Travel Hubs

So, I thought that I would talk a little about traveling around Europe. Trains are absolutely the way to go. Here a few pictures of Paris Nord station.

The availability of trains going to all different parts of Europe is staggering. If the train dosen't serve an area then there are buses that do. It seems like there is no need for a car in most places. Better to have a bike as you can take it on the train. Bike are used everywhere. Especially in Amsterdam. . .

Ahhhh, Paris. . . .

So, it's been many years (11 to be exact) since I have been to Paris. Was not originally planning to visit again. But there is so much to see and do in Paris no matter how many times you visit (this will be my fourth time) it's never old or boring. A little sightseeing, a little shopping, a little strolling. Ahhhh, Paris!

I Know It's Cliché But I Had To Do It. . .

Belgian waffles on my last night in Belgium. . .

And our little friend was dressed for the day!

Mannekin Pis

Koln a.k.a Cologne

Gotta say, there's not much to see or do in this city other than the cathedral and shopping. And the cathedral is AMAZING!!!!

And the shopping is not so bad either. . . So, I spent a nice relaxing day and a half just exploring the old town area.

 

Ich Bin Ein Berliner

So, the story goes that Kennedy called himself a jelly donut, known as a Berliner in some parts of Germany. Well, according to Snopes, the phrase is correct and it's an urban myth that his speech was incorrect. So, for three days I'm a Berliner, hence the title.

It's a big an fascinating city.

Straddling the East and West. . .

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

Self explanatory - the famous Checkpoint Charlie.

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Gdansk at a Gdlance. . .

From the beginning of WW II to the 1980's, Gdansk has played an historic role in world events. Hitler started WW II by invading Gdansk and occupying the mostly German city (at that time). Gdansk has an interesting history. Unlike most other cities in Europe, up until WW II it was a free city-state, neither German nor Polish. It has a very Hanseatic-like (aka Amsterdam-like) feel to it. With its rows of tall, narrow, wide-windowed buildings it doesn't feel traditionally Polish. Then came Solidarnosc. . . And thus began the change for all of Europe. It took another 9 years but the iron curtain was lifted and it started at a somewhat gritty area of Gdansk.

My hotel in historic Gdansk. This is reportedly the oldest building in Gdansk, ca 1439.

Typical street in Gdansk.

Gate at the Gdansk Shipyards where in 1980  the striking workers listed their demands - 21 x Tak.
A picture of Pope John Paul II still hangs on the gate, as it did at the time.

Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers, who were killed in 1970 after being convinced to come back to work.
They were gunned down as they reported to work the next day.
This monument was the first time the communist government allowed such a thing to be erected.

The Wonders of Polska!

So, Poland was the one country I was not so sure about. I was worried about the language barrier as I didn't even know how to say "hello". But I really wanted to see the country so had decided to stay in Krakow, Warsaw, and Gdansk. That way I could get a good feel for different parts of the country. And I loved it! No significant language barrier problems and what a country! So much of historical value to see and do!

Everything you see has been carved from rock salt.

I especially was amazed at the Kolpania Salt Mines in Wieliczka, outside of Krakow. These mines are truly amazing and should be one of the wonders of the world at over 600 years old with more than 2000 chambers carved out of rock salt (it's the gray stuff in the pictures). If you ever get the chance to visit Poland make this a must see on your trip. I have never been as deep in the earth (135 meters) or seen such vast and amazing art carved out of salt!

  

Functioning Cathedral carved out of rock salt!

Although there are over 2000 rooms we only saw 20 chambers, with several chapels and a functioning cathedral that was having holy mass when I was there. All the carvings and even the chandelier is made from salt. The salt is gray in color but fluoresces green under a microscope and when it crumbles it is white. This is almost pure salt at 98% NaCl. The vein of salt from this mine is about 10 miles long and there are two more such mines along the vein, though this one is by far the largest. It no longer functions as a working mine. It's just for the tourists and historical value now. Despite that they still manage to procure 16,000 tons of salt per year by evaporation of the water they pump from the mine. They continuously pump water from the mine to prevent damage. Water is, in fact, the biggest danger in the mine. It can damage the wooden structures used for support ant cracks the rock salt.

Underground lake. 

This lake is almost pure saline at close to 100% (much more than the Dead Sea). At one time they even allowed boats to travel the canal (through the tunnel). They no longer allow this due to the deaths of several people who were killed after a boat capsized and they were trapped beneath it. They could not submerge to get out from under the boat due to the high salinity of the water and died under the boat. Sad story. . .

As you can tell, I really enjoyed the mine!

Historical Poland

One cannot visit this country without recognizing the horrors that were visited upon these people during the Second World War. Despite that, my feeling is that the Polish people are survivors and have been willing to challenge any and all who threaten their freedom. From Auschwitz-Birkenau to Gdansk, great historical events have taken place in Poland and they should always be remembered and recognized in turn.

Auschwitz-Birkenau

Auschwitz I - Arbeit Macht Frei - Work Will Set You Free. The words on the entrance gate seemed to mock the purpose of this camp.  With its leafy boulevards and innocuous looking building it could have been used for any purpose.

Auschwitz I was previously a Polish army barracks with it's well planned and tended trees and yards. . . 

Auschwitz II, aka Birkenau - the vastness boggles the mind, 1 square mile. This was a true death camp.

Auschwitz II - part of the memorial to the dead.

Elegance of Vienna

I have landed in the land of the Habsburgs. . . Their stamp of elegance and beauty are all over Vienna. With three solid days of sightseeing I may need a vacation from my vacation! Lots of royal palaces and art and architecture to see. Thankfully, it's not a huge city. Very doable on foot or the subway/tram system.

Interior, St. Stephan's Cathedral.

Me, in front of the Hofburg Museums.

Aquamarine, with my name all over it! Habsburg Treasury.

Familiar food? . . .

This is what happens when you try and get comfort foods while traveling. . .

This is a spring roll from a Chinese restaurant in Salzburg, Austria. Looks more like a strudel. . . 

The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of. . . No, No, I Won't Go There. . .

I have made it to Austria! First was Innsbruck and now Salzburg. So far, I like what I see. I'm booked for a Mozart dinner and concert and ready to enjoy the old world charm of Salzburg. . .

The Golden Roof, Innsbruck.

Charming Salzburg.

The man behind the city - Mozart, in Salzburg.

1st Stop in Munich?

I had only been in Munich for a short time and was busy trying to find my way to the city center and what do I find? An Apple store! I was able to replace my charger and cord! Back in business, baby!

Bavarian Castles and Mad King Ludwig

A life long dream of mine has been to visit the original Cinderella's castle. I mean the one that Disney used as a model. It's called Neuschwanstein and was only lived in by King Ludwig for 172 days before he died under mysterious circumstances.


Neuschwanstein Castle, King Ludwig's passion. Disney used this castle as the model for Cinderella's castle.

Howenschwangau Castle, boyhood home of King Ludwig.

Me, at Neuschwanstein Castle.

And I'm Back in Germany

Ahhhhhh, to be in the land of beer and pork. . .

A local beer and. . . 

Pork sausages and sauerkraut. My favorite!

If you didn't guess, I'm in Bavaria! This is a special post dedicated to my friends back in KSA. They will understand the significance. ;-)

Zurich. . . The Shopping Capital of Switzerland?

I wouldn't know. My one day in Zurich and I arrive on a Sunday. All the stores are closed! And tomorrow I have to leave early because it's a long slog back to Germany. My luck. I found the Apple store and won't be able to go inside. . .

Me in downtown Zurich, Switzerland.

The Mighty Matterhorn

More than 40 years ago I rode the Matterhorn ride at Disneyland (I just barely made the height limit and was ecstatic!). And today I saw the real thing! It stands as a beacon from the main street in Zermatt. How proudly it oversees the mortals down below. . .

The Matterhorn from my hotel balcony.

The view garnered my avid attention.

Me at 12,688 ft. On top of the world!  

Highest elevation I have been on land.

The Matterhorn, 14,691 ft.

Mont Blanc, France, 15,781 ft, highest point in Europe.

Best Day in the Swiss Alps, So Far. . .

I haven't downloaded my photos yet so will post more later. Here's a couple from today's trip to the Jungfraujoch - highest train station in Europe - 11,333 ft.

Kleine Scheidegg - hotels and railway junction - and the mountains Monch (13,465 ft), on the left, and Jungfrau, on the right, (13,642 ft).

And here is me enjoying 11,000+ ft.

Top Of The World

So, I made it the Alps!!!!! Arrived to cloudy, rainy, horrible conditions for viewing and hiking in the Alps. This is the best view I had from my hotel window yesterday afternoon.

Room 201, Hotel Edelweiss, Murren, Switzerland. And here are some better views this morning.
So here I am at the top of the world - the Schilthorn, Piz Gloria (where they filmed the James Bond movie 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' in 1969). I'm at 9691 ft. It is the highest altitude I have ever been on land.

Although the morning is glorious with bright sunshine at lower altitude, here is the view at 9691 ft. . .:-(