More photos Sunday 19th June

 Prague

 Vienna

 Salzburg

Venice

somewhere in Italy, near lots of water

It's my turn at writing the blog. We have made it to Venice, just! We started in Saltzburg, cab to train station, train to Villach (in Austrian boarder to Italy), bus to Vience (or at least close by) people mover to canals of Venice, water taxi to close to hotel(sort of) then carry bags through the alley ways to our hotel. Oh what fun (not).
Our savior was that we met two people from Canada. They were returning to Venice, so they already completed that leg of the trip. If we did not meet up with them we would still be in Austria. There is no way we could have done it without them.
A message to Kate Woodward (if you are looking). I have not been able to log on to the school e-mail for well over a week. It just won't log into the school website. Just to let you know. Will keep on trying.
This is costing a fortune in Venice, now photo time.

 PRAGUE

 SALZBURG

 VIENNA

 VENICE

Barry

Prague to Vienna Sunday 12th June

We finished our journey in Prague with an explore around the Old Jewish Town. The buildings in this area are amazing with lots of synagogues. There is a cemetery that was closed in the 1700's. It has about 12,000 graves but they believe that there are approx 200,000 people buried. That 's about 12 people deep! We also went for a walk across the Charles Bridge and made wishes on the statue for good luck.
On Saturday we caught the train to Vienna. This is a beautiful city with lots of old, large buildings and parks. Elissa is enjoying seeing yet another cathedral! We have arrived in time for the Vienna Festival which is occuring at the town hall around the corner from our hotel. Last night we went and had a look after tea. It was a great atmosphere with Austrian Folk Music playing, the crowd clapping and singing. Tonight we are going to go down there again and try out some of the food for tea. There are lots of different sausages to try, chocloate coated strawberries and bananas as well as other yummy treats. And of course the beer is flowing very well, not that we drink it. Unfortunately due to the festival shops etc are not open but today we took a tour around the city and there is plenty to do other than shop. We did manage to find a market in the centre of Vienna so that kept Elissa happy. Of course Barry is in heaven with lots of music information and sites about Mozart, Beethoven etc. We even found a shop today that sells really cute music souvenirs such as umbrellas, note pads, pencils, tea towels. We found a snare drum magnet and Barry bought lots. He is looking forward to Salzburg! We are still having trouble with adding photos so you will have to read about our days and see the photos later.

Rhonda, Barry and Elissa xoxo

Prague Thursday 9th June

This morning we went on a bus tour ride around Prague to see some of the sights and get our bearings around the city. We had a interesting bus driver. He would have been home on the streets of Paris. He drove very fast and managed to fit the bus, at a fast pace, through streets where we didn't think it would go! Anyway we saw the various towns that the city is divided into such as the Jewish Town, Old Town and New Town. We had a quick stop at Prague Castle. It is very different to the other castles we have seen, particularly in England, less medieval. The Cathedral within the Castle has amazing stained glass windows. 

We saw other sights that we will explore later such as the Charles Bridge and I want to look at the Jewish Cemetery. We walked around the St Wenceslas Square (yes, as in the Christmas Carol), saw his statue and bought a few souvenirs for home. Tonight Barry and I are going on a river cruise for dinner to see the sights at night.
We are having trouble with the slow computers here when uploading photos so will need to put photos on later when we find somewhere quicker.

Rhonda, Barry and Elissa xoxo

Highlights of Berlin Wednesday 8th June

Hello, we were not able to do the blog while we were in Germany so we are doing a short highlight post to keep you up to date.

We saw everything from prezels to big glasses of beer. We made friends with Italians at a local pizza/pasta joint that we went to for mum's birthday. We taught people a little English and they taught us a little German (which none of us can remember now).

We also saw many historical Berlin things such as the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate. Rhonda and Elissa had some fun buying old fashioned jewellery at a flea market. We decided the best way to see all the sights was on a sightseeing double decker tour bus, which was a good idea as we got to see many things without having to take several trains.

So in the end, Berlin was good to us as they spoke great English and there was always a Starbucks around the corner!

Barry, Rhonda and Elissa xoxx

P.S Due to the slowness of the computer we are unable to put in photos, but we will do a special Berlin photo post when we can.

The Last Day in Paris Friday 3rd June

So today was our last day in Paris, and mum wanted to go to the Sacre Coeur (it's a church). It was very beautiful and there were nuns singing and having an actual service.

At the bottom of the hill where the church was there was a 2 story merry-go-ground. It was cool to see because I have never seen a 2 story one before.

Also at the bottom of the church next to the steps was a guy dressed up in white paint being a saint (this is a guess), and because I love having my photo taken with people like that I chucked some money into his bucket and stood next to him on the stairs while he was on the bottom of the banister, then instead of me standing near him he pulls me up onto the ledge of the banister where he was and we got a photo together, not what I expected but cool none the less.

Paris you have been amazing to us with your mostly nice weather and your nice English speaking people.
Tomorrow we catch a plane to Germany where I hope none of us get poisoned!
Elissa
xoxx

Yesterday Barry and I went to visit the Palace of Versailles. It is an amazing palace and gardens. You can understand why the French citizens were upset at the lavishness of the court while they had very little, hence the revolution! The ceilings in the palace are covered with beautiful paintings. The gardens are exquisite with statues and beautiful fountains.

Today as well as exploring Sacre Coeur, Barry and I had a walk through the Montmartre Cemetery which is right next door to the hotel. For all those with musical knowledge we found the resting places of Hector Berlioz, Adolphe Sax and Jacques Offenbach (the composer of the Can Can music). Off to Germany tomorrow where we promise not to get sick!!! Must watch those vegetables. It is very big news over here.

Rhonda and Barry

Paris Thursday June 2nd

hello, Paris has been so amazing that I thought I would blog without my parents. Yesterday we went to the Lourve and saw lots of interesting things such as the Mona Lisa. Then mum and I went to the top of the Arch De Triumph.

 Elissa at the Lourve.

 The front of the Lourve.

The Arch De Triumph.

The view from the top of the Arch De Triumph.

Today I got a free day to explore the area around the place where we are staying but before that mum and i decided to have a good look at the Moulin Rouge since we are staying just around the corner from it. then i went off myself and found that there were some unique braclet stores and fruit stores with summer fruit that is out of season at home. I walked around and bought some paris things to take home. Paris has been amazing, im lucky to have been able to go to such a beautiful place, shame we leave Saterday, but Germany will be amazing.Also the place we are staying is right next door to this HUGE grave yard, and i swear i have heard some creepy things during the night!

 Some of the graves near my window

Some Paris stuff to bring home.

Elissa xoxx