Thursday, September 16, 2010
Vive la France!
We're here! OMG, what a day. Flew on the BIG Airbus. The wings are 'quite large'. Arrived in Paris at 7am Thursday. Cool morning, but still fab.
Set off toward Nancy in the Alsace/Lorraine region. Endless motorways with little villages off to the side. Nancy is much bigger than I had imagined. 330,000 residents and a really big area. Lots and lots of lovely stone churches with tall point-y-uppy spires.
First stop was the Musee de Ecole de Nancy. This small Art Nouveau museum was the School of Arts during the Art Nouveau period. Emile Galle had a very strong influence and his designs magnificent. Lots of glass with strong floral texture and then overlays of bronze. A wonderful welcome to the area.
After checking into our hotel it was off to explore. Place Stanislas is an enormous open square surrounded by the Town Hall and other significant buildings - all trimmed with ironwork of black and gold. Stunning.
A vintage train ride of 45 mins takes in lots of the other old buildings in the centre ville. Great value for 6 euros.
A couple of the group decided that Quiche Lorraine was ideal so ordered at a local cafe, also ordering an espresso and a decaf espresso. Well, they got their quiche and salad and an espresso and a beer. Not sure how that happened! Our french leaves a lot to be desired, but we laugh a lot.
All a bit tired tonight and with a 8.30 start tomorrow it's early to bed. Comments welcome - in fact, demanded!
Set off toward Nancy in the Alsace/Lorraine region. Endless motorways with little villages off to the side. Nancy is much bigger than I had imagined. 330,000 residents and a really big area. Lots and lots of lovely stone churches with tall point-y-uppy spires.
First stop was the Musee de Ecole de Nancy. This small Art Nouveau museum was the School of Arts during the Art Nouveau period. Emile Galle had a very strong influence and his designs magnificent. Lots of glass with strong floral texture and then overlays of bronze. A wonderful welcome to the area.
After checking into our hotel it was off to explore. Place Stanislas is an enormous open square surrounded by the Town Hall and other significant buildings - all trimmed with ironwork of black and gold. Stunning.
A vintage train ride of 45 mins takes in lots of the other old buildings in the centre ville. Great value for 6 euros.
A couple of the group decided that Quiche Lorraine was ideal so ordered at a local cafe, also ordering an espresso and a decaf espresso. Well, they got their quiche and salad and an espresso and a beer. Not sure how that happened! Our french leaves a lot to be desired, but we laugh a lot.
All a bit tired tonight and with a 8.30 start tomorrow it's early to bed. Comments welcome - in fact, demanded!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
At the airport
Wow! This is a BIG airport. Three terminals that each take about 20 mins to walk the length of. Very spaceous and calm. There's a man playing a grand piano in the centre on Terminal 1. Charming.
We look forward to your feedback.
We look forward to your feedback.
more of Day 1 + Mr Key
This morning the sky opened and opened and opened even more. That fabulous tropical rain that drenches you with five drops. We were in Little India at the time. Very interesting shops with embroidered cushions, pashmina and more. Beautiful patterns and colours.
Then it was around town a bit more till we arrived at Chinatown Market and Temple. Temple very grand. Market very smelly, but managed to bear the smell long enough to buy something beautiful for Laura's 8th birthday. (This Grandma has been away for more of Laura's birthday's than she has been there for.)
Back to the hotel area for lunch and a wee rest. 3pm the coach collected us again for our surprise - high Tea at Raffles Hotel. The grandeur of Raffles has not diminished. It's grown significantly since I was last here in the last 70's. The news buildings are identical to the originals. Very well done.
We are back at the hotel again until the coach collects us for our journey to the airport. Our flight departs for Paris at just after midnight and is about 12 hours long. At least it will be dark so there should be a chance to sleep.
Today we have had a fabulous Guide, Lawrence who is very proud that on his trip to New Zealand he took a photo of the Lawrence Fire Station. Not everyone has their own fire station.
We have been very privileged to have been driven by Mr Key. Look a bit different to ours, but with modern surgery techniques who knows?
I'm off for a swim now - or should I go shopping?
Au revior,
Lesley & the Travellers
Then it was around town a bit more till we arrived at Chinatown Market and Temple. Temple very grand. Market very smelly, but managed to bear the smell long enough to buy something beautiful for Laura's 8th birthday. (This Grandma has been away for more of Laura's birthday's than she has been there for.)
Back to the hotel area for lunch and a wee rest. 3pm the coach collected us again for our surprise - high Tea at Raffles Hotel. The grandeur of Raffles has not diminished. It's grown significantly since I was last here in the last 70's. The news buildings are identical to the originals. Very well done.
We are back at the hotel again until the coach collects us for our journey to the airport. Our flight departs for Paris at just after midnight and is about 12 hours long. At least it will be dark so there should be a chance to sleep.
Today we have had a fabulous Guide, Lawrence who is very proud that on his trip to New Zealand he took a photo of the Lawrence Fire Station. Not everyone has their own fire station.
We have been very privileged to have been driven by Mr Key. Look a bit different to ours, but with modern surgery techniques who knows?
I'm off for a swim now - or should I go shopping?
Au revior,
Lesley & the Travellers
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Day One - Auckland to Singapore
Greetings from the Travellers!
Our intro to Singapore Airlines at Auckland Airport was to participate in a manual check-in process. Took me back to the dark ages, nevermind, we all got on the plane and were treated VERY well. Food & service all really great.
Bit of a shock when we left the Changi Airport building though. I'd forgotten what 30+ degress was like.
Within 30 minutes off arriving at the hotel we were off to experience the nightlight, with a fabulous river cruise. Lights, lanterns, noise & a cooler breeze.
Today we're off to see the sights & a special treat this afternoon.
Bus is here......................
Our intro to Singapore Airlines at Auckland Airport was to participate in a manual check-in process. Took me back to the dark ages, nevermind, we all got on the plane and were treated VERY well. Food & service all really great.
Bit of a shock when we left the Changi Airport building though. I'd forgotten what 30+ degress was like.
Within 30 minutes off arriving at the hotel we were off to experience the nightlight, with a fabulous river cruise. Lights, lanterns, noise & a cooler breeze.
Today we're off to see the sights & a special treat this afternoon.
Bus is here......................
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
This time next week.......
...... our group will have arrived in Singapore for 36 hours of shopping & sighseeing.
I hope you will enjoy following our adventures when we travel on to France. You might a taste of what we will be seeing at the European Patchwork Expo in Colmar and it's surrounding villages.
www.patchwork-europe.com
I hope you will enjoy following our adventures when we travel on to France. You might a taste of what we will be seeing at the European Patchwork Expo in Colmar and it's surrounding villages.
www.patchwork-europe.com
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