Travelling in Asia

Leaving Mandurah for new sight and new experiences and heading to new places

Only two hours to go now until I hit the road, head for the airport and travel to Singapore.  So far everything has gone okay.  Suitcase packed.  I thought momentarily I had lost my Passport but it was just misplaced now it is tucked safely into my handbag.



I wonder why we only ever use half of what we pack when we travel.



I will try my best to blog all my pictures and adventures as we travel.

Angouleme France to Spain

Writing and Photographing France and Spain

My favourite holiday so far is the holiday I had with Rentia and then catching up with John and Cathy for  our road trip.  It was the most amazing experience and I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to be with this amazing group of people.

We met several times at the Dome to plan our trip and look at places we would be staying in.  These included a Chateau; A Castle built in the 14th-15th Century and a room in a University in Bilboa.


HINT
While on a trip send yourself a postcard every day from wherever you are and write down what you did that day.  Then when you return home you can bind them and you will have a journal of your trip complete with photos, stamps and a run-down of each day's events.

Our journey started when Rentia met me at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.We lugged our suitcases up and down the steps of several stations before we reached our destination.
Our first stop in France was the charming town of Tours where we stayed in an Airbnb Cottage. We were both very impressed with how people seem to be very minimalistic, they have what they need and no more.  I have tried to be like this since I returned home with little success.  The stairs up to our rooms were rather challenging and quite steep.

Tours is located in an area with a rich heritage.  The Chateaux and homes of France's past Kings and Queens are still intact.
One of your favourite places to explore was a small square surrounded by half timbered houses named Place Plumereau.  We tried out some of the many eating places that seemed to be always full and Stores selling leather shoe and handbags, (Rentia's favourite store).

On the weekend the place is completely transformed by the Markets where there must be at least fifty stalls containing a variety of Cheeses, Meats and Wines.

We enjoyed sitting eating and people watching.  People are the same everywhere aren't the? Some were hurrying along, others were strolling or window shopping. Perhaps they were the tourists.
Three walked past carrying large shopping bags and laughing and chatting as they walked.  In a Cafe at a table next to us there were men drinking wine and playing cards. Everyone seems to be dressed up even to go and buy their bread for breakfast.  Older people are dressed mustard and autumn tones.  Every second person has a dog with them.

HOTEL ADELIE

LA VILLA FLEURIE
When we arrived here we stopped to ask a lady directions, it was raining and she said it was too far to walk so she took us in her car.
Next morning it rained again and the hostel kindly drove us to the Station as we set off to another gorgeous French town.

Had to queue outside Annabelle's Restaurant. We both agreed it was well worth the wait as we plowed through our gastronomical lunch.
After visiting the Louvre and taking a copious amount of photos and passing under the Arch De Triumph we headed back to our rooms, after a day of eating and admiring the sights.

Then it was time to pack up and get ready for your trip to Angouleme where John and Cathy have a house.

Cruising the Mediterranean

The Regal Princess is a relatively new ship.

I learned an important lesson when I found my Cabin.  I had chosen an inside cabin, which means no Port Hole.  At night the cabin is quiet and dark and conducive to sleep.  However it is also dark and quiet all day long.  I woke up at 9am and realized I was meant to be leaving the boat for my first excursion to Ravenna.  Fortunately the rest of my Group waited for me to dress hastily and join them.  I learned an important lesson that day to book a Cabin with a view which also would provide daylight.

Dubrovnik
We have a very experienced Tour Guide for our excursion in Croatia.  The history of Croatia is colourful to say the least. There are more than one thousand islands dotted around the Croatian Coast of the Adriatic Sea.

George Bernard Shaw the Irish Poet wrote: 'Those who search for paradise on earth should come and see Dubrovnik.  I agree with him.  It is a lovely place for writers and painters.

We drove up a steep hill and we met a rubbish truck coming the other way.  Our skillful driver reversed back quite a distance until he could find a bay to turn in.  It was a very narrow road and we could see the blue Adriatic Sea far beneath us.
Athens


Kusadasi

Mykonos

Civitavecchia

Livorno


Toulon


Barcelona


To be continued

Perth to Venice

My first foray into the world by myself was a Mediterranean Cruise aboard the Regal Princess. That's me in that picture above taken by Rentia who also took other  photos of me in different clothes and mixed and matched them so that when I was on the Cruise I knew what to wear each day without even thinking about it.  It was very useful.

I flew from Perth to Venice with a stop over at Dubai.  One of my biggest concerns was being able to find my way from the Airport in Venice to my accomodation at the Hotel San Cassiano.  Before I left Perth I made attempts to find out how to do this.  I went to a major and well known Travel Agency who never fail to disappoint me.  I was informed I could go by water taxi to my hotel and it would cost between 30 and 200 Euros.  Fortunately I spoke with people who had been in the same situation. They explained I simply needed to walk outside the airport to a little jetty wait for a water taxi which would take me to where I needed to be, I did this and paid Fifteen  Euro for the trip.
The following is a copy of my comment on the hotel in Trip Advisor.

This hotel enhanced my first visit to Venice 100 per cent. It is a lovely Venetian style hotel with water front views.  It was delightful to sit outside in the afternoon resting and watching water taxis and boats sailing in the water after we had spend a busy day exploring Venice. The staff were professional, courteous and friendly. Breakfast was provided in the hotel dining room and it was a joy to sit on the balcony enjoying a cup of coffee after we had finished our meal.
The hotel is close to Rialto Bridge, water taxis and scenic attractions.  I would recommend this hotel to anybody and hope to revisit it someday.

The highlight of my stay in Venice was catching up with Brit who is from Norway and was my social work student way back in 1995.  We have been friends ever since, Brit came over with her sister Anita.

Thanks to the Internet I discovered Cruise Critic online and was able speak to other people who were also travelling on the Regal Princess they had   formed a group and invited me to join them on shore excursions. This was great for me and meant I didn't have to travel alone.

Next blog I'm finally on the Regal Princess.

Retirement - A new Beginning

In 2014 I finally retired from my position as social worker after having been around for many decades.
The modern retiree has many options and  at my retirement party a colleague provided me with this delicious depiction of some of my options. Thanks Kate.

On the clock we begin with the first option which is EAT.  They say that some of us eat to live and others live to eat.  Most Social workers that I know would agree with the second point.  I am rather boring and mainly go with eat to live. Although I am trying.  I have a lovely friend who provides me with lots of home made meals. Thanks Deb.

Two  CHAT. Ah well, that is something that just comes naturally to me, I don't find it hard at all.

The third option is DRINK.  I must remember this one as I often go through the whole day and forget to drink my water.  Do I forget because I'm old or because water isn't high on my Agenda?  Not too sure.

Option four RELAX.  Well it is only an option after all not a law

Five WALK.  I had no choice with this one.  Diesel came into the house around 4pm and followed me from room to room until I finally gave in and took him out.  I often wonder how he knew when it was time.

Six  MOVIES.  Yes indeed.  Marilyn has helped me out with that.

Seven TRAVEL. Yes, Yes, Yes.

Eight WRITE.  Have lots of stories in my head, now I just need to get them on to the computer.

Nine GARDEN.  Have tried that.  Didn't do too bad a job the few times I gardened over the last three years.

Ten TELEVISION Tried it for awhile then other options came up.

11. Coffee.  I have one coffee a day at home but am often out socialising having coffee and cake.

12.  Sleep.  Time is too short I don't want to waste too much time on sleeping.

I have made attempts at these options because they do relate to me and my hobbies and will consider continuing.  I have also considered all the good that could come of dedicating myself to the service of my community. and have decided to chuck it all for the moment and go and see the world.

When I am refreshed I will again pursue these options.