Wednesday 17/11/2010
Landed in Sydney at 9:20am and by 10am we had disembarked, gone through Immigration and Customs and were on our way to Domestic Transfer. Dropped our bags off (girl in Hong Kong had checked them right through to Canberra so we just had to collect to go through Customs etc and then drop them off because we already had our boarding pass) and down to the Domestic transfer departure lounge. Over to Domestic and an espresso then to our departure lounge for the last leg of the trip - to Canberra at about 12noon. Landed in Canberra at 12:50pm and Donna was there to collect us at about 1:30pm (she had to collect Xavier from pre-school) and after stopping at the shop for the necessities were home at about 2pm.
A GREAT TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday 16/11/2010
Our last day of our trip! We walked up Nathan Road to a stall (like a market between 2 buildings) to buy some shoe bags for the girls at work. Stopped on the way back to look at shoes - bought a pair of red patent slip-ons. Mike could not find any he liked. Back to the hotel at about 11am and showered again and changed into our travel clothes because checkout was 12noon. We sat and read in the lobby area till about 1:30pm (my travel friend had a doze for a while and I had a couple of short ones). We then went in search of somewhere to have lunch - lots of places so it was just a matter or choosing which Chinese restaurant we would settle for. On the way back we collected my slacks from the tailor and sat and read again till about 3:30pm when we took advantage of the "Welcome free drinks" voucher we were issued on arrival. Just after 4:40pm we moved downstairs to wait for the shuttle bus to the airport (pick up scheduled for 5:15pm). Shuttle arrived about 5pm and we travelled in and out of narrow Hong Kong streets for quite a while, arriving at the airport jut after 6pm. Checked in, had dinner and then went for a coffee and to share an apple crumble pie because the Hong Kong dollars we had would only stretch to this. Worked out it would cost $HK126. When I went to pay I was presented with a bill for $HK138.60 and between us we only had $HK136 - we had not calculated in the "service charge" and the fellow said not to worry about this when I enptied my purse and told him I was $HK2.60 short (guess they often get this at the airport with people leaving). I thought we would have some change to put in the Unicef envelope but sorry! While we were having coffee a 3 piece band set up and played some really good easy listening music. A South African businessman sittling at the next table said his flight did not leave till midnight (current time about 8pm) and he had been through HK a few times recently and they were playing so he was happy to just sit and listen while he had a drink. We left and went to find our departure gate (No 70) which meant a walk then an escalator, train trip and then another escalator before we did the long walk to Gate 70 for boarding time scheduled for 9pm. Pretty much on time. Plane was only half full and as the seatbelt sign was turned off the midle rows of 4 seats filled with people stretching out across them. Mike and I didn't sleep a lot (excited to be heading home I think). Mike watched "Predators" and I watched "The Tournament"
Our last day of our trip! We walked up Nathan Road to a stall (like a market between 2 buildings) to buy some shoe bags for the girls at work. Stopped on the way back to look at shoes - bought a pair of red patent slip-ons. Mike could not find any he liked. Back to the hotel at about 11am and showered again and changed into our travel clothes because checkout was 12noon. We sat and read in the lobby area till about 1:30pm (my travel friend had a doze for a while and I had a couple of short ones). We then went in search of somewhere to have lunch - lots of places so it was just a matter or choosing which Chinese restaurant we would settle for. On the way back we collected my slacks from the tailor and sat and read again till about 3:30pm when we took advantage of the "Welcome free drinks" voucher we were issued on arrival. Just after 4:40pm we moved downstairs to wait for the shuttle bus to the airport (pick up scheduled for 5:15pm). Shuttle arrived about 5pm and we travelled in and out of narrow Hong Kong streets for quite a while, arriving at the airport jut after 6pm. Checked in, had dinner and then went for a coffee and to share an apple crumble pie because the Hong Kong dollars we had would only stretch to this. Worked out it would cost $HK126. When I went to pay I was presented with a bill for $HK138.60 and between us we only had $HK136 - we had not calculated in the "service charge" and the fellow said not to worry about this when I enptied my purse and told him I was $HK2.60 short (guess they often get this at the airport with people leaving). I thought we would have some change to put in the Unicef envelope but sorry! While we were having coffee a 3 piece band set up and played some really good easy listening music. A South African businessman sittling at the next table said his flight did not leave till midnight (current time about 8pm) and he had been through HK a few times recently and they were playing so he was happy to just sit and listen while he had a drink. We left and went to find our departure gate (No 70) which meant a walk then an escalator, train trip and then another escalator before we did the long walk to Gate 70 for boarding time scheduled for 9pm. Pretty much on time. Plane was only half full and as the seatbelt sign was turned off the midle rows of 4 seats filled with people stretching out across them. Mike and I didn't sleep a lot (excited to be heading home I think). Mike watched "Predators" and I watched "The Tournament"
Monday 15/11/2010
Today we didn't have breakfast till about 9:30am and then we had the Concierge at the hotel book us on a Cruise on the Harbour for tonight which also included a walk through a Seafood Market and dinner at the Chinese Restaurant nearby. Next stop was a tailor across the street from the hotel to have him copy a pair of slacks for me (Marg). I ordered 3 pairs. From there we walked to Jordan station to catch the train to Central to find Vicki's shoes (another Pauline referral). Found 2 pairs that wanted to come home with me!! Along the same street we found thongs for Olivia, casuals (camoflage) for Xavier and cute little bright coloured ones for Arianna. Had lunch in McDonalds (we said we wouldn't do it but........) and a couple who shared the table (he a Kiwi and she Hong Kong born) told us we should get a taxi to Peak Train station and take the ride up. Thi was well worth doing! Back to Admiralty station and home about 4pm for a short break and then prepare to head out to our meeting place for our cruise. The ferry picked us up at Pier 3 and we arrived back there at about 9:15pm A good trip - very interesting seeing all the buildings lit up with their Christmas message and the commentary was very good. After the cruise we strolled around the Star Ferry Terminal area and neaby Harbourside we saw a big lights display which we can only assume was for Christmas (different from Christmas lights we know). Caught a taxi back arriving about 10pm Time to update the diary again and do some reading before calling it a day (10:50pm). Mike has just taken stoke of our spending for the day!!! (Probably shouldn't have done that)
Today we didn't have breakfast till about 9:30am and then we had the Concierge at the hotel book us on a Cruise on the Harbour for tonight which also included a walk through a Seafood Market and dinner at the Chinese Restaurant nearby. Next stop was a tailor across the street from the hotel to have him copy a pair of slacks for me (Marg). I ordered 3 pairs. From there we walked to Jordan station to catch the train to Central to find Vicki's shoes (another Pauline referral). Found 2 pairs that wanted to come home with me!! Along the same street we found thongs for Olivia, casuals (camoflage) for Xavier and cute little bright coloured ones for Arianna. Had lunch in McDonalds (we said we wouldn't do it but........) and a couple who shared the table (he a Kiwi and she Hong Kong born) told us we should get a taxi to Peak Train station and take the ride up. Thi was well worth doing! Back to Admiralty station and home about 4pm for a short break and then prepare to head out to our meeting place for our cruise. The ferry picked us up at Pier 3 and we arrived back there at about 9:15pm A good trip - very interesting seeing all the buildings lit up with their Christmas message and the commentary was very good. After the cruise we strolled around the Star Ferry Terminal area and neaby Harbourside we saw a big lights display which we can only assume was for Christmas (different from Christmas lights we know). Caught a taxi back arriving about 10pm Time to update the diary again and do some reading before calling it a day (10:50pm). Mike has just taken stoke of our spending for the day!!! (Probably shouldn't have done that)
Sunday 14/11/2010
Well we landed at 7am (on time) in Hong Kong and were through customs and immigration and had our luggage by about 7:45am. We had to wait for our transfer bus to leave at 8:30am. Because there were other passengers for various hotels we ended up being the last off at about 9:20am at the Novotel Nathan Road, Kowloon. Our room was not going to be available till 1pm so we decided to have a second breakfast at 10am at the Novotel and then caught a taxi to pick up Mike's glasses which he had ordered on the way through to UK. We then went to investigate SOGO because Pauline had given us details. They were in the middle of a HUGE sale and we think we were just a little too tired because we had a look around but were not really interested. Walked back along Nathan Road towards the hotel, picked up some sushi, jumped in another taxi back to th hotel and slept from 2pm till about 5pm. We were then ready to shower and head out to the night markets. Picked up a few things and shared a table for dinner at a street side eatery with a man from New Zealand who lives in Fiji and was in Hong Kong for a week or so because he works for Kingfisher Air. We bought a cabin bag because we had too much to fit our original bags and were home by about 9:30pm. Updated the diary, read for a while and crashed at about 10:45pm
Well we landed at 7am (on time) in Hong Kong and were through customs and immigration and had our luggage by about 7:45am. We had to wait for our transfer bus to leave at 8:30am. Because there were other passengers for various hotels we ended up being the last off at about 9:20am at the Novotel Nathan Road, Kowloon. Our room was not going to be available till 1pm so we decided to have a second breakfast at 10am at the Novotel and then caught a taxi to pick up Mike's glasses which he had ordered on the way through to UK. We then went to investigate SOGO because Pauline had given us details. They were in the middle of a HUGE sale and we think we were just a little too tired because we had a look around but were not really interested. Walked back along Nathan Road towards the hotel, picked up some sushi, jumped in another taxi back to th hotel and slept from 2pm till about 5pm. We were then ready to shower and head out to the night markets. Picked up a few things and shared a table for dinner at a street side eatery with a man from New Zealand who lives in Fiji and was in Hong Kong for a week or so because he works for Kingfisher Air. We bought a cabin bag because we had too much to fit our original bags and were home by about 9:30pm. Updated the diary, read for a while and crashed at about 10:45pm
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday 13/11/2010
We were at breakfast at 7am along with a lot of other guests who obviously wanted to get started with the day. Seeing as we had finshed breakfast and probably had time to get to the station and catch the 8:22am train to the airport we decided to do this. Taxi trip this time cost 15 Euro - better price! Arrived at the airport station at the time we originally had planned to catch the train. The walk from the train station into the airport was a bit lengthy (no wories as we are used to walking). We were into the Check-in area (our check-in counter was listed as 208 and we entered near counter 400). We were able to check-in and be free of our bags. Lucky we had walked around a group of 60-80 Asians who were organising themselves and were lined up after we were finished our check-in. We went for a coffee and a Canadian couple who sat at the next table struck up a conversation and we sat there for about 45 minutes talking to them. By the time we left them we only had time to go through customs and security and head for the boarding area. This was a trek as well - we followed arrows and signs to G3 which took us along a wide walkway, up an escalator and then onto a 2 carriage train which took us to the departure lounge area (a separate building). The screen showed we were boarding at 11:25am for a 12:25pm departure (we were not looking forward to an hour onboard waiting). We boarded at 11:40am however the flight did not take off until 1:05pm anyway bound for Hong Kong. Flight was uneventful except the 2 Italians in the seat in front talked very loadly and did not even stop after the lights went out. I asked them to be quiet and they did. Took off from Rome and as I was on a window seat and as the day was fine and sunny I was able to see quite a lot of Italy as we crossed, from 30,000 feet up. I saw the sun set over the Black Sea (3:30pm Saturday Rome time).
We were at breakfast at 7am along with a lot of other guests who obviously wanted to get started with the day. Seeing as we had finshed breakfast and probably had time to get to the station and catch the 8:22am train to the airport we decided to do this. Taxi trip this time cost 15 Euro - better price! Arrived at the airport station at the time we originally had planned to catch the train. The walk from the train station into the airport was a bit lengthy (no wories as we are used to walking). We were into the Check-in area (our check-in counter was listed as 208 and we entered near counter 400). We were able to check-in and be free of our bags. Lucky we had walked around a group of 60-80 Asians who were organising themselves and were lined up after we were finished our check-in. We went for a coffee and a Canadian couple who sat at the next table struck up a conversation and we sat there for about 45 minutes talking to them. By the time we left them we only had time to go through customs and security and head for the boarding area. This was a trek as well - we followed arrows and signs to G3 which took us along a wide walkway, up an escalator and then onto a 2 carriage train which took us to the departure lounge area (a separate building). The screen showed we were boarding at 11:25am for a 12:25pm departure (we were not looking forward to an hour onboard waiting). We boarded at 11:40am however the flight did not take off until 1:05pm anyway bound for Hong Kong. Flight was uneventful except the 2 Italians in the seat in front talked very loadly and did not even stop after the lights went out. I asked them to be quiet and they did. Took off from Rome and as I was on a window seat and as the day was fine and sunny I was able to see quite a lot of Italy as we crossed, from 30,000 feet up. I saw the sun set over the Black Sea (3:30pm Saturday Rome time).
Friday 12/11/2010
Dull, overcast and damp feeling today in Siena. By 9.15am we had showered, had breakfast and Mike had done a sketch while sitting on the balcony around from our room, which overlooked the entrance. Checkd out, left our bags at the hotel and walked to the "Fast food" Nannini's for a coffee and to buy a panini to take on the train for lunch. As the weather was not looking good and rain was threatening we decided to call a taxi and go to the station. The station was fairly quite so we found a spot in the corner and I sat and read while Mike sketched. The train departed on time at 11:18am, arriving in Firenze SMN at 12:55pm leaving 15 minutes to change to our train for Rome. We had already been to the station and knew the layout was all on one lavel (thank heavens!) We came in down the back end of the train from Siena on Platform 3 and had to go to Platform 11 and our reserved seats were in Car 3 which was one of the furtherest from the head of the platform so it was all go-go-go till we goth there to find our seats and stow our luggage for the trip(hopefully not too far away and within sight). The ride was good and the staff came through 1st Class (where we were) with complimentary drinks and nibbles. Then they came back with a small packaged biscuit each. Arrived at Roma Termini on time at 2:45pm. Out to the taxi rank and a fellow directed us to a taxi which was sitting almost in the middle of the road. The driver told us there was a demonstration happening and that the trip to the hotel would take 25-30 minutes and it would cost 35 Euro. What do you do when you do not know how far away the hotel is? We accepted and were at our hotel in about 9 minutes. He managed to get us out of the taxi, we paid him and was gone so quickly that we did not think to challenge him on the price. The receptionist told us it should have cost about 10 Euro (we guess we need to add the cost for bags as they charge extra per bag). After check-in we walked to the Trevi Fountain and parted with some coins! Not far away was a Gelati place (Gelato di San Crispino) which is mentioned in the book Eat, Love, Pray so we found that and had a gelati. Off then to the Spanish Steps and a couple from Manchester, UK askd us on the way if we knew where the Steps were so we walked together. After some photos we walked down via Condotti, looking at all the expensive brand shops (Dior, Burberry, Versace, Jimmy Choo, Giorgio Armani) and taking photos of them, with the crowds as the sun set along this street. Found a place to eat however it was only 5:30pm so we sat with a drink till about 6pm when we ordered dinner. We both enjoyed our last dinner in Europe! Walked home via another Piazza (they are everywhere). We had the "Rooftop" room and it was SMALL!! Not a lot of room to spare with the bed against one corner of the room. Hopefully we will get a good night's sleep as tomorrow will be long - flight at 12:25pm to Hong Kong arriving Sunday 7am. Today I finished another book " A lesser Evil" by Lesley Pearse (I will leave it here) and I am about to start on my third - "Under the Tuscan Sun" by Frances Mayes which I bought in Florence.
Dull, overcast and damp feeling today in Siena. By 9.15am we had showered, had breakfast and Mike had done a sketch while sitting on the balcony around from our room, which overlooked the entrance. Checkd out, left our bags at the hotel and walked to the "Fast food" Nannini's for a coffee and to buy a panini to take on the train for lunch. As the weather was not looking good and rain was threatening we decided to call a taxi and go to the station. The station was fairly quite so we found a spot in the corner and I sat and read while Mike sketched. The train departed on time at 11:18am, arriving in Firenze SMN at 12:55pm leaving 15 minutes to change to our train for Rome. We had already been to the station and knew the layout was all on one lavel (thank heavens!) We came in down the back end of the train from Siena on Platform 3 and had to go to Platform 11 and our reserved seats were in Car 3 which was one of the furtherest from the head of the platform so it was all go-go-go till we goth there to find our seats and stow our luggage for the trip(hopefully not too far away and within sight). The ride was good and the staff came through 1st Class (where we were) with complimentary drinks and nibbles. Then they came back with a small packaged biscuit each. Arrived at Roma Termini on time at 2:45pm. Out to the taxi rank and a fellow directed us to a taxi which was sitting almost in the middle of the road. The driver told us there was a demonstration happening and that the trip to the hotel would take 25-30 minutes and it would cost 35 Euro. What do you do when you do not know how far away the hotel is? We accepted and were at our hotel in about 9 minutes. He managed to get us out of the taxi, we paid him and was gone so quickly that we did not think to challenge him on the price. The receptionist told us it should have cost about 10 Euro (we guess we need to add the cost for bags as they charge extra per bag). After check-in we walked to the Trevi Fountain and parted with some coins! Not far away was a Gelati place (Gelato di San Crispino) which is mentioned in the book Eat, Love, Pray so we found that and had a gelati. Off then to the Spanish Steps and a couple from Manchester, UK askd us on the way if we knew where the Steps were so we walked together. After some photos we walked down via Condotti, looking at all the expensive brand shops (Dior, Burberry, Versace, Jimmy Choo, Giorgio Armani) and taking photos of them, with the crowds as the sun set along this street. Found a place to eat however it was only 5:30pm so we sat with a drink till about 6pm when we ordered dinner. We both enjoyed our last dinner in Europe! Walked home via another Piazza (they are everywhere). We had the "Rooftop" room and it was SMALL!! Not a lot of room to spare with the bed against one corner of the room. Hopefully we will get a good night's sleep as tomorrow will be long - flight at 12:25pm to Hong Kong arriving Sunday 7am. Today I finished another book " A lesser Evil" by Lesley Pearse (I will leave it here) and I am about to start on my third - "Under the Tuscan Sun" by Frances Mayes which I bought in Florence.
Thursday 11/11/2010
Our last day in Siena! We decided to check out some of the 8 gates on the old wall and the first we visited was Porta Fontebranda. We went down a set of steps (wide and very long - each step slightly sloped and wider than the size tread we are used to) near the church on the corner from our hotel and that took us right to the gate which was quite a lot lower than the church. We then travelled on 6 escalators up to about the level we started but over to anothr area of town. From there we walkd to Ports S. Marco, stopping on the way for a coffee and pastry (love those pastries!!). Next stop was Porta Laterina which was a more direct walk from s. Marco. After this we zig-zagged (as you do in Siena) our way back to Il Campo for lunch. Sat in a restaurant here and watched the lunch-time goings on. We took our time as it had begun to rain just a little (not a lot to worry about) and we had a good viewing spot. After lunch it was off to Porta Ovile and we went through Piazza del Mercato first which was just behind the Town Hall and then through another couple, one of which was names Abbadia (name of our accommodation in Meniglia). When we arrived at the gate it was not as impressive as the other 2 we had visited but the walk down to and back up from this one was impressive and just as well we were used to walking up and down steps/hills. Closer to home we checked out a small "department" store and bought a beanie for Nathan. We also discovered another Nannini (coffee) shop close to our hotel. After walking Siena for the last 2 1/2 days we can understand why Justin and Suse like the place. Everytime you turn a corner there is another interesting building - lots of churches. Home at about 5pm to share a Pink Lady apple and some Panforte we purchased in Siena. We also tasted some Wild Boar Salami today because we could not get to the restaurant Justin had mentioned and wanted to try it. We are all packed ready to leave tomorrow morning. Sent Brendan a "Happy Birthday" message via text as it is about 7am in Mackay on 12/11/2010.
Our last day in Siena! We decided to check out some of the 8 gates on the old wall and the first we visited was Porta Fontebranda. We went down a set of steps (wide and very long - each step slightly sloped and wider than the size tread we are used to) near the church on the corner from our hotel and that took us right to the gate which was quite a lot lower than the church. We then travelled on 6 escalators up to about the level we started but over to anothr area of town. From there we walkd to Ports S. Marco, stopping on the way for a coffee and pastry (love those pastries!!). Next stop was Porta Laterina which was a more direct walk from s. Marco. After this we zig-zagged (as you do in Siena) our way back to Il Campo for lunch. Sat in a restaurant here and watched the lunch-time goings on. We took our time as it had begun to rain just a little (not a lot to worry about) and we had a good viewing spot. After lunch it was off to Porta Ovile and we went through Piazza del Mercato first which was just behind the Town Hall and then through another couple, one of which was names Abbadia (name of our accommodation in Meniglia). When we arrived at the gate it was not as impressive as the other 2 we had visited but the walk down to and back up from this one was impressive and just as well we were used to walking up and down steps/hills. Closer to home we checked out a small "department" store and bought a beanie for Nathan. We also discovered another Nannini (coffee) shop close to our hotel. After walking Siena for the last 2 1/2 days we can understand why Justin and Suse like the place. Everytime you turn a corner there is another interesting building - lots of churches. Home at about 5pm to share a Pink Lady apple and some Panforte we purchased in Siena. We also tasted some Wild Boar Salami today because we could not get to the restaurant Justin had mentioned and wanted to try it. We are all packed ready to leave tomorrow morning. Sent Brendan a "Happy Birthday" message via text as it is about 7am in Mackay on 12/11/2010.
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