Home again, & it feels great.
What a journey, others may do this in their stride but for us it has been a truly once in a life time event.
We have been happy, sad, exited (but never bored), stressed, relaxed, impressed, disgusted & emotionally moved.
This combination may or may not be what is expected of a holiday. But it has certainly made us feel alive & appreciate the magnificent country we live in.
A very important part of our trip was to the village my parents left, never to see again, when they emigrated to Australia. Our verdict, without much deliberation, is that the decision was undoubtedly correct.
The actual move itself would have been emotionally traumatic & very frightening. My mother never saw or spoke to her mother again & I know this effected her deeply. Their thoughts were for the future of their children & I am dissapointed that they are not alive today, that we could express our appreciation of that monumental decision.
There are no more crap quality photos to see, just an itemised list of my 10 personal opinion do's & dont's of our experience.
.1. Don't waste your time going to the cities, the names of which we hear so often. They are just cities & they are the same the world over. There are specific locations in some cities that are worth the crap you need to put up with to see them.These will be individual choices.All European cities are rediculously overcrowded.
.2. Do go to the Alps & spend time, there is much to see & do, the beauty is indescribable & uplifting to the soul. The Alps are beautiful in every country, Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria & Germany. After all they really are the same mountain Range.
.3. Beware of French & Italian drivers. They are incosiderate & dangerous.
.4. French do not maintain anything & there is dog shit everywhere. Italians are not much better.
.5. Don't fly Emirates. Virgin is much better & cheaper.
.6. Cruise the rivers. It is the easiest & best way to see all places except the Alps.
.7. Add 2 days to whatever time you intend spending in Dubai.
.8. Watch at least 1 or 2 legs of the TDF. It will be the highlight of your trip. (to the Alps)
.9. Cycle, if you must visit cities. It is faster, safer & gives better views than vehicles
.10. Packing After you finish packing, open your bag & throw out exactly half of everything you put in. It will make your life a whole lot easier.
Here endeth the sermon..............................................
What a journey, others may do this in their stride but for us it has been a truly once in a life time event.
We have been happy, sad, exited (but never bored), stressed, relaxed, impressed, disgusted & emotionally moved.
This combination may or may not be what is expected of a holiday. But it has certainly made us feel alive & appreciate the magnificent country we live in.
A very important part of our trip was to the village my parents left, never to see again, when they emigrated to Australia. Our verdict, without much deliberation, is that the decision was undoubtedly correct.
The actual move itself would have been emotionally traumatic & very frightening. My mother never saw or spoke to her mother again & I know this effected her deeply. Their thoughts were for the future of their children & I am dissapointed that they are not alive today, that we could express our appreciation of that monumental decision.
There are no more crap quality photos to see, just an itemised list of my 10 personal opinion do's & dont's of our experience.
.1. Don't waste your time going to the cities, the names of which we hear so often. They are just cities & they are the same the world over. There are specific locations in some cities that are worth the crap you need to put up with to see them.These will be individual choices.All European cities are rediculously overcrowded.
.2. Do go to the Alps & spend time, there is much to see & do, the beauty is indescribable & uplifting to the soul. The Alps are beautiful in every country, Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria & Germany. After all they really are the same mountain Range.
.3. Beware of French & Italian drivers. They are incosiderate & dangerous.
.4. French do not maintain anything & there is dog shit everywhere. Italians are not much better.
.5. Don't fly Emirates. Virgin is much better & cheaper.
.6. Cruise the rivers. It is the easiest & best way to see all places except the Alps.
.7. Add 2 days to whatever time you intend spending in Dubai.
.8. Watch at least 1 or 2 legs of the TDF. It will be the highlight of your trip. (to the Alps)
.9. Cycle, if you must visit cities. It is faster, safer & gives better views than vehicles
.10. Packing After you finish packing, open your bag & throw out exactly half of everything you put in. It will make your life a whole lot easier.
Here endeth the sermon..............................................
