2011 Europe & Morocco

• *Disclaimer. There are photos here that are from my previous travel site virtualtourist. VT has shut down. Please ignore that VT flag, thongs, VA's and other paraphernalia that may appear here.**

MY PHOTOS HERE ARE BEFORE ENTERING THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DSLR.
I PURCHASED MY TRUSTY CANON 60D AFTER HUBBY MADE ME JEALOUS WITH
HIS FANTASTIC PHOTOS ON THIS TRIP WITH HIS FIRST DLSR CAMERA

FAVOURITE PHOTO -

HIGHLIGHTS PHOTO COLLAGE -

THIS WAS OUR FIRST BIG OVERSEAS TRIP. 6 WEEKS THROUGH 7 COUNTRIES -
SWITZERLAND, GERMANY, BELGIUM, NETHERLANDS, FRANCE, MOROCCO & SPAIN.

I FOUND VIRTUALTOURIST.COM WHILST GOOGLING FOR OUR BIG TRIP.
SADLY VT IS NO MORE. I SPENT 16 YEARS ON THAT SITE AND IT WAS A SAD DAY
WHEN TRIPADVISOR BOUGHT OUT VT AND THEN AXED THE COMPETITION.
SO I HAVE NOW JOINED TRAVELLERSPOINT AND THIS IS NOW MY NEW HOME.

THE FURTHEST WE HAD BEEN BEFORE THIS TRIP WAS TAHITI FOR OUR 10 YEAR
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY IN 1989.
SO NOW, OVER 10 YEARS LATER, WE WERE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON OUR FIRST BIG
OVERSEAS TRIP.

EACH COUNTRY THAT WE VISITED HAD IT'S OWN UNIQUE FLAVOUR AND EXCITING
STUFF TO SEE AND DO. FOR INSTANCE US AUSSIES LOVE TO SEE BIG CHIMING
CLOCKS, CASTLES, PALACES, COBBLED STONE STREETS, CANALS AND WINDMILLS.
ALL OF THIS IS DIFFERENT TO US AS WELL AS DRIVING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
ROAD, RIDING IN HORSE & CARRIAGE, RIDING CAMELS IN THE DESERT, SLEEPING
UNDER THE STARS IN THE DESERT ETC ETC...

YES, THIS TRIP HAS MANY, MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES AND RELIVING THEM
HERE.... ESPECIALLY IF YOU READ ALONG AND GIVE A LITTLE COMMENT HERE &
THERE MAKES IT ALL SO MORE SPECIAL

IF YOU HAVE READ MY OTHER BLOGS HERE YOU WILL ALREADY KNOW THAT
HUBBY AND I LOVE TO VISIT 'OFF THE BEATEN PATH' PLACES.
SOME OF THESE WE VISITED ALONG THE WAY WERE BAD WIMPFEN, ETTLIGEN,
MELPELBRUNN, BRAUBACH, TONGEREN, LIER, ESSAOUIRA, TORREMOLINOS,
RONDA AND VALENCIA.

WE HIRED A CAR AND DROVE FROM ZURICH, THROUGH GERMANY, BELGIUM
AND INTO AMSTERDAM. OUR GOOD FRIEND FROM VIRTUALTOURIST BIRGIT
(bijo69) FLEW INTO ZURICH AND JOINED US FOR THE TRIP.
THE BEGINNING OF THE JOURNEY SAW US DRIVING OUT OF THE AIRPORT AT
ZURICH..... TOM TOM GPS THAT HUBBY AND I HAD PURCHASED BACK HOME
WAS UNFORTUNATELY STILL PACKED IN A SUITCASE IN THE BACK OF THE
HIRE CAR..... 1ST BIG MISTAKE.....

HUBBY AND I WERE LAUGHING AT THE SIGNS - AUSFAHRT
AND SUDDENLY..... DIDN'T KNOW WHERE WE WERE GOING........
MORE ABOUT THAT STORY LATER

Birgit and aussirose

BRUGES WAS ONE OF THE MANY HIGHLIGHTS FOR ME. I HAD NEVER HEARD
OF BRUGES BEFORE SEEING THIS PLACE ON VT. I WAS CAPTIVATED WITH THE
PURE ROMANCE OF THE PLACE AND CONSEQUENTLY IT WAS HIGH ON MY
LIST OF PLACES TO SEE.

THE BELGIUM BEERS WERE ALSO FANTASTIC
HUBBY AND I LOVE TO TASTE LOCAL BEERS WHEREVER WE GO.
YOU NEED TO READ MY FUNNY STORY OF THE BEER TASTINGS IN BRUGES

NOT ONLY WAS BRUGES EVERYTHING THAT I HAD IMAGINED, BUT I ALSO
DISCOVERED MORE FANTASTIC TOWNS IN BELGIUM LIKE TONGEREN, LIER
AND GENT.

THE MOST AMAZING THING ABOUT TRAVEL SITES BESIDES DISCOVERING
'OFF THE BEATEN PATH' PLACES IS MAKING FRIENDS ALL AROUND THE WORLD.
THE BEST MEMORIES FOR HUBBY AND I WERE OF SPENDING TIME WITH OUR
FRIENDS THAT WE HAVE FORMED SO MANY FRIENDSHIPS WITH

ONE OF THOSE HIGHLIGHTS FOR ME WAS MEETING PJ & HIS LOVELY WIFE
SWANET IN AMSTERDAM. THEY ARRANGED THE BEST DAY OUT FOR US AND
I HAVE A TRIBUTE TO THAT LATER ON MY AMSTERDAM BLOG.

ANOTHER AWESOME MEMORY WAS STAYING IN A HOUSEBOAT
THAT WAS TOTALLY AMAZING! COST A LOT, BUT IT WAS SO WORTH WHILE!!

I HAVE BEEN IN LOVE WITH PARIS AND THE EIFFEL TOWER SINCE VERY YOUNG.
WHEN THE BIG PARIS MEET WENT UP ON VT, I COULDN'T TYPE FROM EXCITEMENT!
SO OUR WHOLE TRIP WAS PLANNED AROUND THE PARIS MEET.

THE BIG PARIS MEET WAS AWESOME.... THE EIFFEL TOWER WAS EVEN MORE AWESOME....
BUT THE MOST AWESOMEST THING (new word invented by aussirose) WAS WHEN
HUBBY SURPRISED ME WITH AN ETERNITY RING AT THE VT DINNER IN A QUAINT
RESTAURANT NEAR THE EIFFEL TOWER!!
HOWIE!!.... I LOVE YOU!! XX
AND THEN WE WENT TO VIEW THE LIGHT SHOW AFTER. THIS WAS PURE HEAVEN!!!
AN EVENING OF MY LIFETIME THAT I WILL TREASURE FOREVER!!
IF YOU ARE READING THIS STEVE (stevemt) THANK YOU MY DEAR FRIEND!

PARIS TO ME IS THE CITY OF LOVE!!! XX

BOTH HUBBY & I LOVE EXOTIC PLACES. SO IT WAS NO SURPRISE THAT WE BOTH PICKED
MOROCCO. WE FLEW FROM PARIS TO MARRAKESH FOR THE START OF OUR FIRST
AFRICAN ADVENTURE.

OMG! IT WAS FANTASTIC!! MARRAKESH WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE...
BUT OUR TRIP WITH HABIB WHO IS A FULL BERBER NOMAD AND OWNER OF
SAHARA-DESERT-DREAM.COM WAS INDESCRIBABLE!! THERE ARE TOO MANY MEMORIES
TO LIST HERE INCLUDING SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS IN THE SAHARA DESERT,
MEETING AND HAVING TEA WITH A NOMAD FAMILY IN THEIR CAVE, ENJOYING
AUTHENTIC LUNCH WITH HABIB'S FAMILY IN HIS HOME TOWN OF M'HAMID AND
GUNNING THE 4X4 THROUGH THE DESERT.... OVERTAKING OTHER 4 WHEEL DRIVES
AND RIDING CAMELS OUT OF THE DESERT.

THE LAST COUNTRY THAT WE VISITED WAS SPAIN. THIS WAS HUBBY'S CHOICE.
I HAD HEARD THAT THE SOUTH OF SPAIN WAS NICE AND OF COURSE THE FIRST
PLACE THAT I THOUGHT ABOUT VISITING WAS BARCELONA AND SEEING THE
AMAZING GAUDI ARCHITECTURE - THAT WAS ANOTHER BIG HIGHLIGHT!

HUBBY'S HIGHLIGHT WAS VISITING ALHAMBRA. HE STUDIED GARDENS AS
PART OF HIS HORTICULTURE DIPLOMA.

BUT THE PLACE THAT CAPTURED MY HEART IN SPAIN WAS VALENCIA. I WISHED
THAT WE COULD HAVE SEEN MORE OF THIS PLACE.

WE HIRED A CONVERTIBLE FOR THE FIRST TIME HERE IN SPAIN AND
DROVE AROUND THE HILLS TO VISIT RONDA - ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL PLACE THAT
I DISCOVERED WHILST READING TIPS ON VIRTUALTOURIST.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF REGRETS.... NOT SEEING MORE IN PARIS AND NOT
VISITING THE SOUTH OF FRANCE.
NEVER MIND...... THEY ARE ON MY PLAN FOR A FUTURE TRIP INCORPORATING
MORE OF SWITZERLAND AND ITALY INCLUDING ANOTHER ROMANTIC CITY....
VENICE

BUT FOR NOW.... MY BLOG IS ALL ABOUT OUR FANTASTIC ADVENTURE
THROUGH EUROPE AND MOROCCO.

SO GRAB A SNACK AND DRINK OR 3 AND BE PREPARED FOR A LAZY AFTERNOON
OR EVENING READING MY ENTERTAINING STORIES AND NICE PICTURES.

AND PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A SMALL COMMENT

ZURICH - CITY OF CLOCKS

FAVOURITE PHOTO -

ZURICH WAS THE BEGINNING OF OUR BIG EUROPE TRIP.

6 WEEKS OF DISCOVERY! HOW DOES ONE PICK PLACES TO SEE?

HUBBY WANTED TO SEE GERMANY AND SPAIN. HUBBY LOVES
MOUNTAINS AND GARDENS.
I WANTED TO VISIT PARIS AND BRUGES BECAUSE I AM THE ULTIMATE
ROMANTIC AND I HAD A VT FRIEND IN AMSTERDAM.

WE BOTH LOVE 'OFF THE BEATEN PATH' PLACES WITH INTERESTING
SCENERY - MOROCCO AND A TRIP INTO THE SAHARA DESERT WAS
THROWN INTO THE MIX.
OUR TRIP WAS COMING TOGETHER.

THE PLAN THEN BECAME CLEAR -

FLY INTO ZURICH
DRIVE THROUGH GERMANY
CONTINUE ON THROUGH BELGIUM
DRIVE UP INTO AMSTERDAM
STAY IN A HOUSEBOAT IN AMSTERDAM
TRAIN TO PARIS
FLY TO MARRAKESH
RETURN TRIP TO THE SAHARA DESERT WITH A BERBER NOMAD
VISIT A PLACE ON THE COAST CALLED ESSAOUIRA
THEN TO CASABLANCA TO FLY TO MALAGA SPAIN
TORREMOLINOS, ALHAMBRA, RONDA, VALENCIA
TRAIN TO BARCELONA
FLY HOME TO PERTH

YES! A LOT TO PACK IN.... BUT WE ALSO STAYED A FEW DAYS IN SOME
PLACES SO THERE WAS SOME DOWN TIME TOO.
WHEN YOU HAVE TO DO LONG HAUL FLIGHTS FROM AUSTRALIA AND
PAY HUGE TRAVEL EXPENSES, THEN WE HAVE TO PACK IN AS MUCH
AS WE CAN WITHOUT MAKING THE HOLIDAY TOO BUSY...
SOMETIMES A DIFFICULT JUGGLE ACT

ZURICH, OUR FIRST DESTINATION WAS STUNNING!!

IT IS A VERY CLEAN CITY, NOT TOO BIG BUT COMPARED TO SOME OTHER
PLACES WE VISITED, WE FOUND ZURICH TO BE A LITTLE EXPENSIVE...
HOWEVER WITH VIEWS LIKE THIS .... WHO CARES ABOUT THE EXPENSE!!

WE BOTH LOVED ZURICH!

ON HOLIDAY THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW & INTERESTING TO EXPERIENCE.
IN ZURICH IT WAS THE CLOCKS. WOW!.... CLOCK CITY!!
AND I COULDN'T GET ENOUGH OF THEM!
I ALSO ENJOYED LISTENING TO THE CHIMES. I HAVE A GRANDFATHER CLOCK
AT HOME.... MY PRIDE AND JOY THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT CLOCK CHIMES
THAT I REALLY LOVE. EVEN FROM OUR B&B ACCOMMODATION WE COULD
HEAR THEM. SO NICE!! I WILL UPLOAD A VIDEO HERE WHEN I WORK OUT HOW.

HUBBY BOUGHT AN AUTHENTIC SWISS WATCH HERE AND I LOVED THE WATCH
THAT I PURCHASED FOR MY DAUGHTER SO MUCH THAT I BOUGHT ONE FOR
MYSELF TOO.

RAPPERSWIL
www.zsg.ch/en/

THE HIGHLIGHT IN ZURICH WAS OUR TRIP TO RAPPERSWIL. I DISCOVERED THIS
PLACE ON PATRICK'S PAGES ON VT (Tripack). SADLY NO VT'ERS WERE AVAILABLE
AT THE TIME BUT WE HAD A FANTASTIC TRIP ON THE FERRY TO RAPPERSWIL
AND ENJOYED A WANDER AROUND THE QUAINT COBBLESTONE STREETS WITH
CUTE GIFT SHOPS AND FUNKY BARS AND RESTAURANTS

ALPENTRAUM B&B
www.alpentraum.ch

I WOULDN'T STAY ANYWHERE ELSE WHEN VISITING ZURICH. GREAT LOCATION
BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND ZURICH, IT HAS A LOVELY QUIET GARDEN SETTING,
THE BED WAS SUPER COMFORTABLE, PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS CLOSE BY AND IT IS
INEXPENSIVE. THE HOSTS WERE ATTENTATIVE AND HELPFUL.

FUNNY AUSSIROSE STORY

HOW EXCITING! FIRST TIME IN EUROPE!! FINALLY!! WE WERE HERE AND THIS IS
MY FIRST SIGHTING OF THE FAMOUS SWISS ALPS!
HUBBY WAS IN HIS ELEMENT AS HE LOVES MOUNTAINS.
WOOHOO!! WE HAVE ARRIVED!! SWITZERLAND!! ..... EUROPE!!!!

I HAD NOT SLEPT FOR GOODNESS KNOWS HOW LONG!...... WE ARRIVED AT 8AM
AFTER TRAVELLING FOR 12 HOURS FROM SINGAPORE AND 5 HOURS BEFORE THAT
FROM PERTH. SINGAPORE AIRLINES ARE BY FAR MY FAVOURITE AIRLINE!!!

WE WERE RIGHT NOW RUNNING ON PURE ADRENALIN!

OK.... FIRST FUNNY SIGN AND HERE IS THE STORY -

WE ARRIVED IN ZURICH AND JUMPED INTO OUR HIRE CAR FULL OF EXCITEMENT.
HUBBY FORGET TO SET OUR NEW TOM TOM GPS.....
BIG MISTAKE!

SO.... HERE WE ARE EXITING ZURICH AIRPORT AND PAST THE FUNNY SIGN -
"AUSFARHT" - translation in Australian - "Wind from Downunder" - HAHA

HERE WE ARE ABOUT TO ENTER A SIX LANE HIGHWAY.... STILL LAUGHING OUR
HEADS OFF!!
HUBBY SAID...."WHERE ARE WE GOING?!!"
MY REPLY..... "OH SHIIIIT!! .... JUST KEEP DRIVING!!"

LUCKILY WE WERE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TOWARDS ZURICH CITY.
UPON ARRIVAL, WE FOUND A PARKING SPACE IN WHICH TO SET UP THE GPS.
THANK GOODNESS IT WORKED AND WE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE BACK THROUGH
THE CENTRE OF ZURICH CITY AND TO OUR BED AND BREAKFAST LOCATED IN
BETWEEN ZURICH AND THE AIRPORT

THIS TOM TOM GPS WAS TO BE OUR GUIDE FOR THE NEXT WEEK OR SO AND
ALSO IN SPAIN AND IT WORKED A TREAT! I AM SO GLAD THAT WE BOUGHT IT.

AFTER DROPPING OFF OUR LUGGAGE, WE WALKED DOWN TO CATCH THE TRAM
INTO TOWN. ON THE WAY THERE WAS A LOCAL PUB...... AHHHH, TIME TO STOP
AND CELEBRATE OUR ARRIVAL IN EUROPE!..... TASTE A LOCAL BEER AND SEND
A FEW TEXT MESSAGES TO THE FAMILY.

WE CAME BACK TO THE LOCAL A COUPLE OF TIMES AFTER A BIG DAY SIGHTSEEING.
LATER THE OWNER OF THE B&B SAID THAT THIS WAS THE DODGY PART OF TOWN.
OK... THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THE STRANGE LOOKS WE RECEIVED BY THE LOCALS...
BUT WHO CARES?!! WE WERE ON HOLIDAY, THE BEERS WERE CHEAP AND
REFRESHING..... AND WE WERE HAVING FUN!!

I WAS BLOWN AWAY WITH THE STUNNING SCENERY WHEN WE ARRIVED IN ZURICH!
THE RIVER AND BRIDGES WERE AWESOME! AND THE CLOCKS WERE JUST LOVELY
WE SAT AT THE HOTEL ZUM STORCHEN FOR A LITTLE WHILE, HAD A COUPLE OF BEERS
AND ENJOYED THE VIEW AND AMBIENCE. THERE WERE QUITE A FEW TOURISTS LIKE US
DOING THE SAME.

WALKING AROUND THIS AREA WITH LOVELY VIEWS OF THE BRIDGES AND RIVER
JUST ADDED TO OUR EXCITEMENT AT BEING HERE IN ZURICH EUROPE!

ZUM KROPF
http://www.zumkropf.ch

NEXT DAY WE WERE CHECKING OUT THE BACKSTREETS AND LOVELY ARCHITECTURE AND
WE SAW A CUTE STAIRCASE LEADING UP TO A NICE VERANDAH WHERE IT LOOKED LIKE
QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WERE ENJOYING LUNCH SO WE VENTURED UP.

I AM GLAD WE FOUND THIS RESTAURANT BECAUSE NOT ONLY DID WE HAVE LOVELY
SHADY SURROUNDINGS AND A NICE VIEW BUT THE FOOD WAS FANTASTIC!!
THE PRAWN COCKTAIL STARTER WAS FRESH AND COOL.
AND WE WASHED LUNCH DOWN WITH A LOCAL RED WINE WHICH I MUST SAY WAS REALLY
GOOD. IN FACT THE LOCAL ZURICH WINES BOTH RED AND WHITE WERE PRETTY GOOD.

ZURICH STREET SCENES

I ENJOY STREET SCENES WHEREVER WE GO.... SO HERE ARE SOME THAT I PARTICULARLY
LIKE INCLUDING THE TRAM TRANSPORTATION. WE GOT A ZURICH CARD. YOU CAN USE
THIS FOR ALL SORTS OF TRANSPORT AND ALSO ENTRY INTO MUSEUMS ETC.
CHECK OUT THIS SITE - www.zuerich.com/en/visit/your-city-travel-pass

LASTLY, AN OLD BUS AFTER HUBBY'S LAST NAME.....
ALSO AN OLD FAHT!! LOL.

TRUSTY TOM TOM GPS LOADED...... NEXT STOP UBERLINGEN.

FAVOURITE PHOTO -

Lake Titisee

WE HAD ARRIVED IN ZURICH ON OUR FIRST BIG OVERSEAS TRIP.

AFTER HAVING SPENT A FEW DAYS IN THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY OF CLOCKS,
WE WERE NOW PREPARED FOR OUR BIG DRIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF
THE ROAD THROUGH GERMANY, BELGIUM AND INTO AMSTERDAM.

TODAY'S DESTINATION - ETTLINGEN GERMANY. I FOUND ETTLINGEN
THROUGH VIRTUALTOURIST.COM. UNFORTUNATELY THAT SITE IS NO
MORE DUE TO IT'S GREEDY PARENT COMPANY TRIPADVISOR.

MORE ABOUT THE LOVELY ETTLINGEN LATER.

LAKE CONSTANCE

UGERLINGEN GERMANY

I HADN'T PLANNED ON DRIVING THROUGH UBERLINGEN WHICH IS
LOCATED AT THE NORTHERN END OF LAKE CONSTANCE.

WE HAD QUITE A LONG TRIP AS IT WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE
BLACK FORREST VIA LAKE TITISEE TO ETTLINGEN.

BUT OUR FRIEND BIRGIT (bijo69) FROM VIRTUALTOURIST HAD
FLOWN DOWN TO ZURICH FROM BERLIN TO JOIN US FOR THE
DRIVE AND SHE SUGGESTED THAT WE CHECK OUT UBERLINGEN.
SLIGHT DETOUR...... BUT I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT IT WAS WELL
WORTH IT.

UBERLINGEN IS RIGHT ON LAKE CONSTANCE WITH NICE VIEWS.
THE TOWN IS A PLEASURE TO WALK AROUND. I LIKED THE VINES
GROWING ON THE BUILDINGS.

WE HAD A LOVELY LUNCH AT THIS NICE RESTAURANT. UNFORTUNATELY I
DO NOT KNOW THE NAME. SO IF YOU RECOGNISE IT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
THIS WAS WHERE I TASTED MY FIRST GERMAN BEER. IT WAS A WHITE BEER
CALLED ZOLLER-HOF. I MUST SAY IT WAS ONE OF THE BETTER BEERS I HAVE
TASTED ON THIS TRIP!

WE ENJOYED SITTING OUTSIDE UNDER THE SHADE WITH LOTS OF SURROUNDING
GREENERY AND FLOWERS. PERFECT FOR DISCUSSING OUR TRIP SO FAR AND
PEOPLE WATCHING.

UNFORTUNATELY WE HAD TO DRAG OURSELVES AWAY. TIME TO HIT THE ROAD.
WE STILL HAD SOME MILEAGE TO COVER TO ARRIVE IN ETTLINGEN.

THE BLACK FORREST.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU HEAR THAT THERE IS A PLACE CALLED
"THE BLACK FORREST" ? VISIONS OF MISTY BLACK WOODS WHERE IT IS
UNSAFE TO WALK?.... THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT HAHA

THE BLACK FORREST IS BASICALLY A THICK FORREST OF PINES ON A
MOUNTAIN RANGE. IT HAS LOTS OF WINDING ROADS AND WE JUST
HAPPENED TO ENTER JUST ON PEAK AFTERNOON TRAFFIC. .......
SHOULDN'T HAVE HAD THAT EXTRA ZOLLER-HOF......

LAKE TITISEE

I HAD PLANNED TO SPEND MORE TIME HERE BUT OUR PLANS HAD
CHANGED DURING OUR JOURNEY TO DETOUR VIA UBERLINGEN.
WE HAD AN AGENDA TO GET TO ETTLINGEN FOR A VIRTUALTOURIST
MEET WITH A FRIEND I HAD BEEN REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO
MEETING, KATHRIN (Kathrin_E) AND CHRISTINE (tini58de).

HUBBY WAS GOING TO BY-PASS LAKE TITISEE. NOOOO!!
NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

I AM GLAD THAT WE DID DROP IN TO LAKE TITISEE. IT IS SO
PRETTY! I HAD PLANNED TO WANDER AROUND MORE OF THE TOWN,
HAVE LUNCH OVERLOOKING THE LAKE AND MAYBE BUY A COOKOO
CLOCK. BET HUBBY IS GLAD THAT I DIDN'T. ONE GRAND FATHER
CLOCK IS ENOUGH SAYS HUBBY LOL

HOW NICE WOULD THIS PLACE BE IN WINTER!!

QUICK WANDER OVER TO THE LADIES LOO WITH A VIEW.....
BEFORE VENTURING ON.

DRUNKS NOT ALLOWED! -

ETTLINGEN

WE FINALLY ARRIVED IN ETTLINGEN!

KATHRIN HAD ARRANGED FOR THE PAPARAZZI TO GREET US!
NO, IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THERE WAS A FESTIVAL GOING ON IN
TOWN WHEN WE ARRIVED. NOT ONLY THAT BUT WHEN WE WALKED
IN THE DOOR OF THE HOTEL.... THERE WAS KATHERINE AND CHRISTINE
WAITING FOR US! HOW NICE IS THAT!!

WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS TIME WE HAD! MEETING FRIENDS
THAT YOU HAVE NEVER MET BEFORE BUT KNOW SO WELL FROM
YEARS OF INTERACTION ON OUR FAVOURITE TRAVEL SITE IS SPECIAL!!

LOVE YOU KATHRIN! AND NICE TO MEET YOU TOO CHRISTINE.
RUSSEL WOMBAT AND AUSSIE BARNEY VT MASCOT ALSO JOINED IN ON THE FUN
A FUN NIGHT TO REMEMBER!!!

HOTEL ERBPRINZ
www.erbprinz.de/en/home

5 STAR LUXURY! BED WAS VERY COMFORTABLE. JUST WHAT HUBBY NEEDED AFTER A
LONG DAY DRIVING. LOCATION IS PERFECT AS WELL.

ALB RIVER THAT RUNS THROUGH ETTLINGEN.

THIS LITTLE OFF THE BEATEN PATH TOWN WAS A DELIGHT TO STAY IN.

NEXT DESTINATION - ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER.

FAVOURITE PHOTO -

BAD WIMPFEN

QUAINT TIMBER HOUSES & A BLUE TOWER.

WHEN RESEARCHING FOR THIS TRIP I DISCOVERED THIS DELIGHTFUL
OFF THE BEATEN PATH TOWN WHILST READING MY GOOD FRIEND
LORI'S (LoriPori) TIPS ON VIRTUALTOURIST.

THERE ARE A LOT OF 'BAD' TOWNS IN GERMANY THAT ARE NOT
REALLY BAD AT ALL 'BAD' MEANS SPA.

BAD WIMPFEN IS A SPA TOWN, OR A TOWN WITH A NATURAL SPRING.
IT IS A VERY OLD MEDIEVAL TOWN THAT WAS OCCUPIED BY THE
ROMANS. AS SUCH, IT HAS A TOWER, OLD FORTRESS AND CHAPEL
THAT WERE COMMON AT THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

THE BLUE TOWER THAT OVERLOOKS THE TOWN AND NECKAR VALLEY
BELOW WAS REALLY UNIQUE AND LOVELY. TUDOR HOUSES AND CUTE
COBBLED STONE STREETS HAD A WOW FACTOR TOO
THIS WAS OUR FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH TUDOR HOUSES. I JUST LOVED THEM!!

MORE STREET SCENES. JUST LOVED THIS QUAINT VILLAGE!

I WAS QUITE TAKEN BACK WITH THE LOVELY COLOURFUL AND
ORNATE DOORS HERE AS WELL.

BAD WIMPFEN HAD A WHOLE LOT OF WOWs FOR US!
AN AMAZING LITTLE VILLAGE!!

ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER

AHHH..... ROMANTIC ROTHENBURG

THIS LITTLE MEDIEVAL WALLED VILLAGE WAS AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE
TO VISIT. THANKS AGAIN TO LORI WE STAYED FOR 1 DAY/2 NIGHTS.

ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER IS VERY TOURISTY BECAUSE OF THIS
VERY POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHIC STREET SCENE.

BUT AT NIGHT WHEN THE BUS LOADS OF TOURISTS HAVE GONE,
THE VILLAGE IS NICE AND QUIET.

WE STAYED RIGHT INSIDE THE WALLED CITY. IT WAS INTERESTING TO
NAVIGATE THROUGH THE TINY ARCH TOWERS THAT ARE THE ONLY
ENTRANCE/EXIT TO THE CITY.

HOTEL GASTHOF BREITELE
www.bensbauernhof.com/gasthauszumbreiterlerothenburgodt.html

ENJOYED OUR STAY. OWNED BY MIKE AND HIS WIFE FROM AUSTRALIA.
THEY MADE US FEEL AT HOME. PARKING IS RIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD.
AND THEY WERE RIGHT THERE WAITING FOR OUR ARRIVAL.
THE HOTEL IS LOCATED NEXT TO A SMALL ARCH CITY ENTRANCE AND
JUST DOWN THE ROAD FROM THE CENTRE SQUARE.
BREAKFAST BUFFET WAS NICE.

THEY ALSO HAD PRINTED LOO PAPER. THAT SCORED AN EXTRA TICK FROM ME

aussirose and owner Mike

WALLS OF ROTHENBURG

IT WAS INTERESTING WALKING AROUND THE WALLS, READING ABOUT
THE HISTORY AND CHECKING OUT SOME OF THE PLACARDS.
RESTORATION OF THE CITY IS AN ONGOING PROCESS, ALL FUNDED BY
DONATIONS. THOSE THAT DONATE, HAVE A PLACARD PLACED ON THE WALL.

OLD AND NEW

HOWIE DISCOVERED HIS OWN PLACARD. HAITI HUH?... MMM.

AND I SAW A KOALA IN THE STONE WORK.......?

TIME FOR A BEER

WALKING THE STREETS OF ROTHENBURG

I BOUGHT A SWEET LITTLE RED APPLE SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL NECKLACE
HERE AT UHRENHAUS JEWELRY AND WATCH STORE.
IT IS STILL ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PIECES. TIP - COST OF SWAROVSKI
IS VERY CHEAP IN GERMANY

DON'T FORGET TO LOOK UP. I LOVED THESE LOVELY ORNATE WROUGHT IRON
SIGNS THAT WERE EVERYWHERE. THIS WAS ANOTHER FIRST FOR US

RESTAURANT MICHELAGELO
www.michelangelo-rothenburg.de

RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO OUR ACCOMMODATION AND RECOMMENDED.
STAFF WERE PLEASANT AND THE SERVICE WAS EXCEPTIONAL.
A NICE EVENING TO END OUR STAY HERE IN ROTHENBURG

NEXT DESTINATION - MESPELBRUNN VIA KITZINGEN AND WURZBURG.

FAVOURITE PHOTO -

KITZINGEN

WHEN PLANNING OUR JOURNEY FROM ROTHENBURG TO MESPELBRUNN
I KNEW THAT IT WAS ONLY 2 1/2 HOURS SO.... WHAT TO SEE ALONG THE
WAY? I EQUIPPED MYSELF WITH GOOGLE MAPS AND IMAGES AND
CHECKED OUT ALL THE PLACES I COULD FIND ALONG THE WAY AND
CAME UP WITH THIS CUTE PLACE CALLED KITZINGEN.

WELL AS WE DROVE INTO TOWN, HOWIE AND BIRGIT THOUGHT IT LOOKED
LIKE A WASTE OF TIME..... BUT I WAS PERSISTANT. I KNEW THAT THIS PLACE
HAD SOME OF THE NICEST RIVER SCENERY I HAD SEEN WHILST PLANNING
THE TRIP.

SO WE FOUND A PARKING PLACE AND WENT FOR A WANDER.....
FINALLY COMING ACROSS THAT RIVER I HAD SEEN. WELL WE WERE ALL
NICELY SURPRISED THE FORESHORE WAS LINED WITH THESE LOVELY
FLOWERS. SAW A COUPLE OF BARGES AND SOME SWANS AND DUCKS.

OK, AUSSIROSE STORY TIME!..... OH COME ON! YOU KNOW YOU LOVE
MY STORIES ..... LOL )

TRUTH IS.... THINGS DID NOT GO AS SMOOTHLY AS I STATED AT THE
OUTSET.

WE SET THE TRUSTY TOM TOM GPS TO THE LOCAL COP STATION.
TURNS OUT THAT KITZINGEN POLICE STATION IS NOT IN THE HEART OF TOWN.
HAHA.

CONSEQUENTLY, THAT IS WHY HUBBY AND BIRGIT WERE WONDERING WHY I
HAD BROUGHT US HERE? STILL.... HUBBY AND I FOUND STUFF TO TAKE
PHOTOS OF ...... MEANWHILE, BIRGIT WAS STILL STRATCHING HER HEAD.
BIRGIT LIVES IN BERLIN SO THIS SCENERY IS 'EVERY DAY' STUFF FOR HER

NARROW COBBLESTONE STREETS AND CUTE ENTRY WAYS ARE
FASCINATING TO US. WE DON'T HAVE THAT IN AUSTRALIA.

OK..... MUST BE BEER O'CLOCK

WE FOUND A LITTLE MALL DEVOID OF TOURISTS. HOW QUAINT!
IT WAS NICE TO EAT WITH THE LOCALS.

PRIMED WITH A COLDIE WE RE-ASSESSED OUR SITUATION.

KITZINGEN IS A NICE LITTLE OFF THE BEATEN PATH VILLAGE INDEED!
WE WERE ALL IMPRESSED
A DETOUR THROUGH KITZINGEN WAS MOST CERTAINLY WORTH OUR TIME

WURZBURG

A GRAND PALACE ON TOP OF A HILL WITH STUNNING CITY VIEWS!

I HAD HEARD ABOUT THIS FROM READING MICHAEL'S (globetrott) PAGES ON
VIRTUALTOURIST. MICHAEL'S SUGGESTIONS TO VISIT IN GERMANY PROVED
TO BE VERY HELPFUL.

BIRGIT AND HOWIE WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. I LOOKED AT ALL
THOSE STEPS LEADING UP..... AND IT WAS THE THOUGHT OF A COOL BEER
AT THE END OF THE ROAD THAT KEPT ME GOING LOL.

WELL THIS PALACE WAS IMPRESSIVE. IT WAS OUR FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH A
PALACE THERE WERE A LOT OF FIRST'S FOR US ON THIS TRIP

THE VIEW WAS MORE IMPRESSIVE.

AFTER A WANDER AROUND THE COURTYARDS AND A BIT OF A READ OF THE
PLACARDS WE HEADED TO THE NICE SHADY COURTYARD FOR A TASTY ALE.

MELPELBRUNN

STORY OF A CUTE CASTLE ON A POND.

WHEN PLANNING THE CAR TRIP THROUGH GERMANY, I HAD
ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER ON THE LIST AND THE NEXT THING
TO SEE WAS THE RHINE RIVER. SO ARMED WITH GOOGLE MAPS, IMAGES
AND VT PAGES, I WAS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO STAY OVERNIGHT ALONG
THE WAY.

MESPELBRUNN CASTLE

I FOUND IT! MESPELBRUNN AND THIS CUTE CASTLE ON A POND IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE FOREST. THANKS AGAIN MICHAEL!

THIS WAS OUR FIRST CASTLE EXPERIENCE. ANOTHER FIRST FOR US

WE STAYED OVERNIGHT AT A HOTEL RECOMMENDED BY INGRID (Trekki).
THE PLACE THAT MICHAEL STAYED AT WAS NEAR THE CASTLE.... BUT A LITTLE
TOO EXPENSIVE FOR US.

Michael's Choice.

THE FOREST WAS LOVELY AND GREEN AND A PLEASURE TO WALK THROUGH.
THE FIRST SIGHTING OF THE CASTLE WAS EVERYTHING THAT I HAD IMAGINED!

NOT BEING A HISTORY BUFF, I FOUND MYSELF IMAGINING THE PURE
INGENIOUS IDEA OF BUILDING A CASTLE IN THE FOREST, HIDDEN FROM THE
ENEMY WITH THE ADDED ADVANTAGE OF A POND AND MOAT.
THE INHABITANTS WERE NO DOUBT A LOT SMARTER THAN SOME OF THE
OTHERS THAT BUILt THEIR CASTLES IN OPEN VIEW ON TOP OF A HILL

I WAS CAPTIVATED WITH THE LOVELY POND AND SHIMMERING REFLECTIONS
IN THE STILL WATER.

HOTEL ZUM ENGEL
www.mespelbrunn-hotel-engel.de

WE STAYED HERE AT THE HOTEL ZUM ENGEL ON THE SUGGESTION OF
LOCAL INGRID (Trekki) ON VT. THE OWNERS JUST LOVE AUSSIES

I AM GLAD THAT WE CHOSE THIS ONE. WE WERE CERTAINLY MADE TO
FEEL LIKE ROYALTY BY THE OWNERS AND OUR ROOM OVERLOOKED THE
FOREST WHICH WAS A PLEASANT VIEW AFTER OUR CAR TRIP.

I WOULD TOTALLY RECOMMEND TO STAY HERE. WE REALLY ENJOYED IT.
I WOULD DESCRIBE THIS HOTEL AS ELEGANT WITH PERSONALISED SERVICE.

aussirose and Hotel owner

]

NEXT STOP BRAUBACH ON THE RHINE RIVER VIA OESTRICH-WINKEL
AND THE AMAZING MOUSE CASTLE

FAVOURITE PHOTO -

AHHH..... MAUSETRUM - THE CUTE MOUSE CASTLE! HAVE YOU EVER SEEN
A CASTLE MORE CUTE?!!

I WAS PLANNING OUR BIG EUROPE HOLIDAY WITH THE IDEA OF DRIVING
ALONG THE RHINE RIVER FOR PART OF THE WAY. I DIDN'T REALISE HOW
MANY CASTLES THERE WERE ALONG THE RIVER UNTIL I STARTED DOING
SOME INTENSIVE RESEARCH USING GOOGLE MAPS AND VT. THAT WAS
WHEN I DISCOVERED MAUSETURM OR THE MOUSE CASTLE AND JUST
KNEW INSTANTLY THAT I HAD TO SEE IT!

THE MOST OBVIOUS PLACE TO VIEW THS CUTE CASTLE IS IN BINGEN ON THE
LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE RIVER LOOKING UPSTREAM.... BUT THERE ISN'T
MUCH ELSE TO DO IN BINGEN SO I STARTED TO LOOK ELSEWHERE. THEN I
FOUND MICHAEL'S (globetrott) OESTRICH-WINKEL PAGE ON VIRTUALTOURIST
AND THE REST FELL INTO PLACE

MORE ABOUT THAT LATER.

OESTRICH-WINKEL

OUR FIRST SIGHTING OF THE LOVELY RHINE RIVER

WHEN WE ARRIVED IN OESTRICH-WINKEL I RECOGNISED THE OLD CRANE
FROM PICTURES I HAD SEEN. THESE CRANES WERE USED TO HELP IN THE
TRANSPORT OF SUCH GOODS AS WINE BARRELS, SAND, GRAVEL, COAL AND
GRAIN. HERE WE WENT FOR A SHORT WALK ALONG THE RIVER BANK.

GRUNER BAUM RESTAURANT AND PUB

BEER TIME! WHILST TRIP PLANNING I HAD DISCOVERED THIS QUAINT
PLACE TO EAT AND ENJOY A COLDIE (BEER).

THE GRUNER BAUM WAS TUCKED AWAY IN A BACK STREET. I LIKED THE
QUIET SHADY DINING AREA THAT WAS ENCLOSED BY LOTS OF GREENERY.

MOUSE CASTLE IS LOCATED JUST PAST OESTRICH-WINKLE ON THE OPPOSITE
SIDE OF THE RIVER. YOU NEED TO KEEP A LOOK OUT BECAUSE IT QUICKLY
APPEARS AND THERE IS NOT MUCH ROOM TO PULL OFF THE ROAD FOR A
QUICK PHOTO SHOOT. LUCKY FOR US, I SPIED IT IN TIME AND THE TRAFFIC
WASN'T TOO BUSY WHICH ALLOWED US TO PULL OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY.

THE MOUSE CASTLE IS SITUATED ON AN ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
RHINE RIVER NEAR BINGEN, I WAS FASCINATED TO HEAR THE STORY
BEHIND THE NAME.

APARENTLY THIS FELLA CALLED HATTO TOOK OVER THE ARCHBISHIP SEAT
IN MAINZ IN 968 AND REIGNED BINGEN. HE USED TO STAY IN THIS CASTLE
THINKING HE WAS SAFE. ONE DAY HE BECAME ILL AND APARENTLY WAS
OVERCOME BY THOUSANDS OF MICE AND DIED.

SHIVERS!! WE ONCE LIVED IN A PLACE CALLED EDITHBURGH SOUTH
AUSTRALIA. BEING IN THE WHEAT BELT.... THERE WERE MICE EVERYWHERE.
OUR RENTAL HOUSE WAS INFESTED! YOU MIGHT LIKE MICE..... BUT THEY
GIVE ME SHIVERS!!! EWWWE!! LOL.

RHINE RIVER AND CASTLES

WE WERE HEADED TOWARDS BRAUBACH AND A HOTEL RECOMMENDED
BY MY FRIEND GLOBETROTT (Michael) ON VIRTUALTOURIST.

DRIVING ALONG THE RHINE RIVER WAS A PLEASURE AND GREAT MEMORY.
CASTLES EVERWHERE WE LOOKED!! WE WERE GOBSMACKED!
THANK GOODNESS THERE WERE NO FLIES AROUND. HAHA

THIS ONE IS CALLED PFALZGAFENSTIEN CASTLE (PHEW..... THAT'S A BIG
WORD! LOL). I LATER FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS USED TO COLLECT
RIVER TOLLS. APARENTLY A CHAIN WAS PLACED ACROSS THE RIVER AND
FORCED SHIPS TO SUBMIT. TRADERS THAT DIDN'T WERE PLACED IN THE
DUNGEON UNTIL A RANSOM WAS DELIVERED.

AN INGENIOUS WAY TO MAKE MONEY. GOVERNMENTS TODAY ARN'T SO
SMART.....

I SPIED THIS MASSIVE VINYARD WITH AN ELABOURITE MANNOR HOUSE.......
BUT WE COULD NOT STOP...
NEVER MIND..... I HAD PARIS TO LOOK FORWARD TO ..... MMMMM.

I SPOTTED A CAMPING AREA RIGHT ON THE RIVER. SO NICE TO SEE THAT
THE LOCALS CAN HANG OUT HERE IN HOLIDAY SEASON WITH THEIR FAMILIES!
THAT IS NICE

BRAUBACH

WHEN PLANNING OUR CAR TRIP THROUGH EUROPE I CHOSE
BRAUBACH TO STAY OVERNIGHT BECAUSE OF THIS MAJESTIC
CASTLE ON THE HILL AND CUTE LITTLE TRAM TO TAKE YOU THERE.
THANKS AGAIN MICHAEL FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS!!

MARKSBURGH CASTLE

THIS CASTLE SO FAR WAS BY FAR THE MOST MAJESTIC ONE WE'D SEEN
ON OUR TRIP! THE OTHER CASTLES IN THEIR OWN RIGHT HAD
INTERESTING FEATURES LIKE THE ONE IN MESPELBRUNN WHERE WE
HAD JUST COME FROM AND THE CUTE LITTLE MOUSE CASTLE NEAR
OESTRICH-WINKLE.

YOU COULD NOT MISS THIS CASTLE, PURCHED ON TO OF THE HILL
SIDE. WE ARRIVED LATE IN THE AFTERNOON SO COULD NOT TAKE THE
CUTE TRAIN UP TO CHECK OUT THE CASTLE THAT WAS DISAPPOINTING.
PLUS WE HAD A LONG DAY OF DRIVING IN THE MORNING...... SO ALL
WE COULD DO WAS ADMIRE MARKSBURG CASTLE FROM DOWN TOWN.

AND ACROSS THE ROAD WAS THE LOVELY RHINE RIVER.

FUNNY AUSSIROSE STORY

HEY!..... WANNA HEAR A FUNNY AUSSIROSE STORY?!....

HEY!..... STOP GROANING AND LISTEN!!.....

GUESS WHAT?.... THE HOTEL WAS FULL!!.... EVEN THOUGH WE BOOKED
AHEAD. SO THEY SHOVED US IN THE BARN ACROSS THE ROAD.....
TRUE!!!

THE OUT HOUSE ACROSS THE ROAD...... THE WHITE BUILDING OVER THERE,
WAS TO BE OUR ACCOMMODATION FOR THE NIGHT.

POOR BIRGIT'S BED WAS NO BIGGER THAN A BABY COT!.... SO HOWIE
TOOK THE LOUNGE TO SLEEP ON AND BIRGIT AND I SHARED THE
QUEEN SIZEED BED LOL.

OH WELL..... WITHOUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING..... I WOULD NOT
HAVE A STORY TO TELL NOW WOULD I

ALL WAS NOT LOST HOWEVER..... WE HAD PRETTY GOOD VIEWS OF
MARKSBURG CASTLE FROM THE OUTBACK SHED.... HAHA.

AND IN THE MORNING THE MIST GAVE THE CASTLE A SPOOKY LOOK.

THE HOTEL WAS QUITE INTERESTING. THERE WERE 2 BUILDINGS
(3 IF YOU INDLUDE THE SHED ACROSS THE ROAD LOL).
2ND BUILDING WAS WHERE BREAKFAST WAS PREPARED AND I MUST SAY
IN THE HOTEL'S DEFENCE.... THAT BREAKKY WAS REALLY GOOD!
I HAD MY FIRST AUTHENTIC GERMAN BREAKFEST HERE COMPLETE WITH
ALL SORTS OF BREAD, CHEESE AND MEAT. I WAS IN HEAVEN !!!!

HOTEL LANDGASTHOF ZUM WIESSEN
http://www.zum-weissen-schwanen.de/home

THE STREET WAS REALLY NARROW HERE.
I RECKON THAT CAR COULD ALMOST FIT THROUGH THERE...
WHAT DO YOU THINK? ....

WE HAD A GOOD LAUGH AT THIS SIGN HAHA.....
PFFT!! TANKS GET TO DRIVE AT 100'K'S IN BRAUBACH!!

NEXT DESTINATION LIER VIA TONGEREN.

FAVOURITE PHOTO.

TONGEREN

WE HADN'T PLANNED TO VISIT TONGEREN ON OUR ROAD TRIP THROUGH EUROPE.
WE WERE HEADED TO LIER FOR A SPECIAL VIRTUALTOURIST MEET AND WE HAD
ARRANGED TO PICK UP KSHEZZ (Kirsty) FROM HER HOME IN TONGEREN.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF TONGEREN WAS A SMALL TOWN THAT I IMMEDIATELY
FELT COMFORTABLE IN. THE PEOPLE HERE ARE WARM AND FRIENDLY AND THE
COUNTRYSIDE IS LOVELY.

FIRST TIME IN A NEW COUNTRY, YOU HAVE TO TRY A LOCAL BEER. THIS ONE
GRIMBERBEN WENT DOWN REAL WELL. A NICE INTRODUCTION TO BELGIUM
BEERS!

OK, NOW WE'VE HAD A NICE COLDIE.... LET'S START WITH AN AUSSIROSE STORY.
STOP GROANING!!!

WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO PICK UP KIRSTY FROM HER HOME IN TONGEREN
AND WE WERE DRIVING THROUGH SOME NICE COUNTRYSIDE AND INTO A
SMALL VILLAGE, THROUGH THE STREETS AND THEN HEADING OUT OF TOWN.

HEY... WAIT A MINUTE!!!!!!!
WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HEADING OUT OF TOWN????!
WE CAME TO A SCREECHING HAULT!! .... DUST SURROUNDED THE CAR.

IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TOM TOM?... !! WE AGAIN PUNCHED
IN KIRSTY'S ADDRESS AND HEADED BACK INTO THE SMALL VILLAGE TO WHICH
WE HAD JUST COME FROM..... TONGEREN.

STORY TO BE CONTINUED...... LATER.

THE GREAT MEMORY A LOT OF US HAD WITH VIRTUALTOURIST (Closed in Feb 2017)
WAS OUR FABULOUS VT MEETS. I HOPE THAT TRADITION WILL CONTINUE ON TP.
SO HERE WE ARE AT KIRSTY'S PLACE IN TONGEREN EXCHANGING HUGS
IT'S LIKE MEETING UP WITH AN OLD FRIEND AND SHARING NEW EXPERIENCES.
AWESOME!!
IT WAS A REAL PLEASURE MEETING YOU KIRSTY! xx NEVER A DULL MOMENT!
YOU ARE A LIVELY FUN LOVING PERSON AND SO EASY TO GET ALONG WITH

WE ALL ENJOYED A WALK AROUND TOWN WITH THE BASILICA OF OUR LADY AND
LEARNING ABOUR THE STORY BEHIND THE AMAZING STATUE AMBIORIX IN THE
CENTRE SQUARE.

KIRSTY ALSO HAD SOME PRESENTS FOR US. MY FIRST TASTE OF BELGIUM
CHOCOLATES!! AND A KEY RING FOR HOWIE OF THE FAMOUS AMBIORIX.

LIER

OUR FIRST CANAL EXPERIENCE! WE HAD A LOT OF FIRSTS THIS TRIP
WE HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED, CLOCKS, TUDOR HOUSES, COBBLESTONE STREETS,
CASTLES AND A GRAND PALACE. NOW THE CANALS!! HOW BEAUTIFUL!!

WHEN PLANNING OUR BIG TRIP THROUGH EUROPE I HAD GOOGLE MAPS UP
AND GOOGLE IMAGES AND OF COURST VT AS MY TRUSTY SOURCE OF INFO.
WE WERE DRIVING FROM BRAUBACH TO BRUGGE - TOO LONG TO DO IN 1 DAY.
I DISCOVERED LIER.

LIER HAS 3 BIG THINGS GOING FOR IT - AN INTERESTING CLOCK, SOME OLD
BUILDINGS IN A PLACE CALLED THE BEGUINAGE AND CANALS!!
LIER IS CALLED "LITTLE BRUGGES"

THE CLOCK WAS AMAZING!! I HAVE A THING FOR CLOCKS
MY PRIDE AND JOY AT HOME IS MY GRANDFATHER CLOCK.
THIS UNIQUE CLOCK IN LIER WAS A MASTERPIECE!!
CALLED THE ZIMMER TOWER, IT WAS ACTUALLY PART OF THE OLD TOWN WALLS
AND THEN MADE INTO A CLOCK IN 1930 BY A VERY INGENIOUS FELLA CALLED
LOUISE ZIMMER.

VT MASCOT AUSSIEBARNEY JUST LOVED LIER! BET YOU CAN GUESS WHY! LOL.
WHAT THE HECK HAVE SHEEP AND LIER GOT IN COMMON?.. I'LL EXPLAIN LATER....

FIRST THINGS FIRST. THIS WAS A SPECIAL VT MEET. IT WAS MY 51st BIRTHDAY.
I WAS GOING TO SPEND MY BIRTHDAY IN A LITTLE VILLAGE IN EUROPE THAT I
KNEW NOTHING ABOUT..... WELL EXCEPT FOR THE LOVELY CANALS AND CLOCK.

TURNS OUT THAT I COUD NOT HAVE PICKED A BETTER PLACE!! AND THAT WAS
BECAUSE OF SOME FANTASTIC VT MEMBERS!! WHO MADE THIS A DAY TO
REMEMBER AND THE WEALTH OF INFORMATION THEY HAD TO SHARE WITH ME!

THANKS TO KSHEZZ (Kirsty), IRISBE (Dannie) AND EDDYMARIO (Eddy).
YOU GUYS ROCK!!! xxx

Eddie, his lovely wife, good friend Birgit who was travelling with us,
aussirose, Kirsty and Dannie.

EXCHANGED HUGS ALL ROUND AND A COUPLE OF DRINKS AS US VT'ERS ARE
ACCUSTOMED TO.... AND WE WENT FOR A WANDER AROUND TOWN.

I HAD READ ALL ABOUT THE BEGUINAGE AND WAS EXCITED TO SEE IT.
A BEGUINAGE IS LIKE A CONVENT. IN THE OLD TIMES THERE WAS A SURPLUS
OF WOMEN AS A RESULT OF WAR WHICH TOOK THE LIVES OF MANY MEN.
THESE WOMEN FORMED COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY BECAME RELIGIOUS AND
TOOK ON THE LIVES OF NUNS. YOU COULD SAY THAT A BEGUINAGE IS
COMPARED TO A MONESTERY EXCEPT THE BEGUINES DID NOT MAKE VOWS
LIKE NUNS DO. THIS WAS TURNING OUT TO BE A MOST ENJOYABLE DAY!!

BEER O'CLOCK AND PARTY TIME!!

EDDY AND DANNIE CHOSE A FABULOUS RESTAURANT FOR OUR PARTY!!
WE HAD A LOVELY VIEW OVER NICE GREENERY AND THE FAMOUS SHEEP STATUES.
THANK YOU FOR ORGANISING GUYS!!! YOU ARE AMAZING FRIENDS! xx
WE HAD AN AWESOME PARTY!!!

STREETS OF LIER

EARLY NEXT MORNING WE TOOK A WANDER AROUND THE STREETS. IT'S A NICE
THING TO DO WHEN THE AIR IS COOL AND THERE'S NO ONE AROUND

OPPOSITE THE RESTAURANT WE HAD PARTIED THE NIGHT BEFORE WAS A LOVELY
PAINTING PORTRAYING THE LIFE OF THE WOMEN IN THE OLD BEGUINAGE.
I AM BY FAR A HISTORY JUNKIE.... BUT I WAS ACTUALLY QUITE LIKING WHAT
I WAS LEARNING. LIER HAS A VERY INTERESTING HISTORY....

OK.... NOW FOR A SHEEPISH STORY

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE INHABITANTS OF LIER ARE NICNAMED
"SHEEP'S HEADS"? THIS IS THE STORY BEHIND THE SHEEP STATUES THAT
YOU FIND AROUND TOWN.

WAY BACK IN THE OLDEN TIMES THEY WERE ASKED WHAT THEY WISHED FOR -
A CATTLE MARKET OR A UNI?

YEP..... YOU GUESSED IT ................. AND LEUVEN, A PLACE DOWN THE ROAD
GOT THE UNIVERSITY.

THIS STORY DIDN'T MATTER TO AUSSIBARNEY. HE WAS JUST HAPPY TO MEET
SOME OF HIS FELLOW MATES. HE PICKED THE BLACK SHEEP TO SIT ON FOR A
RIDE NO HIDDEN SECRET THERE...... LOL.

SO WHILST AUSSIEBARNEY WAS BEING LED ASTRAY BY THE BLACK SHEEP.....
I GOT A LITTLE DISTRACTED MYSELF.....

WHOAA??.... HELL YEH!!!
THE CHIPPENDALES WERE IN TOWN!!!..... HOW COULD I HAVE MISSED THEM??!!!
HEY DANNIE !!!!!! GEE!!!

DESPITE MISSING THE CHIPPENDALES OUR VISIT TO LIER WILL DEFINITELY BE
ANOTHER GREAT TRAVEL MEMORY!! MADE ALL THE BETTER BY FANTASTIC
FRIENDS!! THANKS GUYS!!

PURE HOTEL LIER

WE STAYED AT THE PURE BED AND BREAKFAST. THIS PLACE IS THE MOST
CLINICAL HOTEL I HAVE EVER STAYED IN. EVERYTHING WAS NEW AND 'WHITE'
WITH LOTS OF CHROME FITTINGS. THERE WAS NO ATMOSPHERE HERE.
IT WAS AS CLEAN AS A HOSPITAL WITHOUT THE SMELL
MIGHT HAVE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH CATERING MAILY FOR THOSE
THAT COME OUT OF THE SLEEZY DISCO IN FRONT OF THE HOTEL LOL.
BREAKFAST WAS GOOD THOUGH. DON'T THINK I'D STAY HERE AGAIN.

GENT

WELL WHAT AN AMAZING SURPRISE!! WE WERE NOT SURE WHAT TO EXPECT.
I HAD DONE NO RESEARCH AT ALL ON GENT. WE MADE A QUICK STOP IN GENT ON
THE WAY TO BRUGGES PURELY TO MEET A VERY OLD FRIEND OF MINE ON VT ERWIN.

ERWIN (Joeplaboam) HAD KINDLY OFFERED TO SHOW US AROUND HIS HOMETOWN
AND WHO WOULDN'T ACCEPT AN INVITATION LIKE THAT FROM A FRIEND I HAD KNOWN
FOR 13 YEARS ON VT

WE MET ERWIN AT A CAR PARK JUST OFF THE HIGHWAY AT THE HOLIDAY IN EXPRESS.
THAT'S A STORY IN ITSELF..... IN A MINUTE ----

WELL AS I SAID, GENT WAS A TOTAL SURPRISE AND HAS HEAPS TO OFFER!
MY FRIEND ERWIN WAS A FANTASTIC HOST AND MADE OUR SHORT STOP IN
GENT A TOTAL PLEASURE AND FANTASTIC MEMORY

THE HIGHLIGHT FOR ME IN GENT WAS OUR FIRST EUROPE CANAL EXPERIENCE.
IT WAS ALSO MY BEST CANAL TOUR OF OUR WHOLE EUROPE TRIP!!!
THIS WAS NOT ONLY DUE TO ERWIN'S COMPANY BUT ALSO BECAUSE OUR TOUR
GUIDE WAS SO ENTERTAINING AND FUNNY.

GENT IS A POPULAR PACE FOR WEDDINGS. WE SAW 4 IN THE SHORT SPACE OF TIME
THAT WE WERE HERE. AND NO WONDER! THE BACKDROP WITH GORGEOUS OLD
BUILDINGS AND COBBLESTONE STREETS. WOW! WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO GET
MARRIED HERE!!

OUT AND ABOUT WANDERING AROUND GENT WITH IT'S AMAZING BUILDINGS, ARCHITECTURE,
GREAT CATHEDERAL AND EVEN A CASTLE!! - GRAVENSTEEN! STUNNING!!

AND THEN..... JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT IT COULDN'T GET ANY BETTER..... ERWIN TOOK US TO
THE AMAZING WERREGARENSTRAAT - GRAFFITI STREET!!!!

OK.... BACK TO THE FUNNY AUSSIROSE STORY....
DONT!!! *** aussirose making stop hand signal ***
KEEP YOUR THOUGHTS TO YOURSELF!!!

WAS OUR TRUSTY GPS PLAYING TRICKS ON US?....
TOM TOM HAD HELPED US NAVIGATE BUSTLING CITIES, WINDY ROADS,
SMALL COBBLEDSTONE STREETS WITHIN OLD FORTRESS WALLS AND
WIDE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE. WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS TRIP WITHOUT IT.
..... WELL EXCEPT FOR A COUPLE OF HICKUPS.

WE HAD TRAVELLED THROUGH THE GORGEOUS BELGIUM COUNTRYSIDE THE
PREVIOUS DAY TO PICK UP KIRSTY FROM TONGEREN AND TAKE HER WITH US
TO LIER FOR MY BIRTHDAY BASH. TOM TOM TOOK US RIGHT PAST KIRSTY'S
HOUSE AND OUT OF TOWN. WE THOUGHT AT THE TIME THAT IT WAS STRANGE.
BUT DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING MORE BECAUSE WE WERE EXCITED TO SEE KIRSTY.

SO HERE WE ARE DRIVING FROM LIER TO BRUGGES VIA GENT TO SEE ERWIN.
WELL GUESS WHAT?.... WE TOOK THE EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY TO GENT....
THEN DID A LOOP AND RE-ENTERED THE HIGHWAY TOWARDS BRUGGES.

HUH??? WTF??!!!..............

THEN IT CLICKED!!! TOM TOM DIDN'T KNOW THAT WE ACTUALLY WANTED TO
STOP IN GENT!! STUPID GPS!!! LOL

BY PUTTING IN 'VIA' - GPS WAS DOING JUST THAT..... TAKING US VIA.
HAHA.

BEER TIME!

ERWIN TOOK US TO THIS PUB CALLED DULLO GRIET BAR WHEN THEY SERVE
OVER 250 BEERS!! HOOLEYDOOLEY !!!! CHEERS!!

WESTMALLE WAS OUR FAVOURITE.

DE KONICK - A NICE FULL BODIED BEER WITH A GOOD WHEATY TASTE.

PECHERESSE, A BEER MADE OUT OF 30% PEACH JUICE. DIFFERENT... BUT STILL VERY TASTY.

AS YOU CAN SEE HERE.... I AM TOTALLY HAPPY AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS
SPENT IN GENT WITH OUR WONDERFUL HOST ERWIN

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHOWING US AROUND MATE. GENT WAS AMAZING!
AND YOU ARE THE BEST!! xx
I WOULD LOVE TO COME BACK AND EXPLORE SOME MORE.

NEXT STOP THE STUNNING AND ROMATIC BRUGGES.

FAVOURITE PHOTO

HOW ROMANTIC!!

THIS IS STILL A FAVOURITE PHOTO! AND IT WAS TAKEN WITH MY POINT AND SHOOT
CAMERA AND I STITCHED TOGETHER IN PHOTOSHOP.

BRUGGES WAS ONE OF THE 1ST ON MY LIST OF PLACES TO SEE IN EUROPE.
I FELL IN LOVE WITH BRUGGES WHILST VISITING IAN'S (iandsmith) PAGES ON
VT. I SAW HIS NIGHT SHOTS AND IMMEDIATELY KNEW I WANTED TO VISIT!
THANKS MATE!

WE HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED OUR FIRST EUROPE CANALS IN LIER AND GENT.
BUT THE CANALS HERE IN BRUGGES AT NIGHT WERE SOMETHING ELSE!!

AUSSIROSE MEETS BIG KWAK!
BIGGER THAN ANY CROC I HAVE COME ACROSS YET!

I WAS GOBSMACKED!!! HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A BEER SO BIG!!
NOW THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!

BUT HOW IS AUSSIROSE GOING TO POLISH THIS OFF WITHOUT SPILLING IT
ALL OVER HER FACE AND EMBARRASING HERSELF IN PUBLIC?....!

WELL I DELICATELY LIFTED THE YARD GLASS OUT OF IT'S HOLDER AND
SIPPED IT. THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GOING TO SPILL THIS THING ALL OVER
MYSELF!!...... LOL.

I DID THIS TECHNIQUE A FEW TIMES.... PRETENDING I KNEW WHAT I WAS
DOING.... NO LIFTING THE LITTLE PINKIE.... I AM A PROFESSIONAL!!........

WELL THERE WERE SOME STRANGE LOOKS AT NEIGHBOURING TABLES
AND I THOUGHT..... WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?.... I'M DOING REAL GOOD HERE.
I HAVE NOT GOT A FACE FULL YET! THINK MY TECHNIQUE IS WORKING!!

WELL IT TURNS OUT THAT I WAS NOT DOING THIS IN STYLE AT ALL!
I WAS MAKING A TOTAL FOOL OF MYSELF AT EVERYONE'S EXPENSE LOL.

BUT THAT'S ALRIGHT BECAUSE AUSSIROSE IS USED TO BEING A DUMB
BLONDE QUEENSLANDER LOL.

THIS IS WHAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING.... LIFTING UP THE WHOLE
WOODEN FRAME AND YARD GLASS AT THE SAME TIME. THIS NICE WAITER
TOOK PITTY ON ME AND CAME OVER TO HELP LOL

WELL AFTER I MASTERED IT.... FOLLOWED BY A FEW LAUGHS ALL ROUND
INCLUDING ME, I POLISHED OFF MY BEER TO A ROUND OF APPLAUSE!!
AND JUST HAD TO GET A PHOTO OF MY KWAK BEER DRINKING TEACHER!!

WELL BY THIS TIME I NEEDED A DISTRACTION FROM MY FALIURE.....
AND I GOT IT!!!! LOL

WHAT SORT OF HEAD IS THAT HOWIE?!! ....... CHUCKLE..... SNIGGER SNIGGER
WHERE'S THE BEER?....!! NOW DRINK THAT!! LOL.

HUBBY PRIDES HIMSELF ON POURING A GOOD BEER. BUT I THINK THESE
BELGIUM BEERS HAVE CERTAINLY GIVEN BOTH OF US A GOOD CHALLENGE!

OK SAYS HUBBY..... ENOUGH OF THE SILLY STUFF, LET'S CHECK OUT THE MENU.
WELL THAT JUST CREATED MORE LAUGHTER ON MY SIDE!! HAWHAWW!
NOW WHO IS THE LOOSER!!! PFFT!! I LOST IT TOTALLY!!! HAHAAAA...

THE STAFF COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE HELPFUL AND WE HAD A NICE TIME
ENJOYING OUR SURROUNDINGS AND PEOPLE WATCHING.

BRUGGES IS SUCH A ROMANTIC PLACE. I LOVED THE CANALS AND NIGHT LIGHTS.

BRUGGES IS SO MUCH MORE!! IT HAD HORSE & BUGGIES TOO!
WHAT A LOVELY WAY TO SEE THE SIGHTS AND EQUALLY ROMANTIC!
WE DIDN'T DO THIS AS THE LINE UP WAS TOO LONG. WE DID HOWEVER
RIDE HORSE AND BUGGE ELSEWHERE ON OUR TRIP BUT THAT'S ANOTHER STORY.

WE TOOK A FEW MINUTES TO SIT AND ENJOY THE DUCKS AND SWANS ON THE
CANAL FRONT. THIS WAS A NICE QUIET PART OF THE CITY WITH LOTS OF
TREES AND SHADE.

OK.... FUNNY AUSSIROSE STORY.

AND YOU THOUGHT THAT MY BEER DRINKING TECHNIQUE WAS FUNNY!!

THIS IS THE MAIN SQUARE IN BRUGGES. HUBBY AND I STAYED IN A
BEAUTIFUL BED AND BREAKFAST ABOUT 20MIN CASUAL STROLL FROM
THIS CENTRE SQUARE. MORE ABOUT THE B&B IN A MINUTE....

ON OUR FIRST DAY WE DECIDED TO HIRE THE B&B BIKES TO TAKE THE
FAST TRIP INTO TOWN. NO PROBLEM! AUSSIROSE WAS AN ACCOMPLISHED
BIKE RIDER ..... YEARS AGO........

THESE DANISH BIKES HOWEVER WERE BIG! MINE WAS A BIT TOO BIG!!
OF COURSE I HAD NO PROBLEM MOUNTING IT!....
RIDING.... NO PROBLEM.... LOL.

BUT GETTING OFF..... WAS JUST A SLIGHT PROBLEM.... HAHA.

NOTHINNG LIKE A CRASH LANDING IN THE CENTRE SQUARE OF BRUGGES!
IN FRONT OF THE HORSE AND BUGGIES AND CROWDS LOL

OUT COMES THE VIOLINS.......
NO, JUST THOUGTH I'D THROW THAT IN FOR EFFECT ..... HEHEE.

SPEAKING OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.... THIS FELLA WAS IN THE NEXT STREET.
I REALLY ENJOYED HIS VIOLIN AND TRUMPET PLAYING.
HE WAS A REAL TALENTED GUY.

SO AFTER MY IMPRESSIVE TOUCHDOWN INTO THE CENTRE SQUARE ......
HUBBY AND I TOOK A WANDER AROUND THE STREETS, TAKING IN THE
LIVELY ATMOSPHERE AND TOURIST ATTRACTIONS. BRUGGES IS A VERY BUSY
TOURISTY PLACE.

BRUGGES CANALS

GOING ON A CANAL TOUR IN BRUGGE WAS ON MY 'MUST DO LIST!! :o)
WE HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED A SURPRISE CANAL CRUISE IN GENT.
SO I HAD SOMETHING TO COMPARE THIS WITH. ALTHOUGH BOTH HAD
SIMILAR NICE SIGHTS.... GENT WINS! YOU'LL HAVE TO CHECK OUT MY
GENT BLOG TO FIND OUT WHY

VT MEET

LOVELY SARAH (crazypaws) WHO ORGANISED OUR MEET UP.
THANKS A MILLION SARAH FOR A FANTASTIC JOB!! WE ALL
ENJOYED OURSELVES IMMENSLEY! xx

ATTENDEES WERE BELL (titabell), DANNIE (irisbe), CAROLINE (B_Caro)
AND IAN-GRACE (kylian74).
OH AND AUSSIEBARNEY (WHO STOLE THE SHOW) AND THOSE
NAUGHTY VA'S (THE PLASTIC PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD
THAT WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE ATTENDED IN PERSON...
NEXT BEST THING.... VIRTUAL ATTENDEE... OR VA AS WE
AFFECTIONALLY CALLED THEM,)

BELL - YOU HAD BEEN MY FRIEND FOR A LONG TIME ON VT AND
IT WAS A HIGHLIGHT TO FINALLY MEET YOU!! WHAT A WARM
RECEPTION YOU GAVE HOWIE AND I. AND YOUR EYES LIT UP
WHEN YOU SAW OUR VA'S HANSI, LORI, DORRISE AND REXY xx.

DANNIE - YOU CAME TO MY BIRTHDAY BASH IN LIER! WHAT AN
AMAZING TIME WE HAD!! AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALSO
COMING TO BRUGGES!! xx

CAROLINE - YOU HAD A WARM AND BUBBLY PERSONALITY!
WHO WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRAWN TO YOU! WE HAD A
FABULOUS TIME

IAN-GRACE - YOU CAME ALONG WITH YOUR HUBBY AND LITTLE
BABY GIRL WHO WAS SO CUTE!!..... YOU CAME FROM 3 HOURS
AWAY! I AM SO PRIVILEGED TO HAVE MET YOU AND YOUR LITTLE
FAMILY! DON'T STOP SMILING AND ENJOYING LIFE TO THE FULL!!
xx

AGAIN.... SARAH.... LOOKING FORWARD TO SHOWING YOU AROUND
PERTH WHEN YOU VISIT US SHORTLY IN JULY 2017!! HUGS xx

BRUGGES ACCOMMODATION - ELEVEN BED AND BREAKFAST

I WOULD RECOMMEND TO STAY HERE. OUR HOSTS WERE
ATTENTATIVE BUT ALSO GAVE US OUR SPACE. PARKING WAS
NOT TOO FAR AWAY. WE HAD THE USE OF THE BIKES TO RIDE INTO
TOWN.... ABOUT 7 MINUTES AWAY. GREAT LOCATION.
BREAKFAST WAS NICE!

BRUGGES EXCELLED EVERYTHING I HAD IMAGINED!

NEXT STOP - AMSTERDAM AND A STAY ON A HOUSEBOAT,
FUN AT THE HEINEKEN EXPERIENCE, WINDMILLS...
BOATS, BIKES AND BOOZE -
PLUS MEETING PJ, SWANET, DILA AND MARY.

FAVOURITE PHOTO.

NOT ONE OF THE BETTER PHOTOS I TOOK IN AMSTERDAM, HOWEVER
THIS PHOTO BRINGS BACK HAPPY MEMORIES OF OUR HOUSEBOAT.

YES, WE STAYED ON A HOUSEBOAT! IT WAS AWESOME!
HOUSEBOAT B042

aussirose and Houseboat owner Frank

WHEN PLANNING OUR HOLIDAY, AMSTERDAM WAS ONE OF THE FIRST
ON MY LIST. NOT BECAUSE OF THE BOATS, BIKES AND BOOZE... BUT
BECAUSE OF MY GOOD VIRTUALTOURIST FRIEND PJ (Pieter Jan) AND HIS
LOVELY WIFE SWANET. MEETING UP WITH PJ AND SWANET WAS THE
HIGHLIGHT OF AMSTERDAM

WE ALSO HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING ANOTHER AMSTERDAM
RESIDENT, DIANNA (Dila) WHO KINDLY SHOWED US AROUND ON A
NICE WALKING TOUR OF AMSTERDAM AND ALSO JOINED IN ON OUR
DAILY ACTIVITIES.

OUR TIME IN AMSTERDAM WAS ACCOMPANIED BY RAIN WHICH COULD HAVE
PUT A DAMPER ON THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE, BUT IT DIDN'T MATTER MUCH.
WE HAD A FUN TIME ANYWAY

OUR WHOLE EUROPE TRIP INCORPORATED SO MANY NEW AND DIFFERENT
EXPERIENCES, CULTURES AND SIGHTS.... IN FACT THERE WAS A WOW FACTOR
AROUND EVERY CORNER! AMSTERDAM WAS NO DIFFERENT.

MY HIGHLIGHT HERE WAS THE CANALS. YES, WE DID THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT,
WINDMILLS AND THE FUN HEINEKEN EXPERIENCE, BUT THE CANALS FOR ME
WAS THE HIGHLIGHT.

 HEINEKEN EXPERIENCE

HUBBY WORE HIS FBI T-SHORT ESPECIALLY FOR THE OCCASION -
FAMOUS BEER INSPECTOR

WE HAD BEEN TASING BEERS ALL THROUGH GERMANY AND BELGIUM.
NOW CAME THE TIME FOR THE FBI TO PUT HEINEKEN, AMSTERDAM TO
THE TEST!!!

SO FAR SO GOOD... THE FBI IS IMPRESSED.
PJ GIVES HIS NOD OF APPROVAL.....
THE FBI IS STILL WORKING ON IT.

NOW FOR THE FIRST TEST..........
THE FBI SMELLS THE INGREDIENTS.
YOU NEED TO HAVE GOOD BARLEY, HOPS AND YEAST.
NOT BAD...... SAYS THE FBI.

NOW FOR THE ALL IMPORTANT TASTE TEST.
CHECK OUT THE BUBBLES, CLARITY...... AND TASTE!
DOES IT PASS?....

FINAL INSPECTION COMPLETED! BEER PASSED THE TEST!!

MEANWHILE BIRGIT AND SWANET WERE DOING A BIT OF THEIR
OWN SMELLING AND TASTING

THE HEINEKEN EXPERIENCE MAY BE A BIT TACKY BUT THE FBI AND I
AGREE THAT IT IS WELL WORTH A VISIT.

YOU GET TO EXPERIENCE THE FEELING OF ACTUALLY BEING A BEER
BEING MADE AND BOTTLED BY MEANS OF A SIMULATED ACTIVITY.
THEY HAVE OTHER FUN STUFF TO DO INCLUDING KAREOKE

AND AT THE END THERE IS A BEER POURING COMPETITION.

WE WERE ALL GIVEN 2 BUTTONS FOR FREE BEERS. YOU COULD USE
THE 2 BUTTONS TO POUR YOUR OWN BEER.

THE FBI COULDN'T RESIST THE CHALLENGE
HUBBY STEPPED UP AND POURED HIS BEER LIKE A TRUE FBI PRO!
UNLIKE HIS FEEBLE ATTEMPT IN BRUGGES...... lol.

AND RECEIVED A HEINEKEN EXPERIENCE BEER PULLING CERTIFICATE!

THE CROWD CLAPPED AND CHEERED!!

AND HUBBY PROCEEDED TO SCAB A FEW MORE BUTTONS FROM THOSE
WHO CHEERFULLY GAVE THEM AWAY TO THE FAMOUS FBI....

ZAANSE SCHANS

A TRIP TO AMSTERDAM IS INCOMPLETE WITHOUT VISITING THE LOVELY
WINDMILLS. LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE OF ZAANSE SCHANS WHICH IS
JUST A SHORT TRAIN RIDE FROM CENTRAL STATION. THE LINK ABOVE
SHOWS HOW TO GET HERE.

WE HAD EXPERIENCED LOTS OF FIRST'S ON OUR EUROPE TRIP -
CHIMING CLOCKS, COBBLEDSTONE STREETS, CASTLES, A BIG
PALACE, CANALS, HORSE & BUGGY.... AND NOW FOR THE WINDMILLS.

I LOVED OUR DAY OUT HERE. THE LITTLE VILLAGE IS JUST GORGEOUS!!

I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE 25 HISTORIC HOUSES IN WHICH AROUND 40
PEOPLE STILL LIVE WITH 2 WORKING WINDMILLS STILL SELLING THEIR
PRODUCTS TO NEARBY FACTORIES.

HERE IN ZAANSE SCHANS I HAD THE BEST APPLE PIE EVER!! YUUUM!!
DE HOOP OP D'SWARTE WALVIS RESTAURANT

A WANDER AROUND AMSTERDAM WITH AUSSIROSE

Begijnhof

Anne Frank Statue

Van Gogh Museum

Brouwerij 't IJ Brewery

XXXX Beer at Brouwerij 't IJ Amsterdam

We caught tram No. 5 and Dianna was Driving !!!

BIKES OF AMSTERDAM

BEWARE.... BIKE RIDERS HERE HAVE PRIORITY... WELL AT LEAST THAT
IS THE EXPERIENCE I HAD. DO NOT LINGER ON A BIKE PATH!!!

AMSTERDAM AT NIGHT

IT'S NO SECRET THAT I LOVE NIGHT LIGHTS AND NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY!
I EVEN TOOK A LOVELY SHORT VIDEO OF THE NIGHT LIGHTS
REFLECTING ON THE CANAL NEAR OUR HOUSEBOAT WHICH I WILL
ATTEMPT TO UPLOAD HERE LATER.

AMSTERDAM AT NIGHT WAS STUNNING!! AS YOU CAN SEE BELOW

VT MEET PIX

oxymoron

AND MARY CAME ALL THE WAY FROM SCOTLAND TO OUR VT MEET!!
THAT IS AWESOME!! HAD A WONDERFUL TIME WITH YOU MARY! xx
IT IS SUCH A PITTY THAT YOU GOT SICK AND COULDN'T ATTEND ANY
OF OUR DAY TRIPS....

THANK YOU SO MUCH PJ AND SWANET FOR HOSTING US IN AMSTERDAM!!
YOU WILL ALWAYS BE GOOD FRIENDS!!! XXX

NEXT DESTINATION PARIS FOR THE BIG VT MEET!!
AND A SPECIAL SURPRISE FROM HUBBY... KEPT SECRET BY MY VT FRIENDS

AHH PARIS!! CITY OF LOVE!!

PARIS HAS BEEN MY DREAM DESTINATION SINCE VERY LITTLE.
AND FINALLY! HERE I AM!!!

FAVOURITE PHOTO.

PARIS IS KNOWN AS THE CITY OF LIGHTS, HOWEVER AFTER HAVING
EXPERIENCED PARIS FIRST HAND ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW! J'ADORE PARIS!
I'M IN LOVE WITH PARIS!!

LIGHTS.... YEH SURE! ..... THE TOWER LOOKS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AT
NIGHT AND EVERYTHING ELSE FOR THAT MATTER WHEN YOU ARE IN
LOVE

OF COURSE IT ALSO HELPS WHEN ONE IS PRESENTED WITH A GORGEOUS
ETERNITY RING OF DIAMONDS AND RUBIES ;0

MORE ABOUT THAT LATER....

I NOW NOT ONLY ADORE PARIS BUT ALSO MY LOVELY HUBBY TO WHOM
I'VE BEEN MARRIED FOR 32 YEARS.

SO HERE I AM IN LOVE WITH PARIS AND IN LOVE WITH HUBBY

IT'S AMAZING WHAT ONE SEES WHEN ONE IS IN LOVE.

IS THIS A BORING SCENE TO YOU? WELL NOT TO ME.
LOVE THE COLOUR! LOVE THE FACT THAT THERE ARE JUST 2 BIKES.
ARE THE BIKES OUT OF PLACE? NO WAY! THEY LOOK LIKE THEY
BELONG THERE. THAT SPOT IS MADE JUST FOR THEM.
I THINK THAT THIS PICTURE CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF PARIS!

OK ENOUGH OF THAT ROMANTIC DRIBBLE ....

PARIS ARCHITECTURE

ONE THING I FOUND WHEN VISITING EUROPE WAS THAT AROUND
EVERY CORNER THERE IS SOMETHING AMAZING TO SEE!
THE ARCHITETURE HERE IN PARIS IS PHONOMINAL!
FROM THE AWESOME EIFFEL TOWER TO THE GRAND NOTRE DAME
TO THE STUNNING LOUVRE.... TO THE SIMPLE DESIGN OF A ROW OF
ARCHES THAT IS ASTHETICALLY PLEASING TO THE EYE.

THE STATUES WERE SO LIFELIKE AND I WAS AMAZED AT THE
INTRICATE DETAIL. IN FACT AT VERSAILLES I FOUND THE MANY
LIFELIKE STATUES WERE MORE INTERESTING THAN THE GARDENS.
ART WORK WAS PRETTY GOOD TOO.

GARDENS OF VERSAILLES

HUBBY IS A HORTICULTURIST. HE STUDDIED GARDENS ON HIS
COURSE. SO IT WAS A NO BRAINER THAT HUBBY WANTED TO VISIT
THE MOST FAMOUS GARDENS IN PARIS - VERSAILLES.

ALTHOUGH I FOUND THE GARDENS NICE. I PREFERRED MONET
GARDENS.

I DID HOWEVER ENJOY THE WONDERFUL STATUES AND FOUNTAINS

MONET GARDENS

THIS WAS MY FAVOURITE! COTTAGE GARDENS WITH AN ARRAY OF
GORGEOUS COLOURFUL FLOWERS ARE SO NICE

I GUESS THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HUBBY AND I.
HE LIKES MORE FORMAL GARDENS WHEREAS I LIKE THE MORE NATURAL
GARDENS WITH A MIXTURE OF THIS AND THAT

CLAUDE MONET MUST HAVE REALLY ENJOYED PAINTING IN THE
LOVELY SURROUNDINGS THAT HE CREATED HERE.

aussirose and borneogrrl

VA'swaalewiener and LoriPori

2 Barney VT mascots

PHOTO TOUR WITH PARIS SET ME FREE

HUBBY, STEVEMT AND I DID A WALKING PHOTO TOUR WITH SAB -
PARIS SET ME FREE.

EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT HAVE A DSLR CAMERA, I LEARN'T A LOT.
IF YOU ARE INTO PHOTOGRAPHY, I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS WHEN
VISITING PARIS. SAB WAS A GREAT TEACHER!

VT MEETS

BELOW ARE HAPPY MEMORIES OF OUR FANTASTIC VT MEET UPS HERE.
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO MET ME HERE KNOW THAT YOU
ARE ALL SPECIAL! WE HAD AN AMAZING TIME! LOVE YOU ALL!! xx

Hubby and Pfsmalo

Dear Birgit from Berlin who travelled with us

good friend Stevemt

Gillybob picnicking with a couple of big boys

STREETS OF PARIS

PAUL AND CATHY (Pfsmalo) KINDLY ARRANGED TO TAKE US ALL ON A
WALK AROUND PARIS. BELOW ARE SOME OF THE COOL THINGS THAT
WE SAW.

I Love VW Bugs!!

How did they park that? haha

Bike with 2 front wheels??

CUJAS PANTHEON HOTEL LATIN QUARTER

I COULDN'T HAVE PICKED A BETTER HOTEL! RIGHT IN THE LATIN QUARTER
AND CLOSE TO EVERYTHING.

I TOTALLY RECOMMEND THE CUJAS PANTHEON HOTEL!
WE BOOKED THROUGH BOOKING.COM. LOCATION IS GREAT, STAFF
ATTENTATIVE AND THE DEAL FOR THE PRICE WAS CERTAINLY WELL
WORTH EVERY PENNY.... ESPECIALLY BECAUSE PARIS CAN BE VERY
EXPENSIVE.

BREAKFAST INCLUDED DOWNSTAIRS WAS NICE.
OUR ROOM WAS BIGGER THAN SOME OF THOSE I HAVE SEEN.
WE COULD LOOK OUT THE WINDOW ON NICE ARCHITECTURE OF
SURROUNDING BUILDINGS.
THE PUB THAT WE HAD OUR VT MEET AND GREET WAS JUST A FEW
STEPS DOWN THE ROAD ON THE CORNER.
TRANSPORT WAS CLOSE BY.
AND THE BEST THING WAS THAT OUR ROOM HAD A BATH!!

EIFFEL TOWER

OK. CANNNOT DO A BLOG ABOUT OUR VISIT TO PARIS WITHOUT
A FEW PHOTOS OF THE FAMOUS TOWER.

ALTHOUGH HUBBY AND I LOVE OFF THE BEATEN PATH PLACES MORE
THAN VISITING TOURISTY ICONS..... YOU SIMPLY CANNOT VISIT PARIS
WITHOUT CHECKING OUT THE AMAZING EIFFEL TOWER!

OF COURSE WE DIDN'T BOTHER WITH LINING UP. WE WERE JUST HAPPY
TO VIEW IT FROM THE GROUND.

OUR FIRST VISIT WAS A PICNIC IN THE GARDENS WITH OUR VT FRIENDS.
THAT WAS LOVELY. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THE SAME IF YOU
PLAN TO VISIT. THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN HAVING A PICNIC WITH
WINE, CHEESE AND BREADS IN THE GROUNDS OF THE EIFFEL TOWER!!!

OUR SPECIAL MEET UP WHERE HUBBY PRESENTED ME WITH A GORGEOUS
ETERNITY RING OF DIAMONDS AND RUBIES

THE 3 DIAMONDS REPRESENT HUBBY, SON DYLAN AND SON JESSE.
THE 2 RUBIES REPRESENT DAUGHTER KELLI AND DAUGHTER JANINE.

AFTER 32 YEARS OF MARRIAGE, HUBBY IS STILL A ROMANTIC AT HEART
LOVE HIM!!

HUBBY ALONG WITH OUR GOOD FRIENDS STEVE AND BIRGIT KEPT A
SPECIAL SECRET FROM ME.

STEVE ARRANGED THE RESTAURANT WHERE WE HAD AN AMAZING DINNER.
BIRGIT ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE KNEW ABOUT IT AND KEPT THE
SECRET.

BIRGIT TRAVELLED WITH US ALL THE WAY FROM ZURICH, THROUGH
GERMANY, BELGIUM AND AMSTERDAM (check out my other blogs).
AND SHE KEPT THE SECRET.

WE HAD DINNER AT LA VARANGUE - PHILIPPE'S RESTAURANT
NOT FAR FROM THE EIFFEL TOWER. CHEF PHILIPPE WAS WONDERFUL!

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT MY VT FRIENDS THAT CAME WERE ALSO IN ON
THE SECRET..... ALL BUT ME! LOL.

WHEN HUBBY WAS MAKING HIS SPEACH ABOUT THE GREAT TIME THAT
WE HAD SO FAR IN PARIS WITH OUR SPECIAL FRIENDS, I WAS BUSY
FILMING. IT WASN'T UNTIL HUBBY TURNED TO ME AND PRESENTED
ME WITH THIS GORGEOUS ETERNITY RING.... THAT THE PENNY FELL!

OMG!! IN FRONT OF ALL OF OUR FRIENDS, HUBBY PRESENTED ME
WITH THE MOST STUNNING ETERNITY RING AND I WAS LOST FOR
WORDS. I CRIED!!

THANK YOU HOWARD! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!! AND MY FRIENDS
WERE HERE TO SEE THIS? TOTALLY THE BEST NIGHT EVER!!

Chef Philippe with vt shirt and flag

aussirose and Chef Philippe

AND WE ALL WALKED DOWN TO THE EIFFEL TOWER TO SEE IT LIT UP
AT NIGHT!

WHAT AN AMAZING END TO OUR PARIS ADVENTURE!!

NEXT STOP - MARRAKECH MOROCCO AND AN AMAZING DESERT TOUR

FAVOURITE PHOTO.

WE HAD JUST BEEN FROM ZURICH, THROUGH GERMANY, BELGIUM, AMSTERDAM AND PARIS
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED DIFFERENT LIFESTYLES BEFORE
HAVING BEEN TO PARTS OF MALAYSIA AND VIETNAM.

NOTHING HOWEVER COMPARES TO MARRAKECH AND OUTBACK MOROCCO.
WHAT AN AMAZING EXOTIC AND ENCHANTING PLACE!
OUR 5 SENSES WERE HIT BIG TIME FROM THE VARIOUS DIVERSE SIGHTS
TO THE SMELLS OF TAGINE, MINT TEA AND OTHER MOROCCAN CULTURAL DISHES,
TO THE HAUNTING SOUNDS OF EVENING PRAYER, TO THE FANTASTIC LOCAL MUSIC
THAT OUR GUIDE PLAYED ON OUR DESERT TRIP (more about that later)......
AND THEN THERE WERE THE SOUKS WITH BUSY BATERING, HAWKERS, SNAKE CHARMERS
AND EVENING STREET FOOD MINGLED WITH MISTY RISING SMOKE ....
THAT IS JUST A TASTE OF OUR AMAZING ADVENTURE HERE IN MOROCCO.

SO PLEASE GRAB A SNACK AND A DRINK OR 3 AND FOLLOW ALONG WHILST I RELIVE OUR
MOROCCAN ADVENTURE. OH AND PLEASE, DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A LITTLE COMMENT
TO LET ME KNOW THAT YOU HAVE VISITED. THAT WOULD BE APPRECIATED

~~~oOo~~~

WE ARRIVED ON AIR MAROC FROM ORLY AIRPORT PARIS. WOW! SO DIFFERENT!!
IT WAS HOT AND DUSTY.... A VAST CHANGE FROM WHERE WE HAD JUST COME FROM.
WE WERE MET BY A DRIVER THAT WE BOOKED FROM THE ACCOMMODATION.

I FOUND ACCOMMODATION RIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE MEDINA IN MARRAKECH.
WE WERE MET FROM OUR CAR BY FOUAD FROM THE RIAD WHO KINDLY TOOK
OUR TRAVEL BAGS AND LED US THROUGH THE MAZE OF STREETS TO OUR NEW
HOME FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

IT'S AMAZING THAT RIGHT NEAR THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE SOUKS AND
MARKET SQUARE, THERE ARE QUIET BACK STREETS LIKE THIS.
IT WAS EQUALLY AMAZING HOW THE NOISE OF THE BUSY SOUKS JUST
MELTED INTO THE COOL AMBIENCE OF THE SURROUNDING ARCHITECTURE.

RIAD DOLLAR DES SABLES

RIAD DOLLAR DES SABLES WAS A GREAT CHOICE.
THE STAFF THAT WE MET WERE ALL VERY FRIENDLY AND WELCOMING.
I COULD NOT HAVE PICKED A BETTER PLACE TO STAY

THIS CUTE LITTLE RIAD HAD AN OUTDOOR AREA UPSTAIRS OVERLOOKING
THE MEDINA. THE DECORATIONS IN THE MAIN AREA DOWNSTAIRS WERE
COLOURFUL AND PLEASANT TO LOOK AT WHILST EATING BREAKFAST.
HAVING SAID THAT, THE DECOR IN OUR ROOM INCLUDING GOLD PLATED
TAPS AND ACCESSORIES IN OUR BATHROOM WAS PRETTY COOL TOO

WE HAD OUR FIRST TAGINE EXPERIENCE HERE - A MOROCCAN DISH SLOW
COOKED IN CLAY WITH A LID. WE ALSO HAD THE LOCAL MINT TEA....
POURED BY HUBBY

FIRST NIGHT IN MOROCCO AT LA BOHEME RESTAURANT
OVERLOOKING DJAMMA EL FNA SQUARE

THIS WAS EXPENSIVE! EVEN BY AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS.
BUT I WOULD NOT HESITATE TO DO IT AGAIN!

CHECK THAT OUT!!

AND THAT!!

THERE IS NO BETTER WAY TO DINE ON YOUR FIRST NIGHT IN
AFRICA, OVERLOOKING THE MEDINA MARKET SQUARE -
DJAMAA EL FNA.

FOUAD FROM OUR RIAD SUGGESTED THAT WE DINE HERE.
OBVIOUSLY HE RECEIVED A CUT FROM THE RESTAURANT FOR TAKIING US.
WE HAD A FABULOUS TIIME!!!
WE ALSO ENJOYED OUR FIRST MOROCCAN BEER - CASABLANCA.
ALCOHOL IS NOT REDILLY AVAILABLE HERE SO THE ONLY PLACES YOU
CAN HAVE A DRINK ARE IN INTERNATIONAL HOTELS, EXPENSIVE
RESTAURANTS LIKE THIS ONE OR IN OBSCURE PLACES IN BACK
ALLEY WAYS BEHIND THE MEDINA.

THE SOUNDS OF EVENING PRAYER FOLLOWED BY NIGHT FALL AND A
FULL MOON RISING BEHIND THE MEDINA ARE ALL MEMORIES I WILL
NEVER FORGET!

JARDIN MARJORELLE

HUBBY IS A HORTICULTURIST AND AS SUCH LOVES GARDENS.
DURING OUR TRIP WE SAW A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT GARDENS.
JARDIN MARJORELLE WAS UNIQUE FOR ITS COMBINATION OF RICH
COLOURS SURROUNDING IN AN AMONGST NATIVE DESERT PLANTS.

I JUST LOVED IT!

WE ARRIVED HERE BY HORSE AND CARRIAGE, ANOTHER FIRST FOR US
IF YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING OUR TRIP YOU WOULD KNOW THAT
WE HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED GREAT CHIMING CLOCKS,
CUTE COBBLED STONE STREETS, BEAUTIFUL CANALS, STAYING ON A
HOUSEBOAT, WINDMILLS, MANY CASTLES AND A GRAND PALACE !

SO HERE WE ARE IN EXOTIC MOROCCO AND OF COURSE YOU NEED TO
TAKE A HORSE AND CARRIAGE TRIP

IT WAS INTERESTING TO LEARN THE VARIOUS WORDS THAT WE HAVE
NOT COME ACROSS BEFORE.
SO I WILL TAKE A MINUTE TO DESCRIBE WHAT THEY ARE.

MEDINA
OLD HISTORIA PART OF TOWN TYPICALLY WALLED WITH NARROW
MAZE-LIKE STREETS.

RIAD
A TRADITIONAL HOUSE BUILT AROUND A CENTRAL COURTYARD.

SOUK
MARKET PLACE OR BAZAAR.

SO THAT IS WHY I PICKED OUR RIAD IN THE MEDINA AND AMONGST
THE MAZE OF NARROW BACK STREETS BEHIND THE SOUK

DJAMMA EL FNA

DJAMMA EL FNA, THE CENTRAL SQUARE OF MARRAKECH MEDINA
WAS INTERESTING TO SEE AT VARIOUS TIMES OF THE DAY.
AS YOU SAW ABOVE, AT NIGHT IT COMES ALIVE WITH ACTIVITY,
VENDERS, CAFES AND STREET FOOD.

HOWEVER, EARLY MORNING IT IS QUIET AND DESERTED.

SLOWLY SHOP VENDERS WERE PREPARING FOR ANOTHER
BUSY DAY IN THE SOUK.

THE HAWKERS START EARLY. BTW THEY ARE VERY PERSISTANT.
SOMETIMES EVEN OUR TACTIC OF A FIRM 'NO', LOOK STRAIGHT
AHEAD AND KEEP WALKING DID NOT WORK.

HOWARD GOT CAUGHT BY THE SNAKE CHARMERS WHO AFTER
SHOWING US THE SNAKE SHOW AND A SNAKEY KISS....
ASKED FOR MONEY

SPEAKING OF HAWKERS, WE FOUND THE BEST THING TO DO IN
THE SOUK WAS TO GET THE GIFT AND JEWELRY SHOPPING DONE
QUICKLY AS THIS WAS THE FIRST PLACE THAT WE HAVE EVER
EXPERIENCED PERSISTANT AND HARRASSING HAWKERS.
BRUSH UP ON THE EXCHANGE RATE BEFORE HAND SO THAT YOU DO
NOT GET RIPPED OFF. BE PREPARED TO BARTER HARD STARTING AT
BELOW HALF OF THE ORIGINAL PRICE OFFERED.

HOP ON HOP OFF BUS

I ENJOY STREET SCENES AND PEOPLE WATCHING WHEREVER WE TRAVEL.
A GREAT WAY TO EXPERIENCE THIS IS TO DO THE HOP ON HOP OFF BUS.

SADLY OUR TIME CAME TO AN END.
WE HAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO FOUAD WHO HAD LOOKED AFTER US
AND MADE OUR TIME IN RIAD DOLLAR DES SABLES COMFORTABLE
AND VERY SPECIAL.

TODAY WE WERE HEADING OUT TO THE SAHARA DESERT FOR AN
ADVENTURE OF A LIFE TIME!

THE TRIP ENTAILED VISITING AMAZIING KASBAHS, VAST CHANGING
SCENERY, SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS AND RIDING OUT OF THE
DESERT ON CAMELS!
NOT TO MENTION HAVING LUNCH WITH OUR GUIDE'S FAMILY IN
THIER HOME, OFF ROAD 4X4 DRIVING, SAND DUNE BASHING,
AND HAVING MINT TEA WITH GENUINE NOMADS IN THEIR CAVE
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING OUR AMAZING ADVENTURE WITH
YOU IN MY NEXT BLOG

MEET HABIB NAAMANI, OUR TOUR GUIDE AND OWNER OF SAHARA DREAMS MAROC.

Collage of Habib

HABIB IS A BORN AND BRED BERBER NOMAD WHO GREW UP IN M'HAMID
ON THE EDGE OF THE SAHARA DESERT.

HE MAKES HIS LIVING BY DRIVING TOURISTS LIKE US THROUGH HIS COUNTRY.
HABIB ALSO EMPLOYS OTHER DRIVERS. WE MET ONE AT THE DESERT CAMP THAT
WAS DRIVING SOME PEOPLE FROM FRANCE.

IT WAS AN HONOUR AND PRIVILEDGE TO HAVE HABIB SHOW US AROUND.

THIS TRIP WAS AN ADVENTURE OF A LIFE TIME. WE ENJOYED IT SO MUCH THAT
WE WOULD LOVE TO DO IT ALL AGAIN.

BELOW IS THE START OF OUR AMAZING ADVENTURE THAT WOULD TAKE US
FROM MARRAKECH, THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS, INTO LUSH VALLEYS,
TRAVERSING TIGHT WINDY ROADS THROUGH GORGES, CROSS COUNTRY
IN THE 4X4, MEETING BERBER NOMADS IN THEIR CAVE, SLEEPING OUT
UNDER THE STARS IN THE DESERT, RIDING CAMELS OUT OF THE DESERT,
HAVING LUNCH WITH HABIB'S RELATIVES IN THEIR HOME,
GUNNING THE 4X4 THROUGH DESERT SAND TO THE CAMP SITE AND
MUCH, MUCH MORE!

SO GRAB SOME SNACKS, A DRINK OR 3 AND FOLLOW ALONG WHILST I
RELIVE OUR ADVENTURES HERE ON MY NEW HOME TRAVELLERSPOINT

~~~oOo~~~

DAY 1 - ATLAS MOUNTAINS, TELOUET, AIT BEN HADDOU, OUARZAZATE.

FAVOURITE PICTURE.
TAKEN BY HABIB IN FRONT OF THE FAMOUS AIT BEN HADDOU-
MORE ABOUT THAT LATER.

ATLAS MOUNTAINS

ONE OF THE MOST ENJOYABLE PARTS OF THIS TRIP WAS THE CHANGING
SCENERY. HEADING OUT OF TOWN AND TOWARDS THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS
IT WAS FLAT AND SPARCE.

ONCE WE ARRIVED AT THE FOOT OF THE MOUNTAINS THE ROAD
NARROWED AND WAS VERY WINDY AS WE DROVE UP AND AROUND
TO THIS FANTASTIC LOOKOUT.

HERE WE ENCOUNTERED HAWKERS SELLING AN ARRAY OF TOURIST
GIFTS. I BOUGHT A ROCK THAT OPENS UP TO REVEAL THE MOST
GORGEOUS ROSE CRYSTAL

THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS SEEM TO GO ON FOREVER......
NO WONDER! THEY ARE OVER 2,500KM AND SPAN 3 COUNTRIES -
MOROCCO, ALGRIA AND TUNISIA!

FIRST NOMAD SIGHTING

THIS WAS OUR FIRST NOMAD SIGHTING. THEY WERE HEARDING THEIR
SHEEP AND GOATS ACROSS THE ROAD AND UP THE STEEP HILLSIDE.

WE STOPPED TO LET THEM BY AND OPENED THE WINDOWS TO TAKE
SOME PICTURES.

HABIB EXPLAINED THAT SOMETIMES THE NOMADS
DO NOT LIKE TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED BY TOURISTS....
AND SURE ENOUGH..... THERE WERE A FEW HEATED WORDS SPOKEN.
OOOPS...

SO WE QUICKLY WOUND THE WINDOWS UP AND CONTINUED ON.

KASBAH DE TELOUET

OUR FIRST KASBAH. A KASBAH IS A TYPE OF FORTRESS WHERE
THE LEADER LIVED. IT WAS A DEFENCE SAFE PLACE FOR WHEN A
CITY WAS UNDER ATTACK.

WE ENTERED A LONG COOL HALLWAY WHICH LED INTO THIS ROOM
OF EXTRAVENCE. HERE WE WERE TAKEN BACK THROUGH TIME.
THE WHOLE ROOM WAS SURROUNDED BY INTRICATE CERAMIC TILES
TO WHICH THE MOROCCANS ARE SO GOOD AT.

ONE COULD IMAGINE BEING WINED AND TINED HERE.

AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE ORIGINAL OWNERS DID TO THIER
ADVANTAGE.

THE STORY OF THIS KASBAH GOES LIKE THIS -
THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THIS AMAZING FORTRESS WERE
CUNNING AND CLEAVER. THEY DUPED EVERYONE THAT CHALLENGED
THEM WITH THEIR AMAZING HOSPITALITY.
SO MUCH SO THAT THEY WERE BYPASSED WHEN A POTENTIAL
CONFLICT AROSE AND KASBAH DE TELOUET SURVIVED WHEREAS
OTHER KASBAH'S FELL TO THE ENEMY.

TIME FOR A PIT STOP, REFRESHMENTS AND A NICE VIEW OVER THE
VALLEY.

DIVERSE LIVING SCENERY

WHEREVER I TRAVEL, NOT ONLY AM I INTERESTED IN THE LANDSCAPE
SCENERY, BUT I ALSO ENJOY VIEWING THE VARIOUS LIVING CONDITIONS
OF THE LOCALS.

THIS PART OF MOROCCO WAS AS EQUALLY INTERESTING IF NOT BETTER
THAN I HAVE COME ACROSS BEFORE IN OUR TRAVELS.

SO BELOW ARE MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF LOCAL LIVING SCENES IN
OUTBACK MOROCCO. NO PARTICULAR ORDER.
LIKE MOST PLACES IN THE WORLD, THEY HAVE THEIR RICH, MIDDLE-CLASS
AND POOR.
HOWEVER, IT WAS NO SURPRISE TO ME TO SEE THAT NO MATTER HOW
RICH OR POOR ..... EVERY HOUSE THAT WE SAW HAD A SATELITE DISH!....

AIT BEN HADDOU

WE WERE NEARING THE END OF OUR FIRST DAY. HEADING TOWARDS
OUR DESTINATION FOR THE NIGHT OUARZAZATE, WE HAD ONE LAST
AMAZING THING TO SEE - AIT BEN HADDOU.

AIT BEN HADDOU IS A HUGE FORTIFIED CITY OR KSAR. IT IS A WORLD
HERITAGE SITE THAT IS WELL KNOWN FOR HOSTING A NUMBER OF GREAT
MOVIES LIKE STAR WARS, JESUS OF NAZARETH, GLADIATER AND
THE JEWEL OF THE NILE.

THIS WAS AN AMAZING PLACE!! WE WALKED RIGHT UP TO THE TOP FOR A
VIEW OVER THE VALLEY. APARENTLY THERE ARE STILL 10 FAMILIES THAT
RESIDE HERE.

HUBBY BOUGHT A COUPLE OF PAINTINGS FROM THIS GUY. WELL NOT
REALLY PAINTINGS AS SUCH. HE WAS USING CLAY AND COLOURED
STONES AND THEN FIRING THEM ONTO THE PAPER WITH A BLOW TORCH.
IT WAS QUITE INTERESTING TO SEE.

OUARZAZATE - SAHARA DREAMS MAROC

WE STOPPED BRIEFLY AT HABIB'S HOME BASE WHERE WE MET HAIAT,
ADMINISTRATOR AND TOUR PLANNER. WHEN I ARRANGED AND BOOKED
OUR TOUR, HAIAT WAS OUR POINT OF CONTACT.
IT WAS A PLEASURE TO DEAL WITH HAIAIT. SHE ANSWERED OUR QUERIES
PROMPTLY AND DEALT WITH EVERYTHING EFFICIENTLY AND SMOOTHLY.
WE FELT PRIVILEGED TO MEET HER.

RIAD DAR CHAMAA

RIAD DAR CHAMAA - A COOL OASIS IN THE DESERT.

WE ENJOYED A SWIM IN THE POOL AND DINNER ON THE
VERANDAH OUSIDE OVERLOOKING THE POOL. IT WAS A
PLEASANT PLACE TO STAY FOR OUR FIRST NIGHT.

IF YOU HAVE ENJOYED FOLLOWING ALONG AS I RELIVE OUR
MOROCCAN ADVENTURE.... PLEASE CLICK THE NEXT BUTTON BELOW
FOR DAY 2 - INCLUDING SOME OFF ROAD 4X4 DRIVING,
SHARING MINT TEA WITH BERBER NOMADS IN THEIR CAVE
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, ZIG ZAGGING DOWN STEEP WINDY ROADS,
AND AN INTERESTING CARPET STORY.....

FAVOURITE PHOTO

DAY 2 - OUARZAZATE TO TINGHIR INCLUDING OFF ROAD 4X4 DRIVING.

YESTERDAY WE LEFT MARRAKECH AND HEADED OVER THE HIGH ATLAS
MOUNTAINS, DISCOVERED AN AMAZING HISTORICAL KASBAH AND A
WELL KNOWN HERITAGE SITE THAT HAS HOUSED A NUMBER OF
FAMOUS MOVIES INCLUDING STAR WARS.

TODAY WE WERE GOING TO EXPERIENCE SOMETHING EQUALLY
AMAZING AND DIVERSE.....

JUST OUT OF OUARZAZATE WAS THIS HUGE LAKE.

WE FELT THAT THIS COULD BE OUR LAST SIGHTING FOR A WHILE
OF LUSH TROPICAL SCENERY....

WHEREAS JUST UP THE ROAD WE STOPPED BRIEFLY TO VIEW VAST
UNTOUCHED COUNTRYSIDE.

WE TURNED OFF TOWARDS SKOURA AND HABIB STOPPED TO
SHOW US THIS GRAND KASBAH THAT HOSTED THE MOVIE
LAWRENCE OF ARABIA.

KASBAH AMRIDIL

THIS KASBAH WAS BUILT IN THE 17TH CENTURY BY THE NASSIRI.
IT IS INTERESTING TO LEARN THAT THE NASSIRI FAMILY STILL LIVES
HERE. THEY HAVE CREATED A MUSEUM WITH TOOLS THAT WERE
USED CENTURIES AGO.

THEY STILL CARRY OUT DAILY LIFE HERE WITH THE OLD OLIVE OIL
PRESS, BREAD OVENS AND HAPPY GOATS MEANDERING AROUND
IN THE COURTYARD.

OFF ROAD 4X4 DRIVING

IT WAS NOT LONG AFTER THIS THAT WE VENTURED OFF ROAD.
HABIB TURNED UP THE AIR-CON, PUT SOME LOCAL MUSIC ON....
AND WE HIT THE ROCKY DIRT TRACK TOWARDS BOUTAGHRAR.

MEETING BERBER NOMADS

THIS WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR DESERT TRIP.
MEETING REAL BERBER NOMADS.

IT WAS A REAL HUMBLING EXPERIENCE AND A PRIGILEGE.
THIS IS HOW THEY LIVE, IN HOLLOWED OUT CAVES AS WELL AS
THE TENT ABOVE.

THIS WAS A TOTAL SURPRISE. HABIB PULLED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF
NOWHERE AND ASKED US IF WE WANTED TO MEET SOME NOMADS.

WHAT?..... MEET REAL NOMADS? WOW!!
WELL YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO ASK ME TWICE!!

AFTER SOME PLEASANTRIES, HABIB OBVIOUSLY KNEW THE FAMILY...
WE WERE ASKED TO JOIN THEM FOR SOME TEA.
IT WAS A TRULY AWESOME EXPERIENCE!

THE FAMILY WERE GRANDPA, MUM, 2 BOYS, 1 GIRL AND A BABY.
DAD WAS OUT HERDING THE ANIMALS.

WE SAT DOWN ON RUGS INSIDE THE CAVE AND SHARED MINT TEA,
SMILES AND GOOS AND GAAS OVER THE BABY
I TELL YOU.... THIS WAS A ONCE IN A LIFE TIME EXPERIENCE!!!

I GAVE TWO OF THE BEAD BRACELETS THAT GILLIAN FROM
VIRTUALTOURIST GAVE ME IN PARIS TO THE LITTLE GIRL WHO WAS
REALLY EXCITED AND HAPPY WITH HER NEW PRESENT.

WE REALLY WISHED THAT WE HAD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT
HAVING SOME COLOURING PENCILS AND COLOURING BOOKS WITH US.
SO THAT IS A TIP FOR YOU IF YOU PLAN TO DO THE SAME TRIP.

VALLEY OF THE ROSES

COMING INTO BOUTAGHRAR (Valley of the Roses) WAS A
PLEASANT SURPRISE. IT WAS LIKE AN OASES COMPARED TO WHERE
WE HAD JUST BEEN

WE STOPPED AT SOME SMALL GIFT SHOPS WHERE THEY WERE
SELLING MOROCCAN ROSE OIL.

HUBBY AND I WERE MORE INTERESTED IN TAKING SOME PHOTOS
ACROSS THE ROAD OF THE LOCALS ENJOYING THE RIVER AND
GOING ABOUT THEIR DAILY ACIVITIES.

BOUMALNE DADES

LUNCH AT HOTEL LA KASBAH DE DADES EX CHEMS WAS NICE
AND RELAXED. THE VERANDAH OVERLOOKED THE VALLEY
BELOW. HABIB, EVER THE ATTENTATIVE HOST LEFT US TO ENJOY
OUR SURROUNDINGS.

ACROSS THE ROAD WAS A BIG NOTICE BOARD WITH AN
AWESOME PAINTING. FROM THE VERANDAH, WE COULD LOOK
OUT AT THE VALLEY BELOW SURROUNDED WITH MAGNIFICANT
MOUNTAINS.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN WE STOPPED BRIEFLY TO ADMIRE THE
SCENERY. SOME LOCAL CHILDREN CAME UP THE HILL FROM
NOWHERE AND PRESENTED US WITH THEIR HOME MADE GIFT
OF A CAMEL MADE OUT OF STRAW. OF COURSE WE PAID THEM
HANSOMELY FOR OUR NEW PRESENT

ON THE WAY TO THE STUNNING DADES GORGES, WE STOPPED
BRIEFLY TO ADMIRE THE MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPE.
HABIB EXPLAINED THAT THE MOUNTAINS WHERE WE SAW WRITING
MEANT GOD, KING, NATION.

DADES GORGES

WHAT A VIEW!!

HABIB KNEW JUST THE PLACE TO STOP BEFORE WE TRAVERSED
THE STEEP WINDY ROAD DOWN TOWARDS TINGHIR, OUR REST
STOP FOR THE NIGHT.

WE STOPPED AT CAFE TIMZZILLITE FOR A COOL DRINK AND A
VIEW TO DIE FOR!

TINGHIR

HABIB COULD NOT HAVE PICKED A BETTER PLACE FOR US TO
STAY THAN RIAD DAR AYOUR IN TINGHIR.

BUT.... FIRST OF ALL..... HERE IS A CARPET STORY

AFTER WE HAD SETTLED IN, WE HAD A BIT OF TIME TO KILL BEFORE
DINNER.

HABIB INTRODUCED US TO A LOCAL WHO OFFERED TO TAKE US FOR
A WALK AROUND. SURE.... WHY NOT.

IT WAS NICE WALKING ALONG THE RIVER BANK AND THEN UP THE
HILL FOR A LOVELY VIEW OVER TOWN.
THERE WAS A WEDDING HAPPENING AND THE MUSIC WAS LOUD.
A LONE DONKEY WAS HAVING HIS LATE AFTERNOON SNACK

RAZOUK TOOK US THROUGH THE SMALL ALLEYWAYS OF TINGHIR
AND TO HIS HUMBLE HOME.

WE FELT REALLY PRIVILEGED TO SIT WITH RAZOUK AND HIS SISTER
AND ENJOY SOME MINT TEA. BUT THERE WAS A CATCH.....

IT WAS NOT UNTIL RAZOUK BOUGHT OUT SOME CARPETS THAT WE
REALISED WHAT WAS GOING ON. HIS SISTER SHOWED US HOW SHE
MAKES THE CARPETS.... SPINNING THE WOOL AND CAMEL HAIR ETC.

I HAD AVOIDED BUYING A CARPET BEFORE NOW.....
AFTER ALL... HOW WAS I GOING TO SHIP A CARPET FROM MOROCCO
ALL THE WAY TO AUSTRALIA?

BUT, WE COULD NOT REFUSE. HOW COULD ONE REFUSE SUCH
AMAZING HOSPITALITY?...

SO WE BOUGHT THIS LITTLE CARPET WHICH HOLDS PRIME PLACE ON
OUR LOUNGE WALL WE HAD IT SHIPPED FROM MARAKECH HOME
AND THE SHIPPING PRICE ALONE COST MORE THAN THE CARPET!!

SO TIP..... YES, IT IS WELL WORTH IT TO BUY AN AUTHENTIC CARPET
FROM A SMALL VILLAGE IN MOROCCO.... BUT EXPECT TO PAY A
SMALL FORTUNE FOR IT

RIAD DAR AYOUR - TINGHIR

I LOVED IT HERE! THE STAFF WERE SO NICE. THEY MADE US FEEL
EXTREMELY WELCOME.

WE HAD A MAGNIFICANT VIEW FROM THE LITTLE VERANDAH OFF
OUR ROOM. DINNER WAS FUN I EVEN HAD A DANCE WITH THE
STAFF. WE BOTH ENJOYED IT

I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TOTALLY IF YOU PLAN TO STAY
IN TINGHIR.

~~~oOo~~~

NEXT UP -

SLEEPING OUT UNDER THE STARS IN THE SAHARA DESERT!

THIS, PLUS MUCH MORE!.............. TO BE CONTINUED ON DAY 3...

FAVOURITE PHOTO

WE FINISHED YESTERDAY WITH A FUN NIGHT IN OUR RIAD IN TINGHIR.
IT WAS SAD TO LEAVE THIS LITTLE PLACE SURROUNDED BY THE GREAT
DADES MOUNTAINS AND TODRA GORGES. I COULD EASILY HAVE
ENJOYED ANOTHER DAY HERE.

IT'S FUNNY.... THAT EVEN THOUGH I FELT AT THE TIME THAT WE GOT
RIPPED OFF BY A LOCAL CARPET SELLER.... NOW I FEEL LIKE IT WOULD
HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE THIS LOCAL SHOW US AROUND A BIT MORE.
RAZOUK.... YOU REALLY WERE A COOL GUY

TODAY, WE WERE ABOUT TO VENTURE INTO SOME ROUGH TERRITORY,
TAKING US THROUGH CHANGING COUNTRYSIDE AND TO THIS SMALL
VILLAGE RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE SAHARA WHERE HABIB OUR GUIDE
GREW UP.

TODRA GORGES

WE HAD QUITE A BIT OF MILEAGE TO COVER TODAY SO WE STARTED
OUT EARLY. QUICK PIT STOP AT THE HUGE TODRA GORGES. I MEAN
HUGE!! I IMAGINE THE HOTEL HERE WOULD COST A FORTUNE

OFF ROAD 4X4 TO JEBEL SAGHRO MOUNTAINS

TIME TO TAKE A SHORT CUT AND HIT THE DUSTY TRACK TOWARDS
TAZZARINE AND ON TO THE SAHARA DESERT.

THIS PART OF THE JOURNEY MAY BE BORING FOR SOME. I FOUND IT
INTERESTING. I COULD CERTAINLY SEE THAT WE WERE ON THE WAY
TO THE DESERT. LONG FLAT ROADS TO NOWHERE, FOLLOWED BY
TRAVERSING AROUND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAINE DEVOID OF THE
USUAL GREENERY THAT MOUNTAINS USUALLY ATTRACT.......

ALL THIS KEPT ME INTERESTED... ALONG WITH THE GREAT LOCAL MUSIC THAT
HABIB WAS PLAYING WHILST WE SAT IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE COMFORT
WITH THE AIR-CON ON FULL BALL

QUICK STOP TO STRETCH OUR LEGS.
HOWIE WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO FOUND A WEE TREE

N'KOB

THE SHORT CUT DIRT TRACK ENDED AT N'KOB AND BACK ONTO
THE BITUMEN LEADING THROUGH TAZZARINE, TAMEGROUTE
AND TO M'HAMID ON THE EDGE OF THE SAHARA.

I SAW THIS HOUSE HEADING INTO N'KOB THAT LOOKED LIKE
IT WAS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

I WAS LEFT SCRATCHING MY HEAD A BIT?....
WOULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN BETTER TO WORK ON THE ACCESS
FIRST?.... SEEMS LIKE A BIT OF A ROUGH DRIVEWAY TO ME?...

AFTER DRIVING UP AND THROUGH THE VILLAGE, WE STOPPED
BRIEFLY FOR A VIEW OVER THE VALLEY.

SOME CHILDREN CAME DOWN TO SAY HI AND HABIB GAVE
THEM A BIT OF CHANGE.

NOT TOO FAR NOW...

WE DROVE THROUGH TAZZARINE WITHOUT STOPPING. NOT
TOO MUCH TO SEE HERE.

TAMEGROUTE

THERE WERE HOWEVER A COUPLE OF THINGS OF INTEREST IN
TAMEGROUTE.

TAMEGROUTE IS THE HOME OF LOVELY POTTERY. WE STOPPED
AT A LITTLE SHOP AND HABIB TOOK US AROUND THE BACK AND
SHOWED US HOW THEY MAKE IT SITTING IN DUG OUT HOLES
TO KEEP COOL AND ENSURE THEY DON'T BEND TOO MUCH.
AND WITH KILN HOLES OUT BACK TO FIRE THE POTTERY.

TAMEGROUTE ALSO HAS SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS SPECIAL.
HABIB TOOK US THROUGH A LABYRINTH OF SMALL STREETS
TO AN AMAZING KORANIC LIBRARY WHERE THOUSANDS OF
ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS ARE KEPT.

NOW THAT IS SOMETHING YOU DON'T SEE EVERY DAY IN
YOUR TRAVELS. VERY INTERESTING AND INTREGUING.

HABIB EXPLAINED THAT WE WERE NOW IN THE DRAA VALLEY
WHERE THE PALMS MEET THE DESERT AND TRUE ENOUGH
WE WATCHED AS THE PALMS GOT LESS AND LESS AND THE
DESERT LOOMED AHEAD.

WE SAW OUR FIRST DESERT CAMEL

AND A DUST STORM THAT WE HAD TO STRATEGICALLY AVOID.

M'HAMID

MAIN STREET OF M'HAMID. HABIB IS A BERBER NOMAD BORN
AND BRED IN THIS LITTLE TOWN. AS WE DROVE DOWN THE
MAIN AND ONLY STREET, IT WAS TOUCHING TO SEE HOW MANY
LOCALS RACED OVER TO SAY HELLO AND DO THE MOROCCAN
MALE GREETING

WE FELT PRIVILEGED TO BE WITH SUCH A CELEB

BUT THINGS WERE ABOUT TO GET A WHOLE LOT BETTER!

NOT ONLY DID WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SMILING AT THE
LOCALS THAT GREETED OUR GUIDE, BUT HABIB DROVE AROUND
A BACK STREET AND INVITED US TO COME IN AND HAVE A FEED
WITH HIS FAMILY! WOW! WHAT A GRAND PRIVILEGE!!!

A HUGE TAGINE FEAST WAS PRESENTED IN THE MIDDLE OF
THE FAMILY ROOM AND WE SAT DOWN ON NICE PILLOWS ON
THE FLOOR AND ALL TUCKED IN EATING WITH OUR HANDS
AND DIPPING THE HOME MADE BREAD INTO THE JUICES.
I TELL YOU.... IT WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!

HUBBY AND I FELT HUMBLED AND PRIVILEGED, AND THE FAMILY
WARMTH WAS SO EVIDENT
SORRY.... NO PICTURES. WE DIDN'T THINK THAT WOULD BE
APPROPRIATE.

SAHARA DESERT

OUR FIRST NIGHT SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS IN THE SAHARA

THIS CAMP SITE WASN'T FAR FROM M'HAMID.
A MISTY SUNSET GREETED US.

WE WERE ASKED IF WE WANTED TO SLEEP IN A LITTLE HUT OR
IF WE WANTED OUR BED OUTSIDE. THAT'S A NO BRAINER

EVEN AFTER A BIG DAY, I MANAGED TO WAKE A FEW TIMES AND
JUST LOOK UP AT THE STARS AND LISTEN TO THE VARIOUS
DESERT SOUNDS OF INSECTS AND DISTANT CAMELS.
AN EXPERIENCE I WILL NEVER FORGET

NEXT MORNING OUR CAMELS ARRIVED.
YES, WE WERE ABOUT TO RIDE THE CAMELS OUT OF THE DESERT.
THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS FOR US TO RIDE INTO THE DESERT...
BUT THE SANDSTORM THE PREVIOUS DAY MEANT THAT PLAN B
WAS IN PLACE.

PLAN B WAS GOOD

MY CAMEL - ISN'T SHE CUTE

HUBBY'S CAMEL - EQUALLY CUTE

WE SAW A NOMAD CAMP WITH TWO YOUNG ONES

AND WHEN WE ARRIVED AT M'HAMID .... OUR BUTTS WERE A BIT
SORE.... BUT THE CAMEL RIDE OUT OF THE SAHARA DESERT WAS
A MEMORY THAT WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

NEXT UP - ANOTHER NIGHT SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS IN A
BIGGER DESERT CAMP WITH BIGGER DUNES!!
AND BETTER PHOTOS!!!!

FAVOURITE PHOTO

THE PREVIOUS DAY SAW US SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS IN THE
SAHARA DESERT NOT FAR OUT FROM M'HAMID, A SMALL TOWN
ON THE EDGE OF THE DESERT AND WHERE OUR GUIDE HABIB
WAS BROUGHT UP.

THIS MORNING, WE RODE OUT OF THE DESERT ON CAMELS.
A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!

DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER.

~~~oOo~~~

ACTUALLY IT DOES!! MORE ABOUT THAT LATER....

HABIB GREETED US BACK IN M'HAMID AND GAVE US A COUPLE OF
SMALL GIFTS INCLUDING A BERBER SCARF EACH. HE ALSO GAVE
ME A LOVELY LITTLE SILVER NECKLASS OF A HAND WITH A BLUE
EYE IN THE MIDDLE.

HABIB SHOWED HUBBY HOW TO PUT ON HIS SCARF. I'LL UPLOAD
THE VIDEO WHEN I WORK OUT HOW.

BLUE IS THE COLOUR OF BERBER NOMADS. OTHER NOMADS HAVE
DIFFERENT COLOURS THAT SIGNIFY THEIR TRIBE.

HABIB HAD A BIT OF BUSINESS TO DO IN TOWN SO WE HAD A
WANDER AROUND AND FOUND A NICE LITTLE CAFE FOR A SNACK
AND COFFEE AND A BIT OF PEOPLE AND DONKEY WATCHING.

NOW FOR THE BEST BIT

WE WERE HEADED ACROSS MILES OF DESERT SAND AS FAR AS
YOU COULD SEE TOWARDS THE HUGE DUNES OF CHEGAGA AND
OUR DESERT CAMP FOR TONIGHT.

YOU WOULDN'T THINK THAT YOU COULD SEE ANOTHER VEHICLE
OUT HERE IN THIS REMOTE DESTINATION. BUT WE DID.

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WE SAW A FEW OTHER 4X4s HEADED IN
THE SAME DIRECT. NO ROADS OUT HERE THOUGH... SO HABIB
PUT PEDDLE TO METAL AND OVERTOOK THE LOT HAHA....
SAHARA DESERT PEAK TRAFFIC HOUR

CHEGAGA BIVOUCA CAMP

ARRIVING AT HABIB'S CAMP SITE AT CHEGAGA DUNES WAS AMAZING!
WE WALKED UP THE HUGE DUNES. HOWARD MADE IT TO THE TOP...
I JUST SAT AND ENJOYED WATCHING THE SUN SET OVER THE SAHARA.

BY THIS TIME ONE OF HABIB'S STAFF HAD ARRIVED WITH SOME FRENCH
TOURISTS. WE HAD DINNER BY GAS LANTERN AND THEN THEY BROUGHT
OUT THE DRUMS AND WE HAD A PARTY IN THE SAHARA

AND ANOTHER NIGHT JUST US SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS. THE OTHERS
OPTED TO STAY IN THE CABINS. SILLY THEM
HOW AWESOME IS THAT!

NEXT MORNING WE HAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE DESERT AND HEAD
BACK THE QUICK NO ROAD WAY TO MARRAKECH.

BERBER CAMP IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

WE STOPPED QUICKLY AND HABIB HAD A CHAT. MINUTES LATER
HE BOUGHT A ROCK... (METEORITE). BACK IN THE CAR HABIB
EXPLAINED THAT METEORITE CAN FETCH VERY GOOD MONEY.

ANOTHER INTERESTING SIGHT. AN EMPTY PETROL STATION IN
THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

THERE WERE A COUPLE OF LOCALS SITTING UNDER THE TREE
WHO WANTED MONEY TO SHOW YOU AROUND. WE JUST
STOPPED, WOUND DOWN THE WINDOWS, TOOK A FEW QUICK
PHOTOS AND MOVED ON.... BEFORE THE LOCALS REALISED IT.
HABIB KNEW ALL THE TRICKS

BACK TO THE TIZI N'TICHKA PASS OVER THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS.

OUR HOLIDAY IN MOROCCO WAS COMING TO AN END....

BUT NOT BEFORE WE SAW THE GREAT NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN...

STAY TUNED FOR MY NEXT BLOG.