Ever been travelling so much, that some times you are not sure where you are? Sometimes in this global village of our world, every city street has the same shops - Starbucks, Makkers, Subway, and the usual big name department and fashion stores.
Chris and I were sharply reminded, today, that we were in London, England. Because we discovered, again, that the English are very good at doing one thing. No, it was not shopping in in Regent street, checking out the sales, on what, we found out, was the busiest shopping day of the year. No, it was not their delightful London English accents either.
It was the queuing! English people are qreat at queues! You can see them, everywhere - Bus queues, get into shop queues, outside changing room queues, makeup testing queues, select product - but not pay for - queues, pay for item queues, information queues, try on shoe queues -oh and make sure you are queueing for the correct brand of shoe or, yes, stand in that queue over there, please!!
At least, after an exhausting day of queueing at the shops, we did not have to queue up for a beer at one of the English local pubs in London...... Uh Oh, somebody is standing behind us.... "Excuse me - is this the queue to get a beer?"
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
The Swedish Winter holiday Adventure
Today I am looking out of the window at the ice covered Arlando Airport in Stockholm,, Sweden on a beautiful cold sunny morning, awaiting our flight to London.
We flew into Goteburg, a city of around 700,000 inhabitants on the west coast of Sweden, four days ago, and stayed with newly found relatives, Hans and Eva. Eva is a great cook, and I am sure that her wonderful cuisine helped my sinus cold to clear up in record time. Hans and Eva took us for a tour around Goteburg, along the street where my late Grandfather, Alfred walked before he emigrated to New Zealand in 1903 and around the spacious city centre. Then we viewed the large harbour which is dotted with islands and reefs, which are the bain of sailors. In the hot summer Goteburg is famous for sailing and boating events, including, I understand the Volvo Round the world event. But on this very cold day there was no evidence of any boating at all. Gotenburg used to have some large ship building yards, which no longer exist. Today it has the second largest tertiary education center in Sweden. A very nice place, I felt, and with all the trees everywhere, would look beautiful in spring, summer and autumn.
The weather in Sweden during our visit, has been settled, due to a ridge of high pressure over the area, so we have seen Goteburg, probably at its winter best, and without the mist that apparently covers the area in winter.
There was frost everywhere, and when we departed Goteberg for Stockholm by train, we glided through a white frost world, white trees, white fields, white streets and white, steep roofed houses.
At Last!! 10 snow ploughs have cleared the runway so it is time to go......
We flew into Goteburg, a city of around 700,000 inhabitants on the west coast of Sweden, four days ago, and stayed with newly found relatives, Hans and Eva. Eva is a great cook, and I am sure that her wonderful cuisine helped my sinus cold to clear up in record time. Hans and Eva took us for a tour around Goteburg, along the street where my late Grandfather, Alfred walked before he emigrated to New Zealand in 1903 and around the spacious city centre. Then we viewed the large harbour which is dotted with islands and reefs, which are the bain of sailors. In the hot summer Goteburg is famous for sailing and boating events, including, I understand the Volvo Round the world event. But on this very cold day there was no evidence of any boating at all. Gotenburg used to have some large ship building yards, which no longer exist. Today it has the second largest tertiary education center in Sweden. A very nice place, I felt, and with all the trees everywhere, would look beautiful in spring, summer and autumn.
The weather in Sweden during our visit, has been settled, due to a ridge of high pressure over the area, so we have seen Goteburg, probably at its winter best, and without the mist that apparently covers the area in winter.
There was frost everywhere, and when we departed Goteberg for Stockholm by train, we glided through a white frost world, white trees, white fields, white streets and white, steep roofed houses.
At Last!! 10 snow ploughs have cleared the runway so it is time to go......
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Travelling to St Petersburg - best time to holiday in Russia
I know you all thought we were mad to visit St Petersburg in the winter. And maybe, after reading this, you may still think so. However, I still recommend travelling to St Petersberg at this time, especially when there is snow about.
Sure, when you visit the Summer Palace of Katherine and other museums in winter you won't see the beautiful marble statues outside, because they will be covered up by wooden casings, to protect them from the cold. But there are plenty of photos of them about. And you won't see the gardens and parks either because they will be blanketet with pristine white snow, and trees will be black, and outlined with white. The fountains will not be going either. There will be no blue skies or much colour outside, apart from various shades of grey, white, light brown or black, which gives everything a dramatic, winter look. And colours of the beautiful old buildings will feature in pale pastels in the winter palette.
But there will be no queueing for 2 hours outside anywhere, no shuffling along in huge crowds and no noisy tour groups. Instead you will be able to gaze at all the beautiful areas inside the palace and other St Petersburg museums and palaces at your leisure,with no interruptions. You will be scrutinised by security guards in every room, disguised as short square bodied, middle aged women, plainly dressed, except for the ones at the Hermitage Museum and Russian Art Galleries. They are better áttired, as apparently these are the places where one can 'catch' a man. Inside all the buildings it is very warm, perhaps a bit too warm for those of us who are not used to the extremes of freezing outdoors and hot indoors.
I strongly believe that the cathedrals, museums and palaces in St Peters burg are best visited in winter. The beautiful buildings are warm and stunning inside. Outside the colours are dramatic and the magic rather surreal. In addition the snow, cold and dramatic colours gives you a better sense of Russia, and the tumultuous journeys its people have been through until today.
Sure, when you visit the Summer Palace of Katherine and other museums in winter you won't see the beautiful marble statues outside, because they will be covered up by wooden casings, to protect them from the cold. But there are plenty of photos of them about. And you won't see the gardens and parks either because they will be blanketet with pristine white snow, and trees will be black, and outlined with white. The fountains will not be going either. There will be no blue skies or much colour outside, apart from various shades of grey, white, light brown or black, which gives everything a dramatic, winter look. And colours of the beautiful old buildings will feature in pale pastels in the winter palette.
But there will be no queueing for 2 hours outside anywhere, no shuffling along in huge crowds and no noisy tour groups. Instead you will be able to gaze at all the beautiful areas inside the palace and other St Petersburg museums and palaces at your leisure,with no interruptions. You will be scrutinised by security guards in every room, disguised as short square bodied, middle aged women, plainly dressed, except for the ones at the Hermitage Museum and Russian Art Galleries. They are better áttired, as apparently these are the places where one can 'catch' a man. Inside all the buildings it is very warm, perhaps a bit too warm for those of us who are not used to the extremes of freezing outdoors and hot indoors.
I strongly believe that the cathedrals, museums and palaces in St Peters burg are best visited in winter. The beautiful buildings are warm and stunning inside. Outside the colours are dramatic and the magic rather surreal. In addition the snow, cold and dramatic colours gives you a better sense of Russia, and the tumultuous journeys its people have been through until today.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Winter magic in St Petersburg
Every day I discover another magical feature about St Petersberg in winter, and I am going to share this one with you.
Outside our window on the 9th Floor of Novotel, we look down on to a park area, which we understand is part of a school. It is always covered with white snow, and is lit up with round lights (Balls) on top of posts in neat lines. There are also black trees covered with white snow. Not matter what time of day of night I look out, there are always black figures there, sometimes with children, sometimes alone, sometimes with dogs.
Last evening at about 10pm. after dining at a local Russian Restaurant,I decided to check the park out. On the slightly crunchy, but powdery white snow, there were several foot prints, many of which led to the middle of the park.
In the middle of the park stood about 15 people, in a large circle, each with a dog. Each dog was different - an alsation, a small dark terrier with black pointy ears, oblong face with moustache to describe a couple. Two of the larger dogs appeared to be playing soccer, under the instructions of their owners. A couple of other dogs spotted me and rushed over in the snow, but were quickly called over by their owners. It looked to me, to be dog school!
The night was black, the smally white snowflakes had stopped swirling, and the surrealness of this winter scene made me want to pinch myself, was this winter magic in St Petersburg acutally real?
Wait til I find out how to post photos......
Outside our window on the 9th Floor of Novotel, we look down on to a park area, which we understand is part of a school. It is always covered with white snow, and is lit up with round lights (Balls) on top of posts in neat lines. There are also black trees covered with white snow. Not matter what time of day of night I look out, there are always black figures there, sometimes with children, sometimes alone, sometimes with dogs.
Last evening at about 10pm. after dining at a local Russian Restaurant,I decided to check the park out. On the slightly crunchy, but powdery white snow, there were several foot prints, many of which led to the middle of the park.
In the middle of the park stood about 15 people, in a large circle, each with a dog. Each dog was different - an alsation, a small dark terrier with black pointy ears, oblong face with moustache to describe a couple. Two of the larger dogs appeared to be playing soccer, under the instructions of their owners. A couple of other dogs spotted me and rushed over in the snow, but were quickly called over by their owners. It looked to me, to be dog school!
The night was black, the smally white snowflakes had stopped swirling, and the surrealness of this winter scene made me want to pinch myself, was this winter magic in St Petersburg acutally real?
Wait til I find out how to post photos......
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas holiday in the Snow
As our plane travelled down below the clouds to land at the St Petersburg Airport, we gazed out at a city and country scene covered with a white blanket of snow. Chris' dream of having a white Chrismas has come true!
But what will being in a white wintery world really be like? All we have done so far is walk for 30 seconds from a warm airport to a very warm hotel, and back, so far!
And that is what it has been, over the three days in St Petersburg, formerly Leningrad, Russia. Sometimes our bedroom is too hot for our layers of thermals, winter garments and jackets. Then we go outside, all togged up and think - yes we do have enough on. Then we get into a warm car, museum, shop or restaurant, and we are roasting again!
It's lovely being in St Petersburg at this time of year. It is almost surreal, walking along the streets, with the sidewalks covered in snow, and soft snowflakes twirling out of the sky on your hair, face and clothes. And in the twilight, of which there is plenty, gazing at the beautiful street Xmas decorations.
As a result of their past opression, Russians love celebrating anything today. So the Xmas decorations in the streets were erected in December and will be up intil the orthodox Christmas on January 7. Each year the decorations are improved upon, and swapped from area to area so everyone sees something different. This year 74 artificial Xmas trees were decorated and erected around the city. 20 of these were over 18 meters high and 33 were more than 20 metres high. The largest and only real tree (which apparantly took over 100 years to grow) was erected, as per tradition in the Palace Square.
So when people travel to St Petersburg in the future may expect to find an extremely awesome Christmas display, not only from the trees, but on the buildings, over the streets and in the shops. Even the trees and buildings, decorated by nature with their coating of snow, give a dramatic look to the Christmas scene.
We are not sure what we will do to celebrate Xmas day, as the emphasis for party celebrations seems to be on New Year's Eve. As the shops and museums will be open all day on Christmas Day, we will probably just go cruise around the city. But we don't mind - it was worth all the travelling just to enjoy the Xmas season....
But what will being in a white wintery world really be like? All we have done so far is walk for 30 seconds from a warm airport to a very warm hotel, and back, so far!
And that is what it has been, over the three days in St Petersburg, formerly Leningrad, Russia. Sometimes our bedroom is too hot for our layers of thermals, winter garments and jackets. Then we go outside, all togged up and think - yes we do have enough on. Then we get into a warm car, museum, shop or restaurant, and we are roasting again!
It's lovely being in St Petersburg at this time of year. It is almost surreal, walking along the streets, with the sidewalks covered in snow, and soft snowflakes twirling out of the sky on your hair, face and clothes. And in the twilight, of which there is plenty, gazing at the beautiful street Xmas decorations.
As a result of their past opression, Russians love celebrating anything today. So the Xmas decorations in the streets were erected in December and will be up intil the orthodox Christmas on January 7. Each year the decorations are improved upon, and swapped from area to area so everyone sees something different. This year 74 artificial Xmas trees were decorated and erected around the city. 20 of these were over 18 meters high and 33 were more than 20 metres high. The largest and only real tree (which apparantly took over 100 years to grow) was erected, as per tradition in the Palace Square.
So when people travel to St Petersburg in the future may expect to find an extremely awesome Christmas display, not only from the trees, but on the buildings, over the streets and in the shops. Even the trees and buildings, decorated by nature with their coating of snow, give a dramatic look to the Christmas scene.
We are not sure what we will do to celebrate Xmas day, as the emphasis for party celebrations seems to be on New Year's Eve. As the shops and museums will be open all day on Christmas Day, we will probably just go cruise around the city. But we don't mind - it was worth all the travelling just to enjoy the Xmas season....
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Our Holiday - the Hong Kong Visit
As I sit in a warm hotel in Helsinki, Finland waiting for a flight to take us to St Petersburg I wonder if I an really prepared for the cold.
Hong Kong was warm, not hot. Ideal for staying there - December, that is.
As soon as we arrived at our hotel, Chris' dancing partner phoned to take him out. But he does not dance! Rae waited and waited for someone to take her out, but, no phone call. But she did find a place where ladies are welcome to dance on the bar....
What an interesting city HK is! Shopping, walking, street signs, busy, bustlng. We stayed at Novotel, in the middle of 'bathroom alley' where every second shop sold baths, baisins, plumbing. toilets, fittings. Other shops were small factories of various types, and people used trolleys along the footpaths for deliveries.
Interesting smells, too, off dust, spices, occasional tobacco and occasional sewerage. Also iteresting to note was the number of parks, smoke free, with designated places for smokers. Some gardens were made up of pot plant. I cant remember the name - a common one which has red leaves on the top.
While HongKong is squashed and crowded building wise Kowloon is more open with wide streets and more spaced out tall and smaller buildings. The Ladies Market is worth a visit for copies of handbags, watches etc, and the 'golden mile' is great for duty free shopping, And the sales are on in December, too!
On one day we travelled to Macau, and hour away by fast ferry. Many casinos, all sumptuous in decor. The newly opened casino just this month, is shaped like a huge lily. In Macaw there is a skytower, built by the New Zealander who built Auckland's sky tower. Yes A J Hackett offers bunjy jumping there too
It is after 5pm and it has been dark for ages. I have been to the gym as we had a 10 hour flight today, repacked my suitcase, done my nails - what else does one do at an airport hotel??? Hit the hotel bar I suppose...
Hong Kong was warm, not hot. Ideal for staying there - December, that is.
As soon as we arrived at our hotel, Chris' dancing partner phoned to take him out. But he does not dance! Rae waited and waited for someone to take her out, but, no phone call. But she did find a place where ladies are welcome to dance on the bar....
What an interesting city HK is! Shopping, walking, street signs, busy, bustlng. We stayed at Novotel, in the middle of 'bathroom alley' where every second shop sold baths, baisins, plumbing. toilets, fittings. Other shops were small factories of various types, and people used trolleys along the footpaths for deliveries.
Interesting smells, too, off dust, spices, occasional tobacco and occasional sewerage. Also iteresting to note was the number of parks, smoke free, with designated places for smokers. Some gardens were made up of pot plant. I cant remember the name - a common one which has red leaves on the top.
While HongKong is squashed and crowded building wise Kowloon is more open with wide streets and more spaced out tall and smaller buildings. The Ladies Market is worth a visit for copies of handbags, watches etc, and the 'golden mile' is great for duty free shopping, And the sales are on in December, too!
On one day we travelled to Macau, and hour away by fast ferry. Many casinos, all sumptuous in decor. The newly opened casino just this month, is shaped like a huge lily. In Macaw there is a skytower, built by the New Zealander who built Auckland's sky tower. Yes A J Hackett offers bunjy jumping there too
It is after 5pm and it has been dark for ages. I have been to the gym as we had a 10 hour flight today, repacked my suitcase, done my nails - what else does one do at an airport hotel??? Hit the hotel bar I suppose...
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
What busses advertise in Hong Kong
Arrived after a 9 hour trip - that is, 2 movies, 2 meals a doze or two then listing to some relaxing classical music, we finally arrived in 'misty' I would call it hazy myself, city of Hong Kong. Exactly as on the telly - many tall concrete appartment buildings, stunning glass commercial buildings with a sprinkling of shabby apartment blocks which are well passed their useby date.
We travelled into the HK city by bus expecting to see all the touristy places on the telly screen. But no, it was an item to enourageback packers to go to the Ukraine, and to Cherynoble!! Known as the place for the biggest nuclear reactor explosion ever, in 1986, the deserted city and reactor plant is open for tourists. Yes, don boots and a mask and a tour guide will show you through the disused reactor plant, and walk around the surrounding city, which was immediately made out of bounds to citzens at the time. Back packers may stay at the 13 room hotel on the Chernoble site. So if you enjoy modern ruins and desolation,Chernble, The Ukraine is the place to visit.
We travelled into the HK city by bus expecting to see all the touristy places on the telly screen. But no, it was an item to enourageback packers to go to the Ukraine, and to Cherynoble!! Known as the place for the biggest nuclear reactor explosion ever, in 1986, the deserted city and reactor plant is open for tourists. Yes, don boots and a mask and a tour guide will show you through the disused reactor plant, and walk around the surrounding city, which was immediately made out of bounds to citzens at the time. Back packers may stay at the 13 room hotel on the Chernoble site. So if you enjoy modern ruins and desolation,Chernble, The Ukraine is the place to visit.
Monday, December 15, 2008
International Pets
Did you know that it is ok to have pet Snakes in Australia?
My grandson has one. It is a Coastal Carpet Python, one of two types which are ideal for children. This one is the more lively of the two types. It is about half a meter long, with an interesting patterened skin, loves to coil around your hand, well, anything really, and is quite inquisitive.
Rocky, except when it bites (when it gets a fright) eats, pinkies, which are new born rats, about once every 10 days. It has its meal in one gulp, dislocating its jaw to do so. It take about 10 - to 15 minutes to completely swallow the pinky. Then it goes to sleep.
Rocky lives in a white box, about metre square, with a type of straw on the bottom and a little brown cave to sleep in. The cave is kept warm by absorbing heat from lights in the box. At 28 degrees temperature Rocky is quite lively and this temperature helps him to absorb food.
To be handled easily by its owner it needs to be kept at around 22 degrees.
Pet snakes in Australia are becoming very popular today. A licence is required to keep one even the poisionous species, of which Australia has the most venemous.
We travelled to my grandson's home to inspect Rocky the snake, enjoyed the cool sensation as it coiled inquisitively over our hands.
Does anyone around the world keep a snaks?
My grandson has one. It is a Coastal Carpet Python, one of two types which are ideal for children. This one is the more lively of the two types. It is about half a meter long, with an interesting patterened skin, loves to coil around your hand, well, anything really, and is quite inquisitive.
Rocky, except when it bites (when it gets a fright) eats, pinkies, which are new born rats, about once every 10 days. It has its meal in one gulp, dislocating its jaw to do so. It take about 10 - to 15 minutes to completely swallow the pinky. Then it goes to sleep.
Rocky lives in a white box, about metre square, with a type of straw on the bottom and a little brown cave to sleep in. The cave is kept warm by absorbing heat from lights in the box. At 28 degrees temperature Rocky is quite lively and this temperature helps him to absorb food.
To be handled easily by its owner it needs to be kept at around 22 degrees.
Pet snakes in Australia are becoming very popular today. A licence is required to keep one even the poisionous species, of which Australia has the most venemous.
We travelled to my grandson's home to inspect Rocky the snake, enjoyed the cool sensation as it coiled inquisitively over our hands.
Does anyone around the world keep a snaks?
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Qantas International Airlines Best Kept Secret
Ever sat, slumped in your airline seat when travelling overseas and wondered how you can eat your airline food without it spilling down your front?
Qantas have a solution, and it seems, from observing other flying passengers, that very few people know about it.
Next time you fly on Quantas have a look at your serviette, or table napkin. You may find that it has a small button hole in one corner.
The purpose of this button hole is so that you can put your top shirt button through the hole. This means that the serviette or napkin covers the whole of your front and any food accidentally spilled does not land on, and ruin your clothes.
Oh, and don't forget to wear a shirt or top that has buttons....
Have a happy, safe, and no spills journey!!!
Rae
Qantas have a solution, and it seems, from observing other flying passengers, that very few people know about it.
Next time you fly on Quantas have a look at your serviette, or table napkin. You may find that it has a small button hole in one corner.
The purpose of this button hole is so that you can put your top shirt button through the hole. This means that the serviette or napkin covers the whole of your front and any food accidentally spilled does not land on, and ruin your clothes.
Oh, and don't forget to wear a shirt or top that has buttons....
Have a happy, safe, and no spills journey!!!
Rae
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