Friday, September 01, 2006

Some sights in Malta
























What ever you do in Malta do NOT forget to take a bus! Anywhere - IT IS THE experience of a life time.

Sometimes you can be lucky and come across a procession on a festive day like we did - but do not count on it.

Words of caution!

Malta is perhaps one of the more expensive cities in Europe (apart from anywhere in Switzerland of course). Be prepared to PAY and pay a lot especially if you come from Australia.

The joys of Prague!

Just a brief look at the joys of Prague.

However there is a word of caution! There is a tourist tram No 22 which will take you all around the old city and to most of the sites. It is a fabulous service and extremely useful for the tourist. Alas all of the pickpockets KNOW that most tourists take the tram and on busy days they are out in force. Like flies they are annoying and like flies you would like to swat them. Alas unless you are very alert they can become MORE than just annoying they can become dowright trip spoilers.

So beware pickpockets in this town and keep your valuables in your hotel room or stash them in different places close to your body and under your clothing. Whatever you do it should not include having a wallet bulging with notes and with credit card hanging out of your rear trouser pocket.

BTW you CAN get your AMEX replaced easily at the American Express Office, however getting your Visa, Mastercard or Diners Club cards replaced is not as easy. The police station had only one interpreter who spoke English when we were there and I have to tell you that he is a VERY busy man!

Take care and you will have fun in this town.



Saturday, July 01, 2006

Not one of the better known places I suspect for most people - but Peschiera in Italy is a place well worth a visit.

The facilities for accommodation are abundant and include some really terrific caravan parks for those on the move. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Peter and Leanne in an English Establishment

While in England we visited some of Leanne's distant relations. Through the magic of computing and long distance emails we were able to find some lovely folk who live in Kent, not all that far from the place where Leanne's ancestors settled and lived for many generations.

Kathy was kind enough to take us around and in at least one location to take our picture.

People will of course notice that we are dressed for the English summer and have with us the necessary - something to wet the whistle! Posted by Picasa

Saturday, November 05, 2005

PEST - a view from the Castle

If you are ever in Europe, go to Budapest in Hungary and ask yourself how the town got its name.

This photograph is taken from the Buda side of the Danube river that flows through the middle of the capital city. As you have (no doubt) guessed by now, this should mean that the side which is in view is Pest (pronounced "Pesht" just so there are no wisecracks about the people who live there and/or come from there.)

During the Second World War all of the bridges were either bombed or blown up and there was considerable hardship trying to get from one side of the river to the other.

While all of the main bridges were rebuilt following the war, as time passed and Hungary became more and more prosperous, the volume of private ownership of cars increased. In the era of the socialist governments in Hungary many of the vehicles on the road were built in what were known as the "Soviet Bloc" countries, most notably Poland and what was then East Germany. To be kind, pollution control was not something that really seemed to interest the authorities greatly and even though there were relatively few vehicles on the road, the city was continually enveloped in smog and the buildings took on a kind of grey hue that lasted for decades.

These days of course there is a similar, but different problem. With many more people being able to afford cars and motor bikes etc. Not only is the pollution just as heavy as it used to be, but the traffic is a lot more stressful than it used to be, especially during peak hours.

My advice to the budding traveller to Budapest is to take the car in by all means, but PARK IT somewhere and take public transport wherever you can or if you are fit enough use 'shanks pony' (i.e. walk). Unless you want to visit the industrial or outer residential areas.

Public transport in Budapest is simply fabulous and in spite of the incredible price hikes in the last few years, still very affordable and a hell of a lot less stressful.

When you want to escape the urban sprawl and head to the countryside then your car becomes more useful as you can easily visit places you want to see. BTW hiring cars in Hungary was, at the time of writing, prohibitive (at least to my budget) lease a car in France or a Camper van in Germany at around a third of the price.

BTW the picture you see on the screen was taken after a number of days of rain which seems to have literally cleared the air hence the clear views. So check your long range weather forecast and arrive in Budapest towards the end of a wet period - it will make your stay that much more pleasant. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Inside the harem in Istanbul

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Outside the Harem in Istanbul

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Turkish Bus Driver in the mood

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A motley crowd having a sit down meal in Turkey

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Istanbul

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Istanbul

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Goereme

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Goereme

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Pammukale in Turkey

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More views of Ephesus

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Ephesus and Pammucuk

What a delightful place from which to explore.
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Some views of Ephesus in Turkey

It is hard to imagine that so many years ago the Romans could build cities in which there were wide marble streets and so many impressive buildings - yet they did.

What is even more impressive is that they managed to create sanitation that is enviable in many places around the world even today.

I have a feeling that one of the reasons for the longevity of the Roman Empire has something to do with cleanliness being next to godliness!
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Thursday, October 27, 2005

Travelling to Capri?

It is from this location that most people set out to catch the ferry that takes them across to the island of Capri. Note that people on coach tours will HAVE to transfer to a smaller bus as the ferry is only a small one! Posted by Picasa