Wednesday, 15th January, 2014 - Sydney, Australia

There's always something special about flying into Sydney on a beautiful sunny morning. As a fellow traveller in Taiwan once commented to me "when you fly into Sydney it's like someone turned on the lights" and that's certainly the feeling you get having come from winter in Geneva where there was drizzle and heavy fog when we left.
We arrived home to a heatwave with temperatures in the high 30s. The snowy Alps of last week are but a lovely cool memory!

With scenery like this on our doorstep who needs to go travelling?

Tuesday, 14th January 2014 - Bangkok, Thailand

Halfway home and looking forward to being back in Australia. We slept most of the way from Helsinki to Bangkok so the flight didn't seem too bad. Now we have something like six hours to wait until the final leg of the journey. The travelling part of travel is not great fun!

Monday 13th January, 2014 - Helsinki, Finland

Another early start this morning to catch the 7.15 shuttle to the airport. A mistake in retrospect as we could have left an hour later, still you never know what the traffic is going to be like, especially in a strange city.
The staff at the hotel kindly organised an early "quick" breakfast for us then, to my amazement, gave me a refund for the difference in price from the "full" breakfast I had pre-paid months ago when I booked.
We have been amazed at the lack of facilities at some of the major airports compared to Sydney. OK, maybe I mean the lack of air-bridge facilities on international flights.
Once again we were bussed out to the plane and into the terminal when we arrived in Helsinki. It certainly gave us a taste of how cold it is in Finland.
In Budapest we were bussed across to what seemed like a massive shearing shed all set up with long winding lanes which we were fed into then left waiting for a good half hour before walking to our aircraft!
As I said, slightly different from Sydney.
At the moment we are in the Finnair lounge in Helsinki and congratulating ourselves on actually managing to score a seat. The place is packed - as is the whole airport. We can't believe the crowds. Where are all the Finns going?
Our next leg is the long one - all the way to Bangkok. Hopefully we'll sleep which will make the time go faster.
Oh, and Jessica will be pleased to know Peppa Pig is on Finnish TV!

Sunday, 12th January, 2014 - Geneva, Switzerland

Our Heidi-fied room is surprisingly quiet, so for once we slept well. This may have had something to do with the fact we don't seem to be able to get the air.con/heating to work, so we weren't sleeping !in the usual over heated environment.
We had thought about catching the train to Montreux and walking around the lake to my old school, Le Mesnil, but the day was dreary and the rail fares exorbitant. Instead we opted for buying a couple of English Sunday papers and spent the morning reading.
Geneva on Sunday is not the liveliest of cities, but there are a few places open. Geoff found an Irish pub where he could get a pre-lunch Guiness

Apart from over the top Swissness, the hotel restaurant offers inspirational messages: Rejouissez-vous toujours dans le Seigneur!

then we found that the restaurant we had enjoyed yesterday was also open so we had a quite pleasant lunch while watching international snowboarding races on the big screen.
Once again packing will occupy the afternoon as we have another early start in the morning with the airport shuttle arranged for 7.15.

Saturday, 11th January, 2014 - Geneva, Switzerland

In the end having to get up at 3.45am wasn't as bad as we had feared. We had been woken at 3am, anyway, by a bunch of drunken revellers tromping up the street and singing "When the Saints Go Marching In" at the tops of their voices in Russian. So we were already awake when the alarm went off.
The coach journey in the pre-dawn was pleasant enough and we were at Geneva airport before 8. As it was a bit early to check into the hotel we had breakfast at one of the airport cafes (a bargain at SF9 for a full cooked breakfast). We got to the hotel shortly after 9, but only had to wait an hour or so before our room was ready and Geoff was delighted to find a "real" computer where he could catch up with all the ASX announcements. (He hates using the tablet as the screen is too sensitive for his aggressive style of typing).
In the afternoon we set out for a quick walk to the lake and ended up walking miles. We got quite a different perspective of Geneva from this side of the lake and upgraded our perspective of the city considerably.
Also I won a $50 bet - Lac Leman is NOT spelt with an 'h'!

It only takes a little strategically placed pine wood to 'heidi-fy' an otherwise bog standard hotel room.

Friday 10th January, 2014 - Meribel France

Once again it was a sunny morning and we decided to spend it skiing around the Mottaret area. We met up with Felicity and covered much the same territory as yesterday before returning to Meribel and taking the Rhodos gondola to meet Dan at the restaurant at the top for lunch.
We started off sitting outside in the sun but then a few clouds rolled in and the temperature dropped dramatically so we moved inside.
Another couple of runs in the afternoon and that was it for the week. We were glad that everyone had survived the skiing with no broken limbs.
It was sad to say goodbye to Felicity and Dan, as it was to Richard and Jack, as we probably won't see any of them for another 12 months.
And now the packing beckons. We have a wake up call for 3.45am as our bus to Geneva leaves at 4.45.
Wonderful!

Thursday, 9th January, 2014 - Meribel France

With Richard and Jack now back at work and school respectively, Felicity was stuck with us as skiing companions today.
We decided to ski the Mottaret area this morning, partly for nostalgia's sake ( it was where we stayed the first time we came here) but mainly because the snow and runs are better. Getting there was easy via the Tougnettes gondola then the Plattieres gondola which took us to a run we have enjoyed in the past - Sitelle, an undemanding blue run with good snow and lots of sun.
Unfortunately, I had my first stack this morning. Not so much a stack as an undignified plonk into the snow as I stopped beside Flick. Getting upright again proved quite challenging. One of the downsides of skiing in one's sixties!
We stopped for lunch at a restaurant with a large sunny deck near the top of Sitelle. Afterwards we made our way down to Mottaret and, after a bit of searching, found the beginning of La Truite, a cruisy little run that took us all the way back down into Meribel.
After Flick had had a final run, we adjourned to Meribar for a hot chocolate (with the addition of a nip of rum for one certain person.)
No new pictures today.

Wednesday, 8th January 2014 - Meribel, France

Once again last night we spent a couple of hours bowling and playing pool with Jack before having an early dinner with him and Richard.
This morning we were all planning to spend a couple of hours bowling with them before they had to leave for the airport but the bowling alley was closed so we went instead to Meribar, the cafe cum bar we have had lunch at everyday, for hot chocolate (avec Chantilly) instead.
After they left we caught the Rhodos gondola with Flick and Dan to the top where it was an easy walk or ski to a restaurant with a massive sundeck for lunch.
Very pleasant just sitting in the sun and enjoying the amazing view. Once again I only had my camera with me so can't post pictures of the view.
I really don't feel confident enough to ski with the tablet.
After lunch we skiied till the sun went, sticking mainly to the top slopes as the snow towards the bottom is starting to become slushy, the weather being so warm.
A quiet night tonight!

Dan and Flick are staying at Brides les Bains which is about 40 minutes ride on the gondola just across the road.

Tuesday 7th January, 2014 - Meribel, France

Last night Richard was keen to go somewhere that Jack would enjoy so we all met up sometime after five at the bowling alley which is about a five minute walk from the hotel.
Jack and Dan were already in fierce competition when we go there but eventually Dan won and Jack had to be content with second place just ahead of Flick.
Then they moved on to the pool tables for a while, with Jack and Dan proving to be an unbeatable partnership.
Eventually we went down to the same little Pizzeria we had been to the night before from which there was an excellent view of the night skiing up above. Particularly impressive was the final run with all the flares snaking their way down the mountainside.
A little while later there was a spectacular fireworks display up the mountainside right in front of our window, so we were pretty lucky getting such a great evening's entertainment so unexpectedly.
We later learnt that it was Russian Christmas (and Meribel is full of Russians) so that is what it was all in aid of.
After dinner we retired to the hotel and the others went off bowling again. Flick and Dan then made a real night of it, going on to a bar afterwards.
So there were some tired looking people when we all met up for lunch today!
Once again it was a beautiful day - warm and sunny. We did a bit of skiing before lunch then all went up to have a final ski with Jack. I started well, but soon got overtaken by the little fella who went hurtling down the mountain closely followed by his grandfather who was determined Jack would not be able to claim he could out-ski him! Luckily it was a dead heat, so Grandad Gruff's honour was maintained.
Once Jack was safely in his lesson we all enjoyed a hot chocolate in the sun at one of the mountain top restaurants before making our way down.
It appears another night of bowling might be on the cards, though Flick and Dan have already retired to the safety of their apartment in Brides Les Bains.

Just a few points needed to beat Aunty Flick

The losing team!

Strategy is important

Of course he's reading the menu in French

Dan, Jack, Flick, Geoff, Rhoswyn and (behind all the facial hair), Richard.

Monday, 6th January, 2014 - Meribel, France

Not much to report today. We wasted a little time trying to access bank accounts on the tablet but were unsuccessful.
Flick had met up earlyish with Richard and Jack to ski with them so we eventually dragged ourselves into our ski gear and boots again and took ourselves off for a couple of runs in much the same area as yesterday, which we enjoyed. Confidence was a bit better today, which also helped and the weather was good to the point of being too warm.
After lunch Richard deposited Jack with his ski teacher for the afternoon then joined the rest of us to ski. We went up on the Saulire gondola which sounded good when the idea was first mooted. However it went up a lot further than I had realised meaning a long way to ski down. We told Richard and Flick to leave us and ski at their own pace while we came down slowly to accommodate creaking limbs! In the end we jumped on the gondola halfway to avoid the slush and ice on the lower slopes.
Flick and Dan are staying up the hill for dinner tonight so maybe able to get some photos for tomorrow's entry. No photos today as I only take the camera skiing and can't upload those to the tablet.

Sunday, 5th January, 2014 - Meribel, France

We woke to one of those magic days you often only dream about in the mountains. Yesterday's rain had turned to snow and there had been about 15cm overnight, so everything was covered in white and by morning the clouds had given way to sunshine and clear blue skies.
It felt very odd getting into all the ski gear again after six years, but once suitably attired we walked across the road to the ski storage shop for the ghastly job of putting on ski boots. Richard had very thoughtfully taken our skis to the bottom of the lifts so we only had our poles to carry. Flick arrived by gondola to join us at 10 (Dan is unable to ski because of problems with his leg) and we all followed Richard on to the Rhodos gondola. It seemed to me to be going very high.
It is an awful feeling when you lose your confidence, but that is certainly how I felt. Combined with screaming objections from my legs, the morning was hard going!
Eventually we sent Richard and Flick off to ski on their own as I was holding them up too much.
Dan came up and joined us for lunch as did Jack, once he had finished his lesson, then after lunch we all piled onto the gondola again to have a run with Jack. Or to be more accurate, to stand and watch while Jack shot off down the hill. Once again we suggested the others went off on their own while we went at a slower pace, though with somewhat more confidence than this morning.
Somehow we managed to get quite lost and ended up in Meribel Village, quite a distance from the Chaudanne area where were meant to be. Luckily a little navette trundled up eventually and gave us a lift back home.
This year for the first time I have worn a helmet skiing (Richard and Jack also wear helmets.) It is not as restricting as I thought it might be but it is very, very hot.
Hopefully with all that exercise and fresh air we'll sleep well tonight.

Fresh snow early in the morning.
(Not sure how the photos ended up the way the did!)

Saturday 4th January, 2014 - Meribel, France

As usual when you have to be somewhere early in the morning we kept waking all night to check the time.
The taxi turned up promptly at 7 (it was Switzerland after all) and we were at the airport in plenty of time to find some breakfast before looking for the Inghams reps we were supposed to meet for the bus ride to Meribel. 20 minutes after the designated time and still with no sign of anyone, we started getting worried. Eventually found an Inghams desk in the airport and even more eventually someone turned up behind it. It turns out they had omitted a word on our instructions. Instead of being at the Geneva arrival hall we should have been at the Geneva charter arrivals hall in its own terminal.

Meribel

But the bus hadn't left and we had a pleasant two and a half hour drive which took in a lot of Lake Annecy which some of you should remember. A very pretty place.
Checked in in time to catch up with Richard and Jack whose skiing lesson finished at 1.15. Apparently he tackled a blue run in Courcheval today!
After lunch they went off to ski and we tackled the gruelling process of organising skis and boots.
Flick and Dan should arrive a little later this evening.
It is snowing intermittently but hopefully will be nice tomorrow.

Friday 3rd January, 2014 - Geneva, Switzerland

With not much planned for today other than a little product specific shopping, we got off to a slow start. Waking to our first day of intermittent rain didn't really evoke any enthusiasm for sight seeing either so it was quite latish (ie around 8.45) when we ventured down for breakfast. Breakfast was included in our pre-paid room rate and we had been told to pick up a voucher each for use in the attached restaurant. That was last night's staff - this morning's staff at reception looked at us blankly, told us the restaurant was still closed until next week and suggested we walk to the Migros supermarket down the road to get what we needed. There didn't seem to be much in the way of other options and after unsuccessfully trying to find a cafe that was serving breakfast, we went to the supermarket and came back to the apartment and boiled some eggs. Very exciting.
Late in the morning the weather cleared so we ventured out onto the trams that stop outside the door and headed off to the shops near the station where we did at least find what we were looking for. Then we got another tram to an area where, we had been assured, we would find lots of restaurants but they were obviously in hiding so we went back to the station and managed to track down the one inviting looking place we had passed while on the tram.
We have decided the Genevois don't have quite the same approach to life as the Parisians.
At least when we went to reception to order a taxi for tomorrow they apologised for the lack of breakfast and promised a refund would be forthcoming!

Someone, who shall remain nameless, commented that he hadn't realised Geneva had also been under communist control. I gather he finds the buildings around us lacking in charm.

Somewhere in the far distance Mont Blanc was momentarily visible.

Now we are gearing up for an early start tomorrow in order to catch the transfer from the airport to Meribel.

Thursday 2 January, 2014 - Geneva, Switzerland

Another day spent travelling. We had to check out of rooms by 8.30 but our transfer to Budapest airport wasn't till one so we sat up in the lounge and read all morning. By 11.30 there were only about 10 people left on the boat and we were quite surprised when they brought us out lunch.
The flight was not too bad. Easyjet direct to Geneva so we arrived at six and have just checked in.
Tomorrow we shall make good use of the free Geneva transport passes the hotels here give you.

Wednesday, 1 January 2014 - Budapest, Hungary

Last night the buses were waiting at 6.15pm so it promised to be a long evening. Some people were dressed to the nines (mainly Americans) in tuxedos while some of the younger ones made a real effort and put a jacket on over their t-shirts. There are all sorts but it was probably more a tuxedo than t- shirt type of evening.
We were taken to the Ethnographic Museum in the heart of Pest, a very grand Renaissance building with sweeping marble staircases and frescoed ceilings. The main hall was set as if for an upmarket wedding but first we were led up red-carpeted marble staircases for cocktails and canapes. There were obligatory photos with the captain (why??) and then drinks for about an hour while we shouted over the noise of the vastly amplified string quartet which played somewhat incongruous selections such as Memory from Cats.
Finally everyone was sent down to the tables where each place was set with at least five different lots of cutlery and about seven different wine glasses.
There were eight different courses each accompanied by matching wines, most, to our taste fairly sweet and the food somewhat esoteric (though maybe just Hungarian gourmet).
We decided to front up for the 11pm bus home and apparently missed a really good show, but we really didn't want to have to wait until 1pm for the later buses.
Even though we left early it was a very interesting evening.
We arrived back at the ship to find a mini party in progress in the lounge where what fireworks there were were visible and just before midnight everyone wnt up onto the (freezing) sundeck to watch the fireworks.
So we had a pleasant but relatively quiet New Year's Eve. Apparently quite a few of the passengers had watched the Sydney fireworks on TV in the afternoon.
We decided to have a quiet day today and instead of going on the tour to some artists' village walked instead over the Liberty bridge to Buds and wandered around there for a while.
Once again there seems to be a problem uploading photos, so probably none tonight - but I don't really have much of interest anyway.