Sunday morning, I walked several miles around the Coto de Caza community. It was early enough in the morning that the heat had not begun. I reviewed my packing of the large duffel bag and the carry-on luggage. All was in order. We packed the car with all our luggage and headed off to Saddleback Church for the 11:00am service. Pastor Rick Warren was there, but the sermon was given by someone else. This was the first time that I was ever in the main church.
After church, Brent drove us to LAX. We wanted to get there early --- having a 5:05pm international flight.
A fun coincidence was that New Zealand friends, Colleen and Brett Naylor, had a 5:00pm flight from LAX to Heathrow Airport in London. They were heading to a holiday in France and Greece. It was great visiting with them. Carrie knew in advance that they were going to be there.
Our flight from LAX to Munich was 10 1/2 hours. I took my little blue sleeping pill as dinner was being served.
Carrie and I arrived in Warsaw about 5pm. Our Lufthansa flight went from LAX to Munich. Then, we had a two hour layover before flying to Chopin Warsaw Airport. We were fortunate and upgraded to Premium Economy seats when the trip was booked. It is always nice to have more leg room!
We were met in the airport greeting area by a driver who was taking us to our hotel. Our hotel was the Ma Maison Le Regina. It was very close to the old historic part of Warsaw. Great location, for sure!
Carrie and I walked out of our hotel to purchase some items from a local grocery store. The store also had an ATM to withdraw Polish money. We bought some items for casual breakfasts and wine. The hotel front desk staff told us where we could get some genuine Polish food for dinner. The restaurant was very close by. And, they had great Sangria to drink!
The old town was charming. There were horse drawn carriages and wonderful sidewalk cafes.
I had already been in email contact with Karol Paradowski and his wife, Joanna. Karol and Joanna live in Warsaw. The two of them worked for me at the Zion Lodge Gift Shop the summer of 2004. At the time, Joanna was 20 years old and Karol was 24 years old. They are now married and have two children.We made arrangements to meet them for lunch tomorrow.
Carrie and I walked to the restaurant where we were meeting Joanna and Karol. It was 4.5 miles from our hotel. Walking is good. Joanna works in a nearby office building. What fun to see them again after 13 years! The food was typical Polish food --- meatloaf, cabbage, and dumpling.
After lunch, Karol and Joanna wanted to show us a nearby European Center with a cute sculpture that says "Love Warsaw." Great area for souvenir photos!
That night, Carrie and I decided to make a picnic dinner at our hotel. We bought a pizza from a local restaurant and purchased a bottle of wine at the grocery store. The venue was the courtyard at our five star hotel :-)
The next morning, Carrie and I decided to rent bikes at the hotel. There were bike rental stations all over the city, but it seemed easier to just put the charge on our hotel bill.
First stop was the Zoo for a photo opportunity. Carrie had seen part of a documentary on the airplane from LAX. It was called "The Zookeeper's Wife" and was about World War II and the Nazi occupation in Warsaw. After that, we rode 9.5 miles to Jan III Palace outside of Warsaw.
We toured the palace grounds and the palace apartments. As a reward for our biking effort, we secured some hamburgers from a local restaurant called "Tasty Burgers." It was comfort food, for sure!
We arrived back at our hotel at about 4pm. Based on my GPS calculation, we rode almost 20 miles. We had sufficient time to shower and get ready for dinner at the Paradowski home. Karol was picking us up at 6pm. We were looking forward to dining with Karol, Joanna, and Karol's parents.
Waldemar, Karol's dad, was barbecuing some pork filets when we arrived.
The home was built by Karol's great grandparents. It had a lovely garden and we sat outside --- on a patio --- for a wonderful meal. Before we left their home at around 10:00pm, Karol's dad set up a photo with his camera with all six of us in the picture. Nice!
How special to have a dinner with lovely people who live in Warsaw. Great memories to treasure always!
Carrie and I had a 10:50am flight from Warsaw to Prague. From the hotel, we arranged for a car to take us to the airport. The gentleman picked us up at 8:15am. It was an easy commute there. There was an issue when Carrie checked in for the flight. Grand Circle Travel had not provided a checked suitcase for the flight! Carrie was expected to pay $23 dollars. Unacceptable! I called the Grand Circle hotline. They apologized for the error and asked that Carrie pay the supplement and she would immediately be reimbursed.
The flight to Prague was uneventful. We were met at the airport by a Grand Circle representative. After about 15 minutes, a group of us were shuttled to the Corinthia Hotel. It was about a 40 minute drive. Carrie and I continued having our separate rooms. We met our program director, Lukas, at the Grand Circle Reception. He is from Prague and has a great sense of humor.
After unpacking, Carrie and I explored the area outside of the hotel --- finding a market for water and wine --- and having a light lunch at a local restaurant. On the scheduled agenda was a walking tour of the neighborhood. Unfortunately, the sky opened up with heavy rains. So, the walking tour was cut short.
Later, there was an orientation meeting with each of the four groups --- blue, yellow, red, and green. Carrie and I were assigned the green group. There was an option tour --- a dinner and Czech folk dancing --- but Carrie and I had an independent dinner at a recommended local restaurant. We each had an authentic Czech dish with duck and dumplings.
The next day, Carrie and I took the morning Green Group's city tour of Prague --- with a local guide. We walked around the historic old town and new old town. We saw the all the usual sights of the city --- the Charles Bridge, the old atomic clock striking on the hour, Alphonse Mucha Museum, etc .
While near the Charles Bridge, we found a Thai Spa place. Carrie wanted to take advantage of a neck and shoulder massage. I went for the Garra Rufa fish tank special. I had seen this in Bangkok, Thailand, but did not partake then. Your feet and ankles are put in water with the fish. Then, the fish eat all the dead skin.
It was a 20 minute procedure. I attracted a lot of pedestrians passing by the window!
That night, there was an included dinner at a restaurant in old town. We took several smaller buses and enjoyed a delicious goulash dinner.
The next morning was a free day in Prague. Carrie and I wanted to go to the Prague Castle complex. We got an early start --- taking the subway. Security is quite tight now --- getting inside the Castle complex. We waited a few minutes in line and were searched.
Carrie and I purchased two tickets for the Castle complex --- visiting St. Vitus Cathedral and several of the old castle rooms. We were fortunate to have arrived early --- around 9am. We were told that the area gets very crowded. Carrie caught a picture of my silhouette walking through a castle corridor.
Once again, we caught ourselves back at the Thai Spa place near the Charles Bridge. I passed on a treatment, but Carrie wanted a foot massage. Done!
That afternoon, we found a wonderful park area near our hotel. It was called Vysehrad Fortress. Our nephew, Jack, spent a semester in Prague and said it was one of his favorite places. The grounds were beautiful and we stumble upon a woman the a card selling handcrafted jewelry. What a find for gifts!
That night, Carrie and I wanted to dine on something other than Czech food. Close to our hotel was a Thai Restaurant called Yam Yam. Our program manager, Lucas, said that the food was good. For beverages, Carrie ordered a Mojito and I had a Long Island Ice Tea. The food was excellent!
The next morning was time to embark on the bus to Linz, Austria. Fortunately, we stopped after 2 hours at a McDonald's Restaurant. This was a toilet break. Then, we had another one hour until we arrived in Cesky Kumlav. This was a beautifully preserved town --- still in the Czech Republic. It was like a fairy tale place.
Carrie and I took the city walk tour. We had lunch at a nice restaurant on the town square. The castle ground were a great place to visit.
Our next stop was the ship, Ship Aria. It was docked in Linz, Austria.
The day was beautiful. It may be raining the next couple of days.
We spent the first two nights in Linz. In the morning, we took a bus tour out to Mauthausen, a former concentration camp. It was a large complex. We were met by a local guide. Mauthausen was one of the last camps to be freed by the allied troops. It was an American allied troop!
Linz has been a very industrious city since Hitler's time. But, there was a nice historical area near the ship. Linz has only ONE souvenir shop!
The next day was cruising through the beautiful Wachau Valley. This is one of the most beautiful parts of the Danube --- with the landscape of sculpted hills and medieval towns built along the river.
We arrived to the town of Krems an der Donau at about lunch time. After lunch, we walked to the buses and we drove to a local winery, Winzer Krems. There, we were met by a winery guide and enjoyed our first taste of a white wine called Gruener Veltliner. It was nice enough that I bought two bottles!
We also went into the cellars and enjoyed a tasting of red wines. Only 20 percent of Austrians drink red wine. So, the wineries produce mostly white wines.
After the winery, the bus took our group back to the historic part of Krems. We had a nice walking tour of the city.
Carrie and I walked back to the ship. That night, the ship headed to Vienna.
We spent two nights in Vienna. It was nice to have a full day and one-half! Carrie and I had a conversation. While we enjoyed being in Vienna, we decided that it was a bit too large for us. Yes, we like the smaller towns. The weather was cloudy and umbrellas were required. But, we had a city tour and walking tour of Vienna's highlights --- St. Stephens Cathedral, the Opera House, the Hapsburg Palace, etc.
After the tour, we had a delightful lunch at Albertina Keller Restaurant. When in Vienna, Wiener Schnitzel is a must!
After lunch, I decided to walk back to the ship. Our tour director, Lukas, said it was one and one-half hour walk. He showed me the map and said to go in "that direction." It did take that amount of time, but I was able to see some of the Prater Park and take a picture of the Wiener Riesenrad ferris wheel from 1897.
That night, Carrie and I signed up for the "optional tour" to the Kursalon Wien --- where we heard music from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss. There was also some opera and some ballet. Richard, my dad, Barbara, and I did this concert in 2008 --- when we were cruising from Budapest to Amsterdam. It was special then and was special now. So well done!
Included in the price of the tour was a lovely glass of champagne. I am getting better at this "selfie" thing on my phone.
The next morning, Carrie and I took a trip with our Program Director, Lukas, to the Naschmarkt in Central Vienna. It is an open air market with fresh produce, cheeses, etc. A bus dropped us off at the location and, after an hour, we took the subway back to the ship.
Carrie and I did some more walking along the Danube. We met up with some swans. Interesting photo with the three swans and the high rise international buildings of Vienna in the background.
There was a tour of the galley with the Chef at 4:00pm. It is amazing that in that small space, 150 passengers and 50 crew members are fed!
That night, we set sail for Bratislava, Slovakia. I had been in that city in 1974. It was behind the Iron Curtain. In Austria, I met a fellow backpacker woman who lived in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. She invited me to visit for a day. I got the papers at the border near Vienna --- and viola!
Bratislava was once the capital of Hungary. There is a 9th century castle sitting on top of a hill.
After breakfast, our "green group" took a bus to the other side of the Danube for a Home-Hosted visit. Our group was split into 6 sets of six people. The bus made six stops. Carrie and I were in the second set of six --- met by our host, Peter. Peter and his wife live in a condominium apartment complex built in 2000.
The six of us enjoyed local sheep cheese and sweet cakes. It was also a great time talking to Peter, a retired Siemens engineer.
Carrie has been collecting Starbucks mugs from each of the countries we have visited on this trip. So, after dinner, we walked to a nearby fashion mall to get mug #4.
Next stop...continuing south on the Danube River to Budapest. On Saturday, a majority of people on the M/S River Aria went up to the sun deck for photo opportunities --- as the ship passed the remarkable 16th-century basilica in the city of Esztergom.
The ship arrived in Budapest around noon. The captain took almost an hour cruising through Budapest with commentary about what we were seeing provided on the sun deck. We got an impressive docking spot right by the Chain Bridge.
After lunch, each group boarded a bus to take a tour of Hungary's lovely capital, situated on both sides of the magnificent Danube River. While on the Buda side, the western bank of the Danube, there was free time to visit the Castle Hill district. So, some souvenirs were purchased and it was also fun seeing the Hilton Hotel and the relics displayed inside.
While on the Buda side, there were some great photo opportunities to capture the magnificent Parliament Building --- located on the east side of the Danube.
Nearby the ship's docking place was a memorial entitled Shoes on The Danube. It was created to honor the people who were killed by fascist militiamen during World War II. These victims (mostly Jewish) were ordered to take off their shoes and were shot at the edge of the water, so that their bodies fell into the river and were carried away.
Carrie and I signed up for an optional tour to visit Hospital in the Rock. We boarded the bus --- and before heading to the tour sight --- we went up to Gellert Hill. The hill was named after Saint Gerard who was thrown to his death from the hill. There is a Citadel on the hill with wonderful views.
Below Castle Hill in Buda existed a network of underground caves, which were eventually mapped by engineers and connected to a hospital that tended to scores of sick and wounded during World War II, and again during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. This hospital is now a museum with wax figures in period clothing and vintage medical equipment.
This museum was opened in March, 2008, and has become quite a popular tourist attraction. Photography inside the museum was not allowed.
After the tour, I walked back to the ship. It was fun crossing Chain Bridge!
After lunch on the ship, Carrie and I took a long walk --- crossing Chain Bridge, walking along the Danube, crossing Margaret Bridge, and walking past the Parliament Building. My Fitbit celebrated the over 12,000 steps quite easily.
Carrie is demonstrating how massive the Parliament Building is!
That night was the Captain's Farewell Dinner. We made a point to link up with Norrieann and Jim Salmons for that dinner.
After dinner, the M/S River Aria had to move to a different docking location. The captain took this opportunity to cruise up and down the river for all of us to enjoy the lighted city.
The next morning came quickly. Since we had a 9:20am flight out of Budapest, the one large bag had to be placed outside my door by 5:15am. Then, breakfast was served from 5:30-6:00am. A bus took us to the airport --- where we were began a long trip to Los Angeles. First stop was Frankfurt. We had almost a three hour layover.
When it was time to board the flight to LAX, we queued up to hand in our boarding passes and enter the plane. Since I did not travel by air all of 2016, I was not aware of a new procedure. Airlines are now weighing carry-on luggage. In economy class, I am only allowed 18 pounds. My carry-on was over that allowance. So, I took out my jewelry and camera, and the bag was tagged for LAX!!!
While we boarded the plane at the designated time, we did not take off for five hours. Over the PA system,the captain explained that there were technical issues in the plane and mechanics were summoned. Three hours later, the technical issues could not be fixed --- so a second 747 jet was subsequently brought next to our plane.
After another hour, we were escorted off the original plane and bused over to the new plane. There was another 45 minute delay before we could board the new plane. Very interesting times we live in!
Lufthansa Flight 450 finally headed to Los Angeles at 7:00 pm --- five hours late. The good news is that it gained one hour in flight time. We arrived at LAX at 9:00pm, four hours later than scheduled. I took my little blue sleeping pill after "lunch" was served and slept well for almost eight hours.
Welcome to Los Angeles! Carrie's husband, Brent, met us at the terminal and we went back to their home in Coto de Caza. One long day, but great memories of a fantastic trip!
