Well, after another long flight, this time from LA to Auckland, we were almost home. We had an hour in Auckland to wander around the airport - it was a good way to break up a long journey, but soon enough it was back on the plane and onwards home to Melbourne. We have had such a great time on holiday it is a bit strange being home!
We arrived home at 10:30am, and after unpacking our bags and doing some supermarket shopping had a couple of hours sleep (we did set the alarm so we would only sleep for an hour, but it helps if you turn it on!) and were woken about 8:30pm by the phone ringing (thanks Marylyn).
Hope everyone has enjoyed reading our blog entries. Now we are planning for the next trip - even Andrew is looking forward to the next one!
Sunday, 15 July 2007
Friday, 13 July 2007
Longest day ever!
Today is Friday the 13th, and as I sit and write this the day has gone for over 27 hours so far, and its only 7pm! This morning we were up early to make the most of our last few hours in London. After packing the bags, we checked out and headed to Harrods for breakfast – we missed the afternoon tea, so breakfast was substituted instead. To be honest, we originally intended to go to the bakery and get some goodies and a drink then wander down to do some shopping, but although the bakery was open, nothing to drink, so we found the Patisserie and had a wonderful breakfast of rolls and pastries.
After some shopping and photos, we wandered back across Kensington Park, which was still busy with joggers and cyclists, and on recommendation, bought some sandwiches to eat on the plane. The first leg was with American Airlines, and we had been told by a few people that the food was very ordinary and that they recommended to BYO food! We arrived at the airport in plenty of time – the tube is great, even with cancelled services!
After wandering around and finishing our shopping (still had a few pounds left, we just had to get rid of!), it was time to board the plane. We went to the gate, and were randomly selected to have our bags searched. Fortunately, it didn’t take long and soon enough we were on the plane and on our way home. This leg was 10 hours – the short leg – and we spent our time reading, listening to our ipods and watching the movies. Unfortunately, we have now finished our books, and with an 18 hour flight, the deck of cards might come out! We were hoping to purchase a new book or two at the airport, and were expecting, like all other airports we have been to, that after security control, we would be able to wander around the shops. We were wrong! There are only 4 shops, all of which are tiny and none sell books! Oh well, we will have to fill our time with the in-flight magazine – and some sleep! Also, we don’t have any US dollars, so even buying a bottle of water is out of the question, unless we want to pay by VISA…
After some shopping and photos, we wandered back across Kensington Park, which was still busy with joggers and cyclists, and on recommendation, bought some sandwiches to eat on the plane. The first leg was with American Airlines, and we had been told by a few people that the food was very ordinary and that they recommended to BYO food! We arrived at the airport in plenty of time – the tube is great, even with cancelled services!
After wandering around and finishing our shopping (still had a few pounds left, we just had to get rid of!), it was time to board the plane. We went to the gate, and were randomly selected to have our bags searched. Fortunately, it didn’t take long and soon enough we were on the plane and on our way home. This leg was 10 hours – the short leg – and we spent our time reading, listening to our ipods and watching the movies. Unfortunately, we have now finished our books, and with an 18 hour flight, the deck of cards might come out! We were hoping to purchase a new book or two at the airport, and were expecting, like all other airports we have been to, that after security control, we would be able to wander around the shops. We were wrong! There are only 4 shops, all of which are tiny and none sell books! Oh well, we will have to fill our time with the in-flight magazine – and some sleep! Also, we don’t have any US dollars, so even buying a bottle of water is out of the question, unless we want to pay by VISA…
Thursday, 12 July 2007
West end show
Today was our last full day in the UK, and we wanted to make the most of it. We started with a quick breakfast near the hotel and then made our way via the tube and DLR (Docklands Light Rail) to Greenwich. We started by finding the meridian line with our GPS, which indicated it was a little to the east of the site where the line is at the Royal Observatory. We had a quick look through the museum there and at the exhibits there. They were really very interesting and well presented.
From Greenwich we made our way to Harrods for lunch. We hoped to have something similar to High Tea at the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong, but they were not starting that service until later than we could wait. Instead we made our way to the Chocolate Bar (formerly Max Brenner) and had a very healthy Chocolate Fondue! It was delicious.
After lunch we headed to Leicester Square and the Half-Tix office to see if we could catch a show tonight. It took a while to decide from the many available shows but we eventually decided to see Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. It was full price (+2.50 GBP service charge) so we walked to the box office, which was not far away, and purchased the tickets there.
Earlier in the day we had arranged to see Georgia and her partner Miles, friends from Bright. We made our way via Covent Garden, and the street performers, back to Leicester Square where we met at the Half-Tix office. We headed to the National Portrait Museum where we had tea and discussed their recent move to the UK, which was all very exciting. They are certainly set for lots of adventures if they get to go to half the places they plan.
Evening approached quickly, so we took the time to wander through St James Park, and then back to Leicester Square for a quick pizza before the show. The theatre and the show were great – its easy to see why it has been running for so long (since 1951, and in St Martins Theatre since 1974) – such a good story. The ending was … well if you haven’t seen it you’ll have to go and see for yourself.
(Andrew)
From Greenwich we made our way to Harrods for lunch. We hoped to have something similar to High Tea at the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong, but they were not starting that service until later than we could wait. Instead we made our way to the Chocolate Bar (formerly Max Brenner) and had a very healthy Chocolate Fondue! It was delicious.
After lunch we headed to Leicester Square and the Half-Tix office to see if we could catch a show tonight. It took a while to decide from the many available shows but we eventually decided to see Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. It was full price (+2.50 GBP service charge) so we walked to the box office, which was not far away, and purchased the tickets there.
Earlier in the day we had arranged to see Georgia and her partner Miles, friends from Bright. We made our way via Covent Garden, and the street performers, back to Leicester Square where we met at the Half-Tix office. We headed to the National Portrait Museum where we had tea and discussed their recent move to the UK, which was all very exciting. They are certainly set for lots of adventures if they get to go to half the places they plan.
Evening approached quickly, so we took the time to wander through St James Park, and then back to Leicester Square for a quick pizza before the show. The theatre and the show were great – its easy to see why it has been running for so long (since 1951, and in St Martins Theatre since 1974) – such a good story. The ending was … well if you haven’t seen it you’ll have to go and see for yourself.(Andrew)
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
Visiting Family
We had a lovely sleep in this morning, with the time difference from Denmark; it felt like it was an hour later! Today we were heading to see my aunty Val, my father’s sister. She lives in Twickenham neat the rugby stadium. Before we headed off we grabbed a quick breakfast in a café up the road from our accommodation, using their wireless Internet to check emails etc.
After breakfast we arranged our tube tickets and then set off from Notting Hill Gate to Waterloo where we caught a train to Twickenham. The trip was quite quick, but we were later than expected. This turned out to be ok as Val had trouble finding a park and arrived a few minutes after us. It was quite strange meeting someone you don’t know for the first time. What do they look like, will they recognise you, etc.
Once Val arrived we headed back to her car then drove past the stadium to her flat in Twickenham. We chatted and looked over some of the photos that we had brought with us before heading to a garden centre that served good food nearby.
From lunch we headed on a tour of the houses that Val and/or my father had lived in at various stages of their childhood. We started at Inveresk Gardens, then on to Craven Close, and lastly to Cavendish Avenue. It was really great to see these places, and to have Val explain what she recalled of them. This took most of the rest of the afternoon, so we said goodbye to Val and headed back to London.
On our way back to the hotel we stopped at Waterloo and had a “flight” on the London Eye. It was quite fascinating to see the city from that height. It was quite a quick flight, but I think just the right amount of time as the pods are quite small, and there is only so much you can really see from them. We then had a quick walk through Kensington gardens to finish off the day.
(Andrew)
After breakfast we arranged our tube tickets and then set off from Notting Hill Gate to Waterloo where we caught a train to Twickenham. The trip was quite quick, but we were later than expected. This turned out to be ok as Val had trouble finding a park and arrived a few minutes after us. It was quite strange meeting someone you don’t know for the first time. What do they look like, will they recognise you, etc.
Once Val arrived we headed back to her car then drove past the stadium to her flat in Twickenham. We chatted and looked over some of the photos that we had brought with us before heading to a garden centre that served good food nearby. From lunch we headed on a tour of the houses that Val and/or my father had lived in at various stages of their childhood. We started at Inveresk Gardens, then on to Craven Close, and lastly to Cavendish Avenue. It was really great to see these places, and to have Val explain what she recalled of them. This took most of the rest of the afternoon, so we said goodbye to Val and headed back to London.
On our way back to the hotel we stopped at Waterloo and had a “flight” on the London Eye. It was quite fascinating to see the city from that height. It was quite a quick flight, but I think just the right amount of time as the pods are quite small, and there is only so much you can really see from them. We then had a quick walk through Kensington gardens to finish off the day. (Andrew)
Tuesday, 10 July 2007
Last day in Denmark
Up early this morning to say goodbye to Ela before she left for work, and make sure everything was packed so we could head out with Robert. We dropped our bags off at Robert’s office, before heading over to Christiania. We took the train near Robert’s office to the Metro station that linked to Christiania. The Metro is an automated underground railway, so you can sit right up the front and look down the track as the train is moving along. We didn’t get front row seats, but were only a few from the front.
Christiania was very different from the rest of Copenhagen. The buildings and fences are covered in graffiti, people sitting around in the street smoking, and everything looked a little run down. It was quite an interesting walk, though you aren’t allowed to take photos so we don’t have much to show for it.
From Christiania we walked to the Christenborg Cathedral (cant remember the real name). You can climb the spire here that has 430 steps, the last 100ish of which wind round the outside. The stairs were tight and two way making for some interesting climbing. You could see many of the sights we had visited from the top.
After climbing the spire we made our way back to Robert’s office for another Sharwarma. It was hotter than I remembered, but great all the same. From lunch we had a quick walk around in the parks near the central square before heading to the airport via train. It was sad saying goodbye to Robert and Ela as we had such a great time.
We arrived in Gatwick airport a little ahead of the schedule we printed, and caught the Gatwick Express to Victoria station where we caught the underground to Notting Hill Gate. After checking in and freshening up we headed out for a quick bite to eat from a nearby pub. Only a few days now before we fly back home.
(Andrew)
Christiania was very different from the rest of Copenhagen. The buildings and fences are covered in graffiti, people sitting around in the street smoking, and everything looked a little run down. It was quite an interesting walk, though you aren’t allowed to take photos so we don’t have much to show for it.
From Christiania we walked to the Christenborg Cathedral (cant remember the real name). You can climb the spire here that has 430 steps, the last 100ish of which wind round the outside. The stairs were tight and two way making for some interesting climbing. You could see many of the sights we had visited from the top. 
After climbing the spire we made our way back to Robert’s office for another Sharwarma. It was hotter than I remembered, but great all the same. From lunch we had a quick walk around in the parks near the central square before heading to the airport via train. It was sad saying goodbye to Robert and Ela as we had such a great time.We arrived in Gatwick airport a little ahead of the schedule we printed, and caught the Gatwick Express to Victoria station where we caught the underground to Notting Hill Gate. After checking in and freshening up we headed out for a quick bite to eat from a nearby pub. Only a few days now before we fly back home.
(Andrew)
Monday, 9 July 2007
Around Copenhagen
We woke up to another lovely morning, and soon headed out to the Rosenborg Palace – home of the Danish Crown Jewels. The palace was very small, and most of the rooms are being renovated, so we could only see about 3 rooms of the palace (no discount on the ticket though), so we quickly moved on to the jewels themselves. They are quite exquisite. We were amazed at the difference in presentation and security of these compared to Scotland and England. We could take as many photos as we liked, there didn’t appear to be the big vault doors or anything! From here we walked down to Amalienborg Palace, where the Queen currently lives (the flag was flying so she was home!), ready to watch the changing of the guard. Again, much less pomp and ceremony than at Buckingham Palace. We decided to have a look in Amalienborg Palace, and managed to convince the ticket sellers to sell us the ‘combined ticket’ even though we had already bought the Rosenborg ticket – so it only cost an extra kr30 instead of kr100 – good discount!
The Amalienborg Palace has a display of the studies of 5 former kings, along with a collection of dresses from the late Queen Louise (I think), the current Queens mother. It was interesting to see, but we were glad we got the discount!From here we wandered back to Stroget to meet Robert for lunch, and also meet his business partner,Arek. After lunch, we did some shopping, and then headed for a canal cruise. It was lovely cruising the harbour and canals for an hour in the sunshine. Unfortunately, Alison got a bit burnt, but it was good nonetheless.
After the cruise, we thought we had better see the Little Mermaid – it is such a touristy thing to do in Copenhagen! So off we went, and walked along the water to the mermaid. She was quite popular, and it took a little while to get a good photo, but eventually we did. It was lovely sitting out in the sunshine relaxing while we were waiting.Eventually, we wandered back to the centre of town, and took the bus back to Robert & Ela’s, but not before walking almost in a circle. We thought we had seen a bus stop earlier in the day, that wasn’t too far away. Unfortunately it was a bit further than we thought and we ended up walking about 3 times as far as we needed to, only to see it leave the bus stop about 100m ahead of us! So we ended up walking back into the centre of town and had very sore feet and legs.
But we weren’t to have too much of a rest! After dinner, Ela and Robert took us on a bike ride to a nearby café. They couldn’t let us leave Denmark without riding somewhere, and it was a lovely evening. Luckily it wasn’t too far, but was a great way to see a bit more of the city. Im sure if we were there longer, we would have ridden a lot further!
(Alison)
Sunday, 8 July 2007
Danish Castles and Adventure Parks
This morning we had another sleep in, before a relaxing breakfast and off to the Kronborg Castle (also known as Hamlet Castle). The castle was built by Christian IV, as were many other palaces and castles in Denmark. The castle is known as Hamlet Castle, as the legend of Hamlet, later made famous by Shakespeare, was based on a prince and set in the castle. We toured through the chapel, state rooms and casemates, which were very different from the castles we had seen in UK. Much less ostentatious.
From here we went to Hillerod and tasted another ‘Danish’ meal – pizza sandwich. It is basically a thin pizza base, with cheese and shaved meat (like kebab meat), cooked, then salad added and the whole thing folded in half – sounds strange, but it was delicious! After lunch, we wandered around the gardens of Hillerod Castle. The gardens are beautiful, and it was such a lovely afternoon to be outside, although quite windy.
As it was such a lovely day, we thought it was a good opportunity to visit Tivoli for a drink and to listen to some jazz. The Copenhagen Jazz Festival started today, and there were various bands playing at Tivoli. Tivoli is an amusement park, with lots of thrilling rides, amusement arcades, restaurants etc. We had a lovely time listening to the music, before trying our luck at some of the amusements – Andrew proved better than everyone else, and so we decided to grab something to eat and continue to listen to the jazz while we waited for the Illuminations show! The show is a sound, light and water show in a pond in the park. It was lovely, but soon it was time to head home to bed.
(Alison)
From here we went to Hillerod and tasted another ‘Danish’ meal – pizza sandwich. It is basically a thin pizza base, with cheese and shaved meat (like kebab meat), cooked, then salad added and the whole thing folded in half – sounds strange, but it was delicious! After lunch, we wandered around the gardens of Hillerod Castle. The gardens are beautiful, and it was such a lovely afternoon to be outside, although quite windy.
As it was such a lovely day, we thought it was a good opportunity to visit Tivoli for a drink and to listen to some jazz. The Copenhagen Jazz Festival started today, and there were various bands playing at Tivoli. Tivoli is an amusement park, with lots of thrilling rides, amusement arcades, restaurants etc. We had a lovely time listening to the music, before trying our luck at some of the amusements – Andrew proved better than everyone else, and so we decided to grab something to eat and continue to listen to the jazz while we waited for the Illuminations show! The show is a sound, light and water show in a pond in the park. It was lovely, but soon it was time to head home to bed.(Alison)
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