belgium guy had already been there for 5 months.

For all you food lovers out there I thought I would tell you about the French delicacies I have been enjoying. I go to the supermarket most evenings for fresh baguettes and olives and cheese one night and then Baguette and pate another night and baguette and prawns another night. Pastries are beautiful especially quiches. I am also enjoying fresh seafood with a treat at a restaurant last night of spaghetti marinara, they cook their spaghetti in saffron. It was a really nice evening with loads of restaurants all in the one area and all full and outdoors, a great atmosphere.

Tonight I will join the paupers again on the overnight train.

Today I had a leisurely free day and climbed about 1000 steps to the Castle Hill lookout. Probably rated as the most beautiful panoramic views I have ever seen in my entire life. Would love to perch my house up there and it was well worth the climb. You can see the port, the beach and the city. I watched as the Corsica Cruise ship came in to port. It only takes 3 hours from Nice to Corsica and you can take the car with you. I was up there thinking I can actually stay and watch it come in, how often do we have the time to relax and enjoy watching ships go by. Like the saying, stop and smell the roses. Thats exactly what I am doing.

So that is it for today. Will next write when Cosmos Tours take me to an internet cafe so I am not responsible for any delay. Wish me luck!

love to all, Gisela

31 July to 4 August Nice (niece) is Nice

2005-08-03T10:50:00.000-07:00

Bon Jour

Merci, thanks once again for your emails, my time here on the French Riviera is precious and limited so havent had time until now for Internet. Thinking about you all though. You know the saying BEAUTIFUL ONE DAY, PERFECT THE NEXT. That is my life at the moment. Let me explain. This is my style of place. The italian influence in Southern France is obvious in the food and the friendliness of the French people. I love it here. My motel window opens and i can see all the balconies at night and up on the hill is Elton Johns house. With binoculars i would be able to see what he is doing. Perhaps that is not such a good idea. His lights were on and his pink rolls has been spotted in town. While i am name dropping, Rod Stewart walked right up to me at St Paul De Vence, a nice little 14th century medieval town where artists like picasso and matisse went for inspiration. So u can imagine how beautiful the landscape is out there in the countryside. I had breakfast there, freshly baked spinach quiche and coffee.

Also went to a gorgeous little town called EZE where BONO FROM U2 bought a house. If you get a chance, look them up on the internet, too hard to describe. I had a yummy crepe for lunch there. Visited Fragonard perfumery and of course bought myself a little indulgence.

Also spent a whole day at St Tropez where I hiked up to the citadel. As u all know, i am not a shopper and really that is what St Tropez is all about, so apart from the beautiful ocean views, it is not my cup of tea. Brigitte Bardot lives there, a recluse. On the way back we (minibus tour) stopped at a little place called Port Grimaud, a cross between St Huberts Is and Venice. I could spend a few weeks there. We sailed around on a little boat. Actually i have been out on a boat of some sort everyday since arriving in Nice. This is the life!

Cannes was nice I had ice cream and a nice walk along the beach and the mandatory photo on the red carpet. Main street is full of name brand shops, preferred my walk along the beach, actually had sand. I say that because where i am staying in Nice, the beach is all pebbles.

Speaking of Nice, once i got here i just knew this was the place for me so immediately booked 4 nights: 5 days of heaven. I am so happy here near the water. I now know where I will go to contemplate life when i win lotto. Notice i said when. Villefrance is right next door and Rothchild house; Mick Jagger, Bill Gates and Tina Turner all have homes there. Seriously beautiful area for the rich and famous.

Speaking of which i havent even mentioned MONACO. I have been there 3 times, just cant get enough. First for an evening at the Casino. Chandeliers etc; I got all dressed up to make sure they would let me in. Didnt do too much damage and i just had to have a flutter at the real Monte Carlo casino. The 2nd visit was to the palace on The Rock and the old town by minibus, saw the changing of the guards and apparently albert was home because the flag was raised, also did a few laps of the Formula One circuit, the Cathedral where Grace and Rainier are buried. The 3rd visit was today by cruise. Thought it would be nice to see it from the water. So the Cote D Azur as the French call the Riviera certainly lived up to all my expectations.

By the way Elizabeth, i dont have to worry about the toilet seats. You know in Monaco I got the shock of my life. Thank God I hadnt been drinking, when I flushed the toilet, something came out from the back and the whole toilet seat rotated through this thing and was cleaned. I just stared in amazement.

For all those concerned about my overnight trip on the bus, it went well apart from arriving at the hotel at 4 am. Security gave me a pillow and let me sleep in the foyer as it was way too early for check in. I felt like a park bum. I did get too sleep but the bus had to stop to pay so many tolls that i woke up every time. There are 16 tolls between Barcelona and Italy. The views before it was dark were like the movie chocalat. Houses here have to be an earthy colour so they looked beautiful in the sunset.

Tomorrow night i leave 9 pm by overnight train to Rome, i have booked a sleeper and arrive at 6 am. Italy here I come!

By the way, i have saved about 1,000 Euro doing this leg of the trip on my own instead of with Trafalgar tours.

Getting late and i have a very long walk back to the hotel along the beachfront; so i will love u and leave u there. Nite nite everyone.

I have been out boating every day because the boat harbour is only a few blocks from my hotel.

Saturday 30 July 2005 THE RAIN IN SPAIN

2005-07-30T04:17:00.000-07:00

Hola

Yes it is raining and the perfect day for it because it is a kind of free day for me today. Great to have a lazy, rainy day in between all the hectic and very hot days. You know, every day I am thankful that I am doing this trip now and not when I am older. It really is hard work and tiring all this travelling and being a tourist all day. So many steps everywhere and lots of walking and standing in queues etc. I don´t know how the older people do it. I leave the hotel about 9 am everyday and don´t return until about 8.30 pm absolutely worn out. Not to mention how dangerous it is just crossing the road. I´ve had 2 near misses in Germany where thankfully my aunt grabbed me one time and the 2nd time my cousin grabbed my arm. It is so easy to look the other way and step onto the road right in front of oncoming traffic. Hopefully those 2 were a good lesson for the rest of my trip. I am really extra careful now as there is no one to grab my arm now.

I have a little time to kill today as i have already checked out of my motel and my coach doesn´t leave until 5 pm for my 10 hour trip to Nice. So I had a leisurely lunch of pizza, very appropriate weather for this. Also finally got the coffee right on this my last day in Spain. I´m a bit like Paul Hogan though with the bidets in the bathroom, don´t quite know what to do with them (just kidding) - but let´s not go there.

I have purchased a nice new sexy ankle bracelet, let´s see how long that lasts before i lose it.

Today is the Christening of the twins Kevin and Mark in Germany. All our relatives will be together for it but unfortunately I had to miss out on that event. My heart is with them though and I am looking forward to seeing my 2 babies again in September. I keep threatening to take one home to raise him as an Aussie and then they could be reunited when they are 20 yrs old. I´m sure Enrico is going to watch closely when I leave Germany that I don´t have any extra baggage.

So, off to Nice, France. Wish you all a wonderful weekend and keep in touch.

love Gisela xxx

28 and 29 July 2005

2005-07-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

BARCELONA

Visited Montserrat. Beautiful views from the mountain. Amazing how they built the Basilica and monastery up there. Unfortunately the choir are on holidays for 2 months so i didn´t get to hear them sing. However the inside of the church was well worth it, i queued for half an hour to go to the shrine of the Virgin Mary through tunnels etc all beautifully done with artwork and statues. I nearly missed my tour bus back to Barcelona but made it back on time.

The afternoon I discovered the harbour. Not as nice as ours of course, but very nice and filled with yachts. A nice stroll along the waters edge in the heat. Past the Christopher Columbus statue and saw huge cruise ships. Apparently they get 100 a year in Barcelona.

Evening was spent in the very lively La Ramblas with street entertainers etc. 10 million people visit Barcelona each year since the Olympics in 1992. It is the 2nd most visited place in the world after Paris. So you can just imagine the crowds here. I went to an open'air sidewalk restaurant right in the heart of it all where you can watch the people go by. I celebrated my friend Laura´s birthday with a beer with a Tapas entree of squid and followed by PAELLA, one of my favourite dishes. It was really good but I couldn´t eat it all. Then I heard a young German girl from the table behind me (sitting with 7 others) say in German "Don´t tell me that woman is going to leave all that, I would love to eat it¨". So I turned around and said in German ¨"You are very welcome to the rest of this meal if you like". They all thanked me and gladly took it and giggled at having been caught out. Luckily I remember being a starving young student in Canberra once upon a time. Anyway, it was really funny.

Today I did a full day tour of the city of Barcelona and Gaudi. Included a bull ring, the Picassi Museum, a typical Spanish Village where we stopped for a great lunch (yes, food again mybridge). They served bread with 2 whole tomatoes and 2 unpeeled cloves of garlic and a bottle of oil on the side. Marvellous! I´m thinking of doing the same at my next dinner party.
Also saw the Olympic village, the Sagrada Familia Cathedral and my very very favourite spot today, Guell Park. Full of Gaudi´s works of art, i think i am becoming a fan.

And Robert, NO, I didn´t visit Sylvia Sanchez. Do you realise how many Sanchez´s there are in Spain.

Tomorrow will be a free roam around sort of day and then i´m off to France. I opted for an overnight bus leaving at 5.00 pm for Nice. A 10 hour trip. I should get to see a bit of the countryside along the way because it doesn´t get dark until 10 pm.

The reason i have verbal you-know-what today is because i haven´t spoken to anyone in English for 6 days. So thanks for all your emails.

love Gisela

madrid to barcelona 25 to 30 july

2005-07-27T11:36:00.000-07:00

WOW, WOW AND WOW

Culture, the arts and history. Surrounded by palaces. i made good use of the hop on and off bus. so much so that my legs disown me every night. LOVED the prado museum, thyssen and reina sophia museums. Came face to face with Rembrandts, Renoirs, picassos etc. Brought back memories of year 12 art studies. Amazing, i had to pinch myself all the time to believe i was really standing there right in front of such beautiful and famous works of art. Cezanne, Gauguin the list goes on and on.

Also walked the Botannical gardens as well as a huge park complete with a huge pond where people rent boats.

To top off a perfect day i opted for a night at the ballet instead of the traditional bullfight. Couldn´t resist, the nutcracker was on, the imperial russian ballet right opposite my motel. Costumes colourful and gorgeous, huge christmas tree on stage and men in tights. it all took place in a lovely old theatre all red and gold with chandeliers etc. The music replayed all evening as i went to sleep.

i got myself off to the train station this morning, estacion des altoche, pretty good hey, the driver understood me. So today was pretty restful, 5 and a half hours on the train, very comfortable, air con. etc and a dining car where i had lunch and some sort of semblance of a coffee. Thank god i have a cast iron stomach, lunch was a hot roll with smelly cheese and something like hot proscuitto, not very nice but it got better as i got used to it. you know me, won´t waste.

So 3 nights now in Barcelona, the rialto. Finally made it to the coast and it looked really nice from the train window, palm trees and all and loads of people. i am currently at the famous les ramblas. off to montserrat in the morning and a full day city tour on friday.

24 JULY 2005 MADRID

2005-07-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

Arrived Madrid this afternoon. What a shock. Both German and English arent helping me at the moment. Very hot. Flight was fine with lufthansa and my motel is right in the centre for 2 nights. Red light district I think, sex shops everywhere. I have a madrid pass for 2 days where i can hop on and off a bus as much as i want and it includes entry fees to 40 museums. Lets see how much my legs can handle. Next few days should be interesting. No more being spoiled by relatives. My new sunglasses purchased in Hong Kong are already broken in the bottom of my bag and now I need them desperately. Oh well. Just had a nice iced coffee at Starbucks cafe. Thinking about going to the ballet across the road tonight but i am probably too tired, looks good though but i have a huge day ahead of me. So Adios amigos! By the way, all the guys look like Antonio Banderas.

Germany 7 July to 21 July

2005-07-22T04:12:00.000-07:00

Relatives included 4 month old twins kevin and mark, cousin Enricos and Angeliques. i take them for walks into town in the huge double pram and everyone asks me how hard it is with 2 little boys. They don´t realise the bags under my eyes are from discoing in nightclubs called honeypot at Straubing until the wee hours of the morning with Erhard and his sister Magdalena. It was an interesting mix of music from traditional old Bavarian music to waltzes to modern day pop.

Highlights included the English Garden in munich which actually has a huge beer garden in it with band and all, great food, beer etc. A cruise on the Donau with my Aunt Renate and Peter To a monastery. A walk in the forest at 8 pm and climbing the Alps just across the border of Austria where the views were all like scenes from Heidi with cows on the hills with bells on etc. Riding around the countryside on Erhards black BMW wearing his old black leather jacket. Visiting the town where I was born Groebenzell and the family Dichtl whom we lived with. All the beautiful old churches where I always light a candle for my mum. The 700 year old buildings at Regensburg, Wasserburg and Rosenheim etc. The castles eg Burg Trausnitz and the guided tours through them where they tell you all about the old days, the furniture and the tapestries and paintings.

The Landshuter Hochzeit was fabulous. A parade through the streets of mum´s old home town. They dress in the costumes same as those worn in the 1400´s beautiful. Also had tickets to see the Knights play traditional games on horseback, excellent. I took my 2nd cousin Sabrina with me, we had fun and great seats.

i have attended a 79th birthday Frau Ecker and my aunt Renates 58th birthday where I MET one of my cousins for the very first time KATJA, almost my age with 2 gorgeous daughters. Helena reminds me of my niece kirstin. They played the piano beautifully to entertain us.

Food has been sauerbraten, knoedel, bretzchen, obatzen, apple strudel, emmanthaler cheese, hirsch, reh, spaetzle and schweinebraten. Very yummy stuff just like mum used to make. Also Bavarian cream dessert and many cakes. Always accompanied by a beer of course.

i look forward to coming back to Germany in September. My cousin Mischa drove me to the airport this morning. Everyone has been very wonderful and helpful and very generous with their time etc which has made it a magical experience for me.

Day 2 Hong Kong -Wed 6 July

2005-06-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

Check out at 6 pm
Free day to shop, shop and shop
Evening flight to Munich 2310 with Lufthansa

I felt like a local today. I am using the subway and know my way around a bit on this my 3rd day. I strolled along the Avenue of Stars this morning and then had brunch on my own at a restaurant - Dim Sim. I was the only tourist in there. It was big like the Yum Cha restaurants at home and full of locals. I did get stared at a bit so I made sure to impress them by using my chopsticks. I was even thinking about opening the complimentary daily newspaper just to pretend to read it. So it has been a great time in Hong Kong. Actually I love it here. Must go now as my time is up on the internet. Bags are repacked and slightly heavier. 3 new pair of shoes, one handbag etc. I thought I kept the shopping down pretty well.

love you all and thanks for all your messages.

Day 1 Hong Kong - Tuesday 5 July

2005-06-22T21:57:00.000-07:00

City Tour included a Sampan ride to a fishing village - very smelly. Very interesting. I spent most of the 5 hour tour with a retired teacher from Ballarat. She and I were very much alike. Must be the teacher in us. We had fun. Saw the rich and the poor areas. We drove from Kowloon under the harbour tunnel to Hong Kong Is. Wealthier live over there. Drove up the mountains. Beautiful lookouts - Mt Victoria Peak. Rode back down by tram - sort of like the Scenic Railway at the Blue Mountains. Then Stanley markets for a spot of shopping. We were told how lucky we were because it is the typhoon, rainy season. It was pouring apparently up until 3 days ago. Good feng shui.

Evening cruise of Hong Kong harbour on Junk (sailing boat), includes dinner. And what a dinner - seafood smorgasbord including oyster mornay. In a revolving restaurant very high up with 360 degree views beginning in daylight and ending with the city all lit up. Then to the Temple St evening markets. I bought new shoes and sunglasses. Then we were taken for our 2 hour cruise - unlimited drinks whilst on board - anything you like. I stayed with 5 other people all evening who I shared the dinner table with. 2 couples from Qld - very nice dinky di and a single woman from Coogee who loved the company. We shopped together at the markets and we enjoyed the cruise and walk back to our motels. A wonderful day and evening.

Long Service Leave 4 July - 1 October 2005

2005-06-22T21:42:00.001-07:00

Welcome to my new website. Please come along and join me for the ride of a lifetime.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD YOUR COMMENTS (FOR ALL TO SEE) BY CLICKING ON THE "COMMENTS" HYPERLINK.

Hong Kong Arrived well and stayed overnight at Kowloon. Even got a magnum ice cream on the plane. Guy beside me just like Adrian. Have also seen more Adrian's around since and many Maitland's as well.

Germany

Spain

French Riviera

Amalfi Coast

Malta

Germany

Singapore