Te Papa is the national history museum of New Zealand and is located in Wellington the country’s capital city. This is a quick video of the front entrance to the museum. Here are a few features of the museum:
Built on reclaimed land at the edge of the bay.
Features many interactive exhibits and works of art that are important to national and Maori history.
Free internet over wifi (even the library a few buildings away doesn’t have that)
A nice cafe and cool gift shop are located on site.
It’s a must visit and it’s free!
https://www.internationaltravel.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/te-papa-wellington.jpg271603danieldaniel2010-11-26 12:08:232010-11-26 12:08:23Te Papa - The National Museum of New Zealand
A stunning view of Wellington on one of the few calm and clear days. This city has a very high average wind speed. Some notes about this city:
Lookout includes the Byrd Memorial
Due South, in the direction of the airport is Antartica
Forest below is a popular movie set location
trails are great for mountain biking
Green belt that surrounds the city was to reduce city sprawl and size
You can easily spot Te Papa Museum, the stadium and the airport from this location
https://www.internationaltravel.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/wellington-skyline.jpg263623danieldaniel2010-11-25 14:56:252010-11-25 14:56:25Wellington Skyline - Mount Victoria Lookout
Driving into Queenstown we can feel our blood pressures rising. Maybe it’s the advertisements for all of the activities? Or perhaps it is the incredible energy of the natural beauty of the area permeating through to our souls, somehow resonating a wakeup call deep within, down where the kid in us lives? One may never know but there is something special about New Zealand, and Queenstown in particular. Summertime fills the streets with all ages. The ambiance of the town is that of a mountain village. Quaint, yet has all of the modern day conveniences you could want, including an organic food store. Not only do they have extra long days, oftentimes adventure seeking tourists will be found frolicking between the amazing glacier fed river and the rugged, mountainous peaks. It is there that we see the occasional dingy, the odd parachute, sometimes occupied, sometimes not. Almost always there was someone talking about doing something “on the edge”, as it should be. NZ is known for it’s extreme sports. Queenstown is an amazing place to get the thrill of your life and come out virtually unscathed if you follow every safety precaution, and to take your chances with Lady Luck if you don’t.
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Welcome to the land of extreme… EVERYTHING! Bungy jumping was invented here, among otherterrifying things you can do with and to our bodies. The bungy bridge, from which you would throw yourself, crosses a raging ice cold river, with steep, completely unforgiving cliffs on either side setting the stage for the full-on adrenaline rush! The amount of adrenaline junkies that come to Queenstown is staggering, and they come year round. Why? Oh, because the other activities may include, but are certainly not limited to: jet boating, sky diving, heli-skiing, swinging, paragliding, white water rafting and canyoning, all of which is world class.
Queenstown was born out of New Zealand’s Gold Rush. It has relatively easy access to the river, lake and most of the region. Driving from Dunedin is quite quick but there are many stops you can take if you so choose. We even went panning for gold at an old gold rush operation. Yes, it’s a tourist trap, but a fun and educational one. Tourism took over later here than in the US, so the charm of Queenstown has been carefully scripted as you will see when you take a quick tour of the little town. There are a few old buildings which are in use as public spaces and restaurants, but the Queenstown you see today is mostly new. A plethora of shoppes and restaurants await, not to mention excellent day spas and alternative health care for your ailing body. Be sure to book ahead and make your appointments for body repair immediately after you’ve gone out and done your worst to it.
Certainly one of the main attractions to Queenstown is the fact that it has a dual dichotomy. It has both the extreme and the serene. It was a lovely walk along the crystal blue lake just made us wish we were better painters and photographers so that we could do nature justice. Hot summer days repeatedly turned our minds to the turquoise waters of the lake. The mercury rising made those shimmering waters look oh so inviting, until we thoughtfully reminded ourselves that it’s colder, much, much colder than we could ever want it to be. So, if you are adventurous, impervious to cold, (AKA: are a superhero), or are willing to don a drysuit, surely there is a fun time to be had by all!
Dusk approached and seemingly, out of nowhere, a handful of street performers dotted the pier area while the sun did it’s final dance of the day on the water. A fiery blur of gold giving way to wavy swirls of magenta, indigo and ending on the edges with the darkness of night creeping in brought a perfect ending to a lovely day. It was so relaxing and the weather was perfect. Spending a summer holiday in Queenstown is superb on every level. It’s one of those places that you might daydream about and find yourself saying quietly, “I could live here… or maybe at least have a little hideaway”.
Queenstown is perfectly situated as a stop over point when on your way to a Doubtful sound cruise. We booked a Christmas Eve Cruise Special and decided to try the smaller, family-owned Deep Cove Charters. It turned out to be an excellent choice and one of the most amazing experiences we have had in NZ. Summer in Queenstown is warm, chilly and everything in between, so pack accordingly. If you plan on being outside for any duration, get the Tui Balm and slathe it on all exposed areas. The sand flies love and live off of the tourists. They might be small, but they’re mighty… mighty painful! The locals say that after a few years they don’t get bothered by them anymore but if you’re not bug resistant, get the balm. Sand flies are a formidable force to reckon with on a hike, camping trip or just getting out of the car at certain times of the day.
Overall, summer is beautiful here, don’t forget the musthave’s are a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug repellent, to bring clothes with long sleeves and pants, good hiking boots, an extra jacket and your sense of adventure. I can’t imagine anywhere else being more exciting than Queenstown. Luckily, it’s my job to keep looking! Having hardly begun our drive back to Christchurch, our conversation had turned almost immediately to our next visit to the Queenstown area during the winter to do a more in depth review it’s fine accomodations, excellent restaurants, the Remarkables and other attractions.
https://www.internationaltravel.ws/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/IMG_0049.jpg600800naianaia2010-11-03 00:55:512010-11-03 00:55:51Queenstown - New Zealand's Adventure Capital
Sudbury is the gateway to the North. It is located about 400 km north on highway 400 which eventually becomes Highway 69. Stopping in Barrie for dinner is a standard ritual as most people like to get out of Toronto as soon as possible to avoid traffic rush. As you drive into Sudbury I notice that it has definitely gotten greener since the last time we were here. There has been a massive re-greening process that has been going on for the past couple decades spearheaded by the mining industry that destroyed the land in the first place.
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This city was known for it’s moon like landscape as it was devoid of trees and most top soil. The city of Sudbury is located on the rim of a large crater that was created a couple hundred million years ago. The meteor impact brought a lot of minerals near to the surface in large quantities, especially nickel. There are probably a hundred mines in the area operated by either Falconbridge, now called Xtrata or Inco, now Vale Inco (lots has changed in 3 years since my last visit). During the process of refining the ore to extract the minerals a fuel was needed in the burning process. Trees were dumped into these long trenches and the ore trains would drive up to the edges and dump the ore from the mines on top. The wood was then burnt and the sulfur exhaust was given off crept along the surface killing everything in it’s path. Over the years the process has been improved and refined.
In 1970 the Super Stack was built to help push that noxious gas up into the jet stream. This helped reduce the air pollution in the city and pushed it further away. This change contributed to many things including acid rain that has killed many lakes hundreds or thousands of kilometers away. You can see it’s devastating effects in Killarney Provincial Park which is about 80 km south. You can see the Super Stack from about 40 km outside the city as it’s about 1500 feet tall. Mining has been a major part of the city for the last 125 years. It will be for many years to come as the prices and demand for minerals continue to increase worldwide.
The city also boasts things besides it’s mining achievements. There are lakes everywhere that are wonderful for swimming, boating or fishing. Bell Park is one of my favourite (getting my Canadian spelling on) swimming beach with a great place to jump into the water or to have a picnic under the trees. Our first time there this trip there was a thunderstorm as we started down to the water. Our swimming time was cut short as lightning hit the top of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Center which is located just next to the park (many of us were born in that hospital). The hospital of my birth will soon be closed as a new hospital is being built just down the road. I am proud to say that the patriarch of the family has contributed to the construction of many of the buildings in the city including Laurentation hospital, Science North, Laurentien University, Cambrian College and numerous mining industrial complexes. We would meet him often at this park during the summer months for lunch and sometime tour these buildings during construction or renovations.
The surrounding countryside is great for mountain biking, hiking, picking blueberries and building forts in the summer. In the winter it’s great for cross country skiing, snowmobiling, sliding and with all the lakes ice fishing too. You always run the risk of running into wild animals and sometimes they stroll right into the yard.
Sudbury is on the south rim of a large valley. The valley is a huge flat plain with great farming and many rivers. The Vermillion River is one that snakes through the center of the valley and is one that we know very well. We have canoed almost the entire river on many occasions over the past 30 years. Another beautiful river is the Onaping River which flows into the Vermillion. The Onaping Falls has been painted in many seasons but some very famous Canadian artists but I can’t remember who at the moment. All around the valley is great places to camp, fish and enjoy the outdoors. We didn’t have a lot of chances to do that since it thunder stormed every couple days.
https://www.internationaltravel.ws/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/sudbury.jpg250620danieldaniel2010-08-28 00:51:102010-08-28 00:51:10Sudbury, Nickel Capital Of The World
Florence, or as the Italians call it “Firenze”, was like something out of a vivid dream where you were taken into the past, yet it still exists today with it’s epic churches, ornate palaces, an ancient fortress and striking, historic homes that blend one or more of these elements, oftentimes adding a modern twist. The days were unseasonably hot for October and because of that the evenings were just barely comfortable. Staying near the train station made for easy access to everything and all of the amenities but the humidity forced us to take shelter between noon and 6 p.m. The early evenings cooled down the air just enough to allow us to begin our explorations of the city center and try the local cuisine.
Everything is picturesque and it’s not too difficult to imagine what things must have been like centuries ago in this bustling, artistic city centre. We began our trek through Florence, as soon as the temperature would abide, by wandering up and around to the other side of the river to a local eatery for an ultra-creamy gelato, (the kind only Italy is best known for), and a crisp, tasty proscuitto panini, consumed in just that order. After a quick cappuccino on ice, we followed the river up to the next bridge and in towards the Duomo.
The Duomo itself causes you to just stop and take a deep breath while absorbing the complexity of it all. The tile work is intricate and mesmerizing. Inside you’ll find perhaps the most beautiful tile work seen anywhere in Europe, maybe the most beautiful on Earth. Nearly in shock, we wandered inside and around the plaza looking for treasures in the surrounding marketplace and little shops. Finally, hunger once again got the best of us and we began to look for places to have dinner. The aromas wafting out of the pizzerias was irresistible and we unconsciously set our minds to having one. It did not disappoint. Some friends had warned us that there wasn’t any good food in Italy. We were a bit worried because we are picky eaters but we let our noses do the choosing in Florence and didn’t have a bit of trouble, especially when we went a little out of the way and off the beaten track.
Also, we still can’t figure out why people don’t like traveling with children. All throughout Europe, but especially in Italy and France, the owners, waiters, waitresses and other patrons made an extra effort to interact with us and it made what might have been just another trip to Europe a magical experience for us all. Our little one year old was always happy and kept herself busy entertaining the owners and staff, and vice versa, so we used that time to relax and enjoy our first of many flavorful pizzas in Italy.
The Italian people are so loving towards children that we sometimes couldn’t hardly get a block down the street without someone wanting to hug or kiss our little girl. It really took some getting used to, but we’re learning to trust. Certainly perfect strangers wanting to pick up, hold, and take your child around the restaurant, bar or hotel isn’t commonplace in the US or Canada, but it is here and when in Rome… or rather, Florence, do as the Florencians do! It also afforded us both a moment to eat… together! We always kept a watchful eye on her, of course, but somehow it made us feel a renewed sense of caring in people, which, these days is refreshing to say the least.
The next day began with a quick grocery trip and transitioned into seeking refuge in artsy studio apartment we rented for the remainder of the hellacious heat of the day, until the evening’s reprieve. On our way to dinner we did a bit of last minute clothes shopping, and found prices in line or just slightly above those found in US, depending on what you were looking for, and then embarked on our twilight trek towards the Fort. It’s tall tower is a Florence landmark and can be seen throughout the city. Underneath it sits the famous, stunning statues of Neptune and David.
Being so lifelike, had they begun to move one would have just thought it was another talented street performer who somehow made themselves a bit larger than life. Someone had mentioned that they are replicas, due to their popularity there is a fear of vandalism, but certainly some of the other statues in the area are the genuine articles.
The Neptune and David statues are in a busy, open courtyard where people gather in large numbers to listen to the nightly entertainment, which, of all things, is comprised mostly of American music! We began to wonder when the rumored impromptu opera was going to begin, but, alas it did not. Perhaps the heat kept the tenors away? However, there was a high end karaoke machine, accompanied at times by live musicians, which allowed for an extensive repertoire of the Beatles, and a plethora of American bands, to be performed. They won out the night and the crowd. There are certainly other types of art and music events held at this plaza on a regular basis, but the evenings we were there it was rock and roll all the way with talented vocalists from all over the globe.
On the edge of the plaza is an Italian restaurant, frequented by locals and expats which is always a good sign when choosing a place to chow, where we had a wonderful spaghetti pasta with meat sauce that was identical to Mom’s recipe! There was no difference what so ever. Everyone always enjoyed Mom’s pasta sauce. She makes it for us, OK, me… religiously when we go back to Canada to visit.
Our last full day in Florence consisted of wandering about checking out the statues in the daylight, heading across the river on the ancient, two level bridge for another wonderful meal while listening to string instruments being played in the street. It was a hot, beautiful time in Florence. We will definitely hit the museums next time and plan to get reservations months, if not years, earlier as we missed seeing the original David and some others… but we had to have a reason to come back, and what a great reason it is!
The Duomo, originally designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, is an amazing work of art inside and out. The inside of the dome is a beautiful mosaic with 44 wonderful stain glass windows.
The Duomo is one of the centerpieces of Florence. Below the Duomo is the evolved remains of many versions of former churches.
The Duomo in Florence, Italy is a beautiful structure made from Green and Pink marble panels bordered by white. The building was started at the end of the 12th century and continued for many years. The dome is a landmark and is recognized throughout the world as a symbol of Florence.
The Arno River that cuts through the center of Florence is beautiful and was the source of water for the city. This day we are seeing pickup soccer happening on a pitch right at the water’s edge. The two story bridge with the shops underneath is known the world over and is located just downstream.
We checked out of our place on Tuesday morning and took another high speed train down to Rome. Our flight left that evening for Sicily. We wanted very much to check out some of the sites but the distances were too great in that hot weather. We instead decided on having a beer and gelato then doing some more treasure hunting.
We hopped onto another train to take us the 30 min drive into the airport. We made the trip in plenty of time to wander around the airport a bit. We particularly thought the wine bar was a good idea for all airports.
Our plane took off without a hitch and we were in Catania in just over an hour.
00danieldaniel2010-08-28 00:09:182010-08-28 00:09:18Fiery and Fabulous Florence
The Louvre Museum is located in central Paris in an old palace that holds Napoleon’s Luxurious apartment. The museum is so huge that it is divided up in several ways. It is spread across four or five floors depending on how you look at it, The Pyramid Hall, Lower Ground, Ground, 1st and 2nd Floors. Those floors are then divided up into sections called, Richelieu, Sully and Denon. The museum collection includes Oriental, Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, Paintings, Sculptures, Prints, Drawings, Objects d’art and Arts of Islam.
The Louvre Museum Map
Denon
This section holds:
Italian and Spanish Paintings
19th-Century French Paintings
Apollo Gallery, Crown Jewels
Italian, Spanish and Northern European Sculptures
Geek Etruscan and Roman Antiquities
Roman Egypt, Coptic Egypt
Arts of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas
Richelieu
This section holds:
14th – 17th-century French Paintings
German, Flemish and Dutch Paintings
Northern Schools
Medieval, Renaissance, 17th and 19th-century Decorative Arts
Napoleon III Apartments
French Sculptures
Mesopotamia, Antique Iran Islamic Art
Sully
This section holds:
17th, 18th, 19th-century French Paintings
17th, 18th, 19th-century Drawings and Pastels
17th, 18th-century Decorative Arts
Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities
Phoraonic Egypt,
Ancient Iran, Arabia, Levant
History of Louvre, Medieval Louvre
The Collections
Oriental Antiquities
This department presents the civilizations of the Ancient Near-East, Which go back to 7000BC and succeeded one another in Mesopotamia, Iran and the countries of the Levant, an immense territory stretching from the Mediterranean to India
Egyptian Antiquities
Created by Jean Francois Champollion, this department illustrates the art of Ancient Egypt from two different view-points; a chronological circuit, from the earliest times to Cleopatra, and a thematic circuit illustrating certain aspects of Egyptian civilization. Two sections devoted to the Coptic Egypt and Roman Egypt complete the display.
Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities
This department includes works from three ancient civilizations: Greece, Etruria and Rome. On the ground floor, a chronological circuit, based on marble statuary, contains works starting from the third millennium BC up to the 6th century AD. The collection on the first floor is organized according to the techniques and materials used: bronzes and jewelery, silverware, glassware, figurines and terracotta vases.
Sculptures
European Sculpture, from the Late Middle Ages to the mid-19th century, is to be found in this department. The collections, which mainly include French works, also contain many significant pieces from Italy, Spain and Northern Europe.
Objects d’art
The collections in this department come from every era: items from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, decorative arts from the 17th and 18th centuries, the Crown Jewels, 19th century items and furniture, Napoleon III apartments, etc.
Arts of Islam
Works of various Mediterranean countries, from Iran, Central Asia and India, which formed the lands of Islam are exhibited in this department. Some of the works are from the royal French collections. Most of these are ceramics, metals, ivories, woods, carpets and paintings dating from the 7th to the 19th centuries.
Prints and Drawings
Access to the Graphic Arts Department, consisting of the Drawing Cabinet (more then 100,000 works), the Edmond de Rothschild Collection and an engraved copper plate collection, is by prior arrangement only. The very fine but extremely fragile works are on display in regular temporary exhibitions and on a rota basis in the museum’s main exhibition rooms.
Reservations must be made in advanced for groups of 7 or more. The museum is open every day except Tuesday and certain public holidays. The main exhibitions are open from 9am to 6pm. On Wednesday and Fridays the museum is open till 10pm.
The price per person is 9 euros and entrance after 6pm is 6 euros. Free admission for everyone under 18. Free admission for those under 26 on Friday evenings only. On the first Sunday of every month the museum is free of charge to everyone.
The museum has an 420 seat auditorium that features Archeology, art history, literature, cinema, and music: symposiums, lectures, films, concerts and performances for young people.
Food and drink available at the museum is located under the pyramid. There is a gourmet restaurant, Le Grand Louvre, a few cafes & tearooms, and a cafeteria.
General Information Call : 01 40 20 53 17
https://www.internationaltravel.ws/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/louvre-map-small.jpg288500danieldaniel2010-08-27 20:50:452010-08-27 20:50:45The Louvre Museum
Our travels to Europe started in late August 2008. It would be my husband’s first adventure on another continent. The trip we dreamed up would allow us to experience a good overview of the western side of the continent, visit the major western cities like Amsterdam, Paris, Florence, Rome, Barcelona and Madrid in style, but without having to sell our first born to do it. Since we had our cute little eight month old baby along for the trip, this was imperative! I had already been to England, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Northern Italy and the South of France. We wanted to make sure we didn’t repeat any spot I’d stayed in already so that the trip would be equally exciting for both of us. We had an incredibly tight schedule. We had to be back in the U.S. to go to North Carolina to meet at our friend, Bud’s beach house in Nags Head. My family would be meeting us there in a mere 6 weeks. Looking back now, our journey to the EU was simply incredible and we definitely are planning on going back, maybe even living there.
Below are the countries and the places we visited during our trip of a lifetime in Europe. The countries and the cities listed are in order of visitation. We visited 8 countries and 9 major cities if you include the Vatican and Vatican City as ones. We spent at most only 6 days in one location which made the trip seem to go by pretty fast.
Netherlands
We started our tour of Holland by staying in an apartment in Amsterdam, on the canals, for a few days to shake off the jet lag, which is a formidable opponent, then moved onto Kampen and the province of Overijessel. Our reasons for visiting this area were numerous but the main reasons were friends who lived there and the fact that Dan’s father lived there until he moved to Canada at age 7, right after WWII. We then traveled down to the south of the Netherlands to Maastricht to check out one of the oldest cities in Holland. We made Maastricht our base for day trips to Cologne and Brussels.
Germany
Cologne was our only stop in Germany and it was for just one day. Our goal here was to visit the cathedral, eat some good German sausages and sample the beer. We had a great day and it was a packed one with lots of adventure.
Belgium
We spent only an afternoon in Brussels but it gave us time to taste some Belgian beer and waffles. We spent a good bit of time wandering around the city in search of the peeing boy, (Yes, that’s right., a peeing boy is a major tourist attraction, go figure!), the Palace and Central Square.
France
Sadly, our only stop in France was Paris. I must say how much Paris had changed in ten years. I had only had a layover in Paris on my way to the Cannes Film Festival the last time I was in France. I was lied to by someone who worked for the airline I was taking and thank goodness I knew enough French to understand and… ahem.. correct the problem. France has changed so much, I was shocked at how kind, helpful and interactive everyone was. We had four days in total to spend here, two days at the start of our trip and two days near the end of our 6 week trek. We explored the city during the day with the help of an excellent guide, Emmanuelle, whom we met at dinner our first night there. Our second trip on the return leg we reunited with our new friend, Emmanuelle, visited the Lourve, went to a birthday party and saw an old friend from C.A., Greg Corinth, who was in Paris visiting relatives.
Italy
We arrived at our first stop, Florence, by high speed train from Paris. We explored only in the evenings as the heat was pretty incredible during the day. After staying five days, we then headed down to Rome for an afternoon while we waited for our flight to the island of Sicily. We were met by our good friend, Giovanella at the airport and the adventure began immediately. If you have ever driven or ridden in a car in Italy, you know what I mean. Although we spent most of the week white knuckled, driving in the car, a week spent in Sicily was just not enough. Amazing doesn’t even come close to describing it’s treasure chest of spots. There simply weren’t enough hours in the day to stop and pour over relics, take photos of architecture and art in all of the places we wanted to do so. We toured through some absolutely beautiful places like: Taormina, Caltagirone, Agrigento and Syracuse. Our friend, Giovanella and her family, gave us the grand tour and treated us to the best of everything. It made me fall even deeper in love with Italy and it’s people. We then flew back to Rome to explore the eternal city. The fountains, buildings, ruins and piazzas must be seen and experienced by everyone. The beauty of this country is truly a global treasure which must be preserved.
Vatican City
Although this country / city is located within Rome it has a much different feel then the rest of Rome. The piazza, museum, cathedral and fountains are definitely worth the couple days we devoted to it. While in Rome, we stayed just outside the walls of the Vatican and passed through St. Peter’s Square everyday.
Spain
From Rome we flew to Madrid. Our time in Spain was divided between Madrid, Barcelona and Cardona. We didn’t exactly have a plan, but it worked out perfectly. We couldn’t have done a better job had we gone to all of the toil and trouble of planning it months in advance. Our first full night in Madrid we saw the Real Madrid football game, (Be sure to bring a gas mask because the plumes of cigarette smoke can ruin a great night and the next few days, if you have allergies). Then, a few days later, we met up with Margaux, an old friend of mine who just so happens to be one of the few well published, American wine and food critics in Spain and she gave us two days of city tours and introduced us to many local people and cuisine styles too. Having spent a few days in amazing Madrid we were off to Barcelona, which is a beautiful city with a plethora of amazing architectural feats designed by Gaudi. We didn’t have a lot of time in the city as we were on a mission to visit the countryside and Andorra. The only time we rented a car on this trip was to travel between Barcelona and Andorra. Magical Spain allowed us to fulfill another lifelong dream. Both of us had always wanted to stay in a medieval castle. The parador, (castle in Spanish), we stayed in can be found in historical Cardona.
Andorra
It is a beautiful mountain country, very small and wedged between France and Spain. It is pretty much only accessible by road so we drove in from Barcelona. The drive was a mere few hours, but it was some of the prettiest scenery on our trip. The mountains were calling to us the entire way. Mist covered some and others stood proudly into the clouds above. Our main goal in Andorra was to visit the amazing Caldea spa for my birthday, detox my throat, sinuses and lungs from the smokers and auto exhaust while relaxing, away from the busy cities where we had been spending a good portion of our time. We stayed in our timeshare, a chalet, which we had reserved many months prior. It was the off season so the restaurants, stores and streets were quite empty. It was a nice change. We enjoyed a few days exploring, tasting the local fare and driving around before we headed back to Spain, eager to stay in our first castle.
https://www.internationaltravel.ws/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/path-europe.jpg404600naianaia2010-08-27 19:04:152010-08-27 19:04:15Europe, A Quick Introduction
Being completely honest, as is required in this job, I must say the last time I was in Paris I didn’t have the best of experiences. Of course, it could have something to do with the fact that I never ventured out from the airport, but still, the amount of rudeness and underhandedness I experienced in an hour long layover, at Orly, was quite unbelievable. As a matter of fact, the level of disdain I experienced there put me off for a full ten years from traveling to, or through, this mecca of romance.
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My husband, Dan, even had to coax me into going by mentioning all of the incredible art at the Louvre, the one museum I had really wanted to see in the EU. I am exuberant to report that after my most recent trip, I happily stand corrected about Paris. Today’s Paris has done a 180 degree turn on it’s heels. People everywhere were polite and genuinely friendly. I hadn’t ever known any other European city to be so open and friendly to tourists. All of the people in Paris were so friendly it was absolutely shocking, but in a good way.
I think most people have heard that France, Paris in particular, being full of rude, racist and obnoxious people just lurking in the shadows, waiting for their opportunity to spew their venom on you. Not so today, however, something tells me that was a more probable scenario before the internet took over. Now because of the social aspect of the web, people have friends all over the world and it’s making a difference, a big difference.
Paris is certainly one of the capital cities of the Modern Age. So much is going on 24/7, it’s dizzying. It certainly rivals New York City for it’s pace, friendliness and style. The only thing we didn’t see were blinking neon signs of those famous NYC “Open All Night” restaurants, but I bet they were there. What with all the different attractions, incredible restaurants, mix of cultures and such a long history, you might need a year to just start to scratch the surface of all of the wonders that are Paris.
I realized something very important on this leg of our Europe trip. The difference between my last trip to France and this one is simple. Today’s French are really beginning to fall in love all over again… with Paris, their country and the world, and why shouldn’t they? The grandeur that is Paris can be seen in it’s magnificent palaces, museums, government buildings and the art that seems to be seeping from just about everywhere. Also, the French are obsessed with lovemaking. Well, again, they should be. Didn’t they invent it or something? After all, how sensual is it to be surrounded by the most famous architecture? How about the “ahh factor” of shopping in some of the most unique of boutiques or drink an award winning wine, neither of which need be the most expensive? Mind you, if you want to go full tilt then there is a scotch that goes for $1200 USD per shot most recently consumed by our friend, Greg with his uncle in Paris.
Most people who have been to France understand when I say that there is a heaven on Earth and it’s the smell of the freshly baked baguettes, flakey croissants, and other treats on offer at the local patisserie. It might as well be the equivalent of culinary Chanel wafting through the air first thing in the morning, or whenever you happen to be hungry. It is downright Pavlovian. It’s practically foreplay when you eat the oh-so-delicate, but rich, saucy French food, and of course parlez francais all the while, even if you’re messing up the words! It’s no wonder that Paris is one of the cultural capitals of the world. France, in general, certainly holds it’s own as one of the most amazing places on the planet. Having a very good standard of living as well as the best health care system in the world really does make a difference in the way you experience your life.
Stories
We took the first class train from Brussels and arrived into the Gard Du Nord, (North Garage), on a high speed train that had WIFI available. (Dan was elated to have a decent internet connection). Also, I should note that traveling by train first class is much easier and worth the extra couple hundred dollars you will spend. We felt comfortable immediately in Paris because we were able to study the map to easily locate our accommodations. It was just a short walk from the station and on a quiet side street. Like something out of a movie, our host actually greeted us by name as we walked through the door. He was incredibly nice and very helpful. He made a point to give us plenty of good advice about where to find things like wipees, diapers and where to go to eat. Our room was small, but smartly decorated with the latest interior design textures and colors. Another thing that was nice, it used the limited space well. All of the necessary amenities were to be found in it’s new bathroom , including a hair dryer, towel drying rack and the latest deco style sink. The bedroom had a work area with a desk and a solid internet connection, something you don’t always find when traveling in the EU. The windows looking out over the street really reminded you of the Bohemian Paris we have seen on the big screen. We relaxed in the room for a couple hours before leaving to find our dining spot. We both remarked how it was amazing to think that earlier that day we had been in Brussels and took two trains. It was a weird feeling. Because of the closeness of all of the countries in Europe, we realized we had visited four countries in two days.
Our concierge gave us the name of a restaurant down the street that had tasty traditional food and really good service. Our magical Parisian adventure began there when we sat next to two sisters and their brother at the communal eating table. We began sharing stories and practicing our French with them. They spoke a bit of English, which made things fun. It seemed that the more wine the group consumed, the better everyone understood each other. Certainly this was a tradition that was well proven all throughout Europe for the last several thousand years and probably helped to keep things peaceful most of the time between the different cultures.
After a couple hours of eating and making merry, we told them we were to meet a friend from California at the L’Arc de Triomphe at 11 a.m. the next day. Emmanuelle, one of the sisters, said she would meet us and take us all on a bit of a tour. She then divulged how much she loved the city and has written two books, both in French ,for the first time French visitor to Paris. I know my eyes must have widened. We were so excited because these were the only two days we had booked in Paris and we were concerned about having enough time to get a good overview of the city. We were stunned by her generosity and couldn’t hardly wait to see where we would be exploring.
The next morning we wandered down to the metro and jumped a train out to The Arc. Every person we talked to was very friendly in helping us find our way around. An old man was so pleased he helped us find our way to the stairs to go to under the road to the Arc. He said, in French, that he used to live in Florida for about twenty years and then moved back to Paris. The L’Arc de Triomphe is quite large and is decorated with statues from many places. We met Greg and Emmanuelle under it. Both Dan and I thought that it seemed so surreal to actually be there. It had been a life long dream to visit Paris and it was already surpassing our expectations.
French Deli
Our route around the city included a walk down to the Champs Elyees from the Arc and then to the Obelisk. Our new friend, Emmanuelle, took us to a small garden that was her favourite. It was a lovely little garden with plenty of colorful flowers. We also wanted to experience a local lunch meal. So, we went on a bit of an adventure on the Metro, to the little restaurant, across from the oldest home in Paris, which served whatever the chef wanted to cook that day. It was very good and really inexpensive for the quality and amount of food. Our meal included your choice of three entrees, a piece of fantastic chocolate cake and a drink for about 8 euros. Please take notice that this place was so hidden that we would never be able to find our way back there without Emmanuelle.
We headed back to the Metro and found ourselves at the Lourve. We walked through the courtyards in awe. The old palace was quite a building. Like most buildings it was between three and five stories high. It was covered in statues and windows. We passed through the few courtyards to get to the riverside. We found that it was just incredible how big this museum is in comparison with any other building around it.
Next it was on to Notre Dame where we explored a bit and took pictures of the statues. Dan found it quite dark inside. I stayed outside with our little girl. It was definitely a Paris landmark that needed to be seen. On the river below the church we took a boat ride up to the Effiel Tower and back. We should have taken the Hop On / Hop Off boat so we could have gotten off there but there weren’t any available. I would say to call ahead for that activity as they do book up quickly.
Back at Notre Dame we got off the boat and decided it was a good time to to head up to Montmarte and the Sacre Coeur Cathedral. We stopped in Montmarte and our Parisian Guide left us at the bottom of the hill. We promised to keep in touch and thanked her for the wonderful tour of the city.
The view from the cathedral is amazing and you can see a great deal of Paris from up there. The artistry on the roof of the cathedral is beautiful. Back down the hill a little ways there is an artists area where painters and sketchers were doing portraits. It was a bit touristy area but we sat down for a meal anyways. The meal prices were definitely a lot more up here then what we had so far.
As we passed through the tent to our seat I saw the crepes being served. They looked so good that I was thinking about getting one. My wife took the lead and ordered me pasta instead while I was out walking the little girl. This was a bit annoying since we head to Italy the next day for 3 weeks and I wanted to get in as much of the local dishes as possible. I sent the pasta back and got my crepes with the egg on top. It was enjoyed!
Unfortunately, one of my traveling companions left some important items in the restaurant’s seats while I was out walking with the girl. Although this traveling companion does not agree at all. It is still a point of contention. My hat, later to be known as Wilson, was lost in Montemarte for a day. It missed the train to Florence.
We wished our friend from California good night and took the metro back to our hotel. It was a wonderful 2 nights in Paris.
The next morning we caught a taxi early in the morning to Gare du Lyon for our journey into Italy.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe stands in the center of Place Charles de Gaulle at the western end of the Champs-Elysees. It is an arch that honors those who fought for France during the Napoleonic Wars. It also houses underneath the tomb of the unknown soldier from WWI.
The Arc displays young french nudes against chain mail bearded German warriors. It is the second largest triumphal arch in existence at 162 feet tall and 148 feet wide. It is so large that a plane was able to fly through it and was captured on video. It was commissioned in 1806 after a victory of Napoleon at Austerlitz.
Notre Dame
Notre Dame first stone was begun in 1163 has been updated and modified each century since. The North and South Tower were completed in 1240 & 1250 respectively. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
This model of Notre Dame is a scaled and is set with every detail as the real one. Reviewing this allows you to see the detail work that you are unable to see from the ground.
Lourve
Classical statues fill this gallery which is one of the few rooms that can be seen without paying an entrance fee to the museum. As heard in the audio this would be a great place to have a scene from a James Bond movie.
The museum is located by the river Seine in Paris and is the world’s most visited museum. It has an exhibition area of over 60,600 sq meters. The building was extended and added onto many times. It started as a fortress in the 12th century which is still visible. The latest addition which is the glass Pyramids give light to the lower reception and ticketing area.
Napoleon’s Obelisk
This obelisk was originally erected in front of the Luxor temple in the 13th Century BC. It was transported in the 19th century to Paris. Although it was attributed to Napoleon it didn’t arrive in Paris until 1836. This is one of the three obelisks that were given to the great western cities of New York, London and Paris.
Sacre-Coeur
The view from Sacre-Coeur Basilica is located at the top of Montmarte which is the highest point in the city. The basilica finished in 1913 has become a focal point for people to relax after a busy day and listen to music on the steps to enjoy that view.
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We walked out of the train station and were thrust into the heart of the multicultural city. Brussels is beautiful, small and fast paced. Our friend nearly got run over in his wheelchair! Purely by chance did Naia say something just in time. So if you are going to Brussels, keep your eye out for drivers who might not be looking for you, whether you are on foot or on bike.
One of the “Wow” moments of all our traveling in Europe was when we saw the Grand Palace and the overall staggering amount of gold in the city of Brussels. Because of thievery, the gold you see in most artwork and architecture is now maintained with gold paint where there used to be gold leaf, like on their government buildings, and if you’re looking for it you’ll see it in other less conspicuous spots as well. Honestly, each time we turned a corner it felt like the architecture was almost morphing into something out of our dreams about what that era must have been like… each building was more amazing than the last building we had just drooled over, and they just kept coming with each new block. Ah, Brussels!
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Stories
Like France and Italy, Brussels’ small streets contain many small, family-owned cafes and restaurants of distinction and impressive quality, offering a cornucopia of delight for every palette. Given the fact that we only had an afternoon in the chocolate and waffle capital of the world, we felt a wave of excitement when we realized we had to begin sampling right away! Plus, we could resist the dalliance of the scent of freshly cooked waffles wafting past our noses no longer and were drawn to a little roadside cafe. We immediately decided on beer and waffles. Ok, truth be known, the boys, Dan and our Dutch friend, Freek, had the alcoholic libations while Naia had a silky-smooth, coat your throat with divinity, perfect drinking temperature hot chocolate, which was one of the things on her list to experience while there. She liked it. She liked it a lot. She had to kick Dan under the table to keep him from drinking all of her cocoa, which meant it had his seal of approval! Naia took a sip of the beer which was a nice light/medium lager but didn’t go too well with the cocoa, however it went well with the waffles, according to Dan and Freek, (pronounced ‘Frake’).
Matter of factly, the waffles were excellent. Our friend started Van’s Waffles and described them perfectly to me one time. “Slightly crispy on the outside and heavenly on the inside.” They felt so light and fluffy it made us wonder if we were in a dream… and then came out the strawberries and cream on the side! Perfection on a plate. A lovely time was had by all. Naia had decided to make a short list of a few things we could try while in Belgium. Some rich, dark chocolate covered almonds would prove to be a more difficult find than the perfect hot cocoa. Apparently dark chocolate powdered nuts are all the rage in Brussels. Naia was looking for smooth, shiny, dark chocolate covered almonds. They are naturally lower in fat, sugar and guilt!
Wondering what to do after our little culinary distraction, while outside the Grand Palace, we spotted the post cards. It was obvious that there is a love of statues here. Surprisingly, you can tell a lot about a place from the postcards. Let us just say that Belgians are distinct from their other EU neighbors. They will put up a statue of a little kid taking a leak and like magic, somehow it becomes a national landmark. Go figure. So, given this oddity, we had decided that our grand quest of the day was to find a statue of a peeing boy. Our not so grand, but would still be fun to accomplish, quests were the dark chocolate almonds and to experience some regular Belgian food. The boys also had their quest to be a little groggy from all of the grog by the time we had to get back on the train, which proved later to be a bit of a challenge. Not the drinking part, but the getting on the train part!
After finishing such a not-so-healthy treat, we needed to walk off the evil, but tasty, sugar, fat and calories. We went off on our adventure, the three of us and Asha. Overall, the city center was well planned out and easy to navigate. Thankfully, there were signs directing us to every place we wanted to see and a map was not necessary. Amsterdam could take a lesson from Brussels in making it user friendly to the tourists! It’s very easy to get lost in Amsterdam when you are just visiting. We headed down to the Grand Palace and saw the bar that has 2001 different Belgian beers. The boys thought they should leave it for the next visit or they might have to call a cab! The LIttle Peer, as Naia dubbed him, was next to a shop where we got our chocolate almonds and, had we known this, we would have found The Little Peer a lot sooner. We spent about an hour and a half with Naia going into every chocolate store on the way to the peeing boy but no such luck. It was only after we found him and threw some pennies into the fountain that we scored the chocolate! Good thing we’re not superstitious!
Finally, the third quest was to be fulfilled. Ah… success! Freek, (pronounced ‘Frake’), took us to eat french fries but Belgian style while we were waiting near the train station. We were early. Naia nibbled on one, just to say she had them, while Dan and Freek devoured the dish. All three of us concluded that they were indeed tasty and also completely unhealthy. Perhaps next time we can explore the healthy chefs of the EU instead? Hmmm?
Train Station
Oh and by the way, there is one thing to remember when traveling by train in the EU, or just about anywhere these days for that matter. The station you arrived at when coming to Brussels isn’t necessarily the one you will use to leave Brussels! Hahahah! Yep, we were waiting outside the wrong station! Simply make sure to check the train tickets for which station train departs from so that you don’t miss it. Our train to Paris left from a different station than our arrival. We didn’t realize this and we were waiting for a train that was never going to come since it was at a different station! Many European cities have more then 1 train station, depending on which direction they are traveling. It was a bit of a crazy journey but we made it to the correct station and caught the train just in time. It was the only train we took in our seven weeks in the EU that had wifi access. Aside from getting some emails done, Dan really liked it because he could map out directions to our hotel, which really helped make us feel more at home when we walked out of the Gare Du Nord in Paris. Leave it up to the Belgians to do the finest things in life just a bit finer.
Food & Dining
Small streets lined with restaurants cafes and pubs are like barnacles on the bottom of a boat… literally one on top of another! There is barely enough room to get through and it goes on for many blocks in every direction and it’s delish!
Shopping Arcade
This glass covered shopping arcade is the oldest in Europe. Sint-Hubertus gallery was built in 1846 is just northeast of the Grand Palace. Eight of these galleries were built but only 3 has survived. The lower level has shops and the upper levels have apartments and condos.
Central Square
The Central Square is the heart of Brussels. It contains the Grand Palace and often hosts a busy market. It is claimed to be one of the most beautiful town squares in the world. In 1695 the square was bombed to ruins and was rebuilt completely by the commercial guilds.
Immersed, I took in the sounds of screeching birds and pushed huge leaves from my path as I made my way to investigate the bursts of color that were still just a blur in the distance. I pressed on. After dodging the occasional puddle, I discovered the tropical pink pineapples, deep violet banana blossoms sprouting from their tree top perches some 25-feet above me and bright white orchids, all sprinkled with water droplets. The air felt even more moist than the flowers looked and I realized it was at least 20 degrees hotter than only just moments ago, yet somehow the sound of rushing streams made it seem less sweltering. As I wiped the sweat from my forehead, I almost forgot this was early March in downtown St. Louis.
Ottoman Garden
I thought to myself that a botanical garden was an entertainment option most people don’t take advantage of in the big city. It was then that I realized that St. Louis was more than an arch, blues and riverboat gambling—it could be a natural oasis too. The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Climatron Conservatory hosts not only these plants but also displays an array of exotic animals, like poison frogs and puffer fish, and is just one of the 31 gardens and conservatories that stretch over some seventy-nine acres.
When back outdoors, I followed a walkway through electric blue magnolias and fountains, going from garden to garden and it even afforded me a pass by the 1850s Victorian estate of Englishman Henry Shaw, who founded the garden in 1859.
The English Woodland Garden certainly made up in aroma what it lacked in color. Among the simple green and brown, with only an occasional burst of yellow daffodils, I felt my eyes almost sting from the strong pine scent. The Boxwood Garden was full of walled hedges arranged in a maze I could have easily gotten lost in had they been taller than my knee. Manicured in the shape of an ancient emblem, this garden seemed to be stolen right out of another time. I stayed longer there than I did at any other garden, taking my time admiring the precision and craftsman ship—and resting.
Japanese Garden
After a break, I was eager to see the famous Seiwa-en Japanese landscape garden and it wasn’t long before I started noticing the perfectly rounded bushes and carefully drawn lines in the sand around them, known as Karesansui. Amidst the stone walkways and willows exploding in lavender blossoms was an old bridge where I fed the hungry aquatic animals below. I tossed the food over the side and had to laugh as I watched the ducks in fierce competition for my meager gifts of sustenance with the giant koi fish, who were considerably bigger. The downfall of this visit, aside from sore legs, was that I came too early to see the orchid show, which employees say is a favorite among visitors, who come from all over the world. They´ve met people who come from as far away as South Africa. Not bad for $8 a head, leg workout included free of charge.
The next day I found myself wiping my brow again as I entered the tropical conservatory at the Butterfly House in Faust Park. Approximately 60 species of butterflies from all over the world filled the room. Their sizes varied from as small as my palm to as big as my hand. Amongst the huge tropical plants, flashes of blood red, black, lime green, lemon yellow, purple and light and dark blues appeared and disappeared in the same instant right in front of me making the experience as nerve-racking as it was exhilarating, mostly because of the caution signs warning not to touch the butterflies, as it could injure or kill them. I found myself adopting a walking rhythm of slow, leery starts and panicked, abrupt stops when one would dart out in front of me. I regretted bringing my purse too. After a few accidental swings and close calls, I learned to keep it clutched to my side. Elsewhere in the Butterfly House are some not so desirable creatures like giant cockroaches, rhinoceros beetles and millipedes. The House, started eight years ago by Sohpia M. Sachs, is an educational facility, after all. So, though I groaned through it making faces, I figured it is only fair to display a full range of the Earth’s bugs, beautiful or not and I can put up with anything with a mere $6 admission.
The place that was most expensive and farthest to get to may have been the best of all three. The Meramec Caverns, located in Stanton, Mo., an hour outside the city, opened to the public in 1933. Further exploration revealed 26 miles of underground passages and as I found out, those 26 miles held a past full of rich history, natural phenomena and, surprisingly, pop culture.
It was the first time on this trip I was chilly as my tour group entered the first and largest of the cave’s rooms—the ballroom. It is not a nickname. Socials were held here in the 1930s as much as Boy Scout meetings are today. Complete with a disco ball, it houses up to 3,000 people. As green, blue, yellow and red lights lit the way, we were led through winding walkways with some low ceilings and up 58 slippery steps, which the guide later admitted to me was tourists’ least favorite part. One of our first stops was at Loot Rock, where Jesse James and his crew hid out from police. A million scenarios ran through my mind when the tour guide the pointed out the bear dens no more than ten feet away from it. We were also shown secret places where gun powder was made during the Civil War.
Hollywood has even been attracted to the cave on occasion. We were shown the spots where scenes were shot for Lassie, the famous fight between Tom Sawyer and Injun Joe in the film Tom and Huck and an episode of the show People Are Funny, in which two newlyweds got tricked into staying in one of the caves for a ten-day honeymoon.
It is a magnificent cavern that extends 364 feet below the ground and seven stories above it. The most fascinating parts of the tour for me were the formations, taking on shapes of a wine table, a curtain of stalactites up to 70 feet long and Onyx Mountain. This 33 million year old underground mountain is the 3rd largest in the world. While one side glows in peach, white and pale blue hues, the other side was black and dying from a lack of oxygen. Maybe the most intriguing feature of all was what the locals affectionately call Adam and Eve, a stalactite and stalagmite directly aligned and are the closest in the world to meeting and forming a column. On my way out, I decided that I would pay another $15 and do it all over again if I didn’t have to be back home the next day.
These special places showed me people can escape tourist traps and get to see what else there is to a big city other than concrete and congestion. When I looked past the typical big buildings, crowded bars and constant road rage, I found a whole new wild side to St. Louis.
https://www.internationaltravel.ws/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/japanese-garden.jpg193460danieldaniel2010-08-27 18:16:122010-08-27 18:16:12St. Louis´ Other Wild Side
