KL and Home to P.Nth

Well we have had 3 days in KL. It has been really really hot, but survivable (about 30-32 degrees most days). We have slowed down our travel pace! We went to a cultural show where they showed us some local dances.

We also went up the KL tower this is the 4th or 5th highest in the whole world.

We also got caught in a huge thunder storm fortunately found a hut to hid in (could see our hotel across the intersection but no way could we get there without getting soaked). So we sheltered for about an hour! There was lots and lots of thunder - extremely loud!.

We also went into a small zoo and there where some fascinating creatures there - including snakes, monkeys, big hairy spiders, lizards, etc etc.

We also went to the large outdoor bird park (mostly netted in) - it was stunning how close you could walk to all these birds - lots of photos taken! Shona wasn't very happy with the part that had all the monkeys running free in it!

After that we visited the central market place - was very cool and would go back but we weren't in a shopping mood (can you believe that!) and in one place there were these people sitting with their feet in a fish pond!!! All the little fish were nibbling there feet - a fishy massage. They let us take a photo in case you might think I made it up!

We also saw these neat metal flowers they had in the streets and saw some more of their neat buildings!

Anyway it was then time to head home. We packed our bags and we headed off to the airport. Suffered the many hours in flight. Met in Auckland by friend - thanks Colin for the coffee! On to P.Nth with no hitches - then escorted home int he cold conditions (from 30 to 8 in one day is a shock to the system!
Got home no gas - brrrr. Never mind got solved - now to do that sleep sleep sleep part of the calendar!

Thanks for following our blog site over the past 3 months. Neat to be back - catch up with you all at some stage.

Day 84 to 89. Omaha to KL Malaysia

Day 84 – Tours to D-Day beaches

Up for an early start – We had a new driver for 2 days.  The drivers are only allowed to drive for so many days and then have a day off.   We drove on the motor way  all morning to reach St Michel – which is a small island off the coast.  (really a big rock)  – but now connected by a “land bridge”.   This was a more isolated area of France. There were more dairy farms and crops – this area is wetter and cooler than other parts of France.

The “island” appeared in the distance.

 It was very impressive.   Although it was crowded it was nothing like normal apparently.

 They say you can hardly walk through the narrow streets normally because of the crowds.  We  walked the battlements  but we didn’t bother going to the top into the church.

 We visited shops and had some lunch sitting under some trees after walking the battlements trying to find some shade. It was very hot.

 Everything about this island is different .  It is a  very crowded tourist area! They plan removing the land bridge  that was created and replacing it with a bridge as well as diverting the river, since heaps of the land has silted up as a result over the past 50-100 years. 

Then we walked back in the coach and drove on to the Normandy Beaches. Stopped briefly in a village (Saint-Lo) to see a memorial on the side of a cliff  and listened to a tape in the bus about the D-Day invasion.

We drove to Omaha beach – It was very calm with no wind – not like it must have been – most signs of D- day have now gone but can still see some concrete bunkers still.

We then visited the USA memorial centre –

 very impressive with 100’s of “graves” laid out very militarily.

 We drove onto our hotel next. It had  a golf course once again – but no time for golf.  Tea was at the hotel by a pool.

Day 84 – Omaha to Paris

Up early yet again and onto Paris.  It is a hot day today – it reached 35 we think!   

First stop at Monet’s house and visited his Lily Pond and gardens as well as his house

 – very peaceful except for the 500+ other people visiting it at the same time!

 Went to Versailles but extremely hot. Did a short (because of the extreme heat) walk of gardens and then toured the palace – great paintings on all ceilings etc – but heat didn’t help concentration on guide!

 On to Paris and after a short stop at our hotel – which took ages to register our group, then no cold water for about 2 hours (eg no toilets), and no electricity on any of our plugs in our room – not very impressed with this “flash” hotel.

Any way then on to Moulin Rouge show and dinner (no photos sorry!).  It was a big place  with a lot of people. It was a nice dinner and the show was really good – good pace, and put together well. Not for young children though!!!  There were dances , very fast juggler, lady swimming with snakes, guy who lifted his partner in all sorts of ways and a ventriloquist.  Then an evening drive back to our hotel.

Day 85 – In Paris

After yesterday’s heat it is raining  heavily today! We had a bus tour around the city – passing many spots we had walked a couple of weeks earlier.

 We were pleased we had done that, as we are not getting a very good view of them today because of the rain.  We went up the Eiffel Tower (2^nd level) but raining and not very pleasant (and cool).

 We drove on to see the tomb of Napoleon – once again very impressive. Then back to hotel.

We decided to take the afternoon off and while  the  others did extra excursions.  We repacked bags and had some down time (including 40 winks )

Then out to final dinner with the group. The restraint was just down from the Arc de Triomphe  on the Avenue Des Champs Elysees – we were at the back downstairs.  It was a nice dinner and everyone was  taking lots of photos.  We dropped the rest off for a river cruise and we went back for a good night’s sleep.

Day 86 – Leaving France

Up and away at 7 am. We were not impressed with Paris airport. Duty Free pathetic – not cheap and very few shops.  We walked around with our bags waiting for over 30 minutes for Malaysian Airline check in,  to open.   We had a coffee and nibble and then we wandered looking at shops (what there was).  We went to go through customs/bag checks  an hour ahead of our leaving time and it took ages to get through– only one scanning machine for a number of jets. Not impressed with the efficiency at the airport in or out! Anyway on the plane which was held up for about 45 minutes since passengers were still going through customs! 

We watched 4 movies. No sleep really!  We  arrived in KL airport about 6.30 am. Fastest ever through passport control baggage claim  - I made the fatal comment about it being so fast – and then when we arrived out there was no transport waiting for us as promised!!!!! So after a lot of Shona assertiveness we finally got our transport sorted – Thanks to a great man from the Mayflower company.    We had a  good drive in with a great driver who shared lots about KL with us.  We got to hotel about 10 am. We were very tired. The people here were very friendly.    There is a huge swimming pool just outside our window – we went to bed to have a much needed sleep.

 After a few hours lie down, we were up again and we wandered to the Petronas Towers shopping centre which is only 5-10 minutes walk away. We walked the shopping centre again (did this last time) and had some lunch and then tea later. We headed back at dusk (about 6.45 pm) and then an early night to catch up on lost sleep and try and get our time clocks back to be organised.

Day 87 – KL for the day

A very relaxed start and after a latish breakfast we visited the Tourist centre which is just across the road. We decided to take it easy for the rest of the day.

Now updating the last 4 to 5 days of our diary and sorting photos and internet (hopefully) – if you are reading this before we get home then we got the internet sorted!

As you can see we got internet briefly. It is very expensive on a lot of hotels we have discovered! So this will probably be our last posting before returning to the cooler temperatures at home - give us a ring if you want to share the other 20,000 photos you haven't seen yet!!!!

 We have two more days in KL and then home to kiwiland.

Day 83 - Bordeaux to Tours

Off for a long trip – first 12 miles took us over an hour. Then on the motorway for the rest of the way – mostly flat with lots of grain crops again after we had left the winery areas.

When in Tours we went and visited the fantastic Chateau de Chenonceau on the River Cher. After eating lunch by a stream we were left to tour the buildings and large gardens.

 This was built in the 16^th century. Behind the chateau is a bridge across the river covered by 2 stories of fantastic “halls”.

 The following are some of the views of this building. Unfortunately some renovations at the front meant the often visible scaffolding etc blocking a good view!

 After this visit in very hot conditions (and a compulsory ice cream) on to drop off some of the group to visit an underground winery – we chose to go on and relax at the hotel before heading out into Tours for tea.

We went into the old part of Tours and visited the rebuilt church of St Michael’s. The original was ruined in the French Revolution but a smaller version was then rebuilt afterwards. Went into the old town and signs of “sorde” everywhere for the beginning of the summer sales! Unfortunately no time to shop tonight!

Had tea in a very old building called Leonardo de Vinci Restaurant – since he used to visit and stay here.  Very enjoyable evening with a singer called Serge who is apparently very well known – we listened to his CD on the way home in the bus.

Tomorrow D-Day beaches.

Day 75 to 82 Lyon to Bordeaux

Day 75 – Paris to Lyon. Well first full day on tour. We headed off early – up at 6 am!! – no sympathy I hear from home!
It was a long driving day. We covered over 430 km today.
The first 200 km, once we got out of Paris, was flat farm land with lots of grain crops dominating the landscape.
Then we started to enter some rolling hills to enter Bordeaux countryside. We saw a lot of bush/forest in this area first, then we started to enter grape vineyards.

We stopped in Beaune and had lunch here in a pretty square.

We also visited a local winery – and got “exposed” to the their wines – pinot noir & white chardonnay.
Following the break it was back onto the bus for another 200+ km with more rolling country until we arrived in Lyon. The City has two rivers running through it.

After a quick break at the hotel we were off to our short tour of Lyon and dinner.

We visited the La Basilique Notre-dame de Fourviere. This also was on the top of the hill overlooking Lyon – a lot like Florence – very pretty.

We went for a walk through the small streets of the old city. This passage ways were originally made when silk was being made in the city. We walked through some hidden tunnels or passages ways that were used during the war. Then to a wonderful dinner. After much fun it was back to the hotel and bed – for another early start tomorrow.

Day 76 – Lyon to Nice

Well another long day on the bus. After leaving Lyon early in the morning we followed the river Rhone due South. We stopped off around lunchtime and looked at Avignon.

This is a walled city that had a bridge going across the Rhone. Now the Bridge is only goes halfway across the river.
There were lots of wheat crops in the fields. The land was mostly flat for the first few hours. Then on through slightly hillier country including some rocky outcrops until we eventually got to Monaco. The Prince had got engaged the previous day but were weren’t invited to any party!
We visited the outside of the palace and the narrow shops.

 It was very similar to the last time we visited. We walked around the gardens as well as seeing views of the famous harbour heading to Monte Carlo.

Back on the bus we drove on through narrow high winding streets back to Nice, to our hotel – This was our best hotel so far – everything seemed to be in white and the rooms were very nice. After having time to freshen up we were off to tea at an old opera house – It was a opera house with a stage and curtains. On the stage was the kitchen behind a glass panel. It was a nice meal with good company. We had a local traditional beef main – which was very tender.

Off to bed after a long day.

Day 77 – In Nice
Well this morning was a more relaxed start to the day as there was no travelling today. We opted out of the “extra” and just did our own thing. The city of Nice has had a lot of money spent on it in the last few years and it certainly is very smart and flash. There were new fountains, gardens and a modern train system running through the town.

The Ironman race was on the next day so we visited the Village (this was a tent area in the middle of the city with lots of ‘sports’ shops. First we looked at the flash new bikes and things for sale – I felt rather large compared to all the trim ironmen wondering around.

We walked along the beautiful stony beach. It was a beautiful fine day. Many people were laying on the beach in the sun.

We visted the many shops and returned to the hotel briefly to change into some summer clothes!
Then we set off again and we walked around the headland to see the upgraded port. It was all very flash with its posh yachts!
We walked up many many many steps to the top of the point of the bay , which used to have a fort on it and we visited a waterfall near the top – which was very impressive.

 We then walked back via the old city but were running out of time to have a good look. Nearly got lost coming home but made it in the end.
We meet up with a few others who did not do the extra excursion and had tea across the road at a restaurant. It was really nice.

Day 78 – Nice to Carcassonne
A very long day once again in the coach The first bit of the drive was the retracing of a couple of days ago. Landscape very much covered in trees a lot of the time and very dry and rocky. As we progressed it got flatter. We crossed the delta at the mouth of the Rhone where it was very flat and they were even growing rice there.
We visited the town of Arles – home of Cessane. We missed the guided tour again and walked ourselves. It was a very hot today – around 32 I think.

The market was in full swing and Shona got a couple of things before we left! While we were in Cessane we visited the roman amphitheatre (this was a smaller version of the one in Rome) as well as other churches and an old roman theatre.

 This town had lovely small streets again and interesting places to visit.
Then back in the coach for another long drive to our nights venue. Not very exciting landscape through this bit – started to get hillier the nearer we got and quite a lot of grapes being grown. Made for a long day of travelling.
We got to our hotel and walked up to Carcassonne – which was in sight of our hotel window about 5 minutes away.

This is an old medieval walled city with double walls around it that is virtually as it was - stunning and huge – we could have spent a lot longer there. It was a fantastic place. We visited the fort inside the castle and the local cathedral. Much of the castle/city had been restored a couple of centuries ago after it had fallen into dis-repair.

 We visited the many “tourist stores” which were everywhere, Wish we had more room in our bags for some of the neat stuff – but it has to stay on the shelves!
Back to hotel for dinner and bed!
Tomorrow off to Biarritz

Day 79 Carrassonne – Lourdes - Biarritz
Once again a 6 am wake up call – come on some sympathy it is Sunday after all! We drove through mostly crop land to start with – lots of wheat and barley etc and some other green crops. Quite flat mostly for first hour of so. Skirted around Toulose then farmland changed to different crops including corn – and saw second paddock of sun flowers – just coming out.
Then we stopped at Lourdes.

Visited the holy site and church – including a delicious cappuccino. Lost of people around – but not as many people as thought.

 Day started fine but at lunchtime started to drizzle which spoilt our first real views of the Pyrenees – could see snow on top however.
After a relaxing break (for a change) it is back on the coach for the drive to Saint Jean-de-Luz.
A few more kms down the road we entered Basque country – very distinctive houses.

We went to the village of Saint Jean-de-Luz and an New Zealander was our guide! Fascinating town on the altantic coast with a neat sandy beach and large port.

 They also had their annual “fair” on so had side shows as well as dancing and music going on in the square – really neat local colour – Shona felt at home with lots wearing black – she was just missing the red scarf to become a native basque!!!!!!
Tomorrow into part of the Pyrenees.

Day 81 – Biarritz to Bordeaux
A more relaxed start then with warmer clothes on headed up to the top of the nearest mountain in the Pyrenes. We went up on a cog wheel train all the way to the top (about 3000 feet).

 From there we had stunning views across the atlantic and coast. The border runs through the middle of the “station” at the top so you can stand in Spain(concrete) &; France (paved slate stones) at the same time.

 Also saw the wild horses at as well as some birds called Egyptian Vultures (huge wing span).
Then back to the coach and then into Biarritz – what a fantastic place.

Although being Monday virtually no shops were open (they were no shops on Monday and Sunday!) – bad luck Shona.

 The beach was stunning with some fantastic rock formations and neat buildings. The tide was out so the harbour was extremely low of water leaving some boats dry!
Then off to Bordeaux – a thrilling ride with about 200 km of pine forests to look at as we cruised along – so worked on computer instead!!

Arrived at our hotel – which was on a golf course – sorry Dave and co!! Did get told off for walking on their “rough” to take photos without golf shoes on!!!! I didn’t ask what the green fees were!
Went out to tea at a local winery chateau (note we have learnt chateau in this context means a winery not necessarily a big chateau type building!!!) However this winery had been in the same family since 1202!!!!! Very nice wine – Shona thought all her Xmas had come at once!
After a very nice meal in their “barn” and saying goodnight to “Pierre.” And hopefully a more relaxing day without a long drive

Day 82 – Bordeaux
A day of local touring in the Bordeaux and Dordogne area. We first got dropped off to look around Libourne a small village market area. We walked down a narrow street to the centre of the town where there was a market. Tents up. Went shopping around the square – some goods very reasonably priced. There were all sorts. Where very good but we don’t have room in our bags. Looked at jewellery and acquired a burgundy tablecloth. The people at the market here seemed more relaxed somehow. This was a very friendly town. We bought some fruit for dinner tonight, we thought we better cut back on what we are eating!. The tour has no dinner supplied tonight but a organised lunch instead.

After looking around we returned to the coach and drove to a neighbouring town called St Emelion which has an underground church and crypts.

We struggled up a very steep cobblestoned street to see the bell tower at the top (the rest is underground). We then visited the cave of the original inhabitant Emelion who was a monk. We then went through the amzinf underground church which is the largest of its kind in Europe – they have had to support the main limestone pillars as they started cracking! This church was different in that they dug it out of the rock starting at the top. So instead of building the pillars they carved out the pillars from the top down. So really they carved out the centre of the church.

After this we had a very pleasant lunch in a nearby restaurant. Had white asparagus for entree – something new. Shona had a fabulous cold tomato soup. Of course there was wine.
Then back to the bus and onto the city of Bordeaux – this city is large and very tidy on the banks of the River Gironde.

 This is a port and was originally where wine was exported (and still is) – hence the phrase a tonne (meaning a barrel of wine). There were painted cows everywhere. A very new and efficient looking tram/train system.

 Also an amazing water pool (It was a big area of concrete slabs with a a layer of really shallow water) Looking at it from the side it looked like people were walking on water. When the water was still it had a mirror affect. Everyone was having fun in the water– especially as the temperature was very hot. So we took our shoes off and waded in.

 Then back to the hotel on our golf course (which we weren’t allowed to walk on!) and we gathered by the pool – everyone with their wine and cheese and fruit purchased earlier in the day. It was 7.30 at night. The sun was like about 4.00 on a summer day in NZ. It was a pleasant warmth and several were swimming. Only problem some of the cheese had melted on the bus during the day – nothing like runny cheese! Pleasant evening had by all. Tomorrow another long drive to Tours.