Antwerp Arrival

We arrived in Antwerp yesterday - only took us 5 trains to get here, but arrive we did.  This is what happens when you are not paying attention you see.  There was a train change in Rotterdam, so leisurely got a tea and coffee at the station.  Headed up to Platform 6B - train cruises into station and on we get.  Train departs - just about to snap the lids off the hot drinks and I casually look at my watch.  Hell we seem to have departed before the time stated on our tickets - ooops - wrong train!!  So off we get, take a punt on which platform the train goes BACK to Central Station and start again.  We did arrive only half an hour later but it seemed longer - perhaps lifting bags on and off trains, and up and down stairs had something to do with it.  Anyway our Hotel in Antwerp is right across the square from the station which has been voted the No.1 station in Europe.  Now you can see why.

  In addition there is a huge Ferris wheel right in front.  What the ????  And this is the view from our room.  So you can't escape these wheels wherever you are - only EU5 to take a ride - so we did!!

  

(Our matching colour tops was unintentional)

After the ride yesterday we went to the Zoo, which amazingly enough is right next to the station - unbelievable.  You could acually train it to Antwerp - go for a ride on the wheel, visit the Zoo and then the Aquarium, which is just across the square and then leave by train!!

We have walked and walked, as you do and I had forgotten what a punishment the little feet take.  especially on all the cobblestones.  Antwerp is a real surprise - again so much to do and see.  Next post will be about today's excursions to the Peter Paul Ruben House - he was an extremely wealthy artist.  And our visit to the extraordinary MAS MUSEUM 

Amazing Amsterdam

Well this is our last night in Amsterdam, There is so, so much to do and see here and we have barely scratched the surface.  Anyway we are more than happy, and we will return.  You can't do it all anyway.  There is definitely an assurance here -   riding bicycles - hands free whilst checking phone messages, kids sitting very happily on the back, panniers filled with produce and flowers. There are hundreds of bikes chained to every available post and railing, I just don't know how they recognise their own.  The oldies (like us) are extremely stylish and comfortable, so we fit right in - ha ha

A distinct lack of 4 wheel drive prams in the many cafes, and the focus is not on the children, but they are part of the scene without overtaking it.  It's VERY different than in Oz.

We did a canal cruise - as you must - and our little feet are feeling the pavement as we have done much walking.  

Today was a real surpise - we visited the Portuguese Synagogue builtin 1675.  Amazing as you can see from the couple of pictures. I will try to add some of B's pics later - they are superior of course. Had dinner with some friends on our last night. They gave us a real insight into the way the Dutch think and do things. 

Lucky us

Sitting at Jakarta Airport and thinking how fortunate we are.  Whilst at lunch with Julie and Don at the Four Seasons our friend Paul, who is one of the Managers stopped by to ask Bernard if he would like to photograph the re-done Cooking School in return for some accommodation.  Ok now let us think about that for a nano second - YES PLEASE and THANK YOU. There are heaps of new and renovated Hotels, villas and suites in Bali - way, way too many for this little island to cope with.  The traffic is a nightmare and can only get worse.  However I think that the Four Seasons is still one of the best of the best - absolute beach front, sublime gardens grown up over 22 years and simplicity of design and purpose.  Just LOVE it.  

We have a very long night ahead of us - am hoping to get some sleep so fingers crossed

They had foot reflexology massagers so I took this hilarious picture of my little piggy type feet on the machine

Lunching with friends

It's quite amazing just how popular this Island is.  We had lunch yesterday with our friends from Warburton.

And today,lunch with some of my class fromThe Toorak Health Club.

Tomorrow we are off to Amsterdam - A Long Day's Journey into Night!!  (Thanks Tenessee Williams??)

In the meantime the view from our balcony at Tanjung Benoa

One Day at a Time

We are nearly 'normalised' whatever that may mean.  Arrived Bali yesterday- even though it's not a long flight, it takes ages to get from home to here.  Not assisted by one hour plus just waiting to get through Customs.  Mmmm - Visa fee increase by US$10 -now $35.00.  Judging by the hoardes yesterday, quite a tidy sum!!  However, being in Bali always has the same effect on me - love the temperature and atmosphere - Balinese people lovely.  Dinner last night at Bumbu -perfectly brilliant balinese food.  Can't go past the Soto Ayam and BBQ ribs.

The Start of the Journeys

Welcome to our Blog.  We leave Melbourne shortly for a 9 week journey, starting in Bali and then on to Europe.  I hope that what is going to appear on this Blog, will be of interest to some and perhaps a little amusing along the way - we shall see!   In any case it will be a tale of where we have been, and what we have seen and done. And a record for our own enjoyment later down the track should the hard drive in our brains fail in the years to come.
Of course, your comments will be most welcome.  Watch this space!!