Marianna-in-Europe

BACK FROM 80 DAYS AROUND THE WORLD with fond memories

2008-08-13T03:04:00.000-07:00

PICTURE ABOVE, THE STAGES OF EACH LAG OF MY TRIP IN DIFFERENT COLOURS.
I COVERED 6717 KM TRAVEL OVERLAND BY TRAIN IN EUROPE NOT COUNTING INTERNAL FLIGHTS.
INCLUDING INTERNAL FLIGHTS WITHIN EUROPE I CLOGGED 10.379 KM.

IF YOU READ THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME SCROLL DOWN TO ARCHIVES AND CLICK ON THE LOWEST LINKME IN THE "NIGHT" IN FINLAND

ME IN LEIDEN WITH MOLEN DE VALK ON BACKGROUND.

MY COUSIN ELLY( LEFT) AND ME TOGETHER IN HOLLAND, ELST.

ME AT THE CASTLE "DOORENBURG"

WELL, HOME AGAIN, AFTER A GOOD FLIGHT. PHOTOS LOOKING BACK....

80 days its been today since I left for my Europe trip.
It's been amazing, thrilling, exciting, scary, adventerous, and most of all, it's been wonderful to have been with lovely friends and family all over Europe from the very North of Finland to the South of France.
Very special thanks to the Lichtenstein family for hosting me for a week in their lovely home in Pullach, near Munich. I had a fantastic time. Thanks for showing me Saltzburg that day and the city of Munich. It was great and the weather was so warm. I Was very lucky with that.
My thanks go to my lovely cousin, Elly, whom I met for the first time when I got to the Netherlands, she is my twin cousin, we look alike and are both "typical Diederixes". Thanks for having me there for a full week and showing me many things including Den Bosch and the Bosche bolle and the tour of the under the city tunnels/canals.
Also thanks to Carolien and Jan for hosting me. Also my cousin Ken for picking me up from their place and then staying and catching up with him after 30 years of not having seen him !!!
Thanks to Annie and Henk, my ex-neighbours, for showing me around my old hometown and hosting me for a week!!! Spoiling me lots, but I enjoyed it all!!
Thanks to my other cousin, my German cousin, Claudia, for having me at her flat for a few nights and then showing me Heidelberg and Stuttgart and a bit of Frankfurt. It's been fun watching the soccer wih you during the Euro cup. Thanks for that Orange hup Holland T-shirt, I showed Brian.
Thanks to Beatrix and Bernd for having me stay with them for the weekend and showing me Cologne, it was fantastic and great to meet again.
Thanks to Mirjam and Jeroen for showing me Rotterdam and Kinderdijk, it was amazing, and I had never seen Kinderdijk before. It was fun and fellowship and food, with the fantastic Indonesian restaurant at the end of that day.
Thanks to Mercy my flatmate from 1980 , it was great to spend time with you in den Helder and see Texel with you.
Special thanks to Winnie, who I stayed with in Amsterdam,spoiled me heaps, showed me some of Amsterdam and being the step- mother of Maarten, my nephew, and thanks to Maarten for catching up with me in Paris. It was great to see you again.
Special thanks to Helena from Finland, Lapland, for hosting me and coming with me to Estonia and having a great time there and also for the time in Lapland, I must say it made a big impression on me there with the midnight sun and our trip to Norway, Tromso, and Alta. I will never forget the thousands of mosquitos and the rein deer and the lovely lakes and pine forests. Lovely to have met your family too.
Also thanks to my brother Ronald and Geke for hosting me in the South of France, near Cannes, showing me the cute old villages and surrounding areas.
Also to Elfi , thanks for coming out to Munich from Heibronn to meet with me and catch up again after we got lost in China in 2003.
And also thanks to Catherine for showing me around in Singapore, that was not only showing me around but coming to the hotel to pick me up and making sure i wouldn't get lost.
I hope I haven't missed someone out but as I have only today got off the plane you'll need to excuse me but all who have been involved in my trip, either by posting comments or emailing me privately, it has been a huge encouragement, as sometimes there have been moments when I felt alone. Thanks for all my christian friends and my homegroup who have been praying for me for safety.
And all thanks go to my God and Saviour Jesus Christ who has protected me and kept me safe from all harm. PS 121

My high lights of this trip were: Finland and the midnight sun. It was so weird and intreging, not to have " night" as we know it. Also being up so high at Lake Inari and Tromso in Norway.
Then there was Tallinn, Estonia, the old Medieval town built in 1154.
I loved being back in Holland, Kinderdijk was a highlight and connecting with new and known relatives. I defenitely will be back soon.

DOWNTOWN SINGAPORE WITH CATHERINE

2008-08-13T01:37:00.000-07:00

SATAY ON THE BBQ
OUR DINNER
MANGOSTEEN FRUIT IS DELICIOUS
THE NEW OPERA HOUSE THE ESPLANADE
THE MERLION
DOWNTOWN SINGAPORE BY NIGHT

ST ANDREWS CATHERDAL

THE SINGAPORE FLIER
SINGAPORE BY NIGHT

CHINATOWN
TELL ME WHAT THIS IS AND YOU COULD WIN A SINGAPORE KEYRING, FIRST RIGHT ANNSWER GETS IT, NZ ONLY !!
THE MRT STATION

MONORAIL TO SENTOSA.

Hey there,

Last night I did the night safari, a zoo with night animals that you see by driving quietly through that area in a quiet tram. It is dusk and you just see the animals. Photos didn't come out good.( twilight)

Today Catherine comes again, and together we go to China town to get some Chinese herbal tablets that help expell kidneystones. We have some lunch there . It is very hot and humid, and so far almost every afternoon, there has been a thunderstorm.

From here we take the MRT ( underground) to suntec city, and also the trade centre.

Then to the new Esplanade, and walk over the bridge towards the downtown business area.

By now it is dark, and I am taking good night shots of the skyline.

After this we go to a shopping mall near the esplanade, and thats great because its so hot outside, and I am constanty sweating... Inside is lovely and cool. As soon as we stand outside watching the monorail travel to Sentosa, the sweat is pouring off. Let's go inside again I say to

Catherine.

We head for a satay market, the pictures tells you where it is. Very yummy satay sticks and sauce.

IN SINGAPORE WITH CATHERINE( A LOCAL)

2008-08-09T22:37:00.000-07:00

ME WITH 2 GIRLS FROM VENUZUELA
THE POOL FROM "EDELWEIS" COMPLEX
ONE OF THE 2 POOLS
THE POT LUCK DINNER AT 7 PM
THE POOLS ARE LIT UP AT NIGHT
THE KIDS PLAY MUSICAL CHAIRS
LOOKS NICE AT NIGHT
CATHERINE

ME AND HER SON GERALD
HAVING A SWIM WHEN I ARRIVED WAS GREAT.
THE OTHER POOL, ALL WITHIN THE SAME COMPLEX JUST A FEW STEPS FROM THE OTHER ONE
AT THE POT LUCK TEA.
CATHERINE AND I

TAKEN FROM THE BUS ON THE WAY TO CHANGI

GERALD AT THE POND OF THE COMPLEX APPARTMENT BLOCKS

GERALD AND I HAVING A SIT IN THE SPA POOL

CATHERINE AND I AT OUR LUNCH
HONEY SOY CHICKEN WITH RICE
AND WATERCRESS SOUP, YUMMY!!
SINGAPORE POST BUILDING
THE MRT ON YOUR RIGHT.( UNDERGROUND TRAIN)

OR MASS RAPID TRANSPORT.

Hey there friends,

Felt much better today, had a good sleep. BP is still up but not too bad.

Catherine,( niece of Lynette from katiKati but Singaporean) came to my hotel to pick me up top go to her place.

They live near the airport , in a condominium complex with 2 swimming pools fitness centre and games room.

It was national day yesterday, so big celebrations. National day is celebrating Singapore 43rd year of independance from Malaysia.

We took bus 2 to " Edelweis complex" where Catherine, and husbandd and 3 kids live.

It's a 3 bedroom appartment and they have free access to the pools etc.

There was a party at 7 pm. Before that we caught up with each other because Catherine had been to our place with her 2 kids to ride the horses while she was staying at Lynette's place .

We had lunch on the way somewhere near here and then went ont he bus.

At night there was a big thunderstorm, and they get very loud here. Good amount of rain too.

On this complex live also a lot of people working in the aircraft industrie. Catherine's husband is an aircraft engineer. I met stewardesses and pilots too. I told them about the spraying incidence and my asthma attack as the result of it. This one pilot said it sould never have been sprayed while the passengers are onboard. It should have been done beforehand.

Big mistake from Emirates.

So anyway, I still feel tired and I now have a cold. I had a good swim in that pool, which has water that is about 30 C.

But very nice settings and a nice party afterwards with a pot luck dinner.

Tonight( if its not raining, because now it is) I am going to that night Safari where you see the night animals come out at the Zoo.

For now, enjoy these photos from yesterday( Saturday)

SOME IMPRESSIONS OF SINGAPORE

2008-08-08T19:12:00.001-07:00

ME BY THE POOL OF THE HOTEL

AT A NEARBY SHOPPING CENTRE

A GROUP WAS PERFORMING

THAT'S HOW THEY LIVE

BUSY GEYLANG ROAD

POOL OF THE HOTEL

MY LUNCH

BAMI GORENG

THE FOOD COURT.

SHOPS EVERYWHERE

MALAYSIAN VILLAGE

First day in Singapore, here some pictures of my area.
I am in Geylang, the Eurasianand Malaysian area, reminds me of Vietnam. There are lots of eating places where you can have Bami goreng and nasi goreng for $3- a full plate and 13 sticks of BBQ sate with sauce for $4-, which is what I had for lunch yesterday, very yummy and not too hot.
I am well , a little bit elevated BP and a sore throat but I have taken heaps of vit C.
Enjoy the pictures.

ARRIVED IN SINGAPORE

2008-08-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

FINALLY TRYING DRAGON FRUIT IN SINGAPORE. TASTE IS BLAND BUT NICE

GOING BACK ON THE PLANE

THE EYE DOCTOR AND ME

IN ECONOMY CLASS

IN BUSINESS CLASS

ARRIVING IN DUBAI

HI DEAR FRIENDS,

I arrived in Singapore yesterday at 5 pm, but my whole clock is up the shoot, I have no idea really what time it is.
We arrived in Dubai at 12 midnight, but the German time was 9.30 pm. The flight was great.
I sat next to a doctor, an eye specialist, or eye doctor from Pakistan. He had just been to a conference for doctors in Munich.
In Dubai I had 3 hours to wait for the next flight and the doctor( Jan) had 4 hours so we had a drink together to pass the boring time.( he paid for me a hot chocolate)
I did some emails from there as there is free wireless internet on the airport.
My next flight left at 3.30 pm. It was a boeing 777-300. I sat in seat 9H so almost behind business class.
While we were waiting for the plane to leave the staff started to spray through the whole plane. I asked what it was for, they said" insectiside". I couldn't believe it.
Everyone started to cough and my chest started to feel very tight.
Once the plane was flying high, I couldn't breath very well. I complained to the staff about it how they didn't give any warnings except a few minutes before they started spraying.
Then I got an asthma attack and I coughed so much I nearly vomited.
I sat next to a doctor ( again) a lady from Shri-Lanka, who practises in the USA, who called for the stewardesses to come, who then put me on oxygen. She then took me to business class and left me there on oxygen. She stayed with me.
That really helped. This one stewardess stayed with me and took my blood pressure ( and I also did with mine) and it was high, 198/110.
I was on oxygen on and off till I felt better and the asthma had settled..( I also took my own ventolin first which triggered the cough attack, but the spray was the culpritt.)
The stewardess apologised for that but she said all planes coming into Colombo have to, by law, be sprayed for insects.
She tells me that as soon as we land in Colomobo, Shri-Lanka, she will call for a doctor to check me further.
As soon as we land he comes in with a nurse( an old fashioned nurse with a white cap)
He listnens to my lungs and says that the asthma attack has settled, which I say, "yes I know, because I had ventolin and oxygen". Then he checks my blood pressure and it was still an alarming 200/110. He tells me I have the choice to come to hospital here or stay at my own risk to go on to Singapore.
I tell him I would get more higher blood pressure if I stay in Colombo in a foreign hospital and miss my hostel stay and my suitcase etc. from the stress of that.
I decide to stay onboard and the stewardesses agreeing with me. The stewardess also tells me that Emirates is responsible for this and that they pay the doctors bill.
They kept me in business class( nice lazyboy chair) and I had a nice Scottish stewardess sitting next to me keeping an eye on me, and having the oxygen bottle next to me in case I needed it.
By this time I was also very tired from missing a night sleep.
I try to sleep and managed that for one hour.
I had no more attack of asthma and needed no more oxygen, which was good.
I arrived in Singapore at 5 pm local time, found a blue( good one) taxi straight away and he was very friendly and took me to the Betel Box hostel on 200 Joo Chiat Road.
Although the room is OK, air conditioned, the bathroom outside is always occupied with shower and toilet as one room, and not air conditioned, it was not suitable for me.
Also the reception is upstairs, again, not good for me with my conditioned.
I walked the street last night, looking for some food, and found this hotel, much better equipped and a better room,yes a bit more to pay, but in my case it is important. It is 33 C and humid.
Bye the way, I arrived in a Thunderstorm, and pouring rain!!!!The taxi driver gave me an umbrella and took me right to the door of the hostel, he really was good!!!
So now I am moving to this other hotel down this road, hotel 81, a small chain, it has also a swimming pool. That's also good.
Please don't get too worried about me now, but this is how it is. I am sure I will get home safely.
Just keep on praying you guys.
Thanks heaps. See you soon.

MUNICH, BACK TO WHERE I STARTED

2008-08-05T23:43:00.000-07:00

THE DOUBLE DECKER TOUR I DID IN MAY

NICE CHEESES

THE FRAUENKIRCHE

THE RATHAUS( COUNCIL BUILDING)

ELFI AND ME

My last day in Munich was spent with an old chum, Elfi, whom I met in the Astor, ( German cruise ship) and who I was lost with in China, on the island of Hainan.
She had read my blog and wanted to see me. She had been away during the time I was in Stuttgart, but now had caught up on my blog, and so she took the train from Heilbron to Munchen, to meet me on the only possible day, and that was Tuesday the 5th of August.
Today I am flying out to Singapore.
We had a good day talking and catching up.
So I will just put some photos of today.
Next time I write will be from Singapore.
My last day in Europe was nice. Elfi paid for all the lunches, dinners and morning teas. Nice of her aye?

FAREWELL AND BACK TO MUNICH

2008-08-04T13:31:00.000-07:00

COLOGNE AIRPORT
WAITING FOR THIS PLANE TO LAND FIRST
NEAR MUNICH NOW
GETTING READY TO LAND

FAREWELL DINNER AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT

COZY ATMOSPHERE

RON MAKING A LAST MIN PHONECALL

RON BY THE WINDOW

ME NEXT TO HIM

WE'VE COME FULL CIRCLE, BACK TO MUNICH WHERE I STARTED ON THE 26TH OF MAY.

Great farewell dinner last night and today I went together with Ronald to Nice airport.
he had called for a taxt who took us to the airport.
We sat next to each other in the plane and both had to get out in Cologne.
In Cologne, Ron had to catch a train, and I had to check in again, ( yes with suitcase but was no big deal) and caught a second flight to Munich.
In Munich I stored my suitcase in a safekeeping place for 5 euro and I will collect it on Wednesday 12 noon. I have an other bag with me with few clothes and my backpack with my laptop.
I caught the train to downtown Munich and found the hostel within 5 minutes.
Elfi is going to meet me tomorrow . Elfi is the lady who I had met ont he Astor cruise ship and who was with me when we both got lost on China, Hainan island.

So tomorrow more, now just a few pictures of the farewell dinner and the flights.
Cheers for now, going to bed now, good hostel with free internet.

LAC DE SAINT-CASSIEN and SAINT CEZAIRE

2008-08-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

ONE OF THOSE CUTE VILLAGES IS SAINT CEZAIRE

THIS IS THE ROUTE AND AREA

ME BY THE VILLAGE WATER FOUNTAIN

CANNES AIRPORT

LEFT BUILDING IS RONALD AND GEKE'S APPARTMENT BLOCK

COMING BACK INTO MANDELIEU

VIEW FROM RONALD AND GEKE'S BALCONY

VIEW FROM SAINT CEZAIRE

MY FUTURE HOUSE( HEHE)

OLD ROMAN BATH HOUSE

BALCONY FROM SAINT CEZAIRE

VIEW FROM SAINT CEZAIRE

ARTISTS SELLING THEIR PAINTINGS.

RONALD'S DOG, TESS

SAINT CEZAIRE AT THE TOP

TESS

LAKE SAINT CASSIEN

I'm just going to put pictures on now, later more story. We are going out for dinner tonight as it is my last night here in the South of France.
Tomorrow Ronald and I are flying together ( in the same plane) to Cologne, and he gets off and I change plane to Munich.
So I have a full day in Munich before going on the plane to Singapore.
Anyway today was the hottest day yet, with high humidity( not so much in the mountains where we went. )
We swam in the lake and the water was lovely, almost warm.
There were lots of people.
The other villages names I will write later. No time now.
Bye for now. I'll write again in Munich.
PS the pool water was 30 C from the hot day. It was 33 C today.

CANNES TODAY

2008-08-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

SHOPPING STREETS

ALSO MURALS HERE

RONALD AND I GOING FOR OUR DESERT

ME AT THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL BUILDING

THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL BUILDING

MAIN BEACH CANNES

YOU CAN HIRE A BEACH CHAIR.

THE CARLTON HOTEL CANNES

SUPER YACHTS WITH A SUPER GIRL?

AN OLD FORT AT THE TOP OF THE HILL

MARKET

THIS IS WHERE I HAD MY SWIM

VIEW TOWARDS MANDELIEU

Today, 1st of August,
I went by local bus to Cannes town, about 5 km from here. I left at 10.30 am.
I stopped at a market near the town, and after I hqad been to the market I went to the beach, which was a man made rocks narrow beach but very clear and clean water, and very inviting. I had taken a towel and something for swimming, so I put my stuff under some rocks and had a hal;f an hour swim, and ohhh what bliss. It was such a hot day today, at least 33 C. I was sweating constantly. I had water with me.
After that wonderful half an hour of floating with the waves and a lovely swim( water is 23 C) I walked to the main centre and the Marina with the super yachts. Also saw the Film festival building .
After that were more beaches, more sandy beaches, more crowds. Not for me.
Then walked along the boulevard towards Carlton Hotel, where Geke has worked as a physio therapists for guests in 1993.
I had something to eat from little foodstalls near the beach and a cola and then walked through the narrow shopping street that runs paralell with the Boulevard .
Back to the bus stop at 2.30 and home( hotel) again as it was just too hot.
Once " home" Ronald came to pick me up and I spent the rest of the day in their swimming pool.
I hope you enjoy these pictures.
think they came out OK. Humidity here is very high, no wind, quite hazy. The Mountains are very hard to see in the distance tonight as I write...

A VISIT TO VALBONNE, CHATENEUF AND GRASSE

2008-08-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

GRASSE

FILL UP OUR WATER BOTTLE

GRASSE

RON AND GEKE IN CHATENEUF

ME IN CHATENEUF

BLOOMING OLIANDER

HARD CHEESES AT THE MARKET IN VALBONNE

I AM TRYING A SAUSAGE

VALBONNE MARKET

BEACH AT MANDELIEU

WARM WATER NOT THAT CLEAN THOUGH

CROWDED.

RIVER NEAR RONALD AND GEKE'S PLACE

VALBONNE STREET.

TODAY A LOVELY VISIT TO VALBONNE and MARKET.

Of course, you all know by now, I love markets so today we went to the markets in Valbonne.
It was very hot today, at 10 am it was already 31 C.
Valbonne was full of tourists but it was nice and lovely stalls.
We had a nice lunch there on the market square where there are many terraces.

Later we went to Chateneuff and then to Grasse.

I will show some pictures as these villages are so bute, or quaint, that you actually need to see them to know what I mean.

We were back at 3.30 pm and then I went straight in their pool, as it was still so hot and humid.
Yesterday I swam int he sea at the nearest beach from here, a 20 min walk with Ronald. Crowded as... I think I prefer Waihi Beach in the summer, or Orokawa beach. We are lucky in NZ.
Tomorrow I am going to Cannes by bus to check out the Cannes film festival building, and other things there.

Cheers for now,
marianna.

SOUTH OF FRANCE, CANNES

2008-07-30T12:39:00.000-07:00

A RELIEF TO GET INTO THEIR POOL

RONALD ALSO NEED TO GET IN.

YEAH

ME AND MY BRO

THE CANAL NEAR THEIR PLACE.

TAKEN FROM THEIR BALCONY

VIEW FROM THEIR BALACONY

MY BETTER SEAT WITH AN ELDERLY NICE PASSENGER.

DURING THE TRIP TO SOUTH OF FRANCE

VERY LONG TRAIN, TGV, WENT 300 KM AN HOUR.

BRO RON CAME TO PICK ME UP FROM MY HOTEL.

Cannes, 30/07/08.

Today I had to get up early for my train journey to cannes, in the South of France.
I got a taxi this time as it was a different train station.

I got there plenty of time ahead( 1/2 hour) and found the platform, it gets announced only a few minutes before people can board.
My allocated seat was not good. Backwards and "window" seat, but with a wall in between.
I waited till everyone had boarded and then looked around for empty seats and there was a very good empty seat with big window going forwards and table with an other passenger opposite.
A nice 89 year old Frenchman with some English was good company and the opther passengers next to us on the other side too.
So I was very happy with my new seat and no one came after we boarded.
The scenery on the way was great, and I saw the " Pont du Guard" on the way.
The train snaked its way along the French riviera with views of the Mediterenian sea and villages. it stopped at St Raphael and went past Le Dramond, which I can remember from my youth holidays.

Well, I arrived in Cannes on time and it was very when I got out of the station with Ronald.
He took me to my hotel first, left me there to take a shower and an hour later he came and we walked to his appartement along the river/canal.
We took a swim in the complex appartements common swimming pool. There are holiday makers now, that hire some of these appartements during the peak holidays, which is now.

Well, I think I am up to date. Hot, humid, beautiful and how Ronald and Geke live is great here with a fantastic view over the Esterelle ranges.

Photos will be uploaded shortly. Love from Marianna.
PS!!!!!
Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you.
I am flying back onMonday to Munich, but via Cologne, there I change planes to Munich.
Guess what??? My brother, Ronald also has to fly out on Monday , so we checked out what times we have to fly. Turns out HE IS IN THE SAME PLANE AT THE SAME TIME ALSO TO COLOGNE!!!!!!!! Isn't that weird?
So we are going to check in on Sunday night, online so we can sit next to each other!!!!

Scroll down for the new other story about Mon Martre, Sacre Coeur , Versailles and meeting Maarten.

PARIS EIFFEL TOWER, MON MARTRE AND MAARTEN

2008-07-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

REUNION WITH MY NEPHEW AFTER 11 YEARS

MAARTEN EN ZIJN VRIENDIN.

IK BEN ERG BLIJ HEM WEER TE ZIEN EN HIJ OOK MIJ TE ZIEN

MARIANNA IN VERSAILLES

THE GARDENS OF VERSAILLES

THE HALL OF MIRRORS IN VERSAILLES

MON MARTRE AREA

ON THE WAY TO VERSAILLES

SACRE COEUR CATHERDAL

VIEW FROM SACRE COEUR

HEY EVERYONE

Well, I am a bit behind with my blog.
I had a fanastic 2 full days and 3 nightd in Paris, did a lot, saw a lot.
That first full day was very hot, 30 C. I did that double decker bus city tour, that I have done with all the other cities I have seen.
Then the Eiffel tower, but I didn't go up as there were huge que's. And it was way too hot to stand there int he heat.
So I went to Aerc the Triompf and went up that and had a great view as well.
The next day I went to Mon Martre with the Metro system, once I worked it all out it was eas to use. From Mon Martre I walked around watched the artists do their job and met the same guy thjat pained Brian and I again, He defenetely the same guy , I asked him if he was there in 1981, and he was. He is that Asian guy who did our portrait. We have a photo of him at home.
I took a little "train" tour to " Moulin Rouge"
and back to the Mon Martre again.
I went into that Beautiful Cathedral of " Sacre Coeur" and there was a mass and some beautiful singing ,so I sat there for a while listening, and taking it all in.......

Then I took the Metro to Invalides and took the RER train to Versailless, and visited the Palace of King Loui the 14th.
It was very busy and hot with throngs of people wading through the Palace.
After that Maarten and I met each other at Mc Donalds, but didn't stay there, we went to a nice little pub nearby and waited for his girlfriend.
We had a great reunion and talked lots, and gave him heaps of hugs. He is a greaat guy and I love him to bits.
His girlfriend came later and she is also really cool, I think were all got along really well and I loved talking to her and... she loves horses and can ride them so come you guys, I can't wait!!!

After a good time together with lots of fun and fellowship, I had to say goodbye, snuff sniff, and go ont he double decker RER train back to down town Paris, it was now 10.30 pm.
I got there at 11.30 pm, and guess what?? I did it again? Walked in the wrong direction as I stepped out ( again) on the other side, and therefore got confused. This time I discovered it quickly enough.
I must say I felt quite safe the whole time, no threats etc. Weird people? yes, a lot, but thats normal for a big city. You just don't look at them and keep walking.

ARRIVED IN PARIS

2008-07-27T13:35:00.000-07:00

AMSTERDAM
THE THALYS TRAIN TO PARIS, READY TOP BOARD. KIWI MICHAEL SHAW AND WINNIE
IN THE THALYS TRAIN
PARIS. A SIDE STREET FROM MY HOTEL.
THE STAIRSS IN THE FINLAND TRAIN
IN THE TRAIN TO HELSINKI
THE PLANE TO AMSTERDAM
TERSCHELLING VISIBLE.

I have safely arrived in Paris. The whole trip from Sirrka down to Helsinki should be included, so I will start with that.

I got up at 6.am that Friday. We left at 6.40 in Helena's car to catch the 7 am bus. It leaves from Sirkka at that time.

So I got on time for the bus which took 2 1/2 hours. It is a comfortalble coach with toilet inside.

We got to the train station at 9.30 am, the train left at 10.05 am.

I had to change trains at Oulu, and it wasn't that easy. I had to go down the steps and up again to the other track.

Anyway, I found the train without hassles.

This train is a new double decker train ( snel trein for the dutchies amougst us) and I had a seat reserved down stairs as the windows are bigger there.

The train got to Helsinki at 8.30 pm. I then had to find the bus, Helena told me bus 615. I got out of the train station the wrong way, so I couldn't find any of the busses with that number on it.

So I then decided to go the other exit, and there were the right busses, at leastthe bus 615 was there. When I got there, I asked him if he stopped at the airport Bonus inn hotel, He said " no" but bus 650 does, which was 2 stands behind. I found it and the bus was there. I asked the driver to tell me when to get off.

All went well and the bus stopped in front of the hotel.

I stayed the night there for a good sleep and the next day the hotel shuttle ook me to the airport at 11.40 am.

I had already checked in onlibne and got myself a seat behind business class, so really good seat, window and in front of the wing, not on the wing.

The plane was delayed by half an hour, they told us once we were already onboard. The airconditioning was on so no problems.

The flight weas perfect with beautiful weather, clear skies. The flew lower than normal to catch up on their delay, and can fly faster. We arrived 5 min before schedule so they did catch up. I took photos of the Dutch islands, of Terschelling, Ameland and Schierminnikoog.

Also of the Afsluit dijk and de Bijlmermeer.

We landed into a Thunderstorm, it was black and rain ing and flashing all around us. When landed the people clapped.

I was able to buy a ticket for the train to Centraal station Amsterdam, and it was about 20 min.

There arrived I bought a couple of crockets from Febo and sat down on my new orange bag with extra clothes and towel in, so like a seat, I sat in the hall eating my crockets and watching the people....very interesting. Also quite tired so sitting down was good. I sat next to an other tourist girl dong the same thing. When eaten I went outside amoungst the thunder and lighting and rain, trying to find tram 24, was in the wrong tram place, asked someone nd sent me to the right place.

Then I went into tram 24, that took me to Keiderss gracht. I got out there and walked to Winnie's house. By this time I was wet and tired, dragging my suitcase and orange bag plus backpack.

I met my first kiwi ( new zealander) since doing this trip) he is the new neighbour of Winnie( downstairs on the ground floor) together with his friend, who is from Aussie. He is from Auckland( Michael) and they came over that evening and we chatted.

I also met Charlotte, ( earlier, the chaps came over later) , she was Yolandaa's best friend in the time she had Maarten. Maarten and her son Dicky are best friends and still are.

Charlotte and I had a good talk about yolanda''s life and death.

I had a goopd sleep and the next day Michael came with us to the train station and he helped me with the carring of the suitcase into the tram and then the train. Winnie came too.

The nice new Thalys train was there and it went 300 km an hour between Brussels and Paris. It goes very smooth and fast, I loved it.

OK I am going to stop now.

LAST DAY IN LAPPLAND

2008-07-25T23:40:00.000-07:00

HELENA'S DAD TOOK US FOR THE BOAT RIDE

HELENA'S PARENTS( MAARIT AND HANNU) DID A FANTASIC BBQ

YUMMY

MAARIT DID THE SMOKING OF THE SALMON IN THEIR COOK HOUSE

ONE OF THE NEW KITTENS THAT I SAW BORN

TONY AND HELENA

THE RIVER NEAR SIRKKA.

THAT HILL IN THE DISTANCE IS LEVI

ONE OF THE MANY SUMMER COTTAGES.

Hey friends and family,
My last day in Lapland was a nice quiet one.
Helena's dad had invited us to go on his boat on the lake near his house , followed by a farewell dinner, BBQ at their place for me.
I will just add the pictures as that speaks for itself.
It was a nice day, but when the wind comes out it was cold.
It got to 16 C that day.
I am now in Helsinki after a good night sleep in an airport hotel.
The trip down was long: 2 1/2 hours in the bus to Rovaniemi. Then on the train for 10 hours, with a changing trains once at Oulu.
Then when I got to the city I needed to find bus 615, that was supposed to take me to this hotel.
When I got to that bus, the driver told me it is bus 650, hat stops right in front of the hotel.
Luckily that bus was 2 stands behind 615. It was an other 20 minutes in the bus. But I am here now and I had a good sleep. There is a shuttle from here to the airport. I take the 11.40 am shuttle. The plane leaves for Amsterdam at 14.00.

The next time I write will be from Paris.

FROM TROMSO TO ALTA TO SIRKKA

2008-07-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

" OUR" CAR, REALLY TONY'S CAR THAT TOOK US PLACES.

THE TOWN OF ENONTEKIO, A SAMI TOWN

THE BORDER INTO FINLAND FROM NORWAY( NO CHECKS ANYMORE BUT IF YOU HAVE GOODS TO DECLARE YOU HAVE TO STOP)

TROMSO

HELENA IS ASKING ME" CAN YOU EXPLAIN ME THIS BLOUSSE?"

EGON( FROM SHERRY) SHOULD GO TO THIS RESTAURANT. DID THEY COME FROM NORWAY?

HELENA AND TONY.

SAMI LAAVU

THE CAMPING AT ALTA

BECAUSE OF THE RAIN THERE WERE SO MANY WATERFALLS

AN OTHER LAAVU

THIS WAS THE COLDEST SPOT, 9 C. SNOW NOT FAR.

TROMSO

TUNNELS ON THE WAY TO ALTA

THIS TUNNEL IS 3.2 KM LONG.

APPROPRIATELY A POLAR BEAR IN TROMSO

THE MAIN SSTREET

COLD AND RAINING 12 C IN TROMSO IN JULY.

TROMSO BRIDGE

Tromsa was nice but raining, cold with 12 C.
To get to Tromso, we drove over the very beautiful and high bridge and then through lots of tunnels under the city to take us to the city centre.We went to some of the market and shops in the centre..
The buildings are colonial and wooden and some are very old. One shop on the market, sold fish, when we looked in the display window we saw red meat. We asked what that was. "Whale" , he said. WHALE???? We shouted back at him?? I told him he would be a criminal in NZ and most other places. He told me its pilot whale and that there are plenty of them. Well, I was so disgusted I walked away.....
We did some more window shopping and good laughs( see pictures)
Tromso has a nice high bridge , because it is on an island. High bridge because the cruise ships must be able to sail through and see the Fjorden. We saw Lingenfjord, very long nice. Drove through lots of tunnels. More Fjorden....Lots of waterfalls. Rein deer.

We had a good drive to Alta, but It was disapointing about the weather. And my good intentions to have a dip in the Norwegian sea ( Artic sea of 9 C) didn't come about for obvious reasons....
The whole day yesterday , it was raining a lots and cold,brrrrr about 12 C. And this is a beautiful route along the Fjorden in the summer??? what happened?.
It was 9 C at the top of one of mountain passes. Bleak and cold. Not much to see other than hundreds of big waterfalls falling everywhere from the steep mountains to the water below.
It took us a lot longer than expected. Along the road you sometimes see traditional Sami people, dressed in their colourful blue and red clothes, usually the older ones still dress like that. They have their stalls and sell handy crafts and rein deer skins.
We started late and arrived at 9.10 pm in Alta. The lady was waiting for us and was hoping we would come. She obviously didn't have the system we have( credit card details etc)
Anyway all was good and we got a nice tourist flat for the 3 of us. It has a kitchen bathroom/toilet and lounge, free wireless internet and 2 bedrooms.
The camping ground looked a mess with a huge big puddle of water and mud and the lady explained it had rained so much, she hadn't seen that before at this time of the year at this level. There was a bog and cars had to try avoid getting into that.
Poor tents. This is summer!!! It was 11 C. In NZ ( I heard from Brian) it was raining also, but 18 C( in the bay of Plenty)
Anyway, although I was disapointed at not having seen the Fjorden in all its glory on a fine day, I was also philosophical about it, in that when people come to do the Milford track, they have booked it a year ahead, then go and do the walk and end up with snow and or rain or both with clouds and no visibility.
Or others do the boat trip and have clouds and see nothing....
But with us, we were lucky that we had the Milford boat trip last December in full glory, blue sky etc. But now we had clouds and rain and poor visibility. So be it, there is nothing you can do about the weather.
So we had a good sleep and drove away at 11 am after a relaxing morning in the tourist flat.( checking out here is always 12 noon)
It was dry but still 12 C, and better visibility.
We drove along the A 93 towards Kautokeino and at the border the scenery became more like tundra, with short shrubs and short trees and small lakes and rivers.
Just out of Alta we drove through a gorge similar to the Kaurangaheke gorge.
In Finland we stopped at Enontekio, a Sami village/town with 90 % Sami people living there.
We had some lunch there and then carried on driving till Sirkka, did some shopping there and then drove home to Rauduskyla.
Here is was 16 C when we arrived, so not that warm. But we were welcomed by a thousand nasty hungry mosquitoes all at once!!!
The weather forecast is for warmer tomorrow, about 20 C.
So Tony had driven his car very well, a volkwagen golf sport line car 2004. It was good wide tires and excellent brakes, and 6 gears( manual).
We are safely home now and tomorrow is my last day in Lapland.( Lappi)
We are doing a trip on Helena's Dad's boat on the lake tomorrow if warm.
Friday I have to go on the long journey to Helsinki with 2 1/2hours in the bus and then 10 hours in the train.
I stay one night in Helsinki, then fly the next day to Amsterdam , where I can stay with Winnie again for one night. Then its off to Paris...
Stay tuned .
Marianna.

NORWAY( AND A BIT OF SWEDEN)

2008-07-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

THE TOURIST FLATS AT THE CAMP GROUND

VIEWS TOWARDS TROMSO

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE OF TROMSO

MY BEDROOM BUNK

THE RIVER BY THE CAMP GROUND.

THE ROAD TO TROMSO

US AGAIN

HELENA AND TONY

THAT MOUNTAIN LOOKS LIKE A SLEEPING GIANT

THE FJORD NEAR TROMSO

LEFT, A NORWEGIAN SAMI LADY SELLING HER HANDICRAFTS, AND ME SHARING OUR KATIKATI ADVERTIZER, AND RIGHT A SWEDISH SAMI MAN. tHIS IS IN nORWAY ALREADY.

OR SHALL WE READ THE PAPER AT THE SWEDISH BORDER??

STATE HIGHWAY 8, TO TROMSO

WATCH OUT FOR WANDERING MOOSE!!!

THIS WHOLE ROUTE REMINDED ME OF THE ROAD TO MILFORD, SOUTH ISLAND.

KATIKATI ADVERTISER IN NORWAY BY A SAMI STALL SELLING REIN DEER SKINS AND OTHER CRAFTS.

STILL IN FINLAND, ON THE WAY TO NORWAY BUT VIA SWEDEN.

IN NORWAY NOW, THIS ROCK( SHAPE) REMINDED ME OF LAKE WAIKAREMOANA

LOOKING DOWN A GORGE

SHARP TOOTH/ROCK

GOING INTO SWEDEN

DRINKING FROM A SPRING IN SWEDEN

GOING BACK INTO FINLAND( WE WENT FROM FINLAND INTO SWEDEN AND THEN BACK INTO FINLAND TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO NORWAY.)

Norway, Tromso.

We left at 10 am this morning, but by the time we left Sirkka it was 10.45 am.
Tony had forgotten something so we had to go to Helena’s parents to pick it up.
Tony is Helena’s boyfriend who is coming with us, in fact, he is driving in his car with us.
When we started to get into Sweden, the road suddenly was very bad, lots of holes and uneven bits.
That went on for ages. Then we went back into Finland again, over the bridge.
When we started to see the snow mountains, the whole scenenery and road so much reminded me of Fjord land and the way to Milford.
The only difference is here you drive along the Fjord and the villages are along the way.
We stopped by the entrance of an other Fjord, and beside the Road was a Sami lady selling rein deer skins and other souvenirs.
She agreed to let me take a photo with her and the other man beside her who is a Swedish Sami man, she is a Norwegian Sami lady.
When we got into Norway, there was an hour time difference. So we had to put our clocks an hour back.
The scenery at the camp site is also beautiful with a crystal clear river.
We got to the camp at 7 pm. But in reality it was 6 pm because of the time difference.
The camp site is very similar to the New Zealand motor camps, with tourist flats, cabins, a kitchen for camper and camper and tent sites. All clean and green. The snow mountains are in the view from here and there is a gondola going up the mountain just like in Queenstown.
Truly God has a sense of humour when he made New Zealand, because I recognize so much of NZ here. When he made NZ, he decided to represent almost every country in the world with the different scenery of each country.
We have a tourist flat here with 2 bedrooms, kitchen and lounge with t.v and bathroom/w.c.
Tomorrow we’ll have a look around in Tromso and then drive up to Alta.

DAYTRIP TO LAKE INARI

2008-07-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

WE WERE DRIVING HOME INTO A RAIN STORM

A TEE PEE

MORE OF MY FAVOURITE CREATURES

CLOUDBERRIES

VIEW TOWARDS RUSSIA

THE LAST TREE BEFORE NONE GREW FURTHER

HELENA AND I AT THE LAKE

THE WAY TO INARI

ON THE WAY

A HERD OF REIN DEER

GEORGEOUS ONES

THE HILLS IN THE DISTANCE IS RUSSIA

HELENA'S DAD MAKING THE DINNER THE TRADITIONAL WAY

MOOSE AND VEGES( LIKE A STIR FRY)

IN THE COOK HUT( WHICH IS IN THEIR GARDEN)

SNOWMOBILES FOR THE WINTER.

19/07 RAUDASKYLA, FINLAND.

Today Helena took me to Lake Inari, the size of Lake Taupo but different shape. It has many islands and is 40 km from the Russian border.
We did a round trip of 500 km today.
There was a lookout point where we went and from there you could see the Russian hills in the distance.
At the village of Inari is the museum of th history of the Sami .
The family of Helena have been there for hundreds of years too, yet they are not Sami. They most likely came from Russia, hundreds of years ago. Finland once belonged to Russia anyway.

We had a tradtional meal at Helena's parents cook hut last night This also mst come from the Sami, as the cook hut resembles tee-pee, which looks like the Native American Indian. Helena's Dad said there is a relationship between them and the Sami people.
Yes why would there be so many tee-pee's here? You see them a lot here.
Every house has a cook hut or tee-pee. Others are simlple and others are more sophistocated, yet all have a fire in the middle on which they cook their food.

THE HUSKY PARK

2008-07-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

HELP THE MOZZIES ARE ATTACKING ME

REAL WOLF

OLD SNOW SLED

PRETTY CLEVER OF THE MAN EH?

HUSKY PUPPIES

LOVELY FILM STAR THIS DOG.

OTHER HUSKIES

Yesterday we went to the husky dog and wolf park, where the man trains those dogs to pull snow sleds.
There are also wolves which he trains as well.

Here are some photos of it. Then in the afternoon we went for a hike on Mount Levi. The hill is 535 m high.We went up by Gondola and came down walking. We went up with a rein deer herder( shepard) who wanted to show us her rein deer. They are friendly but we couldn't find them, they were too far away. So then we got a big rain shower on us and it wouldn't stop for ages. We got drenched. We walked down and on the way down we were pestered by thousands of mosquitoes. They are very big and hungry. I had forgotten my hat but someone else gave me their mozzie hat/net.
That night the cat of Helena gave birth to 6 kittens. I saw the first one being born and number 5 being born. At 2 am an other one was born. Wow 6 is a lot for a cat!!!!!

THE MIDNIGHT SUN , REIN DEER AND MORE

2008-07-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

TAKEN AT MIDNIGHT
MIDNIGHT SUN
MIDNIGHT SUN IN LAPLAND
ME AT MIDNIGHT

WATCH OUT FOR REIN DEER SIGN

HELENA'S PARENTS HOUSE

REIN DEER ALSO HAVE TO GO TO THE TOILET

ONE IS HAVING A SCRATCH WITH HIS ANTLES

THEY ARE CHANGING THEIR FUR TO SUMMER FUR.

VIEW FROM LEVI

HELENA WATCHING THE VIEW

midnight sun, picture taken at midnight

why are we waiting? the sun won't go down.

SUN SHINING ON THE HOUSE AT 12.30 AM!!!

NEXT DAY, BIG CLOVER FLOWERS

VIEW FROM LEVI SKI RESORT HILL.

So it was very weird last night, the sun going low and at 12.30 am still not down, still above the horizon. Stayed daylight all night, blue sky, some clouds.Sun rays shining on the house...

Today we had a nice BBQ lunch at Helena's parents. The father reminds me of a strong viking type , very nice, very strong, ( not the tall viking .) She looks more like her father. Her mother has very strong big arms, and is a bit smaller than Helena, also similar looks, a bit ruddy. Her brother is also a big boy. Looks similar to helena.
The father regulary hunts for moose, there are too many of them in Finland and in middle of Finland and Sweden also. You need a gun /hunters licence and they do a rough count each year from the air.
You can only hunt them by foot, through the forests, not allowed to shoot them from cars or helicopters.
In Sweden moose can get to 1000 kg, here only 700 kg.
There are also lots of big brown bears in these pine forests,in Finland and Sweden, they came from Russia; they are hard to see, they hear people first and then hide.
Only 5 people in the last year were killed by bears, basically their own fault, by getting too close to them.

Today went on top of the main hill in Levi, the ski resort. The views from the main hill in Levi is very wide and lots of pine forests and lakes and river. That hill is about 500 metres high.

Today I saw more wild( semi) rein deer. The wander throught the town ( Levi) in groups of 5. The actually belong to people but its all their policy to let them be half wild and twice a year they get herded in for the cull.( killing formeat) and to keep the number in proprtion. They have ear tags so they know who they belong to.

I am having my first sauna tonight. Helena has a sauna as well, in fact every house in Finland, no matter how small, has a sauna.
You sit there in the steam/heat till you sweat and then you take a cold shower, a bit like when you take a hot bath and then a cold shower, same idea, only you sit in hot steam, then the body pufiies itself through the sweating from the impurities in the body.

Wel, hope to get lots of reactions, comments etc.
lUCKY i HAVE internet here by satellite, no charge to me. Helena hasn't even got a phone line, all is by satellite including t.v. only 30 euro's per year for the 9 t.v channels, and 30 euro's per month for the internet.

Power is like NZ by power- poles. Most of Finland's power is from hydro, like in NZ.
Tomorrow we are visiting a rein deer farmer/park and also a husky dogs park, where the dogs are used for sledding in the winter.

Helena's dad has a boat and Friday we are going on his boat for a trip to the lake and river, catch some fresh fish and eat it. Salmon.

Got to go to the sauna now, love from Marianna. moi moi( bye bye)

PS This place you really feel that you are in a very very different world. by language, looks, and scenery, and the sun that doesn't set. like a different planet...
Although the houses are mostly wooden houses, from the outside they look like NZ houses but on the inside they are much better, well insulated and central heating and also an open fireplaces.

OK I did have the sauna, but I couldn't stand it for longer than 2 min as it is so hot. Then I took a cold shower, that was nice.

ARRIVED IN LAPLAND, SIRKKA, FINLAND

2008-07-14T04:07:00.000-07:00

THEIR NATIVE BUSH, PINES.

HELENA'S ROAD, A DIRT ROAD.

HELENA'S DRIVEWAY

HER NEIGHBOUR'S HOUSE.

HELENA BOUGHT ME A MOSQUITO PROTECTION HAT/NET

SIMILAR TO A BEEKEEPERS HAT.

HELENA WATERING HER PLANTS

ON THE DECK

VIEW FROM THE PADDOCK BEHIND HER HOUSE

THE BIG RIVER NEAR HELENA'S PLACE
WILD REIN DEER ON THE ROAD
SAME REINDEER AND CALF.
NEAR HELENA'S
HELENA'S HOUSE.

THE SLEEPER CABINS
TAKEN FROM OUR TRAIN WINDOW, YOU CAN SEE THE FRONT OF THE SAME TRAIN
SCENERY ON THE WAY, A TYPE OF CANOLA OIL THESE YELLOW FLOWERS
TAKEN AT 12.30 AM

THE NORDIC LINE WE TOOK THIS TIME
I ALWAYS TRAVEL ON MY DUTCH PASSPORT IN EUROPE, VERY HANDY.
BACK TO HELSINKI BY THE MARINA.
THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
hey hey dear readers.

Helena and I have arrived at her home and it was a very long trip.
From Helsinki to Rovanieme was 12 hours, and then we had to take a bus trip which was an other 2 1/2 hours. There we were picked up by Helena's friend who took her to her car( at the friend's place) and from there it was an other 15 km's.
Helena's actual village consist of 40 people, a few houses in a forest near a lake and one general store.
The name of this village is Rauduskyla. Sirkka is 15 km away has 1400 people and is also the main centre for the ski resort of Levi.
I have internet at her place through satelite modem connection. I just had to put in her special program for it to work.( Helena put it in my computer)
I am now 185 km above the artic circle and the weather is cool, only 17 C.
A bit thundery even at times.
The mosquito's are really bad. They zoom around your face and everywhere and today isn't so bad Helena said. On a bad day there can be 10.000 mosquito's around your head.( just your head so the chances of swallowing one or two is high)
Hmmmmmmm. I am not looking forward to that day with the mozzies but she said it is inevetiable.
In the bus, on the way, we drove through long 2 lane higways with pines on either side with the odd reindeer walking on the road. I have already seen them.
In the train I saw one moose, standing alone somewhere in a field.
We didn't get the sleeper cabins for the night as they train was fully booked and we tried to ring the finland railways from Estonia but couldn't get through, so we just has the recliner seats. We slept a little bit but I feel asif I have just come off a long flight.
Helena too, but anyway, it is the highseason. There were 3 trains leaving last night and all were booked out( the sleeper cabins)So we had to take the normal seats.
Most of the scenery from he train was pineforest and fairly flat country.Rivers and lakes here abnd there. The paddocks had mist in it.A bit like the waikato in winter. But the mist was very low, ground level. As it became dawn at about 11.30 ; you know that twilight, where the sky is light on one side and darker on the other side. Well, it stayed that way for ages. It never became totally dark. After about 2 hours of this twilight, it became light again..
Now that I am here, at Rauduskyla, it won't even get twilight or dark.
If it is a sunny day, in the middle of the night, the sun just shines into your living room.
Today its a cloudy day, so I wonder what tonight will look like.
I will have a good sleep though as I need it.
Helena lives close to the lake, and I feel very, very far away from home. Maybe I am actually getting closer to home if you look on a globe.
Helena lives in the outback, in the sticks as you could say, yet, by plane from Kittila to Helsinki is only 1 1/2 hours. Kittila is not far from here, about 20 min drive.
http://www.levi.fi/
So I am going to stop now and put a few pictures of today, thanks for all your reactions and comments. Much appreciated. Kytos=( thanks) Moi Moi=( bye bye)
Love from Marianna.

PS My dinner tonight, cooked by Helena, consisted of Moose stew and mashed spuds.
Moose shot by her dad as there are thousands here that cause car accidents as they stand on the road, they are huge and weigh at least 1000 kg.
It was delicious and not strong flavoured as you might expect.

ESTONIA PART 2

2008-07-11T12:36:00.000-07:00

THE TOWER
CITY TOWER
CITY GATE

THE TOWER AND CHURCH BEHIND.

VIEW FROM THE OLEVISTE CHURCH

THE OLD TOWERS
HEY, THAT'S ME, MARIANNA.

GOING UP THE STAIRS ( 60 METRES)
VIEW OVER THE OLD CITY

ME AT PIRITA TEE AREA
ORLOV'S CASLE
HEY, MARIANNA AND HELENA!!!!

TOOMPEA CASTLE
THE OLD WALL

MEDEVIL COSTUMES FOR A PERFORMANCE BY ESTONIAN PEOPLE

THE BOTANICAL GARDENS

THE OLD TV TOWER

A bit of background of Estonia:

ESTONIA - Having gained independence in 1918, after being ruled over by it's neigbours for centuries, Estonia fell prey to the Soviet Union after the Second World War. After almost 50 years of occupation, Estonia once again regained it independence in August 20th, 1991, in the midst of the coup and the breakup of the Soviet Empire. Today Estonia, while having a medieval history from ancient times, is a modern nation which has membership in NATO and is part of the European Union. It still has its own currency, the Estonian Kronen.( EEK)

Today, Helena and I went to finish the bustour we didn't finish yesterday on the same ticket.
This tinme we stopped at Erlo's Castle and there was also a museum.
The theme of the museum was" Estonia, a will to be free".
Basically it showed the history of the nation of Estonia and the time of the occupation by the Sovet's communists.
With photos too graphic to describe here, but basically, Hitler was a kindergarten teacher to compare with Stalin.
From there we walked a bit along the road with nice views over the seaa.
When we got back to the old town, we each did our own thing for the afternoon.
I went up the Oleviste church. It is 60 metres to go up tot he platform on concrete steps, so it was a good workout for me.
With views that were well worth the workout.
After that I went to the market square where there were people dressed in the medevil times and doing the dances . There are a lot of tourists here and it is very busy.
Helena and I met up again at the market square , where we had a good as laugh ( you now the kind where I can't stop) and then went to the supermarket for a cheap dinner tonight.

IN ESTONIA WITH HELENA FOR 5 DAYS

2008-07-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

modern shoppingmall

11TH CENTURY TOWERS

ESTONIA

OLD CITY WALLS, STILL IN TACT.

NARROW STREET

THE SIGN SAYING SUPERMARKET VIRU

TRAMS IN THE NEW PART.

THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

INSIDE THE CHURCH

OLD CITY WALLS AND TOWER

ESTONIAN DANCE GROUP

MACDONALDS NEXT TO THE OLD TOWER

HELENA AND ME IN AN OLD STREET.

SAME AGAIN.

MORE OF THE OLD CITY TALLINN

THE STEPS OF THE CLOCK TOWER

ESTONIAN GIRLS

ESTONIAN GIRL MAKING SWEET MIXTURE IN HAZELNUTS

THE TOWER WE WENT IN TO.

VIEW FROM THE CLOCK TOWER.

FAST SPEED FERRY

THE FERRY WE TOOK.

HELENA AT THE MARKET .

THE TOWN HALL

VIEW FROM TOWER OF TOWNHALL.

HELENA AND ME ONBOARD THE FERRY TO ESTONIA!!!

THE FERRY INSIDE

LEAVING HELSINKI

SOME CRUISE SHIPS IN HELSINKI

FROM THE DECK OF THE FERRY

9/07/08 , Tallinn, Estonia.

After a good sleep at Helena's cousin, Erja, we decided to take the Ferry ( yesterday) to Estonia and have 5 days here, enough to look around the city and not to rush it
We had to book a hostel for that night so the chances weren't that great that we could find accommodation, but we found the hostel that had a room for us both. We found" Vana Tom" in the old city. We did this online and got instant confirmation.
We also booked the ferry at the terminal and got the " Linda lines", a fast speed ferry( a cat) to take us across at 6 pm.
We did a city tour of Helsinki with the double decker and also had looked around the market and the big Lutheran church.
To see the photos of thas day you need to go to my facebook and see the photos . email me for the link. ourlittleparadise@gmail.com

So we got to Tallinn at 7.45 pm, and took a taxi to the hostel.
The hostel is very similar to the one in Prague, it's in the old town with small narrow street and cobbled stones and again a long flight of stairs. This time Helena was there and carried my suitcase upstairs( she's strong!!)
We got a room with 3 beds just for us. No other stairs to climb thanks goodness.

We had a pizza for tea that night and slept OK.

Today, we walked around the old town and saw the old city gates, towers and wall for the 11th century. The stones are very big and old.
We also went to the market square, saw the market , then afterwards and climbed up the old tower of the town hall.
That was a great view.
The steps were very old and the passage was very narrow and near the top the steps became wider apart , in fact they were huge steps.
After we came down we walked to the big and beautiful Russian orthodox church with its onion shaped towers. We had a look inside and there was a lot of gold inside. Beautiful decorations and icons.
We had some lunch in the town square and we saw an Estonian dance group perform.
I am just amazed at what I see. The people are friendly, and all the young people can speak English.
90 % of them are blond with pale skin and light blue eyes.
We tried to find a supermarket yesterday. It was outside the old city, more in the new part.
I will add a picture with a sign on it. You will realize that without having Helena with me would have been a disaster for me. Finnish is quite similar to Estonian. Like Dutch is to German.
She can read and make out the signs. Even talk to the people.

We bought some groceries and have our own breakfast. We share the cost in half exactly, and it is much cheaper here as in Finland, where they have the euro.
Here they have the EEK, or the Estonian Kronen. 15 kronen = 1 euro. We changed some euro's for kronen before we arrived in Estonia as there they charge heaps for the commission.
The weather was first a bit overcast and even spitted with some rain but later today it cleared up and became sunny.
Helsinki also was overcast when I arrived with 18 C.
We go back on the ferry to Helsinki on Sunday the 13th, where we stay one night in a hostel, because on Monday the 14th we take the 8 am train to Rovanieme( 9 hours in the train) followed by an other 2 hours in a bus to Sirkka.

But I will write about that when we get back to Finland. First some more of Estonia .
I really love Estonia,and its people. They have no social welfare so we have seen beggars and homeless people, people going through rubbish bins to find food.......
I will also write a separate chapter at the end of my blog about my encounters with angels, that saved me from tricky situations during my trip......
Stay tuned.......

THE FINLAND AND SURROUNDS EPISODE

2008-07-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

FINLAND HIGHWAY

FINLAND FROM THE AIR, AT ARRIVAL

HELENA WITH MY SUITCASE

HELSINKI

ON THE WAY TO HELENA'S COUSINS

ANNIE EN HENK AT SCHIPHOL AIRPORT WITH ME

MY PLANE TO HELSINKI

BYE BYE HOLLAND

SOMEWHERE ABOVE DENMARK.

Had to get up at 6.10 am this morning.'
Breakfast at 6.30 am and out the door at 7 am.
Annie and Henk were not only me taking me to the train station, they joined me on the train to Amsteram Schiphol airport.
We changed trains in Leiden on to the fast train, and we were in ( under) Schiphol within half an hour.
I am glad Annie and Henk were there who helped me find the right place to check in the luggage, as After getting rid of the suitcase we went to a place for some cofee and took an other nice picture.
The plane was 10 minutes delayed but after that it was a good take off and flight.
I filmed the takeoff and took some photos. Flying over Sweden was nice as I saw lots of greenery and also lots of lakes.
Landing in Finland was also filmed. The scenery reminded me a bit of NZ. Very green and lots of free standing houses but instead of bush, lots of pinetrees.
Helena was there and we never got passport check coming into Finland.
My suitcase was the second the come on the conveyer belt so that was very quick. Out within 10 min of landing.
Helena and I went on the bus to her cousins place, a bit out of town. I am now using her cousins computer as she uses a different internet system. So no photos yet.
Tomorrow we are doing a city bus tour, similar to the ones I have done in Munich, Vienna, Prague and Budapest. One of those hop on hop off buses that show you the sights.
Then we take the ferry to Estonia and stay there for 5 nights and then take the ferry again back to Helsinki where we will then take the train the next day to a place: Rovaniemi. that train takes 9 hours and then the train ends there, we still will have to go an other 170 km,s to Sirkka, the village of Helena. We go by bus from there.
So now you know whats up for the next few weeks but I try to keep you all posted.
It is now 11.15 and just getting dark here in Helsinki.
Good night,
love from Marianna.

BIKING AROUND VOORSCHOTEN

2008-07-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

ANNIE AND ME AT THE CASTLE.

We did a bikeride around the lake and the canal. We ended up visiting the casle" Duyvenvoorde"
The lake was only in its developement stages when i lived here but now it is a full recreation lake with marina and restaurant and camping.( motorcamp)
there are lots of bicycle paths and also horse tracks where you are allowed to ride.

Lots of people have horses now and its a sign of a prospering , rich country.

Enjoy the pictures of around Voorschoten , my old hometown.

KINDERDIJK WINDMILLS

2008-07-05T08:26:00.000-07:00

THE RESTAURANT WE HAD DINNER.

US AT THE TABLE WITH MIRJAM AND INGRID'S PARENTS

ME AT THE WINDMILLS OF KINDERDIJK.

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PHOTOS.REFLECTION.

THE FERRY TO CROSS THE RIVER.

5 IN A ROW!

ME AND MIRJAM.

The same day I saw Rotterdam, Mirjam and Jeroen also showed me Kinderdijk.
This is the name of a village, or area wich is now an UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.
There are lots of windmills. One of them is a show home( they are homes and people live in them)
The windmills were used for draining the water , some for grinding wheat for breweries.

After we saw the windmills, Jeroen and Mirjam took me to their favourite restaurant ,we had to go on the ferry to cross the river to their place, Capelle aan de Ijssel.

ROTTERDAM

2008-07-04T13:19:00.000-07:00

CUBIC HOUSES

METRO ROTTERDAM

BACK TO THE FUTURE?

MIRJAM AND JEROEN.( MY GUIDES FOR THIS DAY)

THE OLD BRIDGE

CUBIC HOUSES

THE PENCIL APPARTMENTS

COFFEE TOGETHER.( AND BELOW, ME IN A CUBIC HOUSE.)

Thursday 3rd of July,

Mirjam and Jeroen ( sister and brother-in-law of Ingrid) had emailed me to suggest we meet and they wanted to show me around the city of Rotterdam and Kinderdijk.
I went by train to Rotterdam Blaak, at 9.30 am. I arrived in Rotterdam at 10.18 am. They were there to meet me. I had seen photo of Mirjam and she had seen photos of me so it was easy to recognise me.
When we had met we walked to the cubik homes..( see picture) these homes are of modern architecture and people have bought them. One is a show home. ( see picture)
We had a coffee by the water and enjoyed meeting each other and sharing stuff about our lives and families.( and horses of course).
From there we went into the metro and to an other place and walked over the Erasmus bridge and on the other side was the boat to take us for an trip around the harbour. The boattrip was 1 1/2 long.
After we enjoyed the trip, seeing sthe biggest harbour in the world and the biggest container area in the world, we then went back to the metro to an other area where they had parked the car.
Then we drove to Kinderdijk, where there are lotss and lot of windmills. This is a UNESCO WORLD HERTITAGE SITE.
Photos show the beauty of that place.

IN VOORSCHOTEN( MY OLD HOMETOWN)

2008-07-01T12:10:00.000-07:00

Marianna by the canal de Vliet.

Our old house from 1964 till 1981( for me)

nienke entering their house.

Carel Fabritius laan.

the renovated old flat.( apartments)

Leiden train station ( left)

the silver factory

the catholic church

the council building

unpacking my stuff behind the house

NZ KIWIFRUIT FOR SALE ON THE MARKET

GOLD KIWIFRUIT

SCHOOL STRAAT

MOLEN LAAN

DORPS STRAAT

THE MARKET ON FRIDAY

MY FAVOURITE STALL

TRYING SOME GRAPES.

BEHIND "OUR" HOUSE

GERARD DAUW PLANTSOEN

MOLENLAAN

Hi Friends,
Here I am now in Voorschoten, in my old town .
I did a typical"Marianna thing"again. I checked out of the hostel and went to the busstop, which was on the right hand side of the road, because when we arrived we arrived on the other side. What I didn't realise was that you got on the bus same busstop same place where we got off, not on the other side of the road. Seemed strange as it seens like the bus is going in the wrong direction. Anyway, I was on what seemed like the right side, but was wrong.
The bus came past but wouldn't stop.
On the other side was the bus came and stopped, but it seemd to be going to the wrong direction, not to the harbour......
So then , after waiting for a while, a lady on a bicycle came to me and asked me where I was going. When I told her she told me I was standing at the wrong busstop. I should have been on the other side, as this side was "hopping off only".
By now I had missed the bus and my connection to the ferry.
Then there was only one option left: hitch hiking.
The lady told me it was safe to hitch on the island and she walked me to the roundabout, then turned left which was the only road to the harbour.
As soon as I was on that road, I put my hand up, smiled to the next car that came along, and ...... it stopped.
Two nice ladies asked me what happened and I told them, then they said: "hop in, we are also going to the harbour".
I was very grateful and thanked them heaps. I got to the harbour 10 minutes before the bus that I had missed!!!
And I got into the boat as the first passenger.
The boat trip was pleasant, and I sat on the front deck, outside.
Then I took the bus and got to Den Helder station and then Mercy was there and we walked to her house.
I organised my suitcase again and we had a nice cooked Phillipino lunch made by Amy, Mercy's sister, who lives next door.
After lunch we went to the railway station and Wander, Amy's husband, put my suitcase on the back of his bike and biked ahead to the station.
I made the 14.04 train and only had to swap trains once in Heergugowaard.
Then it was a fast train to Leiden.
In Leiden, Annie en Henk were there for me. I had to look around at all the changes made in Leiden railway station.
Then we drove along some places I didn't recognise at all anymore but when we got closer to Voorschoten, I recognised the Leidseweg, I saw manege van Zelst and I remembered that manege as my first ever manage where I got my first riding lesson in 1972.
Then driving through our old street was really weird, but soo amazing, and unreal, in a way. It is very hot and humid here today and it will be 30 C tomorrow.
We got chinese tonight( without msg) and now I am writing this blog. My own computer doesn't work here as they have a different system, but I can use Annie's laptop.
OK, cheers for now, more tomorrow or the day after.
Well more has happened now and I am behind with photos and stories. So here a few photos of my old hometown. Good weather as you can see.

TEXEL ADVENTURE

2008-06-29T08:53:00.001-07:00

THE BIKE I HIRED
TEXEL SHEEP

TOWN "DEN KOOG"
CUTE CHURCH
SELLING CLOGS.
BACK IN DEN BURG
DEN BURG

ME RIDING SIMONE, A HALFLINGER.
LEADER NIEL IN THE FRONT.
HEATHERFIELDS
NIEL, OUR TREK LEADER.

LOVELY VIEWS

THE BEACH AT DEN KOOG.
CAFE PLACES ON THE BEACH

THE HALFLINGER STABLES FOR TREKS.
" MY" HORSE.

AN OTHER GROUP COMING BACK.
BEACH AT DEN KOOG.
WHAT IS THAT TRACTOR DOING THERE?
BEACH. WATER 15C. NO THANKS.
HEY, WHO IS THAT?

TEXEL ADVENTURE: RIDING!!!
You guys probably want to know first of all how my sleep went.
Well, I had an other lady join the dorm at about 11 pm, who coughed till about 1 am.
So anyway, after that, this morning, a reasonable sleep, I guess, but late again getting to sleep, I asked for a single room, which I could get at 10 euro’s more per night. So I did that and now I have my own room for 2 more nights. I am going back to the mainland on Tuesday, first to Mercy, and then to Voorschoten. I have my suitcase at Mercy’s so I have to pick oit up, spend a bit more time with her and then take the train to Leiden.
I spoke to Annie yesterday who said she would pick me up from Leiden. So that’s great!
Today I hired a bicycle and biked about 13 km’s, there and back.
First to the beach and then to Den Koog.
I came across a halflinger pony group who were trekkinmg, so I asked them where they were located. I then found the horses. They were along the main road on the way to Den Koog. There was an other horse stable next to them, but weren’t as nice and good as this one so I took this one. They only had halflingers and small ponies and they looked well cared for.
I went fopr a 1 hour trek with experienced riders. It was only a forest and moors trek, not beach, but that was fine with me.( they had done the beach trek earlier that day)
All went well. I asked for” een lief paardje”, and I really got a very friendly mare, Simone.
I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. The ride was 12 E so it wasn’t more than what I charge for at home.
I enjoyed the scenery and the chat I had with the trek leader, a guy of about 21 years old.( Niel)
We walked , trotted and cantered and I could also ride alongside the trek leader. The rest of the group were German kids, but could ride well.
After we came back I sat there with my lunch and enjoyed watching the horses and the people.
There are a lot of German tourists here!!!!!!!
Then I biked on till the town of Den Koog and it was very busy with people.
I put my bike somewhere, locked up, and walked through the main street.
Lots of café’s and bars open and even some shops.( It’s Sunday, and normally all the shops are closed.)
Here, in den Burg, most of the shops are closed. Some café’s are open though.
The lady I met on the train is also here and we had breakfast here this morning.
So I had a nice day, weather sunny, cloudy sometimes, moderate wind.
The seawater is 15 C so I didn’t swim .
The water of the sea was fairly clear/clean considering it is the North sea, but I think because Texel is an island, the sea water is clearer.
Tomorrow I am going to have a rest day, and do some walking to the town( 5 min walk) and then the next day I am off to my old hometown of Voorschoten.( yeah!!!!)
Groetjes allemaal. Marianna.

TEXEL

2008-06-28T10:10:00.000-07:00

STAY OKAY HOSTEL TEXEL
MERCY IN FRONT OF THE HOSTEL
THE TEXEL SHEEP BEHIND THE HOSTEL
MORE VIEWS OF TEXEL
NEAR HOSTEL
ARRIVAL IN TEXEL WITH FERRY
ON THE FERRY
HOUSES IN TEXEL
STREET IN DEN BURG, TEXEL
OLD FASHIONED LOLLI SHOP

MARIANNA ON THE FERRY TO TEXEL
VIEW FROM FERRY
MARIANNA AND MERCY ON THE FERRY.
MERCY ON FRONT DECK OF FERRY
THE GULLS GO WITH US.

MERCY'S KITCHEN.
MERCY , ME AND HER HUSBAND.
MERCY, ME AND HER DAUGHTER, MERCY-LYNN
SIGNS TOWARDS THE FERRY.
MERCY AND I WAITING FOR THE FERRY.

ON THE WAY TO DEN HELDER FROM TRAIN.

VIEW FROM MY ROOM IN MERCY'S HOUSE.
MERCY GOES SHOPPING
MERCY DOES SOME DISHES.

Texel, North Holland.

Well , I am now in Texel,one of the 7 islands north of the Netherlands, this one is north of Den Helder. Remember the Texel breed of sheep? This is where these sheep are from.
I am on that island now.
I stayed with Mercy first and after a terrible night on a make- shift wobbly narrow stretcher, and not being able to get to sleep till 3 am, and not only fighting with my pillow but also the bed and bedding,with lots of night sweats, I woke up feeling exhausted .
Then I remembered a nice lady whom I met in the train the previous day, who was on her way to Texel,(it's very close to Den Helder), she told me she was staying in a hostel” STAY OKAY”.
I remembered that, and explained to Mercy I needed a good sleep. I did a quick search on the internet and then booked for 2 nights. She didn’t mind and decided to come with me just for the day, and me for 2 nights. The ferry was big but the actual crossing is only 20 minutes.

The wide open spaces, slightly rolling hills, and tomorrow I am hiring a bicycle.
Mercy spent the day with me and we did some walking through the town together( Den Burg)
I took some photos and oh yes, the room I am in is a dorm of 6, but only one other lady is there, a Korean lady. It is actually a dorm for ladies only. It is a brand new building, and for the price is breakfast and dinner included( 39.- pp ) It is so new it has this “ hospital" look, very clean and shiny, but hey, if you want a good bed. Mercy apologized for my bad sleep but there is really no room, and I hate it when I can’t sleep. I am coming to her place on Monday but maybe even Tuesday now as I need to rest and possibly ned 2 days to see this island.? I only brought the backpack and a plastic bag with a few clothes. We'll see.
OK, got to go now, dinner is ready.
More tomorrow night.
OK just back from dinner. Hey Pa, this place reminds me of the place in Bouleri, France.
A great place for kids and meals included. Basic meals but good and all you need.
This island is, (so far from what I have seen),very beautiful. But tomorrow I will see more so I will tell you more tomorrow. ( and get to the beach)
Bye for now. Marianne.

AMSTERDAM

2008-06-26T03:30:00.000-07:00

WINNIE AND E IN "BEGIJNHOFJE"
WINNIE IN A PUB " HET DOKTERTJE" PUB EXCIST SINCE 1798
HIER HEB IK EEN GLAASJE" BOEREJONGENS"
WINNIE AND ME IN THE STEAKHOUSE WHERE PA EN MA ALSO WENT.
DURING A CANAL TOUR.
VIEW OF 7 BRIDGES.
THE OLD SAILING SHIP" THE AMSTERDAM"
TYPICAL AMSTERDAM SCENE, BIKES AND CANAL.
A SMALL SIDE STREET OFF KALVERSTRAAT.

THE TRAMS ARE NOW ALL NEW AND BLUE.
WHERE THE CANAL TOUR STARTS.

HOUSES FROM THE 16TH CENTUARY.
OLD BARBER SHOP.

WINNIE AND ME WATCHING THE SOCCER
THIS IS JUST ROUND THE CORNER FROM WINNIE'S HOUSE.

WINNIE, MY GUIDE.
SOMEONE PADDLING WITH A CANOE.
HET "LEIDSEPLEIN"
TERRASJE BIJ HET LEIDSEPLEIN.

TAKEN FROM THE TRAIN TO AMSTERDAM
SCENES FROM THE TRAIN.
FIRST DAY IN AMSTERDAM
WINNIE'S HOUSE
MARIANNA IN AMSTERDAM

Hey friends,

I arrived in Amsterdam yesterday afternoon. Ken had put me on the train in Bussum Zuid, and I arrived in Amsterdam at 3 pm. Winnie was waiting for me by the taxi stand. The railway station is in a mess, they are doing renovations. I could hardly recognise it.
I am now in an internet cafe near " Het Leidseplein" as her internet is dial up. That is 3 min walk from Winnie.
The weather is beautiful and warm and I only have 2 days here so I haven't got a lot of time to work on putting photos on. But I have taken a lot already.
Winnie and I have talked a lot and watched the soccer last night. We will watch an other match tonight. It is getting more exciting.
she also took me to a nice place for dinner,and took me to one of her favorite pubs, " De Pieper".
The city is full of life and vibrant and the colours are georgeous with the green trees by the canals.
This afternoon we are going to do the tourist thing, a canal tour.
I slept well last night, I am sleeping on an air matrass in Maarten's old room.
I have spoken to Maarten 2x so yes, we will meet in Paris, which is great.
So now I am going outside, it is too nice to sit here and see all the people walking outside.

Friday I am going to Den Helder in the train, and Mercy Manuel will pick me up, she is a friend from my nursing days. I will stay with her till Monday morning and then it 's off to Voorschoten, yeah, my old hometown!!!!
I am very happy to be back in Holland!!!!
Cheers from Marianne.

REUNION AFTER 30 YEARS WITH COUSIN KEN

2008-06-25T01:08:00.000-07:00

Well, it was time to say goodbye to Carolien en Jan, they were fantastic,a nd showed me a lot of the scenery and had lots of lovely trips with me.

My cousin Ken, who I hadn't seen for 30 years, came from Huizen to Barger-Compascuum, to pick me up.

They immigrated to Canada in 1978, then Ken came back to Holland in 1989, to complete his pilots licence with KLM and is now captain of lon distance flight with KLM.

He arrived at 2 pm, and it was great to see him again.

We talked all the way home and 2 hours seemed like 2 minutes. There was a lot of catching up.

He cooked dinner after we had been to the supermarket and then talked again till midnight.

I am here till this afternoon and then I am going on the train to Amsterdam. It is only half n hour to Amsterdam. Winnie will be there for me.

OK, I will now add some pictures. Cheers, Marianna.

INTERESTING THINGS IN DRENTHE

2008-06-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

ON TOP OF THE TREES

WHICH WALK SHALL WE DO?

LOOKING DOW FROM THE HIGHEST PLATFORM

A LITTLE LAKE

GOING UP TO THE BOARDWALK UP HIGH

WALKING ALONG THE BOARDWALK.

CAROLIEN ON THE BOARDWALK.

THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE TO GO DOWN.

THE MUSEUM

THE VILLAGE "ORVOLTE"

ME IN THAT VILLAGE

THATCHED ROOFS

ME AT THE HUNEBEDDEN GRAVES OF 5000 YEARS OLD

THE BROKEN RAILWAY SYMBOLISING THE END OF THE TRAGEDIES OF THIS WAR CAMP

RECONSTRUCTED CAMP WATCH TOWER.

IN THE MUSEUM

SCENERY OF DRENTHE

CROPPING FARMS

HUNEBEDDEN GRAVES.

Drenthe, 23rd.

Today Jan and Carolien had some trips planned for today.
I didn't really know what but thats exciting.
First we went to a DOC conservation information centre in the middle of a forest.
There we could go for a walk but the walk was different.
it was similar to the walk we did at Maungatapatiri with the viewing platform that looked down on the trees.
This was had a boardwalk that went around high to the top of the trees.
So you walked " high" and saw the toop of the trees.
It went to a highest platform, and then we went down again. It has lots of information on the way.
Then we walked through the forest on a normal track. We walked along little lakes and heather fields.

After that we had some coffee at the information centre and then Jan and Caroline took me to an other place called: Westenbork"
This is the only concentration camp in the Netherlands that was used as a holding centre for rouded up Jews and from here every Tuesday, the cattle train would come and push in as many people as they could to go to the death camps like Auswich and others.

First we went to the memorial museum and then to the actual site of that concentration camp.

After we saw that I had to remember my Dad's story" captured and set free" and realise what a miracle my Dad had eperienced, and I started to cry.
I told Caroline my Dad's story and others around us heard it too.
I also realised that because my dad was set free, I am also able to be here now.
So you are a miracle too, a lady said. That really touched me.

After this we went to visit the oldest graves in the country, the " Hunebedden".
They are graves 5000 years old from the Germanic tribes.

The photos of today are at the below link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=25262&l=c4a4f&id=841368927

( copy and paste this into a new web browser)

A DAY IN OPEN AIR MUSEUM

2008-06-22T08:08:00.000-07:00

KIDS DOING THEIR DANCING

VEEN OR TURF, A PRE-DECESSOR OF COAL OR EVEN OIL.

THE WEDDING RE-ENACTMENT , BRIDE AND GROOM
A PIPE WAS ACCEPTED
THE WEDDING WITNESSES
LOTS OF SONGS AND MUSIC
TALKING TO THE LOCAL PEOPLE.

KIDS DRESSED IN "KLEDERDRACHT"
OLD TYPE HOUSE
THE TEACHER AND A KID

A DAY IN THE OPEN AIR MUSEUM "ELLERT EN BRAMMERT"

In a nearby village is an open air museum" Ellert and Brammert" to do with the olden days. How the people lived about 150 years ago, and even how they lived 85 years ago. It kind of( in some ways) reminded me of the Tauranga " historic village" of how it used to be and the special days they used to put on.
But check out the link of the open air museum" Ellert and Brammert".
The village is " Schoonoord".
We went there this morning and it was 26 C, and quite humid.
There was a special day today as the society of local history put on a special day where the members were dressed in their traditional clothes of the olden days.
The kids did their clog dansing and songs of old. It brought back some memories of my childhood, as we all learned those songs.
A wedding was re-enacted of those days.
I will add a few pictures of today.
At 3 pm we wanted to go home and it just started to rain, later on in bucketed down, and also a thunderstorm.
Back in time for some rest and doing the photos now.
Enjoy some of the pictures I did today.
Drenthe is a very beautiful province.

ARRIVED IN DRENTHE

2008-06-21T14:53:00.000-07:00

A WINDMILL SOMEWHERE ON THE WAY

SOMEWHERE DURING THE TRAIN TRIP
CAROLIEN AND JAN WELCOMING ME IN THEIR HOUSE

THEY TAKE ME FOR DINNER IN THE PANCAKE HOUSE
VERY YUMMY

ON THE WAY TO DRENTHE
MARIANNA IN THE TRAIN
THERE IS MY TRAIN
NIJMEGEN HOUSES
VIEWS ON THE WAY TO ZWOLLE
Barger-Compascuum, Drenthe. 21/06/08. The longest day, sunset at 10.15 pm.

Elly and Hans took me to the train station in Nijmegen and I went on the train to Zwolle.( yes I was meant to)
There I had to change the train to Emmen.
I already knew which platform to take and there were lifts for the suitcase.
So it was relatively easy to change trains.
Then it was an other hour and then I was in Emmen.
The scenery was really lovely on the way, we went past forests and rivers and lots of farms and crops( mainly wheat, maize and spuds.)
Caroline and Jan were waiting for me at the station when I arrived. I always think its wonderful to have that person waiting for you when you arrive in a totally new area.
The village they live in is called" Barger-Compascuum", and has 3000 inhabitants.
They are only 2 1/2 km's from the German border so we can even bike there on the bicycles .
They took me to a pancake house and I had one " savoury" pancake.
Then we went to a neighbourhood tent where everyone was together to watch the soccer match between Netherlands and Russia. I was wearing my orange t-shirt.
Netherlands lost to Russia, very exciting game but sad for the netherlands, Russia won with 3-1.
So thats why I am writing this late and now i am going to bed, as tomorrow they have something in store for me.
Groetjes van Marianna.

VISIT TO 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH EN HEUSDEN

2008-06-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

STATUE OF HORSE SALE IN ELST
THE CHURCH IN ELST
MAINSTREET ELST

ELLY'S PREVIOUS FLAT OR APPARTMENT 7 HIGH
THIS WAS ELLY'S APPARTMENT FOR 10 YEARS
THE "GOLD COAST" OF MAAS RIVER
ONDERWEG- ON THE WAY

THE ST JANS CATHEDRAL.
ST JANS.
A STREET IN DEN BOSCH

BOSSE BOLLEN ( CHOCOLATE ECLARES)
MORNING COFFEE TIME, WITH BOSSE BOLLEN

DE KNILLES POORT
EEN DOORKIJKJE OF STEEGJE

DE ST JACOBS KERK
THE SMALLEST HOUSE IN THIS CITY
"FEBO" FOOD BEHIND GLASS, EAT FROM THE WALL.

PUT IN A COIN AND GET A SNACK.

DIT VOND IK GEWOON LEUK OM TE DOEN.

DURING THE CANAL BOAT TOUR.
THE TOUR GUIDE GIVES US A HISORY LESSON.

HERE IS OUR DEPARTURE POINT.

THIS HOUSE HAS THE CANON BALL STILL LODGED IN ITS WALL

THE LOCK OF THE MAAS RIVER. THIS TOWN IS CALLED" ENGELEN" WHICH MEANS "ANGELS"
A BARGE ON THE MAAS.
NICE SCENERY ON THE WAY.
WHO'S THAT?
MODERN ARCHITECTURE.

OLD VILLAGE HEUSDEN
A HALFLINGER PONY

ON THE WAY
THE MAAS RIVER.

WATCH OUT!!
HEUSDEN
HEUSDEN HARBOUR
HOUSES BEHINDTHE DYKE.

WATER WINDMILL.

HEUSDEN
BEAUTIFUL GABLE HOUSE
HE, DA'S IETS VOOR MIJ!!!!
JA DIT IS OOK GOED HOOR!
STEEGJE, SMALL ROMAN STREET.

LEUSDEN STREET

ELLY EN HANS O THE BRIDGE IN LEUSDEN
BIG LOCKS WITH THE MAAS RIVER.

20/06/08 Gelderland, Elst.

Today Elly and Hans took me to 's-Hertogenbosch and Heusden.
We went by car and it took about 3/4 hour by car.
On the way we took the country roads and they showed me the river Maas, and the locks and saw lots of barges sailing .
We stopped at a small farm and saw a Halflinger pony and her foal.
When we got the the city centre( they parked in a parking building) we saw the vegetable market and visited the big St-Jan's Cathedral. We als went inside the cathedral and it was similar to the ones I saw in Prague and Munich, but a bit smaller.
we had a coffee at the market square and we ate a special recepe " Boss Bollen" which is a round big chocolate eclare. We had this ( instead) of lunch, and it was yummy, but it made me a bit sick later( too much slagroom in it= cream).

Then we saw the underground canal trips( these boats go around the underground watersystems from hundreds of years ago.
Elly said that we can't go on the tour as they normally need to be booked ahead, sometimes months ahead.
I thought about it what a pity that was we didn't realise to book it ahead, then I said to Elly: " Just ask the lady at the ticket office if there are any cancellations right now for a tour", so she went and aked that. " Yes we have" the lady said, " for 3 persons, leaving in 5 minutes"
So we could hop on a boat tour staight away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We had a fantastiic boat tour through the canals going sometimes under the streets and under the shops and at one point we were out in the open and saw the old city wall.
We even saw a house with the canon ball still lodged inside the wall of the house.
The tour guide gave us the history of the city and how it was occupied by the King of Spain and the Count of "s-Hertogenbosch( hiis name was Hertog) was finally defeated by the prince of Orange after 5 failed attempt by his predecesessors and made the city become more protestant.
Prince of Orange got ride of the monastry and its occupants.
I remembering learning this at school but it was a long time ago, but it all came back again hearing this history lesson.( Brian would have loved this)
After this we went to the car and they took me to a small village , a walled village by dykes, it reminded me of " Willemstad" but it is "Leusden. Very, very nice small town with a little harbour and 2 or more water windmills.
We walked around the town, had some takeaways, which is french fries in a pointed paper bag( very traditional) and mayonaise. I'm afraid I have put on weight already, all this food!!!!!)
OK the photos speak for itself, I try not to put on too much, but its hard with so many nice pictures.
Tomorrow I'm off to Drenthe, to Barger-Compascuum, a small village near Emmen. Elly and Hans take me to Nijmegen to the train station. There Carolien ( my friend from my nursing days)will pick me up at 2 pm.

I had a fantastic time with my cousin Elly and husband. I defenitely will be back !!!
h

MARKET DAY IN ARNHEM

2008-06-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

MY COUSIN ELLY AND I.

TOO MUCH CHOICE
WHICH CAKES SHALL WE BUY TODAY?
ELLY( MY COUSIN) AND HANS( HER HUSBAND)
THE MARKET IN ARNHEM
THE CHEESE STALL
FRESH HERING, VERSE ZOUTE HARING
ZAL IK OOK EVEN ETEN?
OKE DAN, HIER GAAT IE. ( MAAR IK VIND M EIGENLIJK NIET LEKKER)

Elst, 18th June.
I had a good sleep and today Elly ad Hans took me to the market in Arnhem.
It was lots of fun as you will see on the photos.
Later we went to an indoor shopping mall ( like Bayfair)
There are supermarkets and other shops etc.
The new one I hadn't heard from was C1000 ( it's a supermarket)
It is really "luilekkerland" which means something like that movie of "charlie and the chocolate factory", because the supermarkets have a HUGE selection of licorice, deserts, and loads and loads of ready made things. You really drool over it when you see what you can get here., not only vanilla custard, but all the flavours, and not just in small containers, no, in 1 litre cartons.
In the afternoon, we all had a nap and I slept 1 hour, must have been tired again. Elly also had a rest.

Tonight Elly made meatballs and andive stamppot( mash), which is a very typical Dutch dish.
It was 22 C today, lovely and mild.

OK I am signing off now,
Enjoy the photos.
Marianna.