Europe Trafalgar

Tour Day1
Wake up call at 4:30am bath, breakfast was delivered to our room cereals and croissants. we were pick up by a bus, Luc our tour guide, met new friends from US, Indonesia Frankie and Lulu, Malaysia Kent n Rebecca, Australia.. we embarked in a barge and had lunch there, we arrive Carais then by bus pass by France, Netherlands on our way to Belgium, cars are left hand drive while in London its right hand drive. Belgium we are! We were drop off at Brugges met a Filipina walk around their shopping center, roads are narrow made of bricks, horse carriage are big, buildings are magnifico, we went to Notradam church very old gothic style, going upward are the design because they believe it’s a design that seems going to heaven, we were then given time of our own to check the shops bought some great yummy French fries one of the world’s best fries just on the road, their known for it, big crunchy outside fluffy inside and deliciously hot. Then an hour drive to Brussels where we were given a welcome drink and had a dinner at our own expense beef flaming their specialty it’s like beef stew. We then shop around take pictures and went to hotel Rennaisance nice posh hotel.

Day2
6am wake up call, breakfast great sausage very good Belgian waffle s also nice, we then drove for Amsterdam pretty foggy, pass by Broklyn plenty of dykes, went to a cheese factory n wooden shoe factory.
Cheese; cows milk put in a mill with 3blades for 4hours, put a thing to let it hard, the liquid will not be used only the hard stuff, then put in a holed bowl with screen for 4hours pressing, then for flavouring with salt or garlic.

Drop by a windmill built 1615 pass by fisherman houses. then drop by Volendam Holland a Fishport with plenty of souveniers, don't buy souveniers at the cheese factory. Arrived Amsterdam capital of Netherland, old city, Ride a water boat sightsee the river bank, went to check out a diamond factory 1c clear approximate p700th, went to rest in the hotel nh x, had dinner at Sea Palace Amsterdam Chinese and Indonesian food in a floating boat. Knew more people in our tour, Mic and Shirley, Murp and June both couple from Australia, Vietnam old guy and wife Mrs. Huang. We then pass by red destrict women prostitutes dancing in a house window, some dress in teachers uniform, others portray to be a nurse, Our hotel not so nice, small and our bed facing the window which look like the prostitute window.

day3
Going to Germany, long trip, just sleeping the whole trip in the bus, drop by an ancient church, went to rhine cruise pass by old castles and awesome grapes vine yard mountains full of it. Germany has small houses cement with pointed brick roofs. Dinner at ramada hotel, good buffet but room no aircondition and small.

tour day4 nov5
Went to Heidelberg Germany, pass by Steffie Graffs, famous German tennis player, house along river bank, went to their market square where lots of shops selling goodies and souvenirs. Saw lots of German cars latest BMW, Volkswagon, there’s no speed limit so there’s lots of car accidents we encountered. Our tour guide Luc is a history teacher also, he talks a lot about the history of Europe from thousand years ago with kings and princess, but he seems not change clothes for 5days already, maybe its ok for cold weather, no sweatü we then went to Black Forest, a man made forests lots of trees green and rusty colors, they also sell wooden cocoo clocks we had lunch on our own spaghetti, we then pass the Swiss border where they checked our passport and drove to Rhine falls beautiful scenery.


Tour day5
Went to Pilatos mountains 7,000 ft above sea level, used cable car, as we ascend we could see the beautiful scenery of Switzerland below by the lake, all the pine trees and fog, theres a time where the fog covers the cable car where we see all white around seems going to heaven. We walk around very cold Pilatus, climb the stairs to the top, then had a French fries snack at their cafe. Then we descend from the mountain by train, very steep going down, then have a lake cruise in lake of Lucern. After, we have free time stroll around check out watches, Switzerland is known for their watches but it seems more expensive when we asked. But the whole building is just selling watches! We then window shop, walk around their bridges, their lake water is very clean and clear. Lots of bars which opens from 9pm to 9am.

Tour Day6
Liechtenstein, Vadus a small city. Sunday shops are close but have 1 souvenir shop open, tour around the small city, small cathedral, a few minutes after we witness 1st snow fall, Cristov our driver stop for us to get off the bus and feel the snow, everyone was happy playing around with snowballs and getting picture. We then drop by for lunch then proceed to Austria, we got a few minutes to refresh in the hotel, then off we go to their market square, saw the golden roof, and browse at the Swarvski collection, then at 4pm we meet at the lobby for the horse riding trip. We drove to the mountains where a horse carriage was waiting for us. All of us got inside. Then it started to snow again, we drop by the small church where sound of music was filmed, it was a small church but was very beautiful inside, the interior was full of carvings, paintings, statues and mouldings. We then embarked the horse carriage sitting at the back going to the area where winter olympic was held before. It was freezing. The horses body were smoking maybe from the heat of their body with the cold weather. The olympic site wasn’t fully snowed, we went inside their barns where horses were kept, then to the cottage where we got some hot choco and was given snaps, a liquor drink something to ward off viruses, and everyone was in a good mood laughing making jokes. Good thing we were picked up by the bus and not ride the horses because it was just too cold, and it seems everyone was tipsy by the snaps that we sang songs, clap hands, and even Vanessa and Franky danced inside the bus. We then had dinner in the hotel.


tour day7,
Drove to Salsburg, saw the churches and market square where sound of music was played then saw the house where Mozart was born. We had lunch with Franky and Lulu in a Japanese restaurant noodles for me and bento box for Elfred. We then stroll around their market square and bought some strawberries which looks so nice like a plastic thing and it tasted great very sweet, we gave some to others and Franky gave us some chest nut from the vendor which tasted greatly hot. We checked in the hotel and went to Mozzart”s play a side trip and it was a beautiful experience the cast in antique clothes playing violin flute piano and there’s a ballet dance and an opera song.

Tour day8
9am breakfast , have a city tour looking at their museums which Vienna has lots, from architecture to furnitures. We saw their city hall which is very unique like a church full carvings, operas and their ferriswheel which vienna was known for, aged a hundred yrs. It’s snowing a bit and very chillling outside good thing ache told us to bring umbrella, the wind was strong that the umbrella inverted. We also saw the hampsburg palace their empire before which is nice and big. We tour around their square pass by mozzarts statue, most souvenir shops are selling mozarts chocolate, we were drop off at the square to shop on our own, we bought elfreds boss pants at 50% off, then browse at Louis Vitton shop canvas bag accesories at 380e which $509.50 less tax 13% and had lunch in a Chinese restaurant with Frankie and Lulu. We resume window shopping checking out watches, Prada in which Elfred was interested in their limited edition IWC Prada watch at e4,200. Browse plenty of shops and drop by their cathedral which looks awesome inside with carvings and paintings, we then had dinner at café mozarts had chicken snitzel which is very goood and big portions. We then ride their train to our hotel. Our key was left inside the coach we waited for it to arrive in the lobby.

Tour day9
we had breakfast at the hotel park hotel, ride bus going to vennise, it started to snow again, as we dropby for lunch we had a snowball fight almost everyone was wet, throwing with each other, small big snowballs, we also tried to make a snowman with everyone's help, it looks funny. As we drove we could see the trees are all white, and the roads were cleaned by govt. Trucks.

Tour day10
We drove to the port where we got a boat for Vennise, as we arrive, the tide was going up so the people in vennise were preparing wooden stilts for people to walk, their expecting a flood. The water was getting high every minute, we walk on the stilts so not to get wet, most shops has water inside already, we were going to a glass factory and made a detour because of the water, we arrive at the factory by an escort. We were given demonstrations how a vase is made and it was a nice awesome presentation. We look around after, things there are very expensive, a vase cost $800. We tour around then had our gondola tour at 12noon. We ride with a musician singing and playing the something like a piano. We then had a beautiful lunch spaghetti and pizza, and for Franky and Lulu grilled Calamarie and Carbonara and we shared. Tour around and saw Louis Vitton shop. As we inquire it’s cheaper than Vienna, we were afraid that its a long que[line] in paris or we cannot find the shop, so we planned to buy some but were able to buy only 2, Pochette Accesories at e370 and Lucile at $745 because 1 bag per person is allowed and they don’t give brochures. We tour check out places, the church, and the alley’s saw lots of shops, no cars can pass only people for their roads, then go back by checking the signs where to go back “samarco” at 5pm for the boat back home.and there's not flood anymore.

Tour day11
Had breakfast and will have a long drive to Rome. Pass by Bologna city in which lazers are founded. We stop by at autogrill for lunch 1 big slice of pizza, fries and fanta for both of us at 5.80eu the cheapest lunch so far. Toilet should pay 20cent eu. after the long drive, we were dropped at the hotel and was given 1.5hr siesta time, then to city tour. We were dropped off at the entrance where in times of Julius Ceasar built before Christ. we walk to the Spanish Stairs with a fountain below very nice, plenty of people just sitting hanging around Romans and tourist alike, then to the mother Mary tower where we were informed that every Dec 8 the pope change the flowers at the top using the fire trucks ladder but since he's old now, he still goes there but have somebody climb the 20mt high tower statue, to the left is Valentino designer live and to the right is the spanish consulate, then we went to Trevia a very beautiful fountain looks like a monument with statues well carved all over, we both then made a wish to have great family with great kids. In wishing you should use your right hand and throw it to the left shoulders. We walk to the old church dome, the largest dome in Rome where we saw very nice architecture it's astonishing how they made something very great at that early time when there's no technology and electricity to support it, inside the dome lies the ashes of the kings and queen, and the famous artist Rafael. Above Rafael's monument is a mother and Mary statue which he designed and asked to be put in his monument when he dies, he died at a young age in his 30's. There are lots of people outside praying and mourning the death of Arafat the president of Palestine who just have died. Then off to 2more ancient Rome buildings, then to Novatel square, its oblong shape square which was used as a horse sports track before with a beautiful fountain with 4 statues presenting 4seas of the world, how astonishing and artistic those Romans that have created those things. Today it's a square where a lot of restaurants surround it and in the middle of it is a big plain where lots of artists drawing, sketching, selling small things. Then of we had dinner lasagna and lamb and had their famous ice cream tres tofo chocolate with cherry inside toppled with whipcream.

Tour day12
We started early 730 in the bus so not to que in Vatican, we were informed 1min diff is equivalent to 1km que. As we arrived it has a long line already, but 15 min after as we looked at our back woow it has added another long line behind us. A lot of peole want to cut in but was sho away by our guide. We were then given radio so to hear the guide. As we entered the Vatican they were very strict like in the airport checking bags no sharp object because they receive threats. Vatican is a city inside the city of Rome. We went to the museum lots of nude male statues, we were told that the genitals were covered with leaves when the museum was open to the public, after a few years they plan to take off the leaves resulting to damaging it. We saw big carpets weaved into pictures depicting their time, it was weaved with gold but gold were stolen by the barbarians. We saw paintings on the ceilings with statues carved and mouldings truly magnificent, Italians are great artist. We then went to Sisy chapel where we saw the work of Michael Angelo on the ceiling and the center part of the wall and some other painters work. Painting of Mosses and Jesus were at the walls, and on the ceiling is how god created the world. The paintings look like 3dimention Embose a truly magnificent art at their time. We were informed that it's in the Sisy chapel where they vote for a new pope. We then walk to Saint Peter church where lots of statues are decorated some are works of Michael Angelo.

We then drove to ancient rome, saw the remains, old pilars, old houses in the time of julius ceasar before christ. we could see they are civilized already when phil. wasn’t even born. then went to the nearby coloseum, where gladiators fight, went inside for a 10eu fee, saw where the animals were kept, went up where you can view the whole coloseum. Then went to a church where michael angelo work of mosses was kept then had lunch pizza and off we go to the catacombs.

catacombs are like cemetery at their times it's like a cave with lots of entrances, and around 1mt width road, dark and cold very erie and probably scary in those days where there's no electricity,even the one who discovered it got lost inside. 150,000 were burried inside and saint peter and 2more martyrs were one of them but their remains were taken to the vatican. Only 5% are open to the public and remains kept inside in another area.
Our tour ends there but we 5young couples asked to be dropped by at the square to look around more and do some shopping. we walked a lot went to 2lv shops bought some, then had dinner in a chinese restaurant 4 of us, nice food and not too expensive, then went back to the hotel by taxi 10eur.

Tour day13,
Going to florence, dropby lunch burgerking, arrive florence 4pm, went to the hill overlooking the city with michael angelo's david replica, and we had a group picture and was so
The to us at 10eu. we then went to the museum where we saw leonardos paintings and michael angelos sculptures. We walked to their cityhall, church and the golden gates to heaven where gold carvings are in the door. The weather was very cold and windy, wasn't able to prepare heavy clothings because it was warm last night. We were sched to visit michael angelo burial sight but was closed because of the strong wind. We then went to hotel leonardo and had dinner there. Elfred seems to have fever, ate medicine then went to sleep.

Tour day14 nov 15 mon
Woke up early then to tower of piza, the park is beautiful, lots of tourist, toilet 1eu. we pass by mountains of marble and nearby lots of marble sellers, then pass by genova birthplace of columbus, passby lots of tunnel then arrived monaco, a small country by the sea side where wealthy people and criminals live because of their low tax and govt protection , went to monte carlo check out their casinos then window shop, photos then to hotel.

Day 15,
Had a late wake up, then off to nearby village at vence st paul, medieval times 600yrs ago, lots of art shop inside a fortress , we were then dropped at cannes squares where we window shop, saw their casinos with a big beautiful aquarium with baracudas, lionfishes and more. Then there was a beautiful fireworks.

Tour day16
A long drive, we were just sleeping in the bus, watching vhs comedy, then in lyon we stayed for a nyt, had dinner in the hotel and had chat with franky, lulu, kent and rebecca.

Tour day17
5451km we travel fr calais to paris, our tour guide luc gave us a guessing game to pass the time. We dropped by beaume have a stroll then back to the bus.
We arrive paris around 2;30pm went directly to eiffel tower in the second floor by elevator, its facinating how they can built it at time of 1889. weather s cold, they expect to have a storm tonyt. At the middle of eiffel you could see tge whole paris. After we then went to a cruise in the zen river where we were given historical background of the important monuments and building such as the museums, notradam church... Then by coach we were taken to the arches, cityhall, churches and champ ellysees road where shops are located, we saw a louis vitton shop that is closed for renovation and to conseal their construction works they put 2big giant size lv bags infront of the buildig. Then to our hotel. we were given few minutes to rest and dress up warmly, we had some snacks with the complimentary cookies and chocolate drink that were yummy in the room.
Off we go to the highlight excursion, we were tour around and went to momarch, a hill in paris, we road somewhat elevator train, at the top is their cathedral, then they have a square with restaurants around, we franky lulu, eddie and carolina ate at le me catherine which is french and was opened since 17hundred. We had their set menu duck, salad and dessert and additional escargot and french onion soup, it was superb food was great.
After we were tour around lafayette shopping center which is already lighted ready for the christmas season, then to theaters, monuments, louve museum where theres a glass piramid, notradam by night, ritz hotel where princess diana always stayed and pass by the tunnel where they crashed. Then had a beautiful picture of eiffel tower lighted with thousands of glitter by franky which he promised to mail it. Back at hotel by 11pm


Tour day18,
We got the optional tour louve museums. Saw great painting and sculpture and the famous mona lisa. It's a very big museum, we can see paintings of different times how it evolves from paintings with lines to blending and making it 3 dimensions at their time. We also saw the glass piramid uniquely made.
We then went to versai where king louisxiv lived. A very big castle and big garden with a lake for gondola. inside the castle has a church, and every room has painted ceilings of greek gods. we saw the kings room and the queen's which are different, they don't sleep together but has a secret passage. inside the rooms are their paintings, we could see in the photo paintings their civilization was very early, there are paintings of the queen on her wedding gown, in party clothes with ostrish feathers or the king in fluffly coats and wigs which is the trend at that time.
We were then dropped off at lafayette around 4pm went to lv shop and que for an hour to buy, then we were frustrated when 1 item is out of stock because of the limited time we had. We pleaded the salesman to help us call other branch if they have, make resevation and prepare it for us and if it's possible not to que. He made arrangement and we hurriedly went to get taxi, we walked for a while and it seems every taxi is full, peak hours! We walked fast crossed more than 6 roads, til to the opera circle, luckily we found1, off to champ ellysees we told the african driver to wait, we hurriedly went inside, good thing it was prepared and no need to que and they have the magazine in which most shops don't have. It's the biggest lv shop we've been through, they have even bracelets and old style suite cases. We think if we drove back to the hotel we can’t catch our tour group so we directly went to moulan rouge.
We catch up with our group, woow almost everyone was dressed up even the tour guide, both of us ruggedü we were asked to leave our shoppings and jacket and pay 4euro. we were seated with eddie and carolina, bob
and julie. We were served with fish avocado with cream cheese and caviar then main course steak with fries and chocolate cake for dessert with 2white wine, a red wine and 2 champagne on our table, me and elfred didn't drink much, they finished it.
Show started at 9pm, it was full packed. It was magnificent, props were great, a stairs came out from no where above, then a pool with snakes came up from the floor, performance was great half naked 30 women, 10 men singing dancing different colorful lighted diamonds costumes, with lots of different background with great lively music. 3 intermission was also great. 2 heavily muscled men doing acrobats with each other, a couple with very flexible body and a man who was very funny making the stuff toy lion talk then the real dog talk and have some audience participate.


Tour19
long trip to london. Long drive to calais, embarked on the ferry had lunch, then bus again to london which took some time because of traffic accident, back 1hr dst time in london. After checking in at thristle landcaster hotel, rode bus to picadilly check out virgin store bought cd then walked to china town where franky recommended to have dinner at wong kei just near les miserables theater before turning left to china town across a vietnamese resto, we ordered the same with them roasted duck and pork on rice, mm.. It was good and very big portions too and not too expensive only at 4pounds, plenty of people 3floors! Franky paid our bill. Walked around plenty of people it's saturday night. Then we said farewell and went back to the hotel.