Monday, 13 January 2014
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!
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, 12 January 2014
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
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.
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
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| Apart from over the top Swissness, the hotel restaurant offers inspirational messages: Rejouissez-vous toujours dans le Seigneur! |
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, 11 January 2014
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'!
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'!
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| It only takes a little strategically placed pine wood to 'heidi-fy' an otherwise bog standard hotel room. |
Friday, 10 January 2014
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!
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, 9 January 2014
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.
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, 8 January 2014
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!
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!
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| Dan and Flick are staying at Brides les Bains which is about 40 minutes ride on the gondola just across the road. |
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