About Me
- Jennifer Moss
- This blog details the two overseas trips Richard and I have taken together. In 2005 we went to Austria, Czech Republic, Hungry and Greece. In 2006 we went to China, Canada accidently, USA - New York only, Portugal, Italy and Greece. I have also included some photos from our trips to Port Douglas in 2005 and to the Gold Coast in 2007
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Sunday, August 12, 2007
9 August 2007 - Ripley's Believe it or not - Surfers Paradise Gold Coast
8 August 2007 - Seaworld on the Gold Coast
Friday, May 11, 2007
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
All the things I forgot
There are so many things I forgot to mention on the blog that happened during our trip.
In Lisbon we were offered hash, as they call it, 9 times. We were counting. Richard was offended that they thought we were the sort of people who would buy the stuff. What! Do we look like druggies! With lack of sleep and lack of clean clothes, maybe we do.
Also, in Lisbon, there was an art display of sorts called the cow parade.
See the website: http://www.cowparade.com/
Richard thought he was going crazy because the cows kept moving. Eventually we did catch people moving them around at night. Here are some pics of Richard's favourite cows, he became obsessed with them!
In Lisbon we were offered hash, as they call it, 9 times. We were counting. Richard was offended that they thought we were the sort of people who would buy the stuff. What! Do we look like druggies! With lack of sleep and lack of clean clothes, maybe we do.
Also, in Lisbon, there was an art display of sorts called the cow parade.
See the website: http://www.cowparade.com/
Richard thought he was going crazy because the cows kept moving. Eventually we did catch people moving them around at night. Here are some pics of Richard's favourite cows, he became obsessed with them!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Corinth & Loutraki - Greece - 8th September 2006
Today we give Loutraki a try. The Lonely Planet book advises not to bother suggesting that Loutraki is tacky but we decide to give it a go.
Loutraki is a seaside town located 4 km North East of Corinth. It is largely a tourist town, and is well-kown in Greece for its vast natural springs. The name itself, Loutraki derives from the Greek word for Spring. Within Greece, Loutraki is also famous for its spring water, which is bottled and sold widely.
MAP OF PELOPONNESE - WE TRAVELLED TO LOUTRAKI, CORINTH, CORINTH CANAL, KALAVRITA, RIO AND NAFPLION
It turns out to be a nice little place, Richard manages to fit in a swim and we have lunch at Goodys. I wish there was a Goodys in Australia. It is fast food chain in Greece and the food is good
Loutraki is Greece's major producer of bottled mineral water and also home to Greece's biggest casino. We didn't go to the Casino as it was a few kilometres out of town.
Loutraki is a seaside town located 4 km North East of Corinth. It is largely a tourist town, and is well-kown in Greece for its vast natural springs. The name itself, Loutraki derives from the Greek word for Spring. Within Greece, Loutraki is also famous for its spring water, which is bottled and sold widely.
MAP OF PELOPONNESE - WE TRAVELLED TO LOUTRAKI, CORINTH, CORINTH CANAL, KALAVRITA, RIO AND NAFPLION
It turns out to be a nice little place, Richard manages to fit in a swim and we have lunch at Goodys. I wish there was a Goodys in Australia. It is fast food chain in Greece and the food is good
Loutraki is Greece's major producer of bottled mineral water and also home to Greece's biggest casino. We didn't go to the Casino as it was a few kilometres out of town.
Diakofto, Rio, Diakofto, Kalavryta, Corinth - Greece -7th September 2006 -
Today poor Richard had a hang over.
In the morning we made our way to the town of Rio to see the Rion Bridge.
It was similar to the Westgate, so no big deal. However the highlight of Rio was the Taj Mahal Cafe. It was about half an acre in size decked out in India style furniture. We stayed and enjoyed ice chocolates & cake.
We return to Diakofto by train to catch the cog rail system through to Kalaryta. The train took us through the Vouraikos Gorge. In Kalaryta we ate lunch at a Tavern and went to the site where on 13/12/1943 the Nazis killed all male inhabitants of Kalavryta over the age 15 as punishment for resistant activity. A total of 1436 were killed. The Nazis also set fire to the town. I'm sure they are not welcome back.
By the time we got to Corinth we had spent over 5 hours on the train. Both of us were tired and could not be bothered doing the next 2 hours via Athens to Pireaus. So we stayed the night in Corinth. Corinth is a plain town but the cake stores are open 24 hours a day. The cakes in Corinth are really nice too!
In the morning we made our way to the town of Rio to see the Rion Bridge.
It was similar to the Westgate, so no big deal. However the highlight of Rio was the Taj Mahal Cafe. It was about half an acre in size decked out in India style furniture. We stayed and enjoyed ice chocolates & cake.
We return to Diakofto by train to catch the cog rail system through to Kalaryta. The train took us through the Vouraikos Gorge. In Kalaryta we ate lunch at a Tavern and went to the site where on 13/12/1943 the Nazis killed all male inhabitants of Kalavryta over the age 15 as punishment for resistant activity. A total of 1436 were killed. The Nazis also set fire to the town. I'm sure they are not welcome back.
By the time we got to Corinth we had spent over 5 hours on the train. Both of us were tired and could not be bothered doing the next 2 hours via Athens to Pireaus. So we stayed the night in Corinth. Corinth is a plain town but the cake stores are open 24 hours a day. The cakes in Corinth are really nice too!
Nafplio, Corinth Canal, Diakofto - Greece - 6th September 2006
Today we took a taxi up to the Palamidi Fortress in Nafplio. There are 999 steps to get up there. After 6 weeks of climbing steps I no longer feel the need to exert myself!!!! We went down the 999 steps and watched other crazy tourists climb them!
We take the bus to the famous Corinth Canal. The Corinth Canal is a canal connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnesian peninsula from the Greek mainland and therefore effectively making the former an island. The canal is 6.3 km in length and was built between 1881 and 1893. It saves the 400 km long journey around the Peloponnesus for smaller ships, but since it is only 21 m wide, it is too narrow for modern ocean freighters. The canal is nowadays mostly used by tourist ships; 11,000 ships per year travel through the waterway. The low water depth of the canal is 8 meters.
All the photos of it look breathtaking but it is in the middle of no where. It is small place with some road side cafes. A major highway goes over the canal.
We catch a taxi back to the station and catch a train to Diakofto. For dinner we go to a Tavern recommended by the manager of our hotel/pension. At the tavern they take us out to the kitchen, show us what they have cooked for us to eat. No menu. No special requests here. God only knows how many times the food in the pots had been reheated. Food poisoning anyone? I refused to eat there. Richard told the Tavern owners I was too picky. We left on my insistence and ate at another tavern where Richard drank all the wine and got drunk.
We take the bus to the famous Corinth Canal. The Corinth Canal is a canal connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnesian peninsula from the Greek mainland and therefore effectively making the former an island. The canal is 6.3 km in length and was built between 1881 and 1893. It saves the 400 km long journey around the Peloponnesus for smaller ships, but since it is only 21 m wide, it is too narrow for modern ocean freighters. The canal is nowadays mostly used by tourist ships; 11,000 ships per year travel through the waterway. The low water depth of the canal is 8 meters.
All the photos of it look breathtaking but it is in the middle of no where. It is small place with some road side cafes. A major highway goes over the canal.
We catch a taxi back to the station and catch a train to Diakofto. For dinner we go to a Tavern recommended by the manager of our hotel/pension. At the tavern they take us out to the kitchen, show us what they have cooked for us to eat. No menu. No special requests here. God only knows how many times the food in the pots had been reheated. Food poisoning anyone? I refused to eat there. Richard told the Tavern owners I was too picky. We left on my insistence and ate at another tavern where Richard drank all the wine and got drunk.
Nafplio - Greece - 5th September 2006
Today it is out of the big brother house!!! I say that because there are so many people coming and going from Muma's house. She has a German couple turning up next week to stay. I don't know how she keeps up.
We catch a train to Athens, then a train to a station near Corinth, then a bus to Nafplio. This is a very pretty town and it was the first capital of Greece before Athens. All the houses are Venetian style. Nafplio is very similar to Venice and Lisbon and very unlike a Greek town or city.
There are three Fortresses here - the Palamidi Fortress, the Akronafplia Fortress and Bourtzi Fortress.
Today we explore the town and Rich takes a swim. The fish in the water are huge and bite so poor old Rich didn't enjoy his swim.
We catch a train to Athens, then a train to a station near Corinth, then a bus to Nafplio. This is a very pretty town and it was the first capital of Greece before Athens. All the houses are Venetian style. Nafplio is very similar to Venice and Lisbon and very unlike a Greek town or city.
There are three Fortresses here - the Palamidi Fortress, the Akronafplia Fortress and Bourtzi Fortress.
Today we explore the town and Rich takes a swim. The fish in the water are huge and bite so poor old Rich didn't enjoy his swim.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
28th August to 4th September 2006 - Pireaus
We are currently back at the port of Athens, Pireaus enjoying our down time. Feel free to send emails and comments on the blog as I am checking them daily at the moment. We are eating, drinking and enjoying ourselves too much!
PIC OF PIREAUS TRAIN STATION
PIREAUS BY THE BAY
On Saturday 2nd of September we will be going out to dinner to celebrate our marriage with all the greek relatives.
On Tuesday 5th of September we are going backpacking to explore the Peloponese for a couple of days. This will include Nafplio. Richard's friend Harry has told me this is his favourite place in Greece so I am looking forward to it. Then we will be going to Diakofto to take the cog railway up to Kalavryta to see the Vouraikos Gorge.
PIC OF PIREAUS TRAIN STATION
PIREAUS BY THE BAY
On Saturday 2nd of September we will be going out to dinner to celebrate our marriage with all the greek relatives.
On Tuesday 5th of September we are going backpacking to explore the Peloponese for a couple of days. This will include Nafplio. Richard's friend Harry has told me this is his favourite place in Greece so I am looking forward to it. Then we will be going to Diakofto to take the cog railway up to Kalavryta to see the Vouraikos Gorge.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Poros Island - Greece 9th August to 27th August 2006
9th August - Poor Richard is running errands for his Mamma while I am in a air conditioned internet cafe updating my blog ;-)
From the 10th of August to 27th of August we spent on the Island of Poros swimming, eating, sleeping and catching up with Richard's relatives. Richard got to hire his motorbike which made him happy.
From Poros we got the opportunity twice to visit the mainland (Peloponnese) where I got to walk on a crater of a inactive volcano which involved a bit of rock climbing. We had the best steak and chips that night at a little tavern in a local village. So cheap 5 euro. We also got to visit a waterfall called Devil's Bridge. Photos to come.
From the 10th of August to 27th of August we spent on the Island of Poros swimming, eating, sleeping and catching up with Richard's relatives. Richard got to hire his motorbike which made him happy.
From Poros we got the opportunity twice to visit the mainland (Peloponnese) where I got to walk on a crater of a inactive volcano which involved a bit of rock climbing. We had the best steak and chips that night at a little tavern in a local village. So cheap 5 euro. We also got to visit a waterfall called Devil's Bridge. Photos to come.
8th August 2006 - GREECE!!!!!!!!!!
Our wake up call is at 4am. I don't like the early starts but I can make an exception for this one as we are leaving Venice to go to Greece.
We fly Lufthansa (spelling, sorry) and I am so impressed. We had a stop over in Munich for 30 minutes but our plane was delayed. arrrrhhhhggg! I cannot believe all the delays we have experienced. Anyway I was impressed because we got a tarmac transfer which involves a little van taking us quickly from one plane to another. I think I was on German soil for a total of 30 seconds.
We are finally in Greece!!!!!! I am so happy. Richard's parents took us out for dinner. It was the best meal I have had in weeks.
We fly Lufthansa (spelling, sorry) and I am so impressed. We had a stop over in Munich for 30 minutes but our plane was delayed. arrrrhhhhggg! I cannot believe all the delays we have experienced. Anyway I was impressed because we got a tarmac transfer which involves a little van taking us quickly from one plane to another. I think I was on German soil for a total of 30 seconds.
We are finally in Greece!!!!!! I am so happy. Richard's parents took us out for dinner. It was the best meal I have had in weeks.
Venice -Italy - 6th and 7th of August 2006
Venice is beautiful. There are a large amount of tourists here for such a small area but it is still very enjoyable.
My favourite area of Venice is Saint Mark's Square which includes the Basilica of Saint Mark and Ducal Palace. I could spend hours just looking at the detail of the Basilica.
We bought lots of presents for family here as there is so many beautiful things. I could take suitcases of the stuff home if I could carry it all.
My favourite area of Venice is Saint Mark's Square which includes the Basilica of Saint Mark and Ducal Palace. I could spend hours just looking at the detail of the Basilica.
We bought lots of presents for family here as there is so many beautiful things. I could take suitcases of the stuff home if I could carry it all.
4th, 5th & 6th August 2006 - Rome
On the 4th we left Lisbon for Rome. A day in transit which involves getting up, packing, catching a bus, checking in at the airport, customs, waiting, waiting, getting on plane, plane on ground for 1 hour and delayed because another passenger had to be escorted off. Nearly all our flights have been delayed. Very frustrating!!!!!! At this point Richard and I have had more than enought of flying but the show must go on.
In the evening I saw pretty much all the sights except the Colosseum and the Vatican. My favourite would have to be the Trevi Fountain.
And I don't understand what the big deal is about the Spanish Steps, it seems to be a meeting place for young people - It reminds me a bit of the steps of Flinders Street Station.
5th of August - Saw all the sights of Rome by day including the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain again, the Piazza del Popolo, the Pantheon, the Piazza Navona with it's fountains, markets and street buskers. After lots of walking we soaked our feet in a fountain at the Piazza Venezia. It felt sooo nice! I don't think it's allowed (feet in fountain) but we did it anyway.
The food in Rome is really average. The pizza is really poor. The take-away pizzas at Pizza Hut in Australia are better. That says a lot. The only real exception is the ice cream. It is sooo good!!! I wish I had one now!
We are staying at Hotel Everest. The people running the hotel are a little strange.
6th of August
Get one more look at Rome. Today was spagetti / pasta for lunch and that was really average too. Everything is really expensive in Italy. We are counting down the days till we get to Greece and eat lots of yummy food!
Another plane trip, this time to Venice
In the evening I saw pretty much all the sights except the Colosseum and the Vatican. My favourite would have to be the Trevi Fountain.
And I don't understand what the big deal is about the Spanish Steps, it seems to be a meeting place for young people - It reminds me a bit of the steps of Flinders Street Station.
5th of August - Saw all the sights of Rome by day including the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain again, the Piazza del Popolo, the Pantheon, the Piazza Navona with it's fountains, markets and street buskers. After lots of walking we soaked our feet in a fountain at the Piazza Venezia. It felt sooo nice! I don't think it's allowed (feet in fountain) but we did it anyway.
The food in Rome is really average. The pizza is really poor. The take-away pizzas at Pizza Hut in Australia are better. That says a lot. The only real exception is the ice cream. It is sooo good!!! I wish I had one now!
We are staying at Hotel Everest. The people running the hotel are a little strange.
6th of August
Get one more look at Rome. Today was spagetti / pasta for lunch and that was really average too. Everything is really expensive in Italy. We are counting down the days till we get to Greece and eat lots of yummy food!
Another plane trip, this time to Venice
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